A View from Above

I ran across this photo of our front yard as I was organizing my photos today. 

It was taken early one morning last summer, when the day was fresh and full of possibilities.  This is the view from the desk in my studio.
Sometimes I look out and see my son chasing (or being chased) by our dog or my daughter sitting on the swing with a friend.  I can see the driveway as people come and go and I always seem to look up just when our sweet mail lady leaves something in the box by the road.
From this vantage point, I see a bigger picture than I would see on the ground.  I see things "in context", if that makes sense at all.
It reminds me how grateful I am that there is One higher than I Who watches over me.  When I can't see past my immediate situation, my Father in heaven is there, knowing all that has been and all that will be in my life and in the lives of my loved ones.  From God's perspective, every moment is fresh and full of possibilities and nothing is random or out of control.  Most importantly, just as I look on my children with such overwhelming love as they laugh and play and trust, my Heavenly Dad delights in me simply because I am His.
There's a little verse trying to make it's way out of my head today.  It's nothing fancy, but it expresses a bit of what's on my heart:

On days when I don't understand
I place my life in your strong hands
And trust that from your throne on high
You see and know the reason why
Then, safely resting in Your grace,
I sense a smile upon Your face

Where Did I Go?

Yay!  I'm back!  Since I didn't post any pictures over the holidays I thought I'd share my favorite photo of our puppies.  Dakota is almost a year old and at the time this image was taken, Deisel was about 2 months.  As you can see, Dakota was maybe not so excited about his new friend.

So I haven't posted since November. What's up with that? Yes, the holidays came and it was a busy season, but was it that busy? Not really. Besides, we make time for the things we truly love and I love blogging, right?

So why can't I seem to make myself put my thoughts to paper (or keyboard) lately?

I'm doing that "thing" again. It's that thing where I can't simply do something for the pure joy of it. Somehow it was beginning to morph into a chore...a task...an assignment. I slowly succumbed to the temptation to think about attracting more readers, more followers. I saw the potential for my blog as a marketing tool for my jewelry business and I began to move in that direction.

The joy of writing my little blog was slowly draining away. 

Instead of sharing my heart, I began to feel like a ghost writer for someone I thought I should and maybe even wanted to be.

You know, I've been there and done that.  For years I tried to be who other people said I should be.  I tried to fit the mold, to meet the expectations.  The truth is, when I am in my studio or writing a blog post, I sometimes get a glimpse of a girl who wants to be known but always ends up hiding.  I think I recognize her.  I think she's me. 

I would like for this blog to be a safe place for her... a place where she can express her heart...a place where she can step into the light and be free. 

So here's my plan: henceforth I will write from my heart and not my head.  I am going to avoid, as much as possible, things like the site meter I am about to remove because they encourage me to try to "measure" my success at this.  It's such a habit with me.  I'm going to have to go cold turkey.

And so, in honor of the child that is stepping forth, I leave you with a few images of a freer, less encumbered me:

 Just playing in the front yard...not a care in the world

"All children are artists. The problem is how to remain one"

Pablo Picasso

 Laughing (as always) with my baby sister

"Assuredly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will bo no means enter it"

Mark 10:15

I would love to hear about the things that bring you joy and your favorite ways to express what's in your heart.  Do you ever struggle to be the true you?