oday we went to a music store, and the woman helping us was very kind and friendly. She was open about her life and shared about her music, her family’s history, and that she was visually impaired. On our way out, she encouraged us to go across the street to see a beautiful garden.

We took her advice and followed her directions to the garden. We never would have noticed the garden had she not mentioned it because it is tucked behind a church. As we walked through the garden, it kept going and going. There were actually three different gardens, including a labyrinth prayer garden and a family tree garden.

Walking through the beautiful gardens was a peaceful retreat from the lively town. I thought about the woman at the store, and even though she couldn’t see the gardens as we could, she still knew the depths of its beauty.

I share this with you today to invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

Let’s remember that real beauty is something deeper than what the eyes can see. May we learn from this woman and seek to see beyond the surface, and in doing so, may we find true beauty in places and one another.

With love and hope,
Shawn

“People look at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.” - 1 Samuel 16:7