The Beautiful

A beautiful, rich snow today. Deeper than it looked like from the doorwindow. Took some manual labor to clear out an area to cater to my feathered friends. It seemed as if there was a lot of "hurry up" in their chorus this morning--I was, I admit, a tad late. Probably leave me a lousy tip.
Though spring is a month away, I was meditating on the beauty that will soon begin to express itself throughout The Acres. The pussy willow by the pond--one of them--is already glorious. If it gets any bigger, I'll have to name in Redwood. We are surrounded by so much beauty--gifts to us from the Lord of Beauty. Yet, too often we fail to notice it or think that we have to go somewhere else to find it. He tells us to consider the lily of the field, the sparrow hopping along the sidewalk, the little child coming to sit on our lap, the wisdom seen in the gray hair of the elderly. No one loves life more than the Creator of it. He has even placed the beautiful in places where no one has ever seen it but Him. But we can see so much around us, and we need to pause, rejoice in it, wonder at it, praise and thank Him for such gifts.
And as gorgeous as a new snowfall in February, or the first crocus, or a cardinal sitting on a deep green fir, or the silver-white pussy willow blooms reflected against a gray sky, there are the beautiful portraits of life all around us that we too often fail to see as well. Is there anything more beautiful than a little child? Is there anything more beautiful than a little child laughing or crying in the arms of Mom and Dad? Is not the most beautiful woman on earth the silver-haired grandmother surrounded by her legacy, embracing them in her love, encouraging them by her faithful walk with Him--a walk that radiates His beauty through her eyes? Are not the stories and skills and work ethic passed down from grandfathers the most beautiful treasures on earth? We are so rich; and yet, we go through each day as if we are the poorest creatures on earth. His beauty does indeed surround us. He has saturated our lives with beauty, endowed us with beautiful family and friends, even filled our minds with beautiful memories. Each moment in our life is a masterpiece "painted" for us by the Lord of Life--the King of Beauty. Stop. Gaze. Dance in the beauty all around you. Sing the wonders of His love. He has given you a life filled with the richness of His beautiful presence.