Simple Beauty
Teach us Delight in simple things. ~ Rudyard Kipling
Yesterday, I wanted to bring some colors into my garden so they could reflect this wonderful spring weather that we are experiencing here right now. Right after dropping my children off at school, I went to the store to carefully pick out some flowers and plants. I was pleased with my Roses, Azaleas, and other plants and flowers that I found. I proceeded to check out when someone drew my attention to an area where they had plants for fifty percent off. I walked over to see if they had anything of interest, when I saw that many of these plants were just tossed on top of each other. It was sad!
I looked through the piles and noticed that many of the flowers were dead. I kept looking through them and found Violets that had one beautiful blossom while everything else in that same little pot appeared completely dead. I saw Dianthus that no one would want because almost everything had withered and turned brown due to lack of nurture and care. Pansies of all different colors were barley recognizable as they were buried on top of each other. I wished I could have taken them all home with me to rescue them from such a harsh place. I settled for about twenty of them and chose the ones that still had potential and beauty to give.
As I arrived home, I carefully pulled all my new plants and flowers out of my vehicle. I was eager to get started in replanting them into their new home. Carefully, I chose a new spot for each flower and each plant. I decided to have the little flowers that were tossed away, closest to my front door. I want to keep a close eye on them as they gain back their strength and begin to recover.
I pulled out my CD player to play some calm, beautiful acoustic guitar and Celtic music. It made planting and working in the garden even more meaningful. My mind began to reflect on the meaning of these little plants that were just rescued from their certain fate.
Though tossed away with carelessness-
as men toil for gain alone.
Their life - that still remained,
became a silent place -
that, with humility - dimly shone.
Walking past - its light,
gently touched my heart,
as I looked with knowingness -
of that which was unseen - yet, I was a part.
It was obvious that so much life
and so much strength -
was still within its means.
Beauty - it is willing to give
to those who would take some time to see.
Basking in contentment and joy, I placed each plant tightly in the rich soil that I could provide for them. I was pleased as I watered them; bringing space so they can stretch their roots deeper and letting them expand into their own expressions. I was pleased as I was reminded one more time how God is ever so willing to provide the richness of His love and care, that we may expand our heart and our minds into ever healthier expressions of His love. With assuredness and peace, we then can touch someone’s heart in return, with tenderness and care, bringing even the smallest healing to them. I am deeply thankful for even His simplest beauty!
Thanks for the moving reminder of how are love is a simple refelction of God’s love. The small acts do so much to remind us, to embed it in the garden of our soul, that love and understand may, like your flowers, find the root of its own expression
Comment by Jeffrey — March 29, 2007 @ 1:44 am
I agree with the others, this is a good write. It is thoughtful, contemplative, observant and more. The construction gives a timeline, showing passage of time, a key in any story. I hope that my work can come close to being the same.
Laura
Comment by LANEF — April 3, 2007 @ 1:47 pm
yes beauty sometimes only revels itself only to those who arte willing to see. great write it makes the reader reflect on life and the little things we toss aside.thank you for sharing
Comment by anonymously — April 12, 2007 @ 11:04 pm