holiness observed
We got to our spot on the beach this past Saturday and suddenly I realized we were on holy ground. Our girls were already playing in the shallow waves. Kim watched as I started digging the foundation of what I had hoped would be the best sand castle I'd ever build.
Then, I noticed a man in his mid-seventies (at least) and a teen-aged boy walking toward the water. Their long slacks and closed-toe shoes gave them away as pilgrims on mission. And the large bouquet of orange and red flowers made me realize they were about to reach their destination.
They walked all the way to the edge of the foamy waves and stood there for a few moments. I couldn't help myself, but I stared (even when Kim told me "that's none of your business.") I watched not out of curosity, but in reverence and respect. The boy handed the flowers to the older man. Clinching them with both hands he gazed into the merky water. In a quick motion, he threw them in the waves and turned around an began walking away. The younger placed a hand on the shoulder of his elder and guided him to wherever they went next.
I thought, "This is real beauty."
I wondered, "What had happened? Who were they remembering? What had they just memorialized?" And I came back to Kim's words to me, "that none of your business."
For some folks, the pursuit of truth (or Truth, or absolute Truth) is seen as the highest, most honored of quests. But, I wonder, God may be saying, "that's none of your business." And God might go on to say, "The truth? That's my business. Why don't you all stick to finding beauty instead?"
Terry-Michael
3 Comments
Reader Comments (3)
I have to say I would have starred as well and even told Chris not to. It sounds like a beautiful moment and one I am sure that is very special to the boy and man.
Plato would say that truth and beauty are the same thing, and that when you find one, you'd certainly find the other.
last paragraph is money!
Great great post! Sounds Buechnerish, or perhaps Palmerish. But Very TMish:)
fantastic story and I think you are right. I would agree that our search for "(T)truth" has blinded us to our journey. It's amazing that so many people "get saved" and then spend the rest of their lives teaching and arguing about that "truth". It's as if their journey has ended the moment they "accepted Christ". As if there is nothing left to do but sit and wait on eternity.
But the journey itself is beautiful. Dare I say it is a gift from God? I've already linked, and this is one of my favorite posts!
thanks
j