I will be keeping your words close for years to come:
"Yes, faith could be a gift, a capacity carved out within, the shape of a soul unsatisfied with appearances. But it could also be a goal, a stubborn desire to seek and see more, a thirst for understanding, a quest to which I devoted my life long ago, captivated by the idea of something more. What else would you want, or spend your life searching to find, if not the beautiful, the mysterious, the transcendent, the true?"
This reminds me of the old rock collection I used to keep in an egg carton. I knew each rock was beautiful and special, though I was too young to say why. Excellent point that the treasures are there for us to find whenever we're ready. Thank you for such a lovely essay.
Why not include a close-up picture of a partly-translucent Lake Superior agate? I was longing for it. Your writing is excellent but sometimes we also need visuals, visuals that enhance your fluid word descriptions. (E.g.., for those of us who have never been formally introduced to the beautiful agate, it's not clear if the above picture is of a bunch of smooth rocks, agates in general, Lake Superior agates in particular, or the impostor agates you spoke about.)
But then I realized: no. The point of the essay is actually the seeking, not the finding. The pursuit of God will one day bring us to the full contemplation of beauty, of course. But for now, we are muddling here below, as if searching on a beach with thousands of ordinary stones that are not agates. So I intentionally chose a photo that was slightly blurry, had many rocks but maybe no agates. I wanted to visually intrigue us to want to look closer, and maybe even get a bit frustrated at what is hidden in plain sight.
So I hope you enjoy the agate close-up here. But even more, I'm secretly glad you were longing for what was not easily given. Me, too.
How exquisitely beautiful, Laura! This brought tears, yes . . . but even more. Your words brought recognition energy with them! Yes, of course, I’m reminded (invited back again into connection with the Big Mind) that “it was there all along . . . the underlying unseen song”.
Sharing your words and this song with my husband of 55 years over breakfast was great gift (and I thank you for that), but also affirmation/confirmation that Great Mystery is found in a lifetime of looking for what is hidden in plain sight!
Another one I am saving to savor… I love rocks too and have had the same reaction from my children. HOWEVER, I have not ever looked for our found agates. Seems like I need to add this to my wish list of adventures!
I will be keeping your words close for years to come:
"Yes, faith could be a gift, a capacity carved out within, the shape of a soul unsatisfied with appearances. But it could also be a goal, a stubborn desire to seek and see more, a thirst for understanding, a quest to which I devoted my life long ago, captivated by the idea of something more. What else would you want, or spend your life searching to find, if not the beautiful, the mysterious, the transcendent, the true?"
Thank you, Carrie! You are such a faithful reader. Delighted to know this resonated with you.
O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.
And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. Is. 54:11,12 KJV.
God setting your boundaries, of protection.
Thank you for this beautiful analogy, Laura.
And thank you for sharing an agate Scripture with me? Swoon, I adore this.
This reminds me of the old rock collection I used to keep in an egg carton. I knew each rock was beautiful and special, though I was too young to say why. Excellent point that the treasures are there for us to find whenever we're ready. Thank you for such a lovely essay.
Thank you, Tara. I love the ways we are born to wonder - and how we can reclaim this joy once we leave childhood behind.
Why not include a close-up picture of a partly-translucent Lake Superior agate? I was longing for it. Your writing is excellent but sometimes we also need visuals, visuals that enhance your fluid word descriptions. (E.g.., for those of us who have never been formally introduced to the beautiful agate, it's not clear if the above picture is of a bunch of smooth rocks, agates in general, Lake Superior agates in particular, or the impostor agates you spoke about.)
Ah Peter, it's like you snuck into my mind as I chose the photo. Do you know that my first instinct was to share exactly what you describe? A close-up of an agate like this: https://unsplash.com/photos/red-and-gray-abstract-wallpaper-yRctKX99woU
But then I realized: no. The point of the essay is actually the seeking, not the finding. The pursuit of God will one day bring us to the full contemplation of beauty, of course. But for now, we are muddling here below, as if searching on a beach with thousands of ordinary stones that are not agates. So I intentionally chose a photo that was slightly blurry, had many rocks but maybe no agates. I wanted to visually intrigue us to want to look closer, and maybe even get a bit frustrated at what is hidden in plain sight.
So I hope you enjoy the agate close-up here. But even more, I'm secretly glad you were longing for what was not easily given. Me, too.
Beautiful stone! I see your intention, and I agree with you 100%!
How exquisitely beautiful, Laura! This brought tears, yes . . . but even more. Your words brought recognition energy with them! Yes, of course, I’m reminded (invited back again into connection with the Big Mind) that “it was there all along . . . the underlying unseen song”.
Sharing your words and this song with my husband of 55 years over breakfast was great gift (and I thank you for that), but also affirmation/confirmation that Great Mystery is found in a lifetime of looking for what is hidden in plain sight!
Blessings, beautiful one, on your holy sharing.
Unseen Song, Samara Jade https://youtu.be/YCU4y8tyoR0?si=IkSaVssqBE1ehJwD
Ginny, your words gave me goosebumps. So delighted to connect across the miles! And thank you for sharing this song too.
Another one I am saving to savor… I love rocks too and have had the same reaction from my children. HOWEVER, I have not ever looked for our found agates. Seems like I need to add this to my wish list of adventures!
Yes, absolutely! Agates are a delight. Love that you know the rock secret and maybe your children (and mine) will someday, too. ;)