It's bad enough to be sleeping in church. It's especially bad when you're the preacher! Yea, that was me, but I have a very reasonable explanation. We were staying overnight at the "Old Church House" in Oakland, TN. James and Louis Maddox have converted the Oakland Methodist Church building (originally built in 1927) into a fantastic bed and breakfast. Our bedroom was once part of the chapel and included three stunning stained glass windows that soared to the 12' ceilings. During the day, ordinary sunlight was transformed into something truly extraordinary.
As evening neared, we enjoyed another work of art in which the artist's medium was light. This was one of those rare sunsets in which the whole sky was ablaze with glory. The clouds were just in the right place to first be cast in yellows and golds, then oranges and reds, and finish with blues and violets.
The sunset was God's grand stained glass window. His was not a static display but an animated work of art as clouds moved and changed shape, as one color was replaced by another, and as the crimson disk of our sun deepened in color and grew in size before its departure. This was not a picture, but a light show. I thank the Producer for a great performance from all His troupe. It reminds me that God is interested in making things beautiful. Even me! Even you!
God's beauty is all around us. Not just ordinary beauty but rare beauty, that He allows us the privilege of witnessing. I was just having this discussion with my 3 1/2 year old when he said, "Mommy, I have never seen God." I proceeded to share that God is all around us in everything we see in creation. In the love and kindness shown to one another. But, I said most importantly is that God always sees us, even though we do not see him. That to me is a warm blanket, a strong hand to hold, the calm reassurance that keeps me grounded. I appreciate most that He does see beauty when He looks at me...my quirkiness, my insecurities, my strengths...it's all just plain 'ole me. HIS creation whom He always has an eye on.
Posted by: mjc | October 01, 2007 at 08:03 PM