In this crazy time we live in, it’s a real joy to run across beauty.
One day recently, I did just that! The picture above is a feather I found walking in our backyard. I’m not positive, but I think it’s from a Cooper’s Hawk.
I just happened to see it as I was descending the hill heading back to the house. I’m really thankful I didn’t miss it. It could have easily blended in with the leaves covering our path. I’m also thankful I stopped and picked it up instead of just walking past.
To some it may not seem like much, but to me it was a message from God. It was joy, peace, calm, beauty, magnificence, awesomeness, and amazing rolled into to one lone feather. It was sacred to me. It is sacred to me.
I carried it into the house, with tears rolling down my cheeks as it had touched me in such a profound way. You may be wondering why it even matters, and if, perhaps, I should have my head examined.
God’s beauty always matters, and in our time of COVID-19 we don’t hear much about beauty – we hear doomsday on most of the news channels. We hear politicians trying to turn this pandemic into something they can use for their selfish agendas. All the political parties are guilty of this!!
So, to me, this feather is God’s sign that GOD – not the Republicans, not the Democrats, not the Independents – GOD is in charge. It’s God’s world, not ours.
One lone feather made a difference in my life. All too often, we overlook the small reminders of God. All too often, we fail to see the beauty right in front of our noses. On the ground as we walk. Perhaps resting somewhere on our cluttered desks. Down at the bottom of a purse or backpack. Everywhere. There. Is. Beauty. There is something God has placed right there to bring us joy, peace, calm, beauty, magnificence, awesomeness, and amazing – right there for our benefit.
These things, these moments cause enjoyment and growth. We need to be mindful and appreciative of them. We need to embrace them. We need to let them seep into our very souls and become a part of us. Because they are a part of God, and when God is a part of us, we have cheerful hearts – even in the midst of COVID-19.
Proverbs 22:17 reads: A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (NIV)
The beauty of a lone hawk feather made my heart cheerful. I’m learning to recognize those moments and allow those moments to boost my spirit, to make my heart cheerful – in spite of my circumstances, whatever they may be.
As you lay your head on the pillow each night, thank God for the little things of beauty that bring you joy and a cheerful heart. As you awake to another day, thank God for the little things right in front of you that bring you joy and a cheerful heart.
When you do this, you’ll go about your life with a feather in your cap that will serve to remind you God is in control, and no matter what, you can have joy and a cheerful heart.
See you next time…
Enjoyed reading! You’re so right nature is so much more magnificent than anything man has created. Sitting here looking out at the water is calming and centering. The water and sky change every second of every day and are fascinating to watch. If you are sitting still and quiet outside it is amazing what you will see and hear. Thank you!
Thank you, Grace. I really appreciate your thoughtful words.