We all know that God is a God of surprises, but I never expected to experience something so ordinary, and yet, paradoxically so extraordinary!
Last Saturday afternoon, I decided to cook frozen, green, garden, peas for our midday meal. While I was engaged in other activities, I could hear them bubbling happily in the pot. As I rarely cook this type of vegetable, my curiosity led me to peep inside to see how they were getting on, and sure enough the peas were merrily dancing up and down in the boiling water. I drew the container nearer to get a closer look. Shock and amazement struck me as I clearly saw my own reflection in the moving water; my face looked somewhat worn and wrinkled. I had discovered an accurate mirror that told me everything! Suddenly, I became conscious of my advancing years and this inspired me to begin an inner journey or reflection, a search for the truth. Scripture tells us that the truth will set us free. Acceptance of one’s outer appearance is important but, what really matters is that which lies in the deeper recesses of our hearts, the place where the Spirit resides.
There is a beautiful extract from “The Velveteen Rabbit” by Margery Williams, which I found myself recalling, “Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out, and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”
From the ordinary pot of green peas I discovered the beauty of God within and without. I also found the importance of seeing the beauty of God in all things.
Brigid Quinn rndm