For the beauty of the earth

This morning I woke and listened to John Rutter´s For the Beauty of the Earth.  What an inspiration to worship as I went about my Saturday morning.  

"For the beauty of the earth
For the beauty of the skies
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies Lord of all to thee we raise
This our joyful hymn of praise"

I stepped outside my door to go and feed the baby tilapia fish in the pond and spotted the magnificent cascading yellow orchid hanging from the tree.  The red and yellow trumpets of the neighbouring plant announced the beauty of God and the rainbow coloured butterflies fluttering in the wild flowers whispered His kindness.  

Above and around me the hummingbirds reflected His glory and the tiny yellow canaries flocking to the bird table churped His praise.  I was surrounded by evidence of His love and joyful hymns of praise.  

"For the joy of human love
Brother, sister, parent, child
Friends on earth and friends above
For all gentle thoughts and mild
Lord of all to thee we raise
This our joyful hymn of praise" 

Returning to the house I spoke to my Mum and then my Sister on skype.  These (along with the rest of my family) are the people I can share everything and anything with.  These are the people who laugh with me, cry with me and are always there for me no matter what.  These are the people who give me the amazing, wonderful gift of human love.  I thought of friends near and far, friends on earth and friends above.  I thought of those who have been kind to me, those who have whispered words of comfort, and those who have shouted words of encouragement.  They are the people who nourish my soul, who keep me looking onwards and upwards.  Because of them I lifted my joyful hymn of praise and gave thanks. 

A Simple Kindness

Daniela´s Mum brought tears to my eyes today... tears of happiness.  Daniela is nine years old.  She has been sponsored so that she can attend primary school for 3 years now.  This year she came top of her year.  I was delighted to reward her with a holiday grant so that she could do an extra-curricular course of her choice.  Daniela immediately chose swimming.   It is her passion, but she has never had any formal classes. She has simply learnt splashing about in the river. 

Today Daniela´s Mum came with the receipts of the cost of the course, swimming costume, goggles and bus fares.  After completing these formalities she laid her hand on my arm and leant forward. 

"Doctorita, Thank you so much for giving us this gift.  It has truly been an inspiration to us to see what Daniela is capable of doing.  She has had such fun these holidays.  She has made new friends, enjoyed a new challenge and been brought out of herself.  I have enjoyed taking her on the bus each day, watching her swimming, and taking her home.  The experience has given us wonderful one-to-one time.  Our relationship is so much stronger, and I am so grateful." 

As the tears of gratitude welled in Daniela´s Mum´s eyes, they did in mine too.  It was such a simple idea - such a simple kindness to a talented and lively young girl.  I never dreamed it would have such a positive impact and outcome. 

So go on - do  someone a kindness today.  You never know where it might lead.