Anita Ojeda 
Beauty Lurks
Beauty lurks in unexpected places
hoarfrost springs from a
shriveled red berry beneath a
subzero sky
Beauty hovers at wood’s edge
speckled fawn twitching
elegant ears, blinks slowly in
dappled sunshine.
Beauty hides behind dark clouds
sunrise stretches fingers out
across the water filled with
snowy geese.
Beauty peeks from angry eyes,
of a girl too young to carry life’s
burdens on slender shoulders,
itching to escape
Beauty manifests hope as a
young man reaches out a hand to
help the competition to
his feet.
Glimpses of beauty come in myriad
shapes and sizes, to
those who live in wide-eyed
expectation and wonder.
May I seek beauty as a song of
praise to the One who
created it instead of lamenting
winter’s hold.
May I fix my eyes on the One who
created beauty that I may
see it in others when anger
blinds me.
Do You Struggle to See it?
Do you ever struggle to see the beauty in things? The hard times, the difficult days, the situations that seem to never end? I know I do. But this verse has helped me a lot over the years.
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:11-13
Five-Minute Friday
If you’ve never heard of Five-Minute Friday, hop on over to the website and check out the community. We meet on Twitter on Thursday nights, and then rush off to write from the top of our heads. Don’t be afraid to join in the twitter party or the link up. It’s full of beauty!
Oh, Anita. I love your words and your beautiful photos. Yes, beauty lurks in so many different places, doesn’t it? The thing is, we need to choose to see it. To be intentional to look for it.
I Loved what you said here:
May I seek beauty as a song of
praise to the One who
created it instead of lamenting
winter’s hold.
Just beautiful, my friend!
Maybe my word for the year should be ‘intentional.’
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Book Talk Tuesdays: The Edwardian Era and Across the Blue
Such a beautiful poem friend! It can be so hard to see the beauty but it truly is all around us. Oh and hoarfrost is incredibly beautiful. I love that photo you posted. I’m in the 5 spot this week.
Thank you :). I got a wee bit chilled taking that photo! I was outside in -18 degrees for about 30 minutes. When it got too cold to push the shutter on my camera, I retreated!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Book Talk Tuesdays: The Edwardian Era and Across the Blue
O come on, you’re a poet too? Dang woman you are so creative and talented. This was great. AND YOUR PHOTOS MUST BE TURNED INTO A COFFEE TABLE BOOK OF BEAUTY. We have to figure out how to do that. Notice the “we”???? LOL
Shucks, Susan! I could just hire you as my agent! Thank you for your votes of confidence!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Book Talk Tuesdays: The Edwardian Era and Across the Blue
beautiful poetry!!
Thanks for stopping by, Lisa!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Seven Things to Do When You Feel Discouraged About Weight Loss
anita, i love your post and photos, to say nothing of your Scripture today:) so beautiful and uplifting:) #40…easy to remember b/c it’s my age…:)
Thanks, Martha! 40? I thought maybe 34 ;).
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Seven Things to Do When You Feel Discouraged About Weight Loss
It’s like a treasure hunt, searching for the beauty buried within our daily lives. And oh what joy when we find Creator in the midst of it all! Beautiful Anita! Cindy
Thanks, Cindy! I’d never thought of seeking beauty as being a treasure hunt! That’s a great way to share the concept with restless little ones ;).
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Seven Things to Do When You Feel Discouraged About Weight Loss
Absolutely gorgeous words and photographs. Thank you for this, Anita. It truly encapsulates beauty in all its many forms.
Jeannie (#31 in the linkup this week)
Jeannie Prinsen recently posted…Five Minute Friday: BEAUTY
Thank you, Jeannie :).
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Book Talk Tuesdays: The Edwardian Era and Across the Blue
Beautiful – truly! And I just want to write this to you as an encouragement. I think you have one of the most fun photos of yourself for your blog. You are very photogenic! Also, thank you for the many beautiful pictures of birds. I love them…
Have a great weekend.
Your FMF friend #48 from the linkup.
Lisa
Lisa Brittain recently posted…Beauty: A broken heart and crushed spirit
Lovely prose, Anita. Thank you for expressing beauty in a vivid way here.
Erendira Ramirez-Ortega recently posted…How Our Scars Bear the Beauty of Christ’s Healing Power
The expression, “Beauty lurks!” is going up on the refrigerator. It’s priceless.
Stunning pictures Anita! Loved your words.
“May I fix my eyes on the One who
created beauty that I may
see it in others when anger
blinds me.”
Oh this is my heart’s cry. Sometimes I let my bad girl side leap when I should truly stay focused on Jesus.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Wow, beautiful poem! The pictures are stunning too. Thank you for sharing!
May I fix my eyes on the One who
created beauty that I may
see it in others when anger
blinds me.
Beautiful poem Anita. I know that you thrive in the outdoors. I let my discomfort of a chill hinder me from seeing the beauty that beckons. Thank you for the exhortation to keep looking.