The family (including myself) is currently en-rout to Yosemite National Park.  We left Saint Louis early this morning, and have completed our first leg of the flight, landing in Dallas.  I was praying morning prayer during the flight, and I thought that one of the intercessions was particularly applicable.

"Open our eyes and the eyes of our brothers - to see your wonders this day."

The good, the true, and the beautiful - called the transcendentals - are things that all humans desire, but so often we look for them outside of God.  Here's the deal; ultimate good, absolute truth, and infinite beauty, are found in God.  However, when we find things that are good, when we advance in knowledge towards truth, when we see something beautiful - we can use these moments to bring ourselves closer to the true source of those things - God.  Obviously, there is a lot more to this topic, but our flight is boarding in half an hour and I gotta get my stuff packed up...  Just remember that goodness, truth, and beauty, wherever they are found, can always be applied towards our growth and relationship with God.  At the very least they can be moments where we thank God.  I'm sure that this phrase will be very applicable throughout this entire vacation - it will be awesome!

Happy Memorial Day everybody!  To all veterans and current serving armed forces: thank you so much!