In times of exhaustion, grief, or trial, holding onto a sense of order and loveliness is essential. Though many trials of life cannot be easily fixed with a pat answer, the difficulty of walking through them is often eased if it can be experienced in a lovely environment.

Beauty has anchored my own soul so many times through so many years. If I had spent my life waiting for the "right moment" to be idealistic, I would never have enjoyed the delight of idealistic seeds sown during trials.

In fact, I developed most of my ideals in faith — creating beauty when I didn't know if it would make a difference, lighting one more candle in hope of a more hopeful day, cooking one more meal in anticipation of God's provision. These offerings are intentional acts of faith. And most often it is in those moments of weariness that I'm most likely to see God's gentle hand at work.

Lighting a candle or assembling a vase of fragrant flowers will do it. Creating a little vignette on a corner table — a framed photo, a carefully arranged stack of books, a bird figurine — will help. Setting a place at the table with beautiful dishes or an interesting centerpiece will do it. Any of these small acts — or hundreds more — can soothe a soul overwhelmed with life.

It is not about perfection; it is about creating a vestige of peace when our lives are fraught. Beauty reminds me that there is a pattern and shape to events of my life. So when life is too much for you, light a candle, put on music, pour yourself a cup of tea, and take a deep breath.

Read more about this in The Lifegiving Table.