Connected Beauty {Day 20}

Day 20! That means we are 2/3 of the way there.

Which seems like a good time to check in on my focus. When I started this journey, the idea was to write for 31 days on seeing beauty in our everyday, doing dishes, going to work kind of life. Together we have seen beauty on back roads and at Chinese restuarants. We’ve talked of beauty in heartache and redemption, in work and in play. Through your comments and emails, you’ve allowed me to see beauty through your eyes.

And it was from your lens that the idea of having Connected Beauty arose. (you can read the first week’s post here). It hit me one day, how much breath taking beauty I see on Facebook. Just quick pictures that a friend took when their day intersected beauty. When their going about life stopped to see something, to really see it.

I was thinking this last week, each picture I have shared impacts me on two levels. The first is the picture itself. The way it represents beauty and opening our eyes to what is in front of us. The second is more personal. For when I see the picture, I am also thinking of the person who shared it and who they are in my life. So this week I want to share a bit of that with you.

The first picture is one my mother in law Sue took. It symbolizes so much to me. This is a bridge they crossed just yesterday on their journey from South Carolina to visit us in Western PA. Sue has her 50th reunion from nursing school and they are up here for it. For many years (like our whole marriage) we have lived far away from each other. From the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific kind of far. This is the first time we have lived in a days driving distance. I treasure that this has increased the frequency in which our lives intersect. The frequency in which we bring beauty into each others lives. The frequency in which we are part of each others daily lives. And of course the frequency in which my son has the delight of Papa bringing him donuts. The beauty of blue skies and a bridge….and the beauty of life together.

The second picture is from Mandy. She is a junior in high school. This picture is playful and fun, much like she is. For me this picture represents hospitality and refreshment. For I can not separate it from her family. Her parents and 2 sisters have got to be about the most hospitable, welcoming family I have ever met. And their land and their horses and their kickball games have been such a place of nourishment and refreshment for our family. The kind that goes deep down in your soul. So there is the beauty of the horse…and the beauty of kindness.

The last picture is Joleen’s. And you know what? I have never met Joleen. Nope. But we are connected be something very significant. We both have children that joined our families from Guatemala. Have you ever had a similar journey or life situation that immediately connects you to someone? Adoption is often like that. And to top it off, she lives in Minnesota, our home for many years. When I look at her picture, my heart sees Minnesota. My heart sees someone who knows the same long, sweet journey. The beauty of fall apples…and the beauty of waiting rewarded.

Thank you Sue (bridge), Mandy (horse) and Joleen (apples) for sharing the beauty of your worlds. When we see glimpses of God’s beauty and goodness from all the corners of the world, it expands our vision and our worship.

Where do you see beauty today?

Would love to hear from you in the comments!

I am participating in The Nester’s 31 Days of Series. Click right here to see all the amazing topics!  I am writing on 31 Beauty Full Days.  You can read the intro post here.  And you can also always click on the button on the sidebar to see all posts in the series.

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