Creative Details

I am sure you have seen or heard the comic sketch where the returning college student or college graduate finds the key to his parents' home doesn't work.  In some cases, not only have they changed the locks, they have moved without telling him.  My husband had a college friend whose parents did just that.

I haven't had quite that experience but my parents did move out of state in less than twenty-fours after my high school graduation.  Fortunately they did apprise me of the move and took me with them. 

I feel that I am living that cliche: I am in the middle of painting our boys' bedroom with the plan to convert it into a guest room.  Our younger son has moved out, embarking on a graduate school education complete with his own apartment.  It has been less than two months and I have started immediately with repainting and redecorating the space.**

As I was painting one of the bed frames, I was in awe of the smoothness of the wood and the carved detail of the foot board.  I probably have dusted, passed by and glanced at this bed for over thirty years, yet I never noticed the small details.   

I have a friend who was trained as an artist.  I love going shopping with her, especially looking at decorative items.  She has such an experienced eye to know how well made something might be. It educates me to take a second glance and closer inspection of something that I might overlook.

The close inspection of my painted furniture, reminds me that if I have ownership of creating something I probably am more likely to be invested in its care.  I can see its possibilities.  If I have an understanding of how things work, I also am more likely to oversee its future. When I have ownership of a relationship, creating something healthy between two people, I am more likely to understand their decisions and  encourage them on their journey.  In any situation, I am more likely to be involved when I know how it is made or what it is all about, what needs to maintain it and how to use it to its fullest potential. 

I thought of how often I overlook things, situations, or people.  I will make assumptions, jump to conclusions or formulate hasty decisions.  I generally rush through activities with the goal of getting to the next thing. If only I would take the time -either to know more information before coming to those conclusions, to spend quality work time (so I do not have to redo, touching up missed paint spots,for instance) or to invest time in the person before I form a judgement. 

How different is God's dealing with us.  He, who created us, is so invested in each one of us. He sees our possibilities and understands how we work. He notices the smallest details in our lives. The only thing He asks is that we have a relationship with Him.  He is always available.  He takes the time that we give Him.  He wants nothing better than to be with us. He doesn't overlook us. He already knows about our possibilities, our flaws, and our lives.  He doesn't move without telling us.  His door is always unlocked. 

What about you?  Do you rush through life, never stopping to notice the details of people, items, or situations around you?  What would it take to appreciate your surroundings?  Or appreciate the people around you?  Do you have a friend, spouse, or loved one who takes time for you? What does that feel like?  Do you feel that God knows you?  If not, do you know Him?

What can you do today to notice the smallest details of your life? 

** Once the room is complete, I will post pictures.

Do You Appreciate Sunsets?

Sunset on Cape Cod Bay. 

One thing about vacation, we are definitely outside more.  We have the good fortune to stay in a place that has a lovely deck.  We eat all our meals out there- breakfast, lunch and dinner.  If we are not eating at home, we will choose to sit outside at a restaurant (dependent upon the weather) or picnic al fresco. 

Where we vacation has wonderful sunsets over the beach so we are encouraged to get outside to witness them.  

Why do we take the time to appreciate our surroundings only during vacation?  Why not every day or at least a couple times a week?  

Just as I do not think extremes work for the human condition- whether it is extremes in diet or exercise- so too do I think we should not be extreme in our lifestyles.  We shouldn't be all about play or all about work.  As they say, we need to stop and smell the roses.  With that analogy, it doesn't say stop and spend all day in the rose garden, but rather stop and take a little time to appreciate your surroundings. 

A vacation is a gift of time- almost as if time could be parceled out and with a vacation one doesn't have to worry about wasting it.  One usually doesn't have any major responsibilities during a vacation.  I like to use the time of vacation to reflect on my goals and to see where I have been and where I am going.  If I have veered off course, this is a good time of reflection to get back on track. It is a good time to plan for future changes and tweaks in my lifestyle. 

For instance, I want to be more intentional with the balance of work and play. I realize that I am feeling stressed with trying to get everything accomplished in one day. If I just parceled out what I need to accomplish in smaller chunks during the day and throughout the week, I would enjoy all that I have to do.  No longer would I be pushing from one "to-do" task to another.  I would have to time to appreciate sunsets more. 

What about you?  Have you noticed your surroundings?  How do you balance all that you have to do in a day?  Do you find that you are rushing from one event to another without any clue on how each event went?  Have you seen the sunset lately?