Hidden beauties

Cross at the top of the mountain - a hidden beauty at a small chapel

I just got back from a visit to the land of Suh-weet tea and cornbread.

Boy, did I eat my share of cornbread.  Didn't have any sweet tea, though.  Rarely (if ever) drink the stuff. But I do love that in South Carolina it's assumed that when you order tea at a restaurant that it's sweet.  You have to specify UNsweet.  Although that does seem to be changing as the years go by.

I enjoyed a wonderful visit with my mom.  We realized that I had not been to visit her for almost a year and a half.  That's simply too long.  I was thankful to see her if only for a few days.  The temps were almost fall-like (at least by Texas standards).  I didn't sweat once (except for the day I ran) and actually saw rain a couple of mornings!

Now I'm back to this inferno called TEXAS.  Ick. (I don't hate Texas, I just dislike it from about June-October.)

What I enjoyed most about SC was my mother's lovely Sunday school class. Beautiful women who have an extra measure of Southern charm and grace.  They deeply love each other and care about each other's lives.  You know if the rest of the community we call "church" were like these women, a lot more people might be interested in Jesus.  "Christian" would have a pleasant ring and associated stereotypes would disappear.  Such a pleasure to be with these charming women who always welcome me with open arms.  I love that they pray for me...a stranger to most of them from the far away country called "Texas."

I enjoy hidden beauty in the everyday.  God has planted beautiful people in all of our lives that we often take for granted or don't even know about.  If ever there were "hidden beauties", it would be this group of women who faithfully serve other ministries in the church as well as each other.  The day I was there, they were talking about making bracelets for another ministry in the church.  They had already made some simple dresses for someone to take to Kenya.  They had been praying for my son who's in Ireland and were very interested in what he was doing (and they've never met him!).

Hidden beauties to most, but well-known beauties to God.

Wild Morning Glories - Hidden beauties in the forest

And Jesus said:  "A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."  Gospel of John 13:34-35