“Hurry is the enemy of beauty. Beauty comes when we stay instead of run; when we taste instead of shovel in; when we take the long way home after work and see the brightest blue sky open before us. Quicker is not always better.”- Jennifer Dukes Lee
In Chapter 7 (“Built to Last”) of Growing Slow, Jennifer Dukes Lee begins with the story of a family trip to London, England. While walking in London one afternoon, the Lees stumbled upon a bookstore called Hatchards. Housed in a five-story building, Hatchards opened for business in 1797.
Therefore, Hatchards stands out in our throwaway culture. Because its dedicated and knowledgeable staff possess the mad audacity to keep pressing forward. No matter what. In contrast, we replace rather than repair, purge things rather than patch.
However, Jennifer underscores, you cannot rush the type of growth that stands the test of time. Consequently, the author exhorts:
“Let’s stop glorifying the end results and start embracing the day-to-day process of building something beautiful with our lives. We have bought into the deception that a meaningful life is the result of achieving goals, but meaning isn’t found in the rush for results. Quite often, meaning is found in the struggle.”
Hence, the Hatchards story proves that it’s possible to build something that lasts – that outlives us. Thus, it’s also possible to live a small quiet life and yet make a mark on the world. Simply through taking care of people and our fields. Just as generations of Hatchards owners and employees have nurtured that store since 1797.
In conclusion, Jennifer stresses, something happens when you don’t feel the pressure to make something marvelous. Because then you see how God’s making something marvelous in you. For He’s making a soul built to love Him and enjoy Him forever.
After all, it’s not what you’re building. Rather, it’s Who you’re building with! So, at the end of the day, take a moment to admire what you and the Father completed together.
Today’s question: How do you see hurry as the enemy of beauty? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “We undervalue the little things”
