Finding Beauty
Joy is an attitude.
If I'm expecting food to be dropped all over the floor during a meal, I won't get all bent up about it. If I embrace the creativity of chairs and cushions remastered into kitchen or bathroom, I will enjoy life more.
I've had a hard week. Could be that I've been so focused on joy and finding beauty that all I see is the contrasting opposite. It's clear to me that I enjoy clean and clutter-free space and my three-year-old doesn't. It's clear that my 18-month-old isn't going to magically stop throwing food on the floor.
But My house IS filled with beauty.
I need to get past the criticism and love the children. IN their messes. They are beautiful. I've been so glazed over with visions of what I think defines beauty that I've missed their unique beauty.
Forgive me. Help me to change. Not them.
If you'd like to join us for more talk about JOY, keep tuning in as I follow Ann Voskamp's Parenting Manifesto of Joy over the next three months. And feel free to participate in the weekly challenges!
If I'm expecting food to be dropped all over the floor during a meal, I won't get all bent up about it. If I embrace the creativity of chairs and cushions remastered into kitchen or bathroom, I will enjoy life more.
I've had a hard week. Could be that I've been so focused on joy and finding beauty that all I see is the contrasting opposite. It's clear to me that I enjoy clean and clutter-free space and my three-year-old doesn't. It's clear that my 18-month-old isn't going to magically stop throwing food on the floor.
But My house IS filled with beauty.
I need to get past the criticism and love the children. IN their messes. They are beautiful. I've been so glazed over with visions of what I think defines beauty that I've missed their unique beauty.
Forgive me. Help me to change. Not them.
{Challenge #2: My Paraphrase}: For the rest of my life, I will see my children for the
beauties they are, and I will refuse to focus on the mess around them.
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If you'd like to join us for more talk about JOY, keep tuning in as I follow Ann Voskamp's Parenting Manifesto of Joy over the next three months. And feel free to participate in the weekly challenges!
Also, if you'd like some more reading material and inspiration, Life As Mom has done a blog series called Be More Joyful!. Definitely worth a few moments of your time.
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