Paper Wonders

Who would have guessed all the remarkable things artistic brains can manage to make from paper? Our little group went from one museum display to the next amazed by the remarkable creations. One was a giant model of a wasp nest created by Samuelle Green. After walking around the outside, we could enter it because it was large enough for several people to go inside the paper

sphere and step around inside it– even tall people. Inside were undulating, curving sides that mimicked a real wasp nest. A close look revealed a chicken wire foundation, but the wire frame was covered because each hole was stuffed with a rolled-up page from discarded books. I wondered how many books were required for this amazing structure. If a person looked closely, one could read the individual words on the pages. What a unique way to make use of books that were no longer being read in their library, bought in a store, or where book bindings had worn out, leaving loose pages. I couldn’t even imagine how many pages were required for such a large structure. I must admit as a writer myself; I cringed a bit to realize the torn-up books had once represented a lot of work to write and publish. Nevertheless, the wasp nest was impressive,  attractive, and more useful than burning the books. I imagine without museums to display such imaginative work, the artist’s efforts wouldn’t furnish a living wage for living expenses. All together. imaginative minds and creative hands created an eye- opening and remarkable afternoon at a museum.

I wonder what God can do with the things in our lives that seem useless, or are completely worn out, or things that disappoint us. If we ask Him to help us, perhaps he will help us find ways to use our disappointments, failures, or leftover scraps in some beneficial ways. I wonder what sort of remarkable ideas He might give us. We might be pleasantly surprised.