Pastor’s Corner: Refreshing Beauty

June 22, 2022

Thank you to all those who have been sending pictures of their gardens or of our island’s landscapes to Sue Smith to include in the images displayed during our worship services. You are adding so much beauty to our time together, both for those worshiping in the sanctuary and for those worshiping via the video stream.

A photo of a flower or a sunset or a mountain doesn’t necessarily feel like a large contribution. They have greater impact that you know. I think Holy Cross members and friends are pretty familiar by now with my practice of photography. My journeys around this island and our neighbor islands have always generated a large number of images, and as I’m sure you’ve also noticed, I like to share them.

For the last two years, though, I’ve stayed much closer to home, sometimes barely leaving the church and parsonage grounds for some days. My photography began to focus on the flowers that bloom on our property. There are orchids and hibiscus and irises and more. Even on the rainiest of days, something is in blossom; something shines. I’ve shared a lot of those flower photos over the last two years. I’ve received many “mahalos” for it from people who find comfort in their beauty.

It’s done good for my state of mind, too. In the few steps between the parsonage and the church office, I’ve turned my head to look for beauty. In the quiet of the morning before the traffic gets moving, I’ve tuned my ears to bird song. In sun my skin soaks up the warmth. In rain my skin savors the coolness.

It can be said anywhere that there is beauty all around. Here in Hawai’i we see an extravagant expression of that truth. However short the journey of your day – just out to the mailbox, perhaps – turn your eyes to beauty. Tune your ears to song. Savor the refreshment of sun or rain.

May the wonders of God’s creation comfort your soul.

With aloha,

Pastor Eric