I have always thought the American flag is beautiful. I love the color combinations of red, white and blue. I love the stripes and stars. I wonder if everyone thinks their country’s flag is beautiful. I have seen many flags that I think are (I want to use the word “ugly” but I will restrain myself.) unpleasant to the eye. I wonder about this because I know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. One’s flag is pregnant with meaning. It is about home and family. It is about safety and the place that nurtures you. We bring to a flag deep emotions and pride. Can all those factors make any combination of colors beautiful when placed on a flag?
I always thought my mother was beautiful. Was that because she was beautiful or because she was my mother? I really don’t know. I cannot answer. Sometimes we see a husband and wife where one is very attractive and the other very plain. We wonder how the plain one managed to catch the good looking one. Sometimes we are fortunate enough to get to know them and then we understand. When we first met them we only looked at the surface. Later we came to see extraordinary beauty from both of them. They belonged together.
Isaiah 52:7 says, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation.” It’s all in the message. Which means I must be looking good because I am sharing with you the most fabulous good news of all time. Jesus loves you dearly and offers you the free gift of forgiveness, redemption and eternity.
Written by Roger Bothwell on January 1, 2014
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org