"You will see his glory within you; the Lord will dawn on you in radiant beauty."
Liturgy of the Hours (First Week of Advent, Saturday Morning Prayer, Responsory)
Every time I visit the Dallas Arboretum for a stroll around the water features or a breathtaking view of White Rock Lake, I am reminded of the radiant beauty of God. I see how Our Lord paints the landscape with brilliant colors, textures, and smells....
How many of us make an effort to stop our busy lives, observing the beauty and tranquility of nature?
Not too far from my apartment sits the city landfield. The putrid smell of garbage wafts in and out, especially in the mornings. Wall air freshener plug-ins help mask the odor. Still... the foul odors constantly remind me of the stinky sin I carry around daily....
How many of us try to cover up our bad behavior, stewing in our own stench instead of asking God for forgiveness?
Blooming gardens signify life with all of its mystery and magnificence. Contrast this with decaying landfields which represent death. The cycles of birth and death repeat themselves over and over again. Yet, we may be focused on only one aspect of the cycle. Living life in positive admiration makes us joyful and content. We see good in everything and enjoy those surprises that God hands out. However, some of us natural lean toward the darker side of life, focusing on death and decay. We fail to see joy and constantly feel less content. The last thing we need is more bad news!
How can we approach the good and the bad in a more balanced way? We do not want to lean naively positive or habitually negative. The best thing to do is recognize God's presence within our souls. He glorifies and sanctifies us. He knows us more intimately than anyone.
Are we mindful of the Lord?
Gardens bloom and landfields decay. The cycle of life and death continues on with the Lord at the dawn of all of humanity.
-J.
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