Worth of Art

This is in the entry way of my best friend's home. It makes me want to cry.😭

First, out of sheer embarrassment. Twenty-something years ago, she earned her masters degree in forestry and I had no money for a gift. This is a $1 plate holder, a $1 glass plate, a $1 sample of fabric, and some Mod Podge left over from a church craft retreat. Oh, and gold paint to "gild" the edges. From the same retreat. 🙄

It is one thing for her to graciously receive this during a celebration where surely hundreds if not thousands of dollars were offered. 😬

But she kept it. 😊

She continues to give it a place of honor. And that level of unmerited favor just makes me wanna bawl. 😔

Last time I was at her house, I snapped a picture because (#1. It made me roll my eyes and giggle) but also, I wanted to remind myself of this beauty. 📷

Not the plate [not at all oh my gracious!] But the placement. Not the love I was trying to communicate, but the love she CONTINUES to pour out by treating my dollar store craft as if it were a valuable work of art worthy of sharing with as many people as possible. 🏆

There's something divine here . . . 💛

In Season and Out

This sweet snap from 2018 is one of my all-time favorite photos.

During Asa's first year to play t-ball, he spent a lot of time watching. He made some great plays, learned a lot, and made a ton of friends. 

But he was [a] little [baby] with focus challenges and some health issues while the setting sun would blaze a sensory overload of bright heat. So most of the time he just watched.

This image speaks grace to me . . .

calm, comforting charis.

Sometimes you just have to sit one out.

An inning, a game, a season.

Sometimes your part is to watch and wait.

You may be geared up and ready.

You may have worked hard to get here.

This may be the thing you feel like you want the most.

But for whatever reason, the sidelines is your position for now.

You are not alone.

You are tenderly held, and your father knows best. 

Is this purposeful punishment or prevention and protection? Who can know for sure? 

Because from this vantage all I see is love.

Out of Nowhere

This image contains words I received in a text message yesterday morning. 

Seemingly out of nowhere. 

Sitting in my car, I read each phrase and just quietly wept as courage and hope made their way through my stiff and stoic heart.

For the rest of the day my eyes were miraculously opened to all that God was doing. It was still a challenging day with bumps and bruises, but it was filled with peace and purpose and generosity. Her prayers were heard and I felt seen. Powerful stuff.

She didn't have to pray.

She didn't have to tell me she did.

I didn't have to share this.

You didn't have to read it.

We can mind our own business and leave well enough alone.

But, WHY, for the love of God and His goodness, would we settle for that?

Ask God who might need a prayer and a text today.

He answers. He is the answer.

On the Way

There is a divine margin of clarity that moves with us as we advance into the unknown. 

In God's presence, beauty emerges from the mysterious shadows as we journey at His pace and in His peace. 

When the road ahead is uncertain, the only way to see more clearly is to keep going.

Little by little you will see more. Clearly.