Exotic Beauty

Exotic Beauty

By Rayla Stewart Hogue

Special to the Daily Statesman

The gondola had arrived. It was our turn to step in with our group and begin our journey through the rain forest. The small metal cage seated only the six of us and was open to the elements. This morning the rain had lingered, however the foliage of the trees was so thick that it was more mist than rain. They were finally all loaded and settled in the gondola and swung off the loading area into the rain forest.

It only took a few moments for them to climb to the top of the forest. The tops of the trees formed a lacy ceiling over them. The chatter of animals: birds, monkeys, frogs, and the unknown; was a cacophony of sound that was beautiful, melodic, and startling all at the same time. Occasionally they would see a flash of color as birds swept through the air along side them.

The various shades of greens found in the forest seemed never ending. Some leaves so delicate that one could see the sunlight breaking through the clouds through them. Other leaves were tough and hard with vines the size of one's wrist and strong enough to swing upon. The gondola began to descend into the rain forest and the muted colors were interspersed with red, gold, yellow, among other colors. There were tiny flowers of fuchsia teasing the eye with such vibrant life.

Plants seemed to live on the air alone. Some plants lived off other plants. There were exotic and unknown fruits of different sizes and shapes. Spider webs wore iridescent drops of water like jewels upon their strands. The profuse diversity of the rain forest could not be captured; it could only be experienced.

As they exited the gondola over an hour later, the two women turned to each other, "It is even more beautiful than Noemy described. It must have been so wonderful to grow up in such a place. I'm so glad we came."

The two had known each other as long as they could remember. Their classmate's and fellow Girl Scout mother was a native a Costa Rica. She had told them about it on many different occasions. Her words had painted exotic pictures in their minds and finally they were visiting her home country for themselves. She fit there in their minds. Her beauty was exotic as the countryside surrounding them; dusky skin with a touch of cream; dark smooth hair; vivacious eyes; and a voice as musical as the rain forest itself. They had been in her home many times and seen photos, but none of it could live up to the beauty of the country itself. All too soon it was time to return to the ship, their homes, and their lives.

In many ways, seeing the rain forest of Costa Rica was the fulfillment of seeds planted throughout their lives through the conversations with Noemy, but also through the observation of her life. Her exotic essence drew them to her native land.

God invites us from the moment of creation to live with God, to follow God's ways. Through the lives of those who choose to follow God we hear of God's love, beauty, encompassing, all inclusive compassion--of the life available to each of us. This is something we cannot see, but can experience. Life with God is beyond description and can only be fully understood when experience. Life with God in its own way is exotic. The wonder of God is beyond description.

God, thank you for putting people like Noemy in our lives, for drawing us out of our own narrow worlds, and into your incredible creation. Help us to see life from the perspective of other peoples and places. God help us to live our lives in such a manner as to be ambassadors for you. So that when we speak in your name, others want to learn more of you and dwell in your love. So be it. Amen.