A Quiet, Ordinary Life

Friends of ours borrowed an amazing book to us, and I was enjoying it with the girls, when we got to this amazing truth:

Much-Afraid looked at the Shepherd. “Sometimes I have wondered about the wild flowers,” she said. “It seems strange that they should grow in places like this where the goats and cattle walk all over them. They have so much beauty and sweetness to give, and hardly anyone sees them.”

The look the Shepherd turned on her was very beautiful. “Nothing that My Father and I have made is ever wasted,” He said quietly, “and the wild flowers have a wonderful lesson to teach. Many people live a quiet, ordinary life. Hardly anyone even knows about them, but their hearts are like delightful gardens where the King Himself walks and rejoices. Some of My servants have won great respect from other people and are famous, but always their greatest victories are like the wild flowers, those which no one knows about….” (Hinds’ Feet on High Places, Hannah Hurnard)

As you begin this week, may you be blessed as you bring delight to Jesus in your quiet, private moments in an ordinary life!

Comfort Food, Comfort Photos

After Monday’s post, I feel as though I don’t have much left to say, for now. (I’m sure that will change shortly…)

I feel as though I’m in the mood for a nice, comfortable post, with nice, comfortable pictures.

Apparently, I’m after comfort today. I did a little bit of comfort eating earlier. A long day led to me finishing off a bag of chips in my closet, so I wouldn’t have to share any with my children. I can’t even imagine my mom doing anything half so selfish when I was a kid. But then, I guess I wouldn’t know if she had. But I’m pretty sure she didn’t.

However, I’ve decided not to tell myself I’m a bad mom anymore. It’s so discouraging, and not really accurate. I’m a good mom who makes mistakes sometimes. I’m a work in progress. And I fed my girlies toasted waffles, to make up for the chip thing.

 

I totally forgot my poor husband in the city today.

What??! I know.

We drove into Winnipeg together this morning, and then I went off to a bunch of appointments, and took the girls to their last swimming lesson. After that, I was merrily driving home, when Ben called my cell phone. EVEN THEN, my first thought was, “Oh, I wonder why Ben is calling??”

No recollection, whatsoever. Brutal.

I was already almost home, so fortunately, Ben was able to catch a ride home from the city with a friend. SO GLAD I didn’t need to drive all the way back to Winnipeg again! Then I might have needed a bit more than just chips in my closet….

But we will press on. I’m a good wife who makes mistakes sometimes…Oh, boy.

Any other confessions out there??! How’s your week going?:)

Do Not Strive for Extraordinary Lives…

“Do not ask your children
to strive for extraordinary lives.
Such striving may seem admirable,
but it is the way of foolishness.
Help them instead to find the wonder
and the marvel of an ordinary life.
Show them the joy of tasting
tomatoes, apples and pears.
Show them how to cry
when pets and people die.
Show them the infinite pleasure
in the touch of a hand.
And make the ordinary come alive for them.
The extraordinary will take care of itself.”
― William Martin

I think one of my favorite things about being a mom is the second chance it gives me to see the world through the eyes of a child. If you let them, children will teach you to go slow, and find much excitement in ladybugs, wading in puddles, and burying your feet in the sand.

I love the idea of teaching children to strive for an ordinary life, but I don’t think they really need to be taught to find joy in the little things – they seem to know how to do that already, quite naturally. Maybe it’s our job to teach them not to forget it….

I wish you a day filled with the wonders of an ordinary life!

Tell me – what’s one beautiful, wonderful, ordinary thing you’re enjoying right now?