Humble Beauty

I am such a sucker for flowers. I am that mom. You know the one. I would go to great lengths to pull over the car when my kids were small so we could pick wildflower bouquets. I used my best MIKASA crystal vase to ensconce dandelions or other assorted items others would probably dub weeds. But what are weeds anyway? 

Ralph Waldo Emerson describes them this way:

"What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have never been discovered." 

I do try to appreciate beauty in what others may overlook. 

Now, don't get me wrong, I do love a bunch of matching flowers in a special vase (sounds like paws) as much as the next gal, but something in this little heart of mine goes pitter patter when a messy handful of wild blooms gets thrust my way. Fewer of these make it into my house now that my kids are all teenagers, but my response is still the same for the spontaneous gesture of flowers. I love them! Not once does it cross my mind that the value of these wildflowers is any less than those of the store bought sort. 

God created each of us with different talents, different gifting, and obviously with very different exteriors. I don't want to get caught in the trap of what people look like or putting value on the book's cover alone.

I spent many years worrying about what people thought of me and focusing on my exterior alone as the measuring stick for my significance and worth. God has had a huge project in me.  Yet He chose to transform me. He was ruthless in some ways and gentle in others. This has been far from a pain free process, I can assure you. 

However, the One Who knows me best and loves me most has not taken one break since I chose to follow His plan for my life back in 1980. Now that doesn't mean I haven't tried to climb off the potter's wheel when He sculpts, shapes and molds me to look more like what He created me for all those years ago. 

I still have days ( as recently as today) when I just want the refining process to be easier. I want the struggle to be simpler. I want to feel beautiful in spite of the chipping away that sometimes leaves me with visible scars and an altered image that can appear somewhat shocking to those who have gotten used to it. 

At any rate, I think I have an affinity for those "weeds" because I so identify with their dubious worth to the untrained eye. I am so grateful I am instead seen by the Creator whose eye continuously zeros in on my value, my worth, and my potential because He sees and knows the purpose for which He made me. 

I think I will go take one more whiff of that lovely red flower floating in a bowl on my counter before I head off to bed. My 14-year-old son still sees how happy those humble gifts make this mama. I hope he never forgets. (Makes me melt). Head on over here for more great writing.

On His Adventure~

Pam 

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What Am I Really Worth?

Remember back in the day when a family asked you to babysit and before the end of the night when you were set to head on home they popped the question. No, not "the" question, but the most difficult one I'd had to answer in all my 13 or 14 years . . . "How much do we owe you?" I would rock back and forth on my heels, look anywhere but right in their eyes, and hope they decided to suggest an amount reasonable so it wouldn't force me to counter. I never wanted to set a price on the value of my childcare abilities then. I wasn't sure what I was worth -- at least not what my babysitting was worth. 

Oh, I know I have value. I realize I was created with inherent value and significance. I just have a tough time assigning value to anything I create. I see what I do as doodling. My art all has imperfections and idiosyncrasies unique to each piece that emerges from my pen, colored pencil, crayon, marker or paintbrush, depending on my mood. I rarely create the same exact item twice, which makes it difficult to mass produce any sort of item without spending money I don't have to make that happen. 

So, where this whole musing finds me is needing to make money and underselling myself when it comes to the talent God has given me to leave that trail of beauty I keep mentioning and used to title this very blog here. I long to make art, sell art, and find people who love what I do. I just need to figure out how to best make that happen and do it! All prayers appreciated along the way. I will keep seeking out beauty and capturing it in ways that leave another trail of it in my wake. 

On His Adventure~

Pam 

Beauty Through My Eyes

God's Word plus my artwork. Beauty in this truth. Resting in its comfort today. 

Check out what others are saying over at write31days.com. 

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday! Rain may still lull me into an afternoon nap . . .

On His Adventure~

Pam