yesterday i took a day of rest with Eva. it was marvelous. it would have been marvelous even if we hadn’t done a darn thing, but we did. (although, not much.)

we both love to visit the Arboretum, especially during this season when it’s Dallas Blooms:

Dallas Blooms features more than 400,000 spring-blooming bulbs, over 3,000 azaleas and thousands of other annuals and perennials spread throughout the 66-acre garden.

it’s shocking in the most pleasant way you can picture. our minds are so accustomed to drab gray buildings and florescent lights that seeing these bursts of color is physically shocking. after about the third turn-the-corner-take-your-breath-away gasp, Eva bubbled, "I think color is good for our brains." i couldn’t agree more.

there’s just something about the arrangement of colors together that caresses your face into a subtle smile. you can’t help it. it just happens. it’s beautiful.

one time i was having a conversation with Dr. Kreider, Professor of Theological Studies at Dallas Seminary, and kiddinglly (and rhetorically) asked him, "why is the sky blue?" his response branded my brain with an aspect of anthropology i often neglect. he quipped, "because God likes blue." how is this anthropological? glad you asked.

he followed up with an anecdote (my paraphrase): "i have a fish at home. it does nothing for me. i have a couple dogs, too, and at least they can show me affection, but the fish…it does nothing for me. in fact, it’s a complete drain on my resources. i feed it, change its water, and all it does is swim and eat. but it’s beautiful. and i need beauty in my life." it’s the wonder of color.

we all know that the sky is blue because 70% of the earth is water, and the atmosphere reflects the oceans’ blue. but the question remains - why blue? because God likes blue. same reason grass is green. God loves the entire gamut of color. there is always a scientific reason, but the ultimate reason is because God designed it that way. as imagers, we love color, too. the variety is healthy, and keeps us healthy. all the more reason to protect and preserve the Creator’s palette.