The golden rays of sunlight peek through the leaves above my
head. I am surrounded by dense foliage and flora. The dark forest green
lightens and brightens and my eyes adjust as light penetrates the dark crevices
of the plant life around me. Aging vines creep and crawl around vast trunks of
trees. In the golden beams I can now see the hidden beauty of the forest. A
multicolored tiny little bird flits from branch to branch chirping a tune that
doesn’t seem so scary in the dim sunlight. There are the pretty blue and violet
petals of a flower now visible amongst the green grass. As I take a
closer look I see the intricate detail of design in the landscape.
I stand on the rocks at the edge of the sea. Nothing but a
vast seemingly never-ending expanse of water as far as my eyes can see. I had
climbed down the somewhat sketchy steps etched into the rock cliff to get
closer to the crashing waves against this rocky ledge. There is something
exciting about venturing out on your own and experiencing the raw beauty of
nature. Just my camera, and me ha! The
sea is literally crashing all around me against these rocks coming in closer and
closer as the tide seems to be rising a lot faster than I thought. Maybe it’s
because there seems to be a storm brewing in the distance. It’s causing me to
lose ground that isn’t slick and slippery and now I re-think the wisdom of
climbing down on to this little area with nothing between this deep blue sea
and myself. Yet, I gaze around in awe, observing the layers and hues of
color in the rocks and the trickles of a little waterfall. In the crevices of
the cliff I see crabs scuttling back into the depths of rock. There is a unique
essence to the life and design of even this little area of cliff and rocks.
You are beautiful. It is a simple sentence yet powerful. Just
like the scene of the sea against the rocks. All one might see from afar is
just that, water on rocks, but a closer look and one would see the power and
force of the waves as it bursts over rocks with a crashing noise. Unnerving,
facing those waves but it awakens you, revives and excites you. Or allowing
your eyes to adjust to the silent piercing rays of golden sunlight that filter
through the dense flora and foliage you can perceive the once hidden treasures.
As young girls or women we need to know we are fearfully and wonderfully made.
How we have a heavenly Father who knew every detail of our
design. Our frames were not hidden and our forms intricately woven into whom we
are to become. We need a foundation to grow from knowing that in this world
there will always be people judging, critiquing, and informing. Beauty is
finding rest in our maker. Allowing our lives to have a continued joyful hope
in life despite discouragements, failures, or insecurity.
In our rushed, striving culture we sometimes miss out on
true beauty. We get so caught up in beauty being the glitz and glam of our
outward appearance. When beautiful is
what is seen in a smile that encourages, a kind word or a thoughtful gesture of
friendship to someone who once was a stranger.
This year as I remember my father. I am grateful for a
father who cherished his daughters and instilled in me that we are valuable
and beautiful. I am forever grateful despite my insecurities, disappointments,
and discouragements, I can rest in joyful hope and faith in a loving creator.
