Beautiful Things

Photo by Efe Yağız Soysal

“Butterflies can’t see their wings. They can’t see how truly beautiful they are, but everyone else can. People are like that as well.” Anonymous 

A beautiful thing took place for my family last weekend. We had the incredible experience of witnessing the water baptism of my two teenagers. In our particular faith (Pentecostal), we dedicate our children as babies and then each individual chooses the right time to be baptized in water for him or herself when he or she is ready. Both my kids decided that Easter Sunday was the right time for them. Together with family and friends they shared their stories of how they wanted to live a Christ centered life and make a public confession of their faith. This time our church started a new tradition with baptisms which was having a parent or significant mentor speak a blessing over the person being baptized. This was a very powerful experience for me and for those who attended as well. It was extremely emotional, yet so meaningful. A very proud moment for parents when their kids have chosen on their own to live for God and can get up in front of a packed church and declare that. We witnessed a beautiful thing take place that day. Parenting teens certainly has its ups and downs, but when a parent experiences a moment like this, it is one they will truly always cherish. 

Likewise I heard a beautiful thing tonight.  I attended a concert in my hometown that was truly incredible. This small orchestra made up of mostly teenagers played a wide variety of songs from pop to classical and left the crowd mesmerized with their incredible talents. The most impressive thing about this orchestra was that all their instruments were made from garbage, literally. The call themselves The Recycled Orchestra and they were from Paraguay.  Among the various instruments were violins created from paint and baking cans and saxophones created from eaves trough tubing. Why you might ask? The reason is that this is the only option they had to bring music to this impoverished area. It was unreal that instruments made of junk made such beautiful music mimicking the actual instruments they were based on so authentically. I did not anticipate this when I went there and was so impressed by this group. I heard something beautiful arise from what others would see as just a pile of rubble originally. It always amazes me when people can see such potential in something. Who would think that a cookie tin could be converted into part of a guitar or a oil can a string base? Wow! A concert to remember that is certain! They kept saying talent is everywhere but opportunity is not. This was their way of creatively trying to level the playing field a bit and I would say they were very successful. There is a saying that one man’s junk is another man’s treasure and I literally witnessed this tonight.

Beautiful things are all around us but we can get so busy it is hard to notice them sometimes. A child’s giggles, a favourite song, a sunny day, a warm hug, a wonderful visit or even a hot cup of coffee. Beautiful things come our way all the time and we sometimes need to remind ourselves how truly blessed we are to be able to experience them. 

As people we may not feel like we are that beautiful at times. We may struggle with feelings of low self worth or a sense of inadequacy, yet God specializes in making beautiful things out of our lives. We bring Him brokenness and he provides healing. We bring Him fear and he brings us peace. We bring Him worry and he brings us faith. On our own we cannot do it, but with God’s help He can bring out the beauty in all of us if we are open. A song I have sung often is called Through His Eyes of Love and the lyrics say “Through His eyes of love. See yourself the ways God does. Through His eyes of love. You’re perfect through His eyes of love!“ When Tyler was little he had a collection of tiny ceramic dogs. He loved and handled them so often that they were very nicked and scuffed. When I noticed what rough shape they were in, I inquired about what he wanted to do with them. Tyler quickly replied that he just loved them “that much more,” because of their nicks. He was looking through eyes of love and something beautiful was seen despite their obvious flaws. 

It is so vital to focus on seeing the beautiful things that exist in all people. I believe we need to attempt to focus more on seeing the potential in people around us over their shortcomings. What a world we would have if we all tried to envision more frequently what could come from a person or situation if the right opportunity and encouragement was provided. I have often shared the starfish story when I have speaking engagements. The story is told of a little boy who was walking along the beach one day. The tide had gone out and had left countless starfish stranded on the beach. One by one, he began frantically tossing them back into the water. An older man witnessed this and inquired about what the little boy was doing. The boy explained that he had to save the starfish. The negative man scoffed saying “There are so many starfish and only one of you! What difference can you possibly make?” The little boy sweetly replied as he tossed a starfish in the water, “a huge difference for this one!”  He saw the beauty and potential. 

We all have beautiful things inside of us to offer this world. I know there are beautiful things just waiting to be shared in you and I want you to see it as well. Take a good look in the mirror tonight and know that a truly beautiful person is looking back at you. Believe this and let the world see it too!

Until next time,
Dana 

Isaiah 61:3 ~ God gives: “a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” 

Little Lesson Learned: Beautiful things are in us and around us. Take time to realize that and notice them today. 

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(Dana Romualdi)  
Dana Romualdi, the copyright holder reserves all rights to the content on the blog and website Little Lessons Learned by Dana, including the right to reproduce, distribute, and display the content. No content or photographs may be reproduced or modified. Blogs may be shared on social media platforms in their entirety only with full credit given to the owner. Any photographs used by other photographers are used with permission and are also protected. All Rights Reserved.   ​

Author

Dana Romualdi is a Canadian elementary teacher, author, social worker, blogger and speaker. She has a passion for helping others and spreading much-needed encouragement. She lives in Canada with her husband and two grown children. When she is not working in the classroom or blogging, she enjoys drinking coffee, watching Netflix and reading great books. 
 
Feel free to reach out to Dana 
at: [email protected] ​

Tags: beautiful things, beautiful things in time, God's transformation, recycled orchestra, starfish story, Christian blog