As I recently wandered through the tables at a yard sale, I came upon a new discovery. I was looking through the treasures of a friend who is a quilter. In one box there were bundles of brightly colored and matching pattern squares of material tied up with ribbons. I especially liked the bundle with blues and purples. I also loved the small quilt she had made with blue and purple patterned materials.

When I looked at a bin of spools of brightly colored threads of varying hues, it suddenly dawned on me. I love colors! I had no reason to buy any of those threads since I don’t sew, but I was enjoying looking at all the wonderful colors.

The last tote was full of scraps of material, the leftover pieces of former quilts that would not be used. These were free, and even though I had no use for them, some of the colors and patterns were so beautiful that I could not resist taking them. I especially loved the scraps of rich blues, purples, greens and pinks with beautiful leaf patterns on them that looked so real.

As I thought about this revelation throughout the day, I acknowledged that I have always loved colors, but it never clicked before how much they influence me. I’ve always loved the beauty of creation, especially the flowers of spring and summer. So many beautiful colors! I marvel that there seems to be hundreds of shades of green as the leaves begin to sprout on the trees, and then all the glorious colors of fall leaves.

I enjoy the many colors of birds, butterflies, dragonflies and all of God’s creation. I collect feathers, stones, sea shells, pine cones, and sticks in all their wonderful shapes and shades. And, yes, even though I don’t sew, I’ve even bought ends and scraps of material just because I loved the colors and patterns.

But the best revelation of the day was realizing that it’s ok for me to have these things just because looking at the colors brings me joy. I don’t have to use them to make something, as I always told myself. I don’t have to find a purpose for them.

As I shared these ponderings with my sister, she suggested that I frame some of the materials I especially loved to hang and enjoy having the colors around me. I didn’t have to use them or create anything out of them – I could just enjoy looking at them as they are.

The next morning the Lord gave me a wonderful application to this revelation that I love colors because they are beautiful and they don’t have to have a purpose beyond bringing me joy. We are those beautiful colors to God. He loves us just the way we are, beautiful in His sight, and that alone brings joy to His heart.

Yes, God has created us all for a purpose, but He loves us just the same whether we fulfill our purpose or not. We don’t have to constantly strive to figure out what that purpose is. We don’t have to continually do, do, do to try to please God or be successful. God loves us just as we are, and He finds joy in us as His beautiful and beloved creations.

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