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On a recent Sunday morning we were riding to church with a car full of kids.
I had not been particularly upbeat for a few days and that morning was no different.
We were on the main road near our house, we drive on it almost every day of the year.
It was flooded and more disgusting than usual.
I was thinking negative thoughts about how gross it looked and how depressing the color of the mud was and how much disease must be in the stagnant water and certainly the least that could be done was for someone to do something about the mounds and mounds of trash spilling into the nasty, smelly, water-filled road. I was feeling sorry for every animal that we passed, every person I could see, myself included. The ugliness of poverty was eating me. I was grouchy and angry and down.
From the back seat came the high pitched voice of Lydia saying, "Beautiful BEAUTIFUL ... LOOOOOOK at how beautiful!!!" I turned to look at her because in no way, shape, or form could I find anything in my line of vision that would be labeled beautiful.
Lydie was looking up, pointing above us at a tree in full bloom of red flowers. She wasn't seeing everything I was seeing. The only thing that stood out to her in that spot on our familiar road was that the tree had given birth to brand new flowers and she wasn't going to let the rest of us miss it.
I so want Lydia's eyes for beauty.
I just need to look up.
I had not been particularly upbeat for a few days and that morning was no different.
We were on the main road near our house, we drive on it almost every day of the year.
It was flooded and more disgusting than usual.
I was thinking negative thoughts about how gross it looked and how depressing the color of the mud was and how much disease must be in the stagnant water and certainly the least that could be done was for someone to do something about the mounds and mounds of trash spilling into the nasty, smelly, water-filled road. I was feeling sorry for every animal that we passed, every person I could see, myself included. The ugliness of poverty was eating me. I was grouchy and angry and down.
From the back seat came the high pitched voice of Lydia saying, "Beautiful BEAUTIFUL ... LOOOOOOK at how beautiful!!!" I turned to look at her because in no way, shape, or form could I find anything in my line of vision that would be labeled beautiful.
I so want Lydia's eyes for beauty.
I just need to look up.
12 comments:
Yes.
From the mouths of babes...
Thanks for the reminder.
Hm. Second time in as many days I've been reminded to look up. Maybe God's as tired of my moping as I'm becoming... Thank you sweet Lydia for opening your mouth and not letting the beauty go unnoticed.
Thanks. I am gonna stop looking around and start looking up again! I so needed that reminder!
Oh that we adults could continually see through the eyes of a child!!!
Tears!! What a lovely reminder God sent your way and then you shared it with me!! Thank you.
Our town has been devastated by a horrific tornado and there are many other details to life lately that are overwhelming me. This very flower you picture is the kind my Haitian daughter was holding in her 18 month picture Beth sent to us many years ago during our adoption. There is a lot to "looking up"...a lot more than a cheesey saying. This reminder of what God has done and will do is so timely to my heart. That flower is an Ebeneezer Stone for our family, and you picturing it today is no coincidence.
Thank you.
Meri
Yes, Lydia. :-)
Amen!
GREAT POINT!!! Along with Lydia's Eyes, could I also have her energy! It would make running so much easier!
Thank you for going where you go and doing what you do.
I think we could all use Lydia's eyes for beauty.
Still love your honesty,
Elizabeth
Having lived in Haiti,I know how depressing all that ugliness can be. I enjoy you posts and pray that we all can look beyond our surroundings and see beauty..
OK. Thank God for Lydia. But you? You keep your eyes on the road MAN! or you are going to have to STEP OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE INTO THAT DISGUSTING MESS BECAUSE YOU JUST DROVE INTO THE DITCH!
..looking for flowers.
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