As I sat in silence listening to the church choir sing
hymnals of my past, I began to realize that beauty is all around me. I started to reflect on what other parts of
my life display the kind of wonder that I was seeing inside that old church of
mine.
I considered my family and all those that God has placed in
my life, allowing me to be a part of something far greater than just my own
existence; my blood family, my adopted family, and those that have helped shaped
and influenced me.
I thought of my friends; those that have been such a huge
part of my life – my classmates, teammates, shipmates, co-workers, close supporters
near and far. Those that have accepted
me and loved me despite my faults, without judgment or scorn.
I pondered on all the places I’ve had the privilege of
living and visiting throughout my life; from the great Southwest to the Pacific
Norwest. From my home-away-from-home state of Hawaii to the small village of Bucha, outside of Kyiv. From Port-of-Prince, Haiti to the Great Wall
of China. God has blessed me immeasurably,
allowing opportunities to travel to points near and far from home.
I contemplated elements immediately in front of me; my home
life, my work life, my activities and interests.
In my reflection, I discovered that each part of my life
holds beauty in some form or fashion. There
is beauty in the love that families share.
There is beauty in friendship and fellowship. There is beauty in my own backyard and around
the globe. There is beauty in the mere existence of my immediate surroundings.
I try to remain humble and thankful for the splendor that
surrounds me each and every day. Most
times I take it for granted. But when I
have the opportunity to sit in the church I grew up in, see the sun display its’
brilliance and wonder in the windows nearby, and listen to the choir sing Halleluiahs,
I cannot help but appreciate the beauty of my life.
