On a recent walk through a downtown park, I marveled at how clearly the leafless trees and clouds were reflected in the puddles along the path. Even in a muddy, leaf covered, makeshift pond I could see an almost perfectly rendered image of the natural beauty around me. As I continued on along the river that flows between parks and under bridges, I thought of what it means to be a reflection. And I thought, isn't it amazing that even in a puddle with sticks and other distractions to blur the image, where we wouldn't think to look for beauty, you can see such a clear reminder of what is above you?
And then, in my mind that is always searching for metaphors, I saw a beautiful reminder. We, too, in our perceived imperfections can be a reflective surface for something truly beautiful. I began to think about what it means to have the image of Christ in our countenance. I never really understood what that could imply on a practical level, but as I considered the visual lives of people that I consider to be close to God, I saw that they truly did reflect Christ in some way. I saw that their outside appearance, which could have been a distraction, was something that could be looked past to see the real image that lay right beneath their surface.
How many times do we allow a physical attribute of someone prevent us from seeing their true selves and how their lives are a reflection of the Divine? Does a tattoo, or a body type, or a choice in fashion make it difficult to focus on the image that is not immediately visible without a different perspective? I'm sure that I have let passing judgments halt my ability to see the souls of others - and I hope that I can learn to more easily see past the surface to what is reflected.
4 comments:
You have an eye for beauty, Courtney! Just look at that photograph! I am so happy you saw this beauty, and brought your camera along, and took a picture! Now your joy is also my joy! Love it!!!
You are always so insightful. Thank you for sharing your soul with me today.
:)
So true. This is one of the reasons that I really dislike our ward's "Sunday Dress" code for all activities. I think it's almost alienating where it should be inviting. Not that I've never done the judging thing myself.....
i'm guilty...
even this sunday quinn was having a fit before church because she wanted to wear her pink shoes (pink converse with velcro-- not exactly 'church shoes.') and i didn't want her too. she had a point-- the pink shoes DID match her pink tights. I told dave to put her brown boots on her despite the screaming because the pink ones didn't look church appropriate-- he looked at me with that look where he doesn't have to say a word. she wore the pink shoes. (it was valentine's day too... so heck). i think dave and i both struggle with judging outward appearances right off the bat. i think dave even tries to push it with a beard and white hair-- and BLUE shirt to church :) this post was a good reminder to work on seeing people beneath their surface appearance since that's exactly what i expect from other people.
That is one of the most amazing photographs I have ever seen - oh, thank you so much for sharing! I am so glad I found your blog! Here is mine: www.housewifeclass.blogspot.com
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
~ Emily
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