Lessons in Beauty

This summer, I entered the scenes found in fairy tales and while in a blissful trance, Beauty shared some lessons with me.

 I walked on cobbled roads built by the Romans and sipped tea in castles.

 I saw deep green hills dotted with white sheep and harsh ocean waves crashing against jagged rocks.

I walked on lush grass covering an ancient monastic site dating back to the 6^th century.

Entering the Long Room, I felt a sense of reverence surrounded by centuries-old books stacked in bookshelves going up to the ceiling.

Each day found enchanting scenery as I was beguiled by legends and romantic story of Vikings, knights, poets, queens, and warriors. My heart felt so full of wonder, it was like I could just float away in the state of delight.

Beauty elevates.

Beauty can overwhelm to the point that my chest constricts, and I feel a painful ache in my heart but I keep gasping for breath, trying to take in more of it. I felt this when driving past a valley of rolling hills shaded in different greens and I bit my lips to keep me from shouting Slow down! I need to take it all in. 

When leaving the vineyard and enchanting garden, I ached for more time – days – to really embrace the wonder.  My throat tightened as we walked past the front gate. Beauty can make me cry. It calls to something in me that I cannot touch. It causes me to miss something I have never known.

Beauty awakens.

As we toured dazzling, spacious halls and strolled along ancient structures built by those who longed for immortality in their legacy, the sentiments of Solomon echoed in my mind Vanity, vanity. All is vanity (Ecc. 1:2). There was a haunting solemnity darkening the elegant and powerful structures.

 So much poured into these masterpieces only to die and leave others to wonder after them. There were several moments when walking through castle passageways and looking at portraits of royalty where I was filled with a sense of the futility of it all.

Beauty creates a longing for the immortal.

It tells me that I was not meant for death or the end of good things. It can be said, then, that beauty reminds me of my origin and destiny. I am a daughter of God and my destiny is in His restoration of all things. There will be no more endings or horrors. Only life and beauty.

Walking among delicately carved bookcases and fantastically woven tapestries, I felt drawn to become a part of the beauty around me. As I stood next to these works of art, I too wanted to be called a masterpiece and I wanted to be a part of some creative process.

Beauty inspires me to create.

Countless times throughout our trip, I wondered about the heart of God. The sunshine spilling over rows and rows of grape vines, the fluffy sheep unaware of my gawking, the prim and delicate tea cakes placed on elegant platters… all of it pointed to a loving Father who loves to dote on His children.

Life is hard and, being a counselor, I tend to be exposed to the darkness more than anything else. There are sessions that leave me feeling so heavy - just overwhelmed with the pain, suffering and brokenness of the world. But when I am in the presence of beauty, there is a protective layer formed around my heart once more. I am reminded that this is not everything. This is not forever.

Beauty is the breath of fresh air my soul needs when I’m tempted to slink into a pit of helplessness. It is God’s gift – freely given and undeserved.

Beauty is grace.