Speaking of Spirit

  Photo (c) 2010 Rev. Linda M. Rhinehart Neas The Grace of Beauty is a puzzling concept, mostly because of our preconceived notions of beauty. Hollywood and the fashion industry have defined beauty for most of the world for decades.  However, before the advent of these industries, beauty wore many faces. The ancestors saw beauty in nature. Sunrises and sunsets were observed in awe and ritual. The spirit of plants and flowers was seen and respected. The ancient ones, even found beauty in animals so rich and important that they recognized them as sacred. Matthew Fox, priest and theologian said, “Animals are here in part to grant glimpses of the grace of beauty.” I had never pondered this type of grace before. When I thought of it, I immediately recognized how we could see the beauty of animals. But, grace?  I was going to need more than a few minutes to reflect on this. So, I began looking at the photos I had taken of animals over the years. Hundreds of birds,...

Before I write anything, I would like you to watch a couple of videos... So my question is  this - Is Nature trying to teach us something? Creatures that should not have any desire to connect to each other have found a way to not simply coexist, (which if you study nature at all, is not really that unusual) but be friends - enjoy each others company and protect each other from harm. Why are we suddenly seeing all this unusual, unbelievable interactions? I believe that humankind is being sent a very important, very necessary message from the Creator.  The message is not new, in fact, it can be found in every faith path in existence.  But, we just aren't hearing the meaning, even when we say the words over and over. What better way to teach than by example. Therefore, Nature has sent us examples, and most recently, many of them!  Unique and unheard of bondings by creatures diametrically opposed to each other. So, what is the lesson...the message that i...