Be Beautiful!

It has been over twenty years ago that a former neighbor, standing by my dining room table and looking toward the front of the house pronounced, "Your home makes me feel beautiful." It was a surprising thing to say and I wasn't sure what she meant. My skills as a homemaker are moderate and I'm not fully committed to the idea of designing my space. Thus, through the years I've been pondering those words and have, from time to time understood a bit more of what my kindly neighbor was saying to me.

 Recently, I had the opportunity to submit art for a multi-disciplinary event centered around How to Be Beautiful by Silas House. Visual artists were invited to create art inspired by the short story. We were sent copies of the not yet published story and I read the manuscript carefully to fully picture the people, places and actions. The heart of the story takes place around a table with our narrator and three others seated there. My dilemma was how to place the four around the table in a way that was not awkward. I determined that the narrator would have to be 'off screen' but a natural solution to the composition was not arriving as I retired for the day. 

 As it happened, the next day was Holy Trinity Sunday. Our pastor* pointed out that the Trinity is about relationship and to illustrate this, we each received a copy of the Holy Trinity icon. As I gazed at the icon, I gasped (silently) because I recognized that my composition dilemma was being answered! Pastor fleshed out the idea of relationships being expressed through the Trinity. He directed our attention to the space at the front and center of the table, where the elements were placed, "There is room for you at the table." Well, yes. I began to see that the three people gathered at the table formed kind of a trinity, too.

 

Erin is Spirit, which is always available to us, driving us to where we need to go.

Flora is the Mother, who is well pleased with her Son, Caleb, who is able to see through the two young first-timers and know their truths. 

 This trinity of folk who happen to gather at the table make our narrator see the beauty in all the people surrounding him. Their belief in their own beauty allows him to understand that he is beautiful, too. 

I know that this was the alchemy which took place all those years ago as my neighbor stated her conviction of her beauty. It was not that my home was perfect, but that there were elements in place that were loved and appreciated by my family. Items that expressed our ideas of what is beautiful. We believe in beauty. My neighbor did, too. 

 Beauty is not a solo serving. It is a dish best served warmly and in relationship, in community.

* Pastor Doug Hahn is our Interim Pastor at Faith Lutheran Church, Lexington, KY. You are most welcome to join us!