We live in a world where we are inundated with messages that create an image of what is beautiful based on a particular understanding of perfect, or normal. Advertisements focus on a body image that we must strive for and there are countless products available to help us make that happen. Lawns are manicured, weeds removed and people strive for a certain symmetry. Depending on the fad of the day, certain clothing is acceptable or not and, of course, we much stay abreast of the fashion in order to fit in. We use make up to cover what we determine to be blemishes or create a mask that portrays a particular image. While a part of me knows that these things do not really define our beauty or acceptability, nor do they insure a contentment and happiness in life, one cannot help but be influenced to one degree or another.
This summer I received a lesson in how imperfection can be the very thing that makes something perfect. I was reminded that if we choose to see through a different lens everything has beauty and sometimes that beauty shines more brightly because it is different. I bought strapping to use as framing for the room we were renovating. When I picked it up I made the comment to the sales person
“Some of this looks to be in pretty bad shape.”
He told me that the wood comes in bundles but if I really wanted to we could cut the bundles apart and pick and choose the pieces I wanted. Well, I was in a bit of hurry and had no desire to start cutting bundles and rummaging for the perfect pieces so I decided to take them, as is, hoping that there would be enough good among the bad. At home, I started sorting through and soon realized that there were not enough smooth, straight and just right. All the pieces would have to be used. So Mark and I decided to just grab the pieces randomly and start measuring and nailing. When we finished the first section we stopped to take a look and that is when we saw the unexpected beauty. The jagged, rough, pitted wood brought a certain character to the room that was cozy, welcoming and, well, amazing!
Ray Stevens, author of “Everything is Beautiful” captures this in his song. In the second verse we find these words:
“There is none so blind as he who will not see.
We must not close our minds, we must let our thoughts be free
For every hour that passes by,
you know the world gets a little bit older
It’s time to realize that beauty lies
in the eyes of the beholder.”
My prayer is that we might have eyes to see the beauty that present all around us, revealed in may ways and in everything.
Blessings
Valerie
© 2019 Rev. Valerie Peyton Kingsbury. All rights reserved.