{no small challenge}

A couple of weeks ago I snapped a few frames of the kids being their usual charming selves.

The images are filled with the motion, commotion, and community of daily life with these people. 

Take, for instance, this charming progression:

They remind me to be grateful for all of it. Not just what looks pretty. 

I threw the salvageable images together in a book with a few words and prayed that the sincerity of the gift would not be lost in its simplicity.

I suppose, though, that oftentimes deepest sincerity is conveyed in the simplest of actions. They needn't be at odds. 

{Which got me thinking of how often I miss the sincere joy of this season -- of life-- because I fail to recognize and accept and appreciate it as simply as God bent -- bends-- to offer it.}

All is grace, and grace enough.

It's that simple (it's that hard). 

{no small challenge}

Dear Heather,


When the kids inevitably protested doing another photo session this year, I did what any tried and true caregiver would: I begged and bribed. With ice cream at stake, they cooperated fully--and I felt very little shame as I snapped away from behind the lens.


Then I loaded the pictures to my computer and studied the images.


This isn't the harvest of shameless bribing sown-- their cooperation has much more to do with the plea by which I framed this effort.


"Guys, I know it isn't your favorite..."

(There are eye rolls and sighs and inaudible "psh-you-got-that-rights.")

"...okay, you loathe the idea. But there is *nothing* your mother values more than the three of you, so basically your faces are my only hope for a meaningful gift to her."
 
It's {no small challenge} to daily discipline and encourage kids towards understanding their value* and deciding to use it well in the world-- these three are well on their way. I hope these imperfect photos testify to the love and life you're successfully fostering in them.


I begged and they acquiesced because they know it's true: they are cherished and irreplaceable.

And, of course, ice cream never hurts.


Another year past, and I still feel so privileged to be doing and learning life with your family- -  y'all are such a gift.


With love,
Sadie

*value: precise meaning or import, the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance or preciousness of something.

Jack (11)

Let me but live my life from year to year,

With forward face and unreluctant soul;

Not hurrying to, nor turning from the goal;

Not mourning for the things that disappear

In the dim past, nor holding back in fear

From what the future veils; but with a whole

And happy heart, that pays its toll

To Youth and Age, and travels on with cheer.

So let the way wind up the hill or down,

O'er rough or smooth, the journey will be joy:

Still seeking what I sought when but a boy,

New friendship, high adventure, and a crown,

My heart will keep the courage of the quest,

And hope the road's last turn will be the best.

{Henry Van Dyke, "Life"}

Gabe (8)

Two roads

diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

...

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

{Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken"}

Camille (6)

We, unaccustomed to courage

exiles from delight

live coiled in shells of loneliness

until love leaves its high holy temple

and comes into our sight

to liberate us into life.

Love arrives

and in its train come ecstasies

old memories of pleasure

ancient histories of pain.

Yet if we are bold,

love strikes away the chains of fear

from our souls.

We are weaned from our timidity

In the flush of love's light

we dare be brave

And suddenly we see

that love costs all we are

and will ever be.

Yet it is only love

which sets us free.

{Maya Angelou, Touched by an Angel"}

^{Colossians 3:12-17}

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Proverbs 24: 3-6

By wisdom a house is built
and by understanding it is established;
by knowledge the rooms are filled
with all precious and pleasant riches.

A wise man is  full of strength,
and a man of knowledge enhances his might
for by wise guidance you can wage your war,
and in abundance of counselors there is victory.