Beauty will save the world
a practical superhero practice
I drove a friend’s daughter to school yesterday because they had car troubles. As her daughter and I chatted on our drive, we came upon sunbeams filtering through the tall pines and oaks, casting glorious rays stretching across the street. Leaves of gold and coral delicately zig zagged their way to the ground, illuminated within the rays like sparkly sequins hand-sprinkled by God. It nearly took my breath away how much it looked like glitter or sequins.
My friend’s daughter was looking out the passenger’s window, still talking, and I almost interrupted her so she could behold this treasure, but I remained silent and gathered it for myself.
Later, reflecting on this moment, I felt a funny feeling in my heart. Or was it my stomach? As I became curious, I realized I regretted my decision to stay silent and not share that observation with the girl. I suppose I thought she wouldn’t care, or wouldn’t see it the way I did, or possibly think it was stupid or I’m weird, but that wasn’t it; I don’t care about those things anymore. I also wondered what it would have been like to share that moment with her and afterward, her life would never be the same. Even if she thought it was weird at first, what if her curiosity would eventually lead her to begin treasure hunting, too? What if she’d never been around people who call beauty out like that? What if…
Then, I knew what I had to do, and that feeling of regret changed to empowerment. I made a promise to myself that next time I saw even a micro-example of God’s glorious grace and beauty on display, I would call it out, no matter who is around, no matter what they might think.
The thing is, we never know what hangs in the balance for the people around us. Most seem beauty-deprived and even if they can appreciate a beautiful sunset or ocean vista, the teeny wildflower growing out of the sidewalk crack or the strangers stopping to help an elderly woman with her walker through a door get missed.
I remember going through an extremely dark period and it was these small examples of God’s beauty that would turn my attention away from the heaviness and lift my spirit. I call them God-winks, because it’s like God is saying, ‘Here ya’ go, Kelly. This is just for you’ with a little wink in his eye. Then, my eyes were opened. I wanted more God-winks, and I sought them everywhere. This became a little game, my own little treasure hunt. And you know what? Seek and ye shall find! God provided! These beauty ‘sprinklings’ were everywhere! Wanna know something cool? They always are around us, we just need eyes to see them!
These God-winks saved me. They were my sustaining grace.
I believed wholeheartedly, and still do, that these God-winks were personal little gifts from God to show his love for me. And then I believed he was lavishing me with them because suddenly they were everywhere, all the time. And then I believed I was loved. And Seen. And not alone in my darkness. And then I believed I was in the light.
Yes, indeed, friends. Beauty saves. Dare I take it further and quote Fyodor Dostoevsky, the 19th century Russian author, from his book, The Idiot, “Beauty will save the world.”
Who am I to get in the way of bringing God’s saving beauty and grace to another? Or to the world?
Wanna be a superhero?
Share all the things you find beautiful with those around you, and just like a good writer would never exclude the proper credit when using words from another writer, be sure to give God the Creator the credit for the beauty you see. It’s all him.
sparkling gold glitter
leaves in crepuscular rays
illuminate Love
“Be ablaze with enthusiasm. Let us be a live burning offering before the altar of God.”
Hildegard of Bingen
Oh Kelly this is absolutely lovely. I relate to this so much. When I was in my darkness too, I called them God droppings ✨ The random person texting me me to write on an extremely hard day, the hummers stopping in my face, the random child who turned around, and said "you are so loved." Crazy stuff. I had stopped seeing for a while too, but He is so good to remind us of His Sovereignty and love. I now feel like my seeing and hearing is even more amplified. Yesss ✨🙌🏻 share with anyone who is near!
🙏🏻😘 ox
Kelly, I love this! This is exactly what I'm aiming for in my photography and my writing! To point out the beauty all around that God gives! But also, such a good reminder to credit the Creator!