Whatever is Lovely, Think About That

I love the outdoors. As I admire the splendor of creation, my soul is realigned with what is right and good in the world.

Recently, my youngest girls and I went hiking on a popular Colorado trail. We had a wonderful time on a rocky wooded trail that snaked along a brook. We stopped to admire the wildflowers that grew along the trail. One such flower was especially striking. It was a purple and white flower, standing out amongst the more common pink wild roses and yellow buttercups. We noted this flower, photographed it as a memento of our journey, and began the drive home.

We traversed the winding roads and Olivia made an observation: several roads bore the name ‘Columbine’ and she wondered if they had been named after the tragedy that occurred in the Colorado town bearing that name. "These roads were named well before that," I said. "I think Columbine is a flower." After a quick search, we found that the Columbine flower is actually designated as the state flower of Colorado. The flower that we had seen on our trail was in fact, Columbine -- the true namesake for the roads we were passing.

I began to ponder this discovery. A thing of beauty had once defined the state. Now the state was marred by images of a mass shooting at a high school.

When I got home, I did an Internet search on Columbine, and nearly every image that came up referred to the now famous massacre that occurred in Columbine, CO at Columbine High School. I scrolled down for several pages before I saw the flower that bore this name. I had to really search to find an image of the beautiful flower. It was hidden amongst all the references to the shooting.

Something beautiful had been obscured by something evil. As is the case sometimes in life, the virtue had been nearly lost in the midst of the tragedy. But, wildflowers have an ability to bloom in harsh, unforgiving conditions. They persevere to maintain life year after year, despite drought, wildfires, and floods.

One of man’s primary callings in the garden was to give names to all of creation. One day, a scientist found this flower in the Rocky Mountains and named it Aquilegia caerulea -- Columbine. And God said, "It is good."

Columbine was originally the name of God-ordained magnificence and life. That name and the goodness it inspires can be redeemed. Change begins with a thought. Thoughts can determine attitude and action.

We can choose to look for the pure and true in what may seem false. We can call forth beauty and reclaim the loveliness of creation. We can displace the evil with righteousness.

What though the radiance which was once so bright 
Be now for ever taken from my sight, 
Though nothing can bring back the hour 
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower, 
We will grieve not, rather find 
Strength in what remains behind; 
In the primal sympathy 
Which having been must ever be; 
In the soothing thoughts that spring 
Out of human suffering; 
In the faith that looks through death, 
In years that bring the philosophic mind.
                      -- William Wordsworth

We have difficulties and trials, but God has also given us strength and faith. Tenacity. Courage. Hope. Vision. The flower remains as beautiful as it ever was. The good is indeed present in the midst of the bad. May we have the eyes to see it.