Two weeks ago we gathered together in Greenville, NC for the Foraged Beauty Art Workshop. Amidst conversations on beauty, we foraged in the garden, stitched mixed media journals, created cyanotypes, picnicked in the outdoors, wrote our thoughts upon paper, painted landscapes, and ate more delicious food than I can remember.
It was a beautiful time, set aside to pursue creativity and wonder. It never ceases to amaze me how Beauty can transform our souls. I needed this weekend more than I knew.
As I taught alongside Daune Pitman and Tim Willard, I realized that my own soul was hungry for Beauty. In the busy pace of daily life, sometimes it takes stepping out of our normal routines to reawaken wonder. I can get so focused on productivity —making sure I get through my daily to-do list—that the immediate trumps the integral. What needs done at the moment swallows up what is most important.
As we sat outside on our last day at the workshop— hearts shared, tears shed— it reminded me of the importance of togetherness. We need each other. We need the beauty in each other.
My natural proclivity is to savor time alone —reading, praying, writing. If I’m not careful, I can forget to reach out to those I love. When I am with others, my spirit soars, my laughter abounds, and joy fills my soul. Why do I forget this so easily?
We need the beauty of each other.
When we lived in Oxford, I was struck by the significance of the pub. Down the road in the village where we lived was a renown pub, The Bear and the Ragged Staff. Tim and Lyric stumbled upon it one rainy afternoon.
The pubs in Oxford soon became my favorite place to gather. Most contained huge hearths with fires roaring inside. Beauty raged.
But what struck me most was the togetherness witnessed inside. Walking inside an English pub the first thing you notice is the lively conversation within its walls. There is constant inspiration between the theological discussions taking place, creative mapping being played out, or political discord causing a ruckus. Everyone is sharing—everyone has something to say.
The pubs are a trademark for a good time. The gathering place of togetherness.
Tim describes this best in his book The Beauty Chasers:
“The pub sounds familiar to me, like the Communion table. The banter of life mixed with the commotion of serving and eating and drinking, life touching life, small relational events unfolding around tables and in quiet corners. It’s the beauty of human beings participating with one another—one life colliding into another—without the veneer of pretense.”
The beauty of human beings participating with one another.
If we’re not careful, we can miss this beautiful collision today. When a life touches a life, two souls interact and beauty arises. The invitation is given to explore, and we are wise to take it up.
Our world does everything it can to distract us from those who are right in front of us. We have the continual interruptions of our phones, the constant reminder that someone or something needs our attention. But do we really know how to properly give this hallowed attention— to what or to whom?
We have lost the art of paying attention to those closest in our lives, and wonder why we feel so alone.
“Beauty blossoms in our connections with people . . . And the full bloom of togetherness springs from our continual connection with God. Don’t let all the progress of society reprogram your innate hunger to gather and participate with the world around you.”
Today I’m choosing to be present with those around me. I’m pursuing ways to participate in their lives. Maybe you want join me?
I find myself putting down my book and walking into my youngest pixie’s room as she plays with her Calico Critters. I determine to add more beauty around the dinner table so my family lingers a little bit longer. I pick up the phone and call my mother just to chat.
We need the beauty of each other.
Take a break from ordinary.
It’s summer. Now what? The same routine? Status quo? A couple beach trips, maybe a camping trip thrown in for safe measure? Evenings on Netflix? The infinite scroll on your phone?
I’ve been doing the Summer Slowdown challenge my husband, Tim Willard, created and love it! It’s my favorite new thing.
I loved seeing these peaks into the foraged beauty gathering. I can see how soul-nourishing it would have been. I hope one year I can join you all. I, like you, tend to savor alone time, and I love it when God shows this beauty you're speaking of in unexpected ways. Like just now, I took my dog outside and as he's going crazy over the neighbor's dogs, I struck up a conversation with my neighbor. I never see her. We are fairly new here, too, and we are in a season of trauma that keeps us tunnel visioned. Within minutes, we both broke down barriers as we both shared our pain, all from a simple question, 'Are you guys doing alright?' all it takes is that, 'well, actually...no...' moment to bring beauty. We hugged, exchanged numbers and I've invited her and her family over for a meal. That is the kind of unexpected beauty of each other we need, too. To be open for moments of beauty through our pain and sharing. Thanks for your post.
Exactly! Mark-n-I realized some years ago that saying "No" to busyness was essential to the wellbeing of our souls! And...that the time spent around the dinner table - or fire pit - or on a walk - while in deep conversation with friends, is the most life giving thing possible this side of Heaven!