Mom Heart Moments #70

Why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

IN TIMES OF EXHAUSTION, grief, or trial, holding on to a sense of order and loveliness is essential. Though many trials of life cannot be easily fixed with a pat answer, the difficulty of walking through them is often eased if it can be experienced in a lovely environment.

This idea stems from being made in the image of a creative God. Just as God looked into the void and created our orderly, lovely, magnificent universe —the cosmos —so we are able to look into the messiness of our lives and create spaces of meaning and beauty. We all feel the weight of our humanity and our ability to dissolve into chaos. A simple way to combat chaos is to focus on creating small spaces of beauty.

Lighting a candle or setting a vase of fragrant flowers, using beautiful dishes or an interesting centerpiece —any of these little acts can soothe a soul overwhelmed with life.

Framed photos of memorable moments adorn the small tables and shelves in my own home. Candlesticks and candles appear in almost every area where there is a chair. Framed calligraphy of favorite quotations and verses adorns our walls, and at least three water pitchers full of flowers garnish our sitting areas. Interesting and beautiful magazines and books are piled high in baskets and bins in every room. I rarely hang curtains because I prefer seeing outside views while sitting in the chairs I’ve positioned next to the windows.

Looking back, can you see ways that God has provided for you in the past? How can remembering His past providence help you to cultivate beauty, even in difficult times?