This I know

Asherel did a really fun speech in Gavel Club on "The Science of Cute." She didn't have to say one word after the title to sell me. I loved the title. One hallmark of cute things is having big eyes. We universally think big eyes are cute. Think panda bears, kittens, babies, alpacas, bunnies. Furry and soft add to the cute factor as well. Adult humans with their beady eyes and hairless bodies are really not very cute. But puppies are, and even grown dogs are. There is a lot to be said for cute. However, I remember people looking at my art work while I shadowed them at college art shows, and they would sometimes say my artwork was "cute". I found that highly insulting. Art is not, or should not, be "cute". I would prefer they say, "Magnificent."

But most of the time, I guess I have to admit, my art work is just "cute." I long for magnificence, but perhaps cute is good enough. I had a wonderful discussion with a new friend yesterday. We were watching our kids from Gavel Club bowl for two hours. We had nothing else to do but chat with each other. I am very glad I had the opportunity. We talked about how the older we get, the less certain we are of really anything. We know God loves us, and we love Him, but most everything beyond that, we both admitted we feel less certain of, rather than more. Age does not bring wisdom, as much as perplexity.

When I got home, I read a review of one of my books by a self avowed "agnostic". He said he bristles at Christian overtones in a book, but he gave my book a chance and kept reading. And in the end, he realized that we are more alike than different. We all long to understand, and we all look upon suffering with dismay. We all hope to cope, and we all seek to believe the world could be better. I felt a surge of joy when he said my book made him feel a little less alone in a hard world.

I am not certain of much, but this I know: big eyes are cute, and God is love. Perhaps that is enough to be certain of for now.

Psalm 20:4-7 (NIV)
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. [5] May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests. [6] Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. [7] Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.





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