I recently joined a book club with Lisa Whelchel, and am reading the book Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. Lisa's question for this week is:
on page 34 John writes, “Nature is not primarily functional. It is primarily beautiful. Which is to say, beauty is in and of itself a great and glorious good, something we need in large and daily doses (for our God has seen fit to arrange for this).” I, too often, run so fast that I miss His gift of beauty. Share with us a picture of beauty that captivates your heart. As John pointed out, it can be a scene from nature, a beautiful piece of music, a work of art, a person, use your imagination.
This was revelatory to me. I had no idea that we 'need beauty in large and daily doses'. Need beauty. This is not something that I have understood or realized before.
I can think of many times that I have been awed by Beauty. When I have witnessed sunrises, sunsets and rainbows.
Freshly fallen snow clinging to the trees with a new blanket of white, covering everything in sight.
Fireworks in Disney World with our children.
Watching a sunrise at 5am on the beach, looking out at the ocean, on our honeymoon.
Driving from Calgary to Banff and seeing the landscape of mountains ahead.
Hovering in an airplane above the Toronto cityscape at night.
Watching a lightning storm from the protection of our home as it lights up the sky.
Witnessing a senior couple holding hands.
Seeing a body of water, early in the morning, quiet and still before it is disturbed.
Watching my husband tear up as he talks of his love for God, me or our children.
The Beauty that moves me most. Is the beauty of life. Looking into the eyes of my newborn baby.
Yes, I do need Beauty.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Beauty
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13 comments:
I, for one, am so glad that God did not make nature solely practical....I love to feast with my eyes on the beauty He creates....neat how some things are universally and indisputably beautiful and yet others truly are in the eyes of the beholder.
A stone that has been polished smooth by the repeated crashing and tumbling of the waves.
The twinkling eye and beaming smile of a very elderly person for instance...wrinkles and all...beautiful!
I was just thinking about the beauty God created in Nature this morning. While we were waiting for the bus the snowflakes were landing on the van. The kids and I started looking at how beautiful each one was. I was telling them- how incredible it was because no 2 are alike.
So amazing!
"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." Romans 1:20 I love this verse, because it is so true! How can you look at any of the things you mentioned in your post and NOT know that there is a God?
Great post!
Xandra
Rhonda,
Thanks so much for that post. I know that as soon as I wake up in the morning I walk over to the window and stand there for a few minutes quietly in awe of God's work. Whether it be a couple sheets of snow or some squirrels chasing each other up and down a tree, God has taught me to appreciate His beauty.
I too have read Captivating and I there is one part of that book that I LOVE but I won't ruin it for you. I will tell you about it after you have finished. Enjoy it and enjoy the beautiful things He puts before you daily.
Love,
Amanda
So many beautiful things around us, eh:
~new found love
~old love that is still passionate
~seeing people worship with abandon
~innocence of a child
~my dad taking care of my mom after she had open heart surgery
~God' creation.....
Thanks for making me think about beauty that is all around me Rhonda. I was also thinking about the quote that "Art is food for the soul"...
I cherish my quiet moments to stop and revel in God's beauty.
Amazing.
Great post!
I did that book last year with a few women. Its a great book!
I'm with you.. I need beauty too, and actually love it alot.
I love Lindsay's beautiful soft skin, I love my kids eyes, and especially love to kiss their soft eyelids... sounds silly, but I love the beauty and life in their eyes.
Great writing!
I also was dumbfounded when I read how we NEED beauty. I agree though. My first thought was, "Why don't we budget for it?" Why does wanting to have/see/experience something beautiful always feel like it's an "extra"? Someone needs to read that chapter to Dave Ramsey!!
What a true statement and one I've never really thought about before. Beauty surrounds us in so many forms and I think we take alot of it for granted. I know I do. It seems children (and I've noticed our dog too) seem to be more "aware" of the smallest details of beauty - like a fallen leaf or a bug or just a plain old rock (to us). Great post.
Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you'll come again...you're always welcome.
Hugs!
Kat
Just had to leave another comment. As I was going to bed last night, I was reminded that many, many things of Beauty are offered to us for FREE! All of nature is available for us to enjoy, we just have to take the time to notice it.
Lord, open my eyes and help me to see all the BEAUTY you have provided for ME!
great post Rhonda!:o) brings lots of beautiful scenes to memory!:o)
Okay Rhonda, I'm behind in my reading of this book and now you've wet my appetite. I will catch up!!
Awesome to just think about the beauty around us. A few years back it was November and I happen to look out my back window and there stood a deer as still as anything, I just stood at my window watching her. Then she darted and after her was this regal buck that happen to be hiding in the trees. Wow, what an awesome scene right in my back yard just because. IT was a beautiful gift from God. Awesome blog Rhonda!!!!! keep it up!!!!
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