Flinging Beauty Far and Wide!
I have never seen a field of sunflowers in Tuscany. And I’ve never been in Texas in the Spring when the fields are covered in Bluebonnets. But recently I saw an outcropping of Purple and Blue Lupines covering the wilderness in Wyoming and their beauty almost made me cry.
One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:4
Beauty personified will be finally dwelling in the house of the Lord. But He sends us glimpses of that beauty here on earth as well.
A beauty that I first learned to appreciate many years ago on my first trip to Maine — the home of Alice Rumphius, the lupine lady. In her delightful book, “Miss Rumphius,” Maine author Barbara Cooney tells of a little girl who so enjoys hearing her grandfather’s stories, she declares to him that when she grows up, she also wants to go to faraway places and live by the sea.
But her tells her she must do a third thing: “You must do something to make the world more beautiful.”
Alice had no idea what that could be. She grew up, became a librarian and traveled to many exotic places. After retiring to a cottage by the sea, one day she noticed a field of lupines and had a grand idea.
All summer Miss Rumphius wandered over the countryside flinging handfuls of lupine seed, despite the fact that people called her ‘that crazy old lady.’ But the next spring there were fields and hillsides everywhere covered with blue and purple lupines. Miss Rumphius had done the third, most difficult thing of all!
This sweet story ends with the elderly ‘Lupine Lady’ telling stories to children in her parlor. As her grandniece talks about traveling and living by the sea herself, her great-aunt Alice exhorts her to do a third thing. “You must do something to make the world more beautiful.” [Barbara Cooney, “Miss Rumphius,” 1982]
God is the Creator of all beauty.
What will you do to help make your world more beautiful? Both inside and out…
Benediction: My child, beauty is all around you and calls to your heart. This gift comes from Me but is given so that you might pass it along to others. Everywhere people are affected by the ugliness of the world’s sinful choices. What will you do today to offer My beauty to them? Plant those seeds. I’m behind you all the way.
Lucinda Secrest McDowell in “Dwelling Places”
May the grace of Christ, the love of God, and the friendship of the Holy Spirit bring you comfort and strength, Lucinda
“Helping You Choose a Life of Serenity and Strength”
©2021 Lucinda Secrest McDowell www.LucindaSecrestMcDowell.com
Lucinda Secrest McDowell is a storyteller and seasoned mentor who engages both heart and mind while “Helping You Choose a Life of Serenity & Strength.” She has authored 15 books including “Soul Strong – 7 Keys to a Vibrant Life” and “Life-Giving Choices – 60 Days to What Matters Most.” She writes from “Sunnyside” cottage in New England and shares encouraging words at LucindaSecrestMcDowell.com
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Thank you sew much for all that you do!
We once came across a whole field of lupines, and I had pretty much the same reaction. They are beautiful. When we visited Norway, the lupines there jumped out at me, same way. : )
This is beautiful, Lucinda!:). Thank you!:)
Thank you for all you do for so many to make the world more beautiful, Cindy. Your WORDs themselves are things of beauty.
Oregon has the beautiful purple Foxglove that blooms in the wild.