Into the Woods

With the opportunity this past week to visit Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, I was reminded of a very simple truth. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

The Chapel is amazing. It’s construction is nothing at all like anything I have seen before (even thought I have seen many pictures of it), or expect to see again. As we (our friends and us) approached the structure, I could not help but think it would be a wonderful place to spend some time worshipping our Father. Sitting inside, I breathed a prayer of thankfulness for the ability of men to produce such beauty.

What struck me, more than the architecture, was the setting. In a beautiful forest, almost out of reach of other distractions, I recognized that the Chapel would never fit in with surroundings other than where it is. I soon moved back outside and again examined the landscape. Evidently the Chapel was built here for the very same reasons I often consider my surrounding when I am at home to be one of the more beautiful places on Earth. Joyce Kilmer, the poet, had it right when he wrote, “Only God can make a tree.” 

People who know me well know that I llove the woodlands. It is deep in the forests, from the incredible trees in Muir Woods (across the Bay from San Francisco), to the moss draped trees of Caddo Lake, to the rich near virgin forests of the great NorthWest.

Thorncrown Chapel brings to mind the crown Christ wore to the cross, and the tree on which He was crucified. It was a sterling few moments as I stood between that which is made by man, and that which is made by God. Both are amazingly beautiful. Both are a tribute to our omnipotent God. Thank you, Father!