Monday, October 31, 2011

Days of Beauty: When My Eyes Are Open

Well, here it is - the 31st day of October. From the front side - I had ideas about beauty, but I had no idea how exactly God was going to lead for this entire month. I found myself afraid to commit to posting every day, because I was afraid I'd fail at following through.

But, as the days have passed - I have been led and my eyes and heart have been opened to beauty! Thank you for all of your positive feedback during this month ~ David has even commented that I've had some good posts this month. And, I wondered aloud to him if one reason could be that when we are writing from something deep within us - that comes across. When we are blah about a topic or not interested as much, it can come across as blah and not interested.

When it is from the depths of what makes us tick or feel alive, though, that is sensed from others. But I need to insert here that these words, these ideas for beauty have been His ideas!

One thing I've learned blogging is that there may be something I think I really want to write or share but when I type it out it isn't always sitting right with me. And, when I wait to hear what He would like me to share ~ it comes in His time. If I have to force a post to make it happen or come together, it is not likely something that I should be writing at the moment!

It has amazed me how many times I thought I had a post in my mind and then when I sat down to write it - it just wasn't right. And, it has amazed me how opened my eyes have been to beauty. I can't stop seeing it since I've been immersed in processing it. I've been looking for beauty among the ordinary every day-ness of life and I love it!

Not only that - but numerous times, I just shared my life and what was going on in my heart or home and found beauty in those times. To be able to look at my own life and the things I remember from the week before and share those in beauty - what a gift!

Thank you for walking this journey of beauty with me. I feel like we've barely scratched the surface of all that beauty encompasses. How is it possible that I could write something about beauty every day for 31 days? I'm in awe myself - of the only One who could make that possible.

The Author of beauty, the Creator of all beauty, the One who instills this need and love for beauty deep within. He is the only One who could do this and I am grateful for this beauty in and of itself.


"How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty."
Psalm 84:1


And, I love this quote my friend Angie sent in:
"The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely."
~Louisa May Alcott

And, from church yesterday - I appreciated this song, especially the last verse:

May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His power.

May the peace of God my Father
Rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing,
This is victory.

May I run the race before me,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me,
As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel,
Seeing only Him.

** Photos: a spontaneous visit to the Pumpkin Patch ~ a very good decision which brought beauty! And, yes, Rachel's lip is swollen from an unfortunate fall into the side of the bath tub. Ouch!

9 comments:

Crystal said...

Such wonderful pictures. Thank you so much for everything you wrote about this month. You are such a blessing. And Oh boy her lip looks sore. Bless her heart.

Bevy @ Treasured Up and Pondered said...

I love the photo of the three pumpkins in a row at your kids feet (I'm assuming).

What a fun day. Thanks for all your beautiful words through this series on beauty. :) Fabulous!

I agree about the times of forcing a post to come together may not be right. Only when I pray through it and can really feel the Lord leading - is when the words really come together.

Poor Rachel. That probably looks worse then what it is but still...

Monica Wilkinson said...

Yes, Bevy - three pumpkins at three little pairs of feet! I loved that!

Wendi said...

I have also enjoyed your post this month. I love finding beauty in the ordinary... it makes my heart sing!

Kathy said...

Thank you for opening my eyes to beauty this month.

Love the pictures too!

Mom said...

Love these photos! Thank you for taking us with you on this month of beauty -- it has increased my own appreciation for the beauty surrounding me every day and been a lovely glimpse into your heart. :) Love you lots, Mom

Diane Hannon Allman said...

I was truly blessed by this series. I looked at your blog Every morning before I left the bed just so I could know what to focus on each day. There are three projects left that I still want to complete . I am going to miss the series a lot, but by following along you touched my life and brought beauty to a weary Mommy. Others have been blessed by your willingness to be candid and open about the beauty in your own life.

angie said...

I have been more aware of the beauty around me thanks to your month of beauty. Fall always awakens all my senses.

Last week, I was quickly putting some mums into pots on my porch. They were so full that every time I handled one, I broke a small stem off. Instead of getting frustrated, I realized the opportunity to bring the beauty of the mums indoors. In the end, I had a dozen or so stems with beautiful orange flowers to put into a jelly jar of water. Still today, they are adding color and life to my kitchen windowsill.

I've often wondered what our choice of pumpkins say about us. Me--I always want round, squat, and with a stem. How about your littles' choices?

ASC said...

It is so important to take a moment to set aside our own agendas in order to "say yes" to our children and "say yes" to finding ways to make life beautiful. So hard for a busy momma to remember!