Seeing the Beauty…
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these…” “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all of these things will be given to you as well.”
“One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” *
Al’s mom, Char Lowery, had a tradition of sending us a special gift several weeks before Christmas. We looked forward to receiving the box, which contained a large amaryllis bulb packed tightly in a plastic pot along with directions. Planting the bulb in the prepackaged soil and then watching it grow indoors was always enjoyable. The anticipation of showy red flowers made the long seven to ten weeks wait worthwhile.
After it had finished blooming, the original bulb was planted along the north side of our Springville home along with those from previous years. Every spring large red blossoms greeted us, reminding me always of mom Char.
One year I took the amaryllis bulb to school so my second graders could have the experience of watching the whole growth cycle. It generated many interesting math, science, writing and art lessons. The students soon discovered there were two stems mysteriously protruding from the seemingly inert bulb and began measuring them each week to chart their growth.
Four buds gradually developed; however, it seemed like we had been waiting a long time for something to happen. When the kids arrived at school one morning and realized the buds had turned into beautiful red flowers, they were spellbound. One child exclaimed, “It’s a miracle!” No matter how many times I’ve watched amaryllis bulbs bloom, I still feel the same way.
Just recently, Al and I were shopping in a hardware store when I came to a standstill in front of a display of gift boxes of “Red Lion” Amaryllis bulbs. And they were on sale!
Couldn’t pass that up!
It seemed like a wonderful project to do with our two youngest grandsons. So, I bought one for them and one for us. I planted ours first, discovering the disk of compressed fibers used for potting the bulb needed to be soaked in water so it could expand.
Expand it did, all over the place…not dirty but crumbly and messy. Once my bulb was planted in the fibrous mix, it was put on a table under the kitchen window along with two orchids…one of which is sending out spikes and getting ready to bloom around Christmas time. Maybe “Phalaenopsis” will encourage “Red Lion” to blossom!
Armed with a plastic tub, spoons for scooping out the potting mixture and a saucer to go under the pot, I took the other box over to my step-daughter’s house so the boys could plant their bulb.
Nate (12), Elliot (10) and I managed to keep the kitchen counter fairly clean, holding the flower pot over the tub while spooning in the fibers and then packing it all down around the large bulb. Now, we’re waiting...
At least I know what to expect, that’s if it isn’t too cold indoors for the heat loving bulbs. The boys haven’t any clue. I’m sure they’ll be surprised.
Beauty…it’s all around us and within us too, if we take time to find it. My All-american tackle father hesitated to accept Christ into his life until his kind and perceptive pastor told him God wanted him just as he was, that he didn’t have to become like his daughter or anyone else.
And God did! Dad became involved in the Fellowship of
Christian Athletes, impacting the lives of numerous athletes and coaches as well as the members of affiliated service organizations. Christ’s beauty blossomed in him when he took that step of faith.
Sometimes it’s challenging to envision beauty in the people around us and maybe even harder to believe He’s changing us, creating beauty in our lives as well.
And one day we’ll be with Him face to face, seeing Him in all of his beauty. Until then we wait in anticipation!
Mat. 6: 28-29, 33 & Psalm 27:4 NIV
Judy Lowery is a former resident of Springville and lives in Michigan. The Good News column appears on the Religion pages of the Recorder. You can read more at Judy’s blog, goodnewswithjudy. blogspots.com. Contact her at judylynnlowery@ocsnet.net