Beauty . . . Unparalleled Beauty

My friend and I visited Hendricks Park yesterday. It is Eugene, Oregon’s oldest city park with a massive rhododendron garden. Winter and a wet, cold Spring can make living here a bit dismal at times. Then–things wake up.

A nearly magical atmosphere has taken over living, growing things in my part of the world. The flowers have exploded with rich, vibrant colors as they almost glow. They exude life and feed the mind, heart, and soul of us mortal folk.

A song has been flowing through my mind for days, a hymn of thanksgiving for God’s gifts in creation. It was written by Folliott S. Pierpoint in 1863, a 29-year-old young man mesmerized by the beauty of the countryside that encompassed him.

We are blessed by His Handiwork.

On a God Joy

God Joy: A personal experience planned and initiated by our Creator. While you might be an observer, or you might be a participant, it brings a joy that fills to overflowing, and you feel compelled to pass that joy on to others–the joy of God, His love and care. (author’s definition)

Even before I got on my hands and knees to scrounge under the bed, I knew I would only find rolls of Christmas wrapping paper stored there. I looked anyway. A search in the hall closet revealed any available gift bags were either Christmas or feminine in nature. I settled on some plain white tissue paper and found some brown ribbon to hold the two packages together. I wanted the gifts to be “just right,” but banked on the fact the little boy receiving them probably wouldn’t even notice. Or care.

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