Once in awhile,
my family gets tired of being stalked
wherever they go,
whatever they're doing,
whoever they're with,
and being blinded by my camera flash.
In retaliation they pick up my camera
and starting shooting me.
Sometimes my husband picks up the camera
just because he wants a picture of me.
This picture caught me off guard.
This is what people see when they look on in my life.
Slightly disorganized,
slightly frazzled,
always near children.
I love the kids part,
but would like to ditch the disorganized and frazzled part.
This picture also made me take action in my kitchen.
Kettles are now in the drawer of the stove.
I hung up vintage red and white coffee pots instead.
Knives are off the counter.
I threw away a few things,
moved more things off the counters
and everything off the window sill.
Sometimes, something can be out of place
SO LONG,
you don't even notice anymore.
You stare through it,
walk by it,
because it unintentionally
became a part of your life.
Until someone takes a picture,
from the outside,
looking in.
My kitchen is just like my life.
It is so easy to look in from the outside and know what's wrong.
It is much harder to be discerning in the midst of the fray.
We need friends who can look through the window of our heart,
and show us what needs to be
removed,
cleaned,
rearranged,
or just thrown out.
That's a true friend.
One who loves you enough
to tell you what they are really seeing,
when they take a closer peak inside.
Proverbs 27:6
Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
My best friend is my husband, Scott.
We continually marvel at the goodness of the Lord
in giving us 24 years together so far,
to provoke one another to
love and good deeds.
Sometimes a little more provoking than good deeds,
but we are still growing.
I also have been blessed
to have several close sisters in the Lord
that look through my heart window,
and clean house.
Do you have a friend like that?
Do you have someone who will speak the truth in love?
Yes, and I praise the Lord for them. Dustin is the one who helps clean me up the most, but I do have a couple of other friends who can tell me the tough stuff.
ReplyDelete*smile* I just enjoy your blog so much.
ReplyDeleteI think I will also walk around my house and from afar take pictures in through all the windows. I think it will result in a much tidier home! How very true it is that after you look at something so long it just becomes part of how it is. What a good nudge to spring clean - heart, soul & house! Thanks Mindy!
The funny thing is, most people would look at your picture and see a serene woman, an adorable child. They would not see the clutter, because it isn't their clutter. It isn't their mess. It is when we see a picture of ourselves that we clearly see the imperfections and the things that need to be changed.
ReplyDeleteI do have a few friends like that-and I am so thankful for them!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post....I have often thought, "What do people see when they look at me?" All I tend to see are flaws and insecurities. I am fortunate enough to have TWO very dear friends who aren't afraid to tell me when I'm wrong. They are a blessing....truly a blessing. Thank you for making me think...again!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful, natural picture and great thoughts to match.
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking and posted on friendships as well this week.
Great minds think alike!
BTW Your kitchen looks very cosy and inviting.
I think the photo is great! And I agree with the previous poster who said we tend to see the clutter in our own lives more than other people. I didn't even notice the pots hanging until you mentioned them.
ReplyDeleteLove this picture of cleaning house and heart Mindy. Well said. I need to do a little of both tonight.
ReplyDelete