I was combing through the thousands of photos stored on my computer, looking for a particular picture to put into a blog post recently. Being able to quickly scan through a decade of family pictures is like jumping into a time warp: backward and forward through the years with a click of a mouse.
I was struck by the smiles.
The groupings at Christmases, Easters, graduations, birthdays and celebrations. We are so good at capturing the happy moments and carefree times that we know we will want to savor forever. Such treasures! But I felt a little bit wistful that we haven't been quite as good at capturing the mundane, everyday moments that make up the bulk of our lives.
And, noticeably absent are shots of the laundry room, piled high with a family of five's dirty clothes. No glamor shots of the kitchen counters, loaded with greasy dishes. There are few pictures of the homework, or the messy bedrooms, or the chores that always get put off until another day. Not surprisingly, there are no photos of the hurt feelings from unkind words, the tears wept into pillows, or the walks down the driveway to cool off after an argument.
Maybe that's a good thing.
But there are a few reminders of the daily graces that help me get through the rough patches. Sometimes, these details are found in the blurry background of photos of other things - playing a supporting role to the life being lived out in front.
They are small, but they are there. And they are important.
A rosebud in springtime.
A teacup on a saucer.
Sunshine through a window.
A dog on the porch.
Soup, simmering on the stove.
An open Bible on the couch.
An arm around the shoulder.
A friend who stops by to chat.
A soft afghan, draped over the back of a chair.
A crazy donkey in the pasture.
Daily graces. How we need them.
Well, guess what? I have a gift of grace for you today!
My friend, Dawn Camp, has compiled a collection of beautiful writings by some of today's most popular writers into a new book called, The Beauty of Grace.
I'm honored to be one of the contributors to this gorgeous book.
This uplifting collection includes moving stories of cultivating friendship, waiting on God, choosing joy, staying connected, and more from popular writers such as Jessica Turner, Lisa-Jo Baker, Holley Gerth, Ann Voskamp, Bonnie Gray, Tsh Oxenreider, Leeana Tankersley, Emily Freeman, Margaret Feinberg, and many others. Each story is accompanied by an uplifting Scripture verse, and the book includes Dawn’s stunning photos. Foreword by Holley Gerth.
If you’re in need of a little peace, a little quiet, a little beauty, find comfort in this: you’re invited to experience them all within the pages of this soul-stirring book.
