Do You Notice Beauty?

Do you notice beauty?

I have found that over the last decade of parenting, I have spent more and more time pondering daily grace. Daily grace as in the heavenly winks that prove God exists and good is present now and also, He is there (in the next) . This past weekend I had an entire day of doing just this as we ventured up to Strawberry, Arizona. And oh - how my heart sang!

We thrifted. We hiked. We found new school projects, the first ever schoolhouse in Arizona, and an aloe plant in need of a new home. We continued to celebrate hubs birthday. The kids laughed and laughed and there may still be dirt under their nails even after baths. And while I did not forget that I am a special needs parent, for a short while - I did remember what it feels like to be me.

I came home having not read my bible, but having had a personal experience with God. God’s heart for me never fails to bring me to my knees. That He saw what I needed and supplied it when I needed it - from fresh air to laughter to celebrating life - even though I didn’t realize that I needed it just so very much right then. Yet I did.

I mean, I haven’t spent my days sobbing over this season (mostly). But I have felt the effects of 24/7 parenting in a world that is hard to explain to my precious, precious kids.

And so, noticing the beauty like: Blissy's OCD did not win, though it tried; I danced through another day cancer free; and kettle corn (Living with chronic disease doesn't always allow me the freedom of fun-food. But this weekend I did have the freedom of fun-food!) has made an even greater difference in my posture before God and all of life. Praising for it all, always.

This excursion might just have been my most favorite day this whole year. Because, like many of you, my life is often heavy. And though occasionally I find some giggles at TikToc videos at midnight (which I only just downloaded), mostly I find myself plotting away at how to keep beauty in our life right now.

Are you able to notice beauty in your parenting right now? Mothering? Caregiving? Loving of another or in life itself?

Ten years ago, unable to walk or care for my first babe, noticing beauty (gratitude!) is what got me through.

I am praying that if you lean into it, it will do the same for you.

I’m cheering you on!