It has been a while since I have written. Mainly due to living life, raising kids, and working to build my real estate business. By the time there is a moment to sit and write, I would rather sit with my hubby and watch our current show. Sorry not sorry.
However, I had a realization recently, and wanted to share. My kids are still asleep, the house is quiet, so here I go.
Last week, we went on our first family vacation in a very long time. We had two vacations planned this year, but both were cancelled due to COVID. No beaches for us.
We went to Gatlinburg to spend a few days in the mountains with our friends and their families. It was both a nice getaway, and stressful (7 kids and 7 adults tend to make one cabin a bit loud and full).
We went to Wonderworks which is a great place for both kids and adults. They have everything from science interactive activities, to rides, to art. We all loved it.
As we were exiting, the halls were filled with art. One piece caught my eye. I didn’t think much of it until this morning during my prayer time. The picture was a dog. It wasn’t a painting or even just a picture taken of a dog, it was a bunch of small pictures that were strategically placed to make a bigger picture. I thought it was a neat idea, and moved on to figure out dinner plans for the evening.
This morning, I was praying, and asking God for peace to flood my life. Real estate, trying to be healthy, turning 30, finances, kids, etc are all stressful at times, and my anxiety has been in hypermode.
As I was asking for peace, I felt like God brought that picture of the dog back to me.
“Be still. Be present.”
I’ll try to explain. I am someone who is always looking for “what is to come”. How to be better, how to set us up for the future, working towards what we want. Don’t get me wrong, those are not bad things, but I tend to focus more on the future then what is happening in the moment. Focusing on the future has a sneaky way of stealing joy in the present.
This morning, I felt conviction to stop, and realize that the “big picture” of my life is made up of strategically small pictures, just like the one at Wonderworks.
Focusing on the present, my kids, my day, my little choices, are what form the big picture.
Instead of only caring about the final outcome, I want to care about all of the little choices, moments, days that add up and create my big picture.
The artist who created that piece carefully chose little pictures that would fit and work together to create a bigger picture, a bigger outcome. How time consuming and creative!
My life is the same. God is the artist. He carefully works in my life, my little daily activities (the ones I feel are small and insignificant), to create a bigger, creative picture.
If one of the small pictures had been missing, or even been completely the wrong color, the whole piece would have looked different. Each piece played a role. Each piece was intentionally chosen. Each piece worked together.
It may sound silly. It may sound “over spiritual”, but it brought me comfort this morning, and allowed me to slow down and refocus my priorities.
Each day is filled with choices and opportunities. They may not feel monumental or life-changing, but they add up.
Be present. Be intentional. Intentional days grow to a larger, bigger picture that we just can’t quite see yet.
Happy Monday! And as I tell my kiddos, “Make good choices!” 😉
Henley Happenings 