As I was listening to my friend Chris McCluskey’s podcast on Worship, Work and Play, I heard him reference this old adage:
“If I had but two loaves of bread I would sell one of them and buy White Hyacinths to feed my soul.”
– Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915)
Why does that capture us so? And why does it even make any sense? Surely if you were down to only two loaves of bread the responsible thing to do would be to guard them carefully and ration them out as food for your family.
And yet a life without beauty is not one to be desired or admired in others. We all want beauty, art, aromas, and experiences for reasons other than just getting a bigger paycheck.
I encourage you to tap into your creative genius and share it in ways that will inspire and bring hope, beauty and encouragement to others. You know your art, your writing, your speaking, your comedy, your valuable coaching or your music is the expression of your unique God-given talent.
Do you feel like you never get the opportunity to be creative because of the need to just put food on the table?
Have you been gently told to “just get a real job,” but at some deep level you do believe God has given you a special talent and a call to share that with the world? Your heart is telling you to follow your dreams and find that sweet blend of Passion, Talent and Money?
I love that hyacinths are often associated with spring and rebirth. They are very inexpensive and come back year after year. They really are a great investment for a poor person who has little for splurges but still desires both beauty and a margin.
So what are you doing to bring beauty into your life – even if your bank account is low?
Today, I was reading Joanne’s book Creating a Haven of Peace, and in the Oak table section I was reminded of a sewing project I had bought some thread for and I have been working on that steadily today. I’m shortening a store bought curtain to fit my little kitchen window. I’ve had several curtains there in the 19 plus years we’ve lived here (20 in November), and It feels like the right time to be working on that. Just a couple lines of hand sewing but once its done it should be nifty. This August marks 25 years we’ve been married, my husband and I and it feels like a good time to spruce up some things here & there. My purple hyacinths are blooming outside this week. Tulips next, then the Iris. then eventually my little lilac bush will bloom. A little here & there.