1. For the images to be in black and white. Since he learned how to use filters, he's been favoring that one.
2. And to see these types of images....
You know, all the important things to a 3 year old. Old Maid, cars, wipes, stuffed animals. However, when nap time rolled around, I found so much more. Pictures that made way for a "God thing" through tear-filled eyes.
95% of the time I'm on the other side of the camera, and I think it's safe to say....if we just look at the candid moments, that number goes to 99.9%. I love freeze framing beauty in everyday moments. The moments that pass you by and you never think twice about. And even though I don't have many of those moments caught on camera, there are images. Images engrained in my mind. And the mothering ones never, ever look like these. Satan likes to slither in and push his lies in place of the truth. He does this most often in the things we're most passionate about. For me, that's my family. Even though I do these things whole-heartedly, that doesn't mean I view myself as gentle, sweet or pure. And that made me realize how that's the case in so many areas of our lives. He pushes this idea that we're never good enough. A good enough wife, mom, daughter, sister or friend.
Never kind enough.
Never gracious enough.
Never rich enough.
Never open enough.
Never available enough.
Never fit enough.
Never pretty enough.
Never smart enough.
Never seen enough.
Never heard enough.
Never understood enough.
If we measure our ourselves, by the rest of the world's standards and our own capabilities, then those aren't lies. Why? Because we live in a society that screams nothing or nobody is ever good enough. Which is actually true. We weren't made to be self-sufficient. There is only ONE that is good enough. It's when we realize we're chasing an unachievable goal, humble ourselves to fully rely on Him, give Him our very best in whatever we do and allow Him to fill in our gaps that we become enough because HE is enough. How sweet it is to know that God knows exactly what I need. He knows exactly what my kids need. He knows exactly what my husband need. And part of what they need is me. He chose ME to be their mom. ME to be his wife. BUT if I solely try to put it on my shoulder's to be all they need and never point their eyes to Him, then I won't be enough. God is the Perfect Father. I'm just the lucky gal he chose to parent my children through.
I'm not a parenting expert, obviously. Actually, you could say I'm in the earliest stages. But I know this much....I want to be ALL. IN. These are my two words for the year. All in. In everything I do. I want to be very present in whatever I'm doing or whoever I'm with. Giving the task or the person my undivided attention. If there's one thing I don't want to be able to say at the end of my journey through motherhood, is that I could given it more. I was reminded of this when I had the opportunity to see myself as the everyday mom my 3-year old sees.
I don't know about you, but I'm tired of the not-good-enoughs. Put Satan's lies where they belong, and that's nowhere near your heart. Be present. Whole-heartedly involved. Teachable. Grateful. Intentional. Rejoice in these affirmations and know...when you allow Him to be enough, you are enough.
You are a Daughter of The King. (2 Corinthians 6:18)
You are made in HIS image. (Genesis 1:27)
You are justified through Christ Jesus. (Romans 5:1)
You are chosen. (1 Peter 2:9)
You are wanted. (Ephesians 1:4-5)
