Understanding Beauty

There was this window. It was elaborate with lead lines arching throughout the clear glass. A few of the small pains had broken and an expert was needed to repair. This was just one small detail throughout a restoration of an otherwise disaster house. Yet, the passion the leader had to restore the house was inspiring. No matter what was lying before her, it was the vision already formed in her head that allowed her to plod-on through every single detail until the house sung gloriously again.

A thought that has been churning in my mind the last few weeks; the cost for beauty and is it always worth it. In an American society, a wealthy society, sometimes beauty and materialism get lumped into the same basket. As a Christian I try to keep my focus on being satisfied no matter my circumstance, no matter my wants. This effort is of little problem for me.

On the contrary, I sometimes lack the ability to invest in something that will enrich life because of its cost. This I am learning is a slippery slope. I am not saying that I need to learn to buy on every whim or to spend time on more frivolous things. But I am saying that there is an amount of need in such things. Let me give an example:

Rory loves to paint. There are kid paints and there are paints that are more vibrant. Kid paints wash out. Vibrant paints typically do not (we know this fact well). I have felt not to get her cheap paints, but rather to let her feel the rich colorful globs of paint on her brushes. To see the sun shine off her page. Various hues of pinks supporting the soft petals of each flower she forms. Because for Rory, paint is important. Painting calms her whining, it brings out the biggest smiles and the strongest focus. I am sure she could get similar satisfaction by a cheaper version, but I have no doubt she is gaining a deeper experience by a true painter’s tools.

In time, this same thought applies. Sometimes it is easier to just get through the day. As they say, days for a mother are long, but the years are short. I am learning to remember the shortness of the years and use that as motivation to spend more time on experiences that will bring my children an understanding of beauty. Be it in colored chalk art, reading books together multiple times throughout the day, going to two parks in a day, painting during breakfast and again at dinner. Not because excess is always good, but because a day laden with opportunities of beauty and interaction are essential to a positive outlook on life.

I started to ask myself “Why?, Why does the appreciation or the ability to know how to find beauty important? Is it all superficial? Is it all American materialism?” Then I began to think of that window. In its simplicity and practicality it achieves its purpose – to keep the elements out of the house. But then I began to think of the unique design. The lead lines curving and swirling, each one holding and forming to the delicate glass beside its firm line. In its beauty the viewer of the window can appreciate much more than what it protects, but can be inspired. For it is by God’s grace, by God’s love, that much of the beauty that surrounds us is there for us to learn how to love and appreciate ourselves and others. Many of God’s creations could simply be practical, yet God has put detail in everything. There is beauty in exploration. There is appreciation. He knew we would need this adventure, this challenge. Isn’t this ultimately what we are here for anyways? To love, to live, to be inspired and not just exist in practicality?

Yes, the simple and cheap paints will color the paper. But what more will it bring to inspire her if the paint is raised from the page, if it swirls and curves in its vibrancy, and melds with the others in such a glorious way that it sings with beauty.

God, my God, how great you are!
beautifully, gloriously robed,
Dressed up in sunshine,
and all heaven stretched out for your tent.
You built your palace on the ocean deeps,
made a chariot out of clouds and took off on wind-wings.

What a wildly wonderful world, God!
You made it all, with Wisdom at your side,
made earth overflow with your wonderful creations.

-from Psalm 104