It’s been a stressful week. I’ve got a cold and the deadline for a trip to Kenya is coming. The original text of the hymn, “For the Beauty of the Earth,” written in 1864, includes these verses that have been so healing.

For the beauty of the earth, For the beauty of the skies, For the Love which from our birth over and around us lies: Christ, our God, to Thee we raise this our Sacrifice of Praise. For the joy of ear and eye, For the heart and brain's delight, For the mystic harmony Linking sense to sound and sight: Christ, our God, to Thee we raise This our Sacrifice of Praise.

It’s easy to be focused on immediate complexities. We live in such a convoluted world, always things to try to figure out. I’ve been reminded that if I look up there is always beauty. Even in small everyday things.  Beauty is all around us, an expression of the love that is always over and around us.  Yet I often get used to it, and even irritated.  Irritated at the dog interrupting and needing to go out. Irritated at snow and cold.  I’ve been trying, with patchy success to look. 

Stepping out of our own concerns to see the love and beauty around us is, as the hymn writer said, a kind of sacrifice. Looking away from our own concerns toward our creator gives such joy!This traditional Navaho blessing resonates with me. "With beauty below may you walk. With beauty above may you walk. With beauty all around may you walk. In old age wandering on a trail of beauty, lively, may you walk."

 These photos were taken this week. Enjoy!  Wishing you joy in the beauty around you.