True Beauty

Beauty. 
You can see it, hear it, smell it, feel it, taste it. 
Every one of the five senses our bodies have been blessed with can experience beauty.  
Many times, the most richly beautiful things are the simple ones. 
                                

                                   The view of a sunset on a quiet evening. 
                                               

                               The smell of wildflowers swaying in the breeze. 
                                                

                                  The sound of pouring rain pelting a rooftop. 
                                

                 The feel of warm rays of sunshine and a fresh wind on the skin. 
                            

            The blended sound of voices, dogs, and cars coming from the city below. 

Beauty is all around us in many, many different forms. Oftentimes, we pass by the simple little beautiful things that make up our daily world, yet usually, it's pretty easy to figure out what's beautiful and what isn't.
But what about finding beauty in what seems ugly or sad? 

I met Andres, his mother, and grandmother back in April when I first started working with the Bethany Family Sponsorship Program. They live in a small dirty wooden house with a small hard-packed dirt courtyard outside that hasn't seen grass for years. They own several small chickens that run around in the dirt looking for bugs and insects and whatever stray corn kernels that might be laying around. Everything they own could be packed into a 12 x 24 garage with room left to live in. Their economic situation is actually pretty normal. Most of their neighbors live the same way; some might need a bigger garage to live in, others have actual plots to call fields instead of just small corn patches where they grow their food. 
Andres' grandmother is well into her 70s. She has severe arthritis and can't walk without the help of her stick. It takes a lot of effort for her to sit down without help and even more effort to get up. During the dry season (winter time) she doesn't suffer with as much pain as she has during the rainy season (right now). On our last visit, she told us that she is tired of this life and is ready to leave her body behind to join her Lord. Yet through everything, she never complains. She always has a smile and a welcome hug. Even though she doesn't speak Spanish, she always thanks me in Quiche (the native language) and always expresses a joy and gratefulness in what she does have. I really look forward to our monthly visits with them because they are so welcoming and loving. 
A little over a week ago, I was leaning against one of the wooden poles that support the tin for their 'porch'. She was sitting on a stool in front of me and while I listened to the conversation between Gloria and Andres' mother, trying to pick out bits and pieces of the Quiche, she leaned back against my leg. I put my hand on her shoulder for her to hold and we stayed that way for the next half hour - just listening and at times, responding to the parts of the conversation that were translated into Spanish for me. 
At one point, I looked at the hand resting on mine and realized what a beautiful woman this is. Her skin is wrinkled and thin, her hair is gray and sparse, she has no teeth, she can barely walk or talk but there is so much beauty in her soul. Which made me question my perspective of beauty. 
I can take amazing pictures of beautiful scenery and things at any given time here. The country of Guatemala is very beautiful! But the things around me aren't what are shaping my memories and life while I'm here - the people are. And even though their lives are hard, their houses are dirty, and many have next to nothing there is such a vast difference in their attitudes. Just like people who have all they need, some are negative and distant, some are shy and reserved, and others are opening and welcoming. 
A wise man once said, in more words, that what's on the inside is what will come out (check out Luke 11). And it's true! Inward beauty is what truly defines beauty - at least, humanly speaking. This doesn't mean that we should quit seeing things as beautiful or quit taking care of our outside appearance. What it does mean is that under the dirt, grime, and fading color there is still a true beauty to be found in the heart and soul of an old, nearly forgotten widow. One who's smile shines brighter because of the dark backdrop of her outward situation. 

What about you, my friend? Have you seen beauty today?