Seeking Beauty

On Sunday, I had the opportunity to peek into four backyards around town. They were all on the 2025 Heart of Texas Pond and Water Garden Society’s pond tour, and each was so unique and beautiful. I felt like I was getting access to a secret world. The whole afternoon was a treat—minus the humidity.

The inspiration for the excursion came

from the Women’s retreat this year, where MaeBelle King introduced us to Alma Thomas, an African-American artist and art teacher who lived and worked in Washington, D.C. Ms. Thomas was the first graduate with an art degree from Howard University, taught art in public schools until she retired, and only then engaged in a successful professional art career. One of her pieces, Resurrection, is part of the White House art collection.

As wonderful as her achievements were, I was inspired by Ms. Thomas’s “Sunday Afternoon Beauty Club,” a group she started at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, where she was an active member. The Beauty Club would hunt for beauty around the city—in museums, at lectures, or other activities that involved art appreciation.

The timing of the pond tour was perfect for us to try out our own “Beauty Club,” which I think several people thought we were going to the salon or doing each other’s makeup. But what else should it be called? The seeking of beauty, the appreciation of beauty, and the sharing of beauty with others is maybe the culmination of Philippians 4:8–

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

The afternoon felt like a sublime blend of scavenger hunt, continuing education, museum visit, and social gathering--a gift of the Spirit on a Pentecost afternoon. We laughed and told stories in the car and were each in our own way inspired by the beauty of the cultivation in the gardens we visited.

I hope we have more Beauty Clubs in the future, inspired by Alma Thomas and others who invite us to notice, to gaze, to ponder. May we practice seeking beauty where it can be found, which in this Creation seems abundant.

The Beauty Seekers