I was encouraged by a Facebook post I saw today. Author Susie Finkbeiner, a woman I respect and admire, acknowledged the winter gloominess but asked what is hopeful in our lives? “Just some little sparks of hope, joy, and love that are making you smile” to brighten the day? I loved this idea!
Apparently I wasn’t alone. Dozens of beautiful responses made me smile: photos of smiling babies and puppies, anticipation of upcoming weddings, decluttered spaces, chocolate cookies, “wild joys of motherhood”, soap bubbles that incite giggles, a fixed kitchen faucet pro bono, vacations, hot coffee, time with loved ones, assistance for the down and out, and the list went on.
One of my desires for this year is to focus on beauty. Not strive for a standard of beauty but focus on existing beauty. The beauty that God gives on a daily basis that I sometimes rush past because I believe the lie I haven’t time enough to luxuriate in it. Why not? Life isn’t a dress rehearsal, and I only get one pass at modeling for my children what glorifying God by enjoying him forever looks like. Why they should want to live.
So much brokenness…can’t run from it if I try, but I can choose to focus on the beauty and enjoy God’s gifts. Enjoy Him. And trust Him with the broken I can’t control. I desire to do less FOR and more WITH this year. To be fully present wherever I am, whoever I’m with, and discover the hidden beauty tucked into everyday interactions.
Today, I offer you a beloved collection of winter photos from photographer Johanna Froese that inspire awe, remind me to look up sometimes, and focus on beauty. I also greatly appreciate art student Katlin Gearhart’s eye drawing, the very picture of focus! What about you? What’s something beauty-filled you’ve seen or experienced? I’d love to hear from you!
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. Philippians 4:8-9 MSG
Ooh! Some of those pictures would make the perfect setting for a scene in a story. Very inspiring!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Melissa! (I love showing off my mom’s photography.) Fabulous idea to use the photos as writing inspiration!
I love that phrase, “beauty-filled.” Thanks for the nudge to focus on the beauty that surrounds us, rather than the negativity. This morning I heard the most beauty-full piece of music on the classical music station I listen to, called “A Prayer for Peace” by Munich. What a lovely way to greet a new day! Here’s a link. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q5PDzDPd50
Diane, thanks so much for sharing your snippet of beauty! I enjoyed listening to the song you shared. Love classical music!
What a great reminder. The first thing that came to my mind when I read this post is the beauty of our collective voices in song when praising God. I love music of all kinds but I grew up in a church with only acappella singing and I find it sooo beautiful.
Riley, what a beautiful picture! I love acapella singing also. Funny, my next post is about singing!
Beautiful! Thanks for the reminder, Pearl!
Hulda, it’s always a joy to hear from you. Thanks you.
Amen! I love reminders to find and enjoy beauty, to embrace grace, to live this moment. Blessings!
Cyn, great to hear from you! May your day be beauty-filled. 🙂
I really enjoyed your article today 🙂 I started keeping a journal this year for the first time in a few years 🙂 one of the things I started doing was writing postive I seen through out the day, I am now adding things that are beautiful and remind me of God. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Polly, that’s wonderful! You’ll have such a great collection to go through by the end of the year. 🙂
Rebekah, you totally made my day! What did they find?