Beauty

     One of the advantages of living on a farm is the abundance of beauty in nature.  I have found that living in Nebraska we also have the beauty of the four seasons. About the time I start getting tired of hot weather and mowing the cool mornings begin. Leaves start to change colors and the green of summer turns into the fall colors of brown, orange, red and yellow. 
   

When I mow I wear ear protection.  This John Deere
mower and I have spent many hours together!

     I recently took some pictures of a beautiful sunrise that was one of those you couldn't take your eyes off of.   Our house is on higher ground than the feedlot, so every sunrise peeks over the feedlot before the rays hit the house.  As a Facebook user, I have noticed many of my friends also posting pictures of the sunrise and the sunset, which seems to indicate how many of us find beauty in something as natural as the sun rising and setting.
 

 
We also appreciate beautiful fields.  When we drive down the road we will comment on the beauty of a bean field or how nice the corn looks.  Sometimes we will notice how tough a field is looking due to lack of rain.  This year we have been incredibly blessed with timely rains that will possibly give us the best corn yields we've ever had. 

 I know many farmers who like to sit out and watch a good thunderstorm.  A recent little shower left us with a beautiful double rainbow to enjoy.

     While it is very easy to see the beauty in nature it can be more difficult to see the beauty in the people around us.   Beauty can be found in our relationships with others.  Times of trial as well as times of triumph allow relationships to grow.   As a married person I value the virtues of forgiveness and reconciliation in my relationship with Steve.
     Pope Francis recently asked for all believers around the world to pray and fast for peace in Syria.  I think that request gives us the opportunity to look closer to home and do the same.  I can find beauty in the peace, joy and tears of reconciliation.

     There is a quote I have been re-reading lately that I discovered while searching for beauty products.  It seems we spend quite a bit of money trying to make ourselves beautiful when perhaps the solution can be found without spending a dime. 
      “For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone”  Audrey Hepburn