*woooooosh*

((The sound of me flying to the East Coast))

Your Superwoman is coming to see you, Superman...

<3

A Happy Post

For Byron... 'Cause it's been too long :-P

If you've ever walked amidst a field of wildflowers, you will see how different each flower is... how some are robust and vibrant, while others are so fragile and delicate that even a gentle breeze ruffles the petals and presses the buds to the earth. Every petal and stem is different, but all the flowers came from seeds that looked nearly identical. Little tiny dots of color, pepper the ground --so easily trampled or crushed.

The beauty of this world reflects the Creator

Is it practical? No. Is it efficient? Not really. Is it a picture of uniformity? Certainly not.

I wonder, "God, why are these flowers not kept out of harm's way? Why don't they grow tall enough to be kept from trampling feet? Why are the petals so delicate and soft, stripped by the wind and so easily undone?" It's an amazing thought to consider that our perfect, holy, majestic God is not concerned, only, with "efficiency". He's not hung up on "practicality". He's not devoted to "uniformity". The same way that a painted canvas reflects the artist, so the beauty of this world reflects the Creator who poured droplets of Himself in all that He has made.

God makes beautiful things

This picture makes me smile... Reminds me of a recent moonrise that I had the pleasure of seeing. Full moon rising over distant lavender hills, washed in periwinkle hues and accompanied with cotton candy clouds.

This photo transports me to this lovely place of carefree beauty. Maybe it's a dream land... or a hope of what's to come. :-)

God makes beautiful things.

Savor it.

"Have I not commanded you? ...

Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid nor be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9

"For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'"

Isaiah 41:13

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:6-7

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Philippians 4:13

Married-Life Blessed

I've noticed a trend among newly-wed couples on Facebook... Browsing through pics and albums, you can see their friendship unfold like a flower... there are pictures of them "dating" and attending events together... inevitably, there are proposal pictures of some sort, displaying glittering rings and dazzling smiles of euphoria. Then there are engagement pictures... always a little sappy, but they still make me smile and sigh nonetheless :-P

Finally, there are wedding pictures... the bride is stunning and the groom is clean-cut and beaming. Surely the day is an occasion to remember and celebrate for years to come --and understandably so. But then... something happens. Profile pictures tend to stay in "wedding memory lane" mode for months and months to come --as if the wedding were the "happily ever after" monumental moment that climaxed and then froze the couple in that "just married" dream for all eternity. That is, UNTIL... baby photos arrive (sometimes preceded by pregnancy montages). Either way... I wonder, when I see those photos, why hardly any time was taken to highlight the "after wedding/before baby" life. Is it because life becomes mundane or is viewed as non-documentary worthy? Is it because the "wedding" epitomizes the "happily ever after" that sums up just about every Disney movie? I'm not trying to get philosophical... I know not EVERY couple follows this pattern... but I'd be confident to say that it's the majority.

Each time I see that procession of profile pics I wonder if our lives are viewed as "milestones" --college, engagement, marriage, children, retirement (though not always in that order). It makes me want to celebrate the "in-between" stages... makes me want to break free from what culture has claimed to be "important". I want to celebrate my married life (if God has planned that for my life) as something worth documenting and celebrating... Ultimately, the reason I started this post (and unexpectedly turned it into a Facebook culture commentary :-P) is because I thought to myself... I want to have a "married life bliss" photo shoot/album after I'm married --depicting the blessing and gift of married life before Baby ever enters the picture.

The process of best friends passing from singleness to marriage should not be represented by just ONE day. It's a journey from singleness to marriage that occurs long after the wedding day... it's a 'becoming of one' --not just in body, but in soul and spirit and mind. Each day, learning to die to self and give your heart away to your spouse... learning to serve a fellow sinner with humility and love, and to consider them more important than yourself. It's putting aside your own agenda for a greater purpose --one of unity and sanctification.

Lord, I want to have this mindset toward this beautiful institution that You established called "marriage"... and I think I want to honor it with an album...

I think I'll call it "Married-life Blessed".

:-)

~Jess~