Finding Beauty Everywhere – Even During the Pandemic

As I write this, we are in the grip of the COVID-19 Virus pandemic. Surrounded by fear, loss, illness, death, and confusion, the world is on pause; stopped dead in its tracks by an invisible stranger. Very few who are alive today have ever faced a global catastrophe of this magnitude.

As often happens during a time of anxiety and uncertainty, we may feel the need to look back, to recall the “good old times” that took place earlier in our lives. One of my glorious memories that I deeply relish is that of my much-loved outdoor shower at my beach house in Hampton Bays. After gardening in the warm sun or walking on the beach, it always felt refreshing and rejuvenating to get into my outdoor shower with the sky and the branches of a huge oak tree as the only roof over my head.

One year, I planted a honeysuckle vine beside the wooden structure surrounding the shower, and the vines climbed all over it. Among the sweetly fragrant flowers hanging inside the shower was a little ceramic plaque with the words “Find Beauty in All Things” right next to a small ornamental mirror. When I moved to my home in Florida, I brought the little plaque “Find Beauty in All Things” and hung it along with other signs from my former outdoor shower – right next to the mirror in the bathroom. Having a mirror next to that plaque was a strong reminder that it’s important to look for our own deep, internal beauty.

Yes, it is valuable to look for beauty in all things which God has created. It’s so easy to see the ugly side of life and to find fault with people, things, even life itself – especially during a time of a frightening pandemic. And beauty is there. After all, we have been created by the master artist – our God.

* Are there places and people where you can easily see beauty in life?

* Are there times when it’s difficult for you to see beauty anywhere?

Thank you, God, for being the great artist and for creating a world full of beauty. Teach us to be attentive observers and protectors of your amazingly beautiful world. And during these times of fear and confusion, help us to look for beauty in all things, all peoples, and in ourselves. Amen.

Joy Carol