Have you ever walked into a fabric store or dress shop and found yourself touching the fabrics as you walk by? You may have subconsciously sized it up—bulky, thick, nubby, stiff, or silky, smooth, soft, luxurious.

Have you ever had a child who wouldn’t eat a particular food? You decide it’s not the taste or even the color but the texture that turns him off. Too gooey, too sticky, too soft, too hard, too lumpy, who knows what.

But aren’t we glad for the interesting textures of foods? Crispy crackers, chips, and cereals. Sticky honey and caramel. Soft mashed potatoes, applesauce, and cooked broccoli. Thick meats, course breads, smooth ice cream with chunky chocolate chips.

When I wrote about color last week, I thought about people who are blind. How sad that color is something they can’t appreciate. But texture, now that’s something they can truly relish! In fact, that’s how many blind people read, through braille. They can feel their way across the raised letters. (A texture that reads!)

We can all appreciate the roughness of a tree trunk, an elephant, or a brick wall. 

We love to touch a velvety, soft puppy or the contrasting blades of grass where he lies.

We have texture on our bodies—rough knees and elbows, smooth tummies and palms. When our hands get rough from overworking or winter winds, we know it’s time for hand lotions.

What about the wonderful texture of water? We clean ourselves with it and drink it to quench our thirsts, and play with it in a pool or tub. There is something lovely about moving your arms or legs through a body of water. It is a texture as old as God’s beginnings.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the face of the deep, and the spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Genesis 1:1-2

He went on to create a million kinds of trees, plants, and vegetation as well as animals in many textures. Scales for fish, feathers for birds, shells, skins, and furs for animals, mostly for function. We have built upon God’s creative ideas and brought about a myriad of other textures to use and enjoy and touch in our world. 

As a musician, I relish in the texture of musical sounds.

Speaking of texture, did you notice the tree branches covered with ice yesterday? God’s crystal trees!

Watch for texture today. Be aware of this blessed creation. Don’t forget to praise Him for it! 

~ Joyce ~