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July 9, 2007

Beauty.

I went to the Missouri Botanical Gardens yesterday and saw some of the most beautiful flowers I think I've ever seen. It's refreshing to see beauty in nature. There is always beauty at hand through our everyday walks, whether that be in a song, or books, or artwork...which are all man-made, yet, there is something about flowers or trees that grow just as God intended them to that is beautiful. I really like that they are not perfect in the way we think of them...some grow straight up, some fall over, some are just opening while others are in full bloom, and some are only opened during the day. I also love the colors and different shapes that come with plantlife as well.

While I was at the gardens I got to sit under a tree and do some scripture time. I've been reading through Deuteronomy, a book in the Old Testament that tells of the instructions that Moses gives the Israelites before crossing over to the land that was promised to them. They were promised a good life 'flowing with milk and honey.' They were promised a land to call their own, they were promised a name, and many generations to follow. Ultimately, they were promised redemption from horrible situations that shouldn't have been the way they were.

At one point in the story there is a time of anger and dissention between Moses, his brother Aaron, and Mirium, their sister. Aaron and Mirium questioned the wisdom of Moses, as well as his faithfulness. The Lord calls each of them together and works to bring reconciliation between them. There is a punishment handed to the couple and then they are brought back into the community so all the people can move on to where they are headed.

It seems that sometimes we have to take time out to work on reconciliation in our relationships so that we can continue through life. I have some friends in my life right now who are in a hard place...they feel betrayed by someone, and it hurts. Ultimately they feel abandoned, and, well, they feel like this is not how it's supposed to be. It's in times like this when I'm sad for my friends or family that I am thankful for Jesus who's grace is so wild and extrodinary. I think, "How could I forgive this person that has hurt someone I love?" Then I'm reminded that God demands forgiveness, and rightfully so, He has been so forgiving to me. What God had in mind was a world where we loved each other well and treated each other with dignity...we messed that up.

To say that I am frustrated with this person who hurt my friends is an understatement. I hope and pray that God's comfort will come to my friends and that they will receive His words of peace. While it may not be some time soon, I do pray for reconcilition, which is the most beautiful thing in the world. Thank God we don't have to accept this world we live in as the end...well, the location will be the same, but our relationships will be sweet and pure and selfless. Like the flowers I spoke of before, our relationships will be different, yet, perfect as God intended them to be.

| By Nathan Gemayel | 1:32 AM

Comments

Posted by: Heidi Vincent at July 9, 2007 11:21 AM

Email "Beauty." to a friend!