When Gary and I decided to travel to our young friend’s wedding in Northern California, I was excited to put some national parks on the must-see list. We enjoyed our time in Oregon, visiting Crater Lake. We even hiked to the base in the cold weather to view the epic blue lake from the rocky shore level. It was a breathtaking time, and I couldn’t get enough of the cerulean lake punctuated by the sole volcanic cone in the middle. My head was on a constant swivel, reaching for my iPhone to try futilely to capture the pristine water and stunning setting.
Driving down the craggy Oregon Coast into California, we pulled off time and again to take in the rocky formations dotting the drive south to Crescent City.
However, this rough and wild beauty did not prepare me for my first steps into the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
At the risk of appearing foolish, I am sharing a 20-second video of those first steps into the redwood grove I sent to my grandchildren.
Beauty is very powerful; as you can hear in my voice, it can overwhelm us.
Beauty takes you unaware and transports you. And it is not just creation that captivates us with its beauty.
Kindness, generous hospitality, a sweeping piece of music, I am sure you can recall your moments of enraptured beauty.
John of the Cross wrote.
I did not
John of the Cross
have to ask my heart what it wanted,
because of all the desires I have ever known, just one did I cling to,
for it was the essence of
all desire:
to hold beauty in
my soul’s
arm.
It is this beauty I return to in thanks and for rescue when uncertainty overwhelms me and these are uncertain times.
Let me share two books that have provided thoughtful reflections on the necessity of beauty in our faith and life.
The Magnificent Story: Uncovering a Gospel of Beauty, Goodness, and Truth by James Bryan Smith
Beauty: The Invisible Embrace by John O’Donohue
May beauty preside over your journey.
Happy Thanksgiving, Mary