Through a Different Lens

Home Decorating, Life in Christ, Photography

Today was dreary. Rain clouds loomed and my to-do list was extra long. Even though I know that these kind of external things should not have an effect on my mood, I found myself discouraged and somewhat stressed. The negative aspects of a day can push out the beauty, and stress can distort the good.

As a junior in high school I discovered the thrill of photography. My dad let me use his heavy metal Nikon from the 60s and I experimented with capturing on film what I found to be beautiful and captivating. I’ve personally discovered that the lens of a camera can transform what you see. When you place the viewfinder up to your eye and peer through, the rest of the world disappears. What’s to the right, to the left or behind you is not visible. You are forced to focus on beauty.

Over the years I learned to use my camera as a tool to see what is already there. When my kiddos were tiny and I was weighed down by their whining, needs, and my own exhaustion I would grab my camera and plop them down where the light streamed in through a window and begin snapping. Most of the pictures were not impressive from a technical standpoint, but they revealed to me the stunning beauty of the life I had been gifted with.

Back to today. I walked into my bedroom to see my unmade bed, dusty furniture and laundry on the floor. But then I noticed the stack of pillows with just a tiny bit of light from the overcast sky creeping in through the window. I grabbed my camera (straightened the stack a bit), looked through the lens and snapped the picture. It was tiny thing… only took a minute… but my spirit was lifted and I smiled as I put my camera back on the shelf.

There’s a similar privilege offered to those who know Christ as their Savior. Scripture confirms what we already know about life. It’s not easy. Stress and discouragement creep in constantly. But when we fix our eyes on Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith, the rest of this world seems to almost disappear. We are able to see what’s in front of us through the lens of the goodness of God and the hope of the Gospel. Not only can we see His gifts, but we can see His grace. Through the lens of Christ, my failures aren’t final…my weaknesses can testify to His strength…broken people and circumstances can be redeemed…light can push through darkness.

You may not be a photographer. You may not be someone who relishes aesthetic things like I do. But regardless, there’s still so much light and beauty to be seen! Slow down, open your eyes, and ask the Creator of all that exists to help you see His goodness and His endless grace. It’s always there.

Blessings,

Beauty and Pain

Home Decorating, Life in Christ, Uncategorized

These are not my flowers. And yet they sit on my kitchen table and smile at me each morning.

A few days ago a friend of mine asked if she could drop them off at our house. Because of various health issues we often are the beneficiaries of flowers and foods that she can’t enjoy.

These flowers embody beauty and pain. Joy and grief. The beauty I see and enjoy… the pain and loss she experiences. Both are present, intertwined and inseparable. I can’t acknowledge one without feeling the other. So I embrace them both.

Life in Christ is always both. Life in community is always both.

“Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities; …through glory and dishonor, slander and praise; viewed as imposters, yet genuine; as unknown, yet well-known; dying, and yet we live on; punished, yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” 2 Corinthians 6:4,8-10

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another.” Romans 12:15,16

Alice & Elsie’s Room

Family, Home Decorating

Our home was an unexpected gift from a good God who provides for His children. When we moved into this house, we had three little girls…ages 6, 3, and 2, and a three bedroom ranch style home seemed so spacious! 10 years and two babies later, it’s the same amazing gift, but it seems a bit cozier than it did in those early days!

Over the years we’ve tried almost every possible combination of bedroom living arrangements. But as the kiddos grew, the lopsided nature of four girls in one room, and our son in the other became too glaring. Especially with two of the girls being teenagers!

While our kids have hardly ever complained about the tight living quarters, Jeremy and I became determined to figure out another arrangement. Again, God provided the perfect solution for this stage of life. Our home has a back “bonus” room off of our kitchen, which also connects to our living room. Initially it was a TV/ toy room, then a family room, and eventually it became my office. We had never seriously considered turning it into a bedroom because it would make the kitchen seem small and closed off, not to mention it would disrupt the wonderful flow that our house has. Then out of the blue, the idea of french doors popped into our heads! They would still let light through and could be left open during the day! No, a bedroom off the kitchen isn’t 100% ideal, but it is definitely preferable to four big girls in a little room!

So let me just jump to the conclusion. Putting our oldest girls, Alice and Elsie in this new room has been literally life changing for our daily living as a family! Everyone has the space they need now! There’s still more work to be done: curtains for the french doors, a small sliding “barn door” cover for a window into the room from the kitchen, a real door off of the living room into the room, and turning the present storage closet into a fully functioning clothes closet. But even in its incomplete state, the girls are thrilled in their new space. Such a blessing.

The girls and I decided on a 1970s decor for the room. They were inspired by Mary’s apartment in The Mary Tyler Moore show. So lots of yellow, shades of green, wood, wicker, owls, and plants! We all love how it turned out. Take a peek!