Written by As engaging as it was to sit on the sidelines and watch a bunch of random kids playing together, my grandson Finn wanted to be part of the action. While I can’t say that for sure since, at 17 months, his vocabulary is limited to about five words, I believe that everyone wants to be seen and welcomed, toddler or not.
Before Finn and I made moves to get involved in the game—completely ignoring the fact that this was a running ball game and Finn could not yet run or catch a ball—we watched a much bigger girl inch her way toward the gang of kids. It was clear she wanted to play, but she was much too shy to join in. She lingered on the edges, holding a game she brought, hoping someone would play with her. She lasted about 30 seconds before giving up; she turned to make her way back to her parents. My heart ached for her, but not for long. The oldest girl in the crowd had noticed and invited her to join the others.
I was moved by how kind and welcoming the kids were. As my heart softened, I could also feel my resolve strengthened.
It was our turn to play.
Because of Finn’s language and skill limitations, I knew I would have to be his voice and arms. I caught the attention of one of the older kids and asked if Finn could have a go throwing the ball, knowing that would be the full extent of his participation in the game. When the ball finally made its way to us, Finn and I tossed it to the crowd of children in front of us. We were equally delighted to be included in the game, even if it was just for five seconds.
Except that it wasn’t just for five seconds.
Finn suddenly became the center of attention in a new game that basically involved pulling up grass and handing it to each other. Don’t ask… I don’t get it either🤷🏻♀️.
However, the kids were having a whale of a time, and I couldn’t have been more delighted.
My baby grandson was playing with much older boys who genuinely seemed to be having fun with him.
It was a beautiful thing to experience…even Godly.
Let me explain.
In last week’s post, I defined beauty as “That which draws our attention with wonder and welcome and that ultimately leads us to worship—not worship of the object itself but worship of God in gratitude, humility, and joy.” Watching a group of children gather around a toddler to play a game that was on his level filled me with wonder and welcome. The generosity and grace that the older kids demonstrated towards Finn (and the other little girl who wanted to play) filled me with gratitude, humility, and joy. It was an unexpected and beautiful encounter with the goodness of humanity.
And I couldn’t help but thank God for it.
“Let them give thanks to the Lord for His loving kindness,
And for His wonders to the sons of men!”
(Psalm 107:31)
Although most of us have been awestruck by a stunning sunset or mountain vista or have been the recipients of other people’s goodness in surprisingly simple ways (like kids playing in the grass with a toddler), I’m not sure many of us stop to consider that God is the originator and creator of beauty. Indeed, when we encounter beauty—and beauty is meant to be encountered—there is an opportunity to connect with God himself. How awesome is that?
Why is it important to encounter beauty (and therefore God)? I can think of several reasons:
- We are changed. Numerous stories in the Bible illustrate this point: When people encountered Jesus, they were transformed. Simple fishermen became world changers, a deceitful tax collector turned his life around, and a promiscuous, cast-off, and rejected woman led her whole village to Jesus. After encountering the beauty of those children playing with Finn, I wanted to be more playful and kind because of them. Beauty can have that effect on us. It changes us for the better.
- We witness the reality of a new creation: We don’t have to look far to see the evidence of our fallen world. Sin and decay are on display all around us. However, Dr. Curt Thompson states, “In Jesus, God has inaugurated a new age, an age in which He is making all things new. This is presaged in Jesus’ life and comes to full expression in His resurrection. From that time on, God has been and is in the business of renewing all things.” As we encounter beauty, we are reminded that God is in the business of taking the mess of our lives and creating something new. Jesus has come to give us beauty for our ashes and the oil of joy instead of mourning (Isa 61:3). Encountering beauty reminds us of this.
- We co-create with God: “God’s desire is for us to join Him in creating and adding to the beauty we are becoming, which transforms the world around us into much the same” (Dr. Curt Thompson). How incredible is that? Because God made a way for us to be set free from sin and healed from the wounds and lies that keep us stuck, our lives can benefit others. (That is precisely why I started my business, Restoration Center.) Business aside, we all have the opportunity and privilege to co-create with God and call out the beauty in others. So, what are you waiting for?
Until I read The Soul of Desire by Dr. Curt Thompson, I didn’t fully appreciate the significance that beauty plays in our healing and restoration. When we create space for beauty and are intentional about encountering it, we can co-create beauty in the parts of our lives that have been ravaged.
If you would like to be more intentional about looking for and encountering beauty, here are a few suggestions:
- Spend as much time as possible in nature. For me, this means exercising and eating outside daily. If you live where it’s difficult to be in nature, perhaps make it a point to watch a sunrise or sunset or gaze at the stars at night. We don’t need mountains or oceans to encounter beauty.
- Enjoy art. Even if you can’t get to a museum, you can still benefit from looking at art online. I love landscape and wildlife art or photography, but that may not be your thing. Great literature or films also count. Just find something that makes your heart sing. (Watching Simone Biles perform in the Olympics has done that for me!)
- Listen to great music. Dr. Thompson recommended Take Five by Dave Brubeck and Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity, on his podcast about beauty, but there are endless options in this category. What would you recommend?
- Spend time with young children. Their inherent curiosity and joy are contagious.
- What would you add to this list??
Because God is infinite, I expect that there are innumerable ways to experience beauty in this world. Be on the lookout for that beauty and expect to encounter HIM!
I pray that you encounter beauty in abundance, even if you never get the opportunity to experience a group of kids pulling up handfuls of grass with an enthralled toddler. How do you plan to encounter beauty this week?