A Work of Beauty
By Elaine Cook Carr
TODAY’S TREASURE
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10
My husband and I are retired, but we still rise early each morning. Two years ago we moved back to where we were both born and raised and are building a house on our land which is located in a very rural, country environment. He gets up early each morning to open the gate for the builders, and I get up to walk my two miles.
Depending on the season we awaken to various levels of light from almost completely dark to brilliant rays of sunshine. I walk for many reasons, but primarily for my health and to spend time with the Creator in the great outdoors. Since we live in the woods, there is much to see and enjoy. That being said, there are some days I just do not want to go. My reasons vary from not wanting to leave a warm bed to being in pain or discomfort to just having a big old lazy bone. On a recent morning, I was quite the reluctant riser! As I struggled to get dressed and on my way, a song I learned as a child and often used to awaken my (now adult) children came to mind and began to play in a mental loop: “Oh Rise, Shine! Give God the glory, glory, children of the Lord!"
My children did not love this and I have to admit that on this particular morning I was quite grumpy and did not appreciate it coming to mind myself. It was hot, humid, and buggy morning, but I have to admit, it had a beautiful start with a stunning sunrise. As I walk I always pay close attention to my surroundings (no matter how sleepy) because I never know what I might encounter. That day, I noticed this little patch of wildflowers. I found it odd that on this entire bank of beauty, there was only a single, solitary yellow flower. It was surrounded by several varieties of white flowers, purple flowers, and all kinds of green flora. And yet there it stood, all alone, in its “yellowness”. Have you ever felt all alone even when completely surrounded by others because you were so obviously different from the rest of them? I have often felt that way in my life. At home, I am surrounded by introverts, and those who know me know I’m an extreme extrovert.
At work, I was never a content area specialist, but someone who chose to work with children who had special learning needs. In our churches, for over 35 years I was the “preacher’s wife” and no matter how hard I tried, I was never quite like the rest of the regular members of the church. I’m a bit older than some of my friends so I’ve entered retirement before them which puts me in a different season of life from them. But yet here I am, in all my yellowness, blooming against all odds because God created me to be exactly who I am and planted me right where he wants me to be. I am therefore able to stand in the field with my other very unique co-laborers and flourish even though I am very different from most of them. I am surrounded by a bevy of beauty-all of us specifically designed and equipped to do his bidding.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Do you ever feel like you stand alone – like a single yellow flower in a field of white and purple blooms? Your differences may be outward or they could even be inward but we are all created differently. Our Creator has given us all unique physical characteristics, personalities, abilities, gifts, and talents. While we may look or feel like the odd man out – we are still creations of our loving heavenly Father, and we all have work to do. He has uniquely equipped us all not only as individuals but more importantly as the corporate Body of Christ.
So let me encourage you. Wherever you have been planted, put down deep roots. Those roots will enable you to bloom alongside your co-laborers in Christ. Rise, daughters, and shine – and give God the glory:
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10
Be encouraged- you are not alone! And you are YOU for a reason!
PRAYER
Lord, we thank You for each of our unique personalities, abilities, and gifts. Help us to put down roots and to bloom where we are planted alongside our sisters in Christ.
More free resources for help, hope, & healing:
Aging with Grace, Flourishing in an Anti-Aging Culture
By Sharon W. Betters and Susan Hunt
Agingwithgrace.online Discover afresh a gospel that is big enough, good enough and powerful enough to make every season of life significant and glorious. Free Ask an Older Woman videos and much more. Not just for older women!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Elaine Cook Carr is a 38 year veteran educator, now retired, and have been married to a wonderful man for almost 48 years. He is also now retired from nearly 40 years of full time pastoral ministry. In addition to teaching children with special needs, I have, over the years, been deeply involved in both women's and children's ministries in multiple capacities. We are parents to two adult children (a pastor and an RN) and have four precious grandchildren ranging in age from 15 to 5.
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Originally published Tuesday, 15 August 2023.
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