Beauty and the Image

So, I took a walk with Henry today, and I took a walk with Henry yesterday, and I have been taking walks with Henry every so often. We take these walks at the local state park, Mounds, and I think we both enjoy them. But today I came to the realization that too often I fail to recognize the beauty that is all around us while we walk. Henry rides in a Baby Bjorn carrier [purchased used at Once Upon a Child] and I am usually looking directly ahead or down at the path, making sure that I don't stumble or trip over any branches or nuts or stray leaves. I do this for protection, but I wonder if by doing it I am doing myself, and to a degree Henry a disservice.

You see, I have been missing the beauty. And not just on those walks.

I have been missing the beauty in Henry when he knocks the spoon away while I try to feed him or when he kicks and screams while I am attempting to change a diaper.

I have been missing the beauty that is my wife, when I get angry over small things that I should just be a big boy and get over, but instead I hold onto them as if they have real significance.

I have been missing the beauty of my weekly road-trip to church, because many times it just seems like a task to complete before I have to do my job and then a task to complete before I get to rest at home.

I have been missing the beauty that is my town when I allow the beast inside to roar when someone doesn't use a turn signal or doesn't pay attention to anyone but themselves at Wal-Mart.

I have been missing the beauty that is in this world because of tragedy after tragedy, sorrow after sorrow. I see the anger and I miss the beauty.

I have been missing the beauty in my day and week and month.

And I have been missing the beauty that is in myself, that Imago Dei, Image of God, that resides in my being, but I look over so often.

That Image that is plastered not just on myself, but on Mary and Henry and the people in my town and state and country and across the globe.

That Image that says that everyone has meaning and purpose and is cared for and wept over.

That Image that calls us back to where we came from, back to who we came from.

That Image that shines through us in those times of sorrow when we run toward the fire or storm, or bullet instead of running away.

That Image that convicts and sets us free from within.

That Image that connects us and binds us and frees us to love.

I have been missing that Image and the beauty because I have focused on the moment instead of the eternal.

I have been missing that Image and the beauty because I have let anger and fear and mistakes and failure overrule love.

and Love wins, always has, always will.

So right now, in this moment I will choose to see the beauty, choose to remember the Image, choose love.

So, Henry and I took a walk today, and we took a walk yesterday. I'm not sure if we will take a walk tomorrow or not, but the next time we do I hope to see the world through new eyes.

Peace and Love,
Pastor K