Alastair Emblem of St Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Farnham

Diamonds in the grass
A few years ago I was relaxing in the garden on a sunny day, when I noticed something shining brightly in the grass near my feet. At first, I wondered if it might be a lost diamond, fallen from a ring. Looking more closely, I realised it was “only” a drop of dew on a blade of grass, brightly reflecting the sun’s rays. However, rather than being disappointed that it wasn’t a diamond, I was filled with joy that something so simple could be so precious, and I experienced a profound feeling of gratitude and praise of God, creator of such amazing beauty.
How often do we take for granted such simple yet astonishing gifts from the remarkable world and universe around us? Are we too preoccupied with the humdrum realities of daily duties; too depressed by the folly of politicians; too overwhelmed by the tragedies of war and disease? Obviously, we cannot and should not pretend that the negatives don’t exist; but on the other hand, we can and should choose to adjust our focus to take more notice of the wonders around us, and give thanks to the One who made them.