Golden Apples

My favorite high school Spanish teacher
a sweet Christian lady
with a heart for God's people.

Today, a post from her blog
reminded me of the power in words

"Like apples of gold in settings of silver
is a word spoken in right circumstances."
Proverbs 25:11

I'm frequently reminded of the importance to tame my tongue,
but today's reminder spoke not of the absence of harsh words,
but of the presence of kind words
words that are intentional and encouraging.
It reminded me of the calling to only speak words that make souls stronger.

Indeed her words were like apples of gold
in a settings of silver

The Good. The Bad. and the Ugly, too.

Q: In response to the following:
"I feel inadequate reading blogs about moms who do so much."

A: My blog features the things I'm passionate about
and feel confident doing like photography and crafts.
It doesn't feature the things I can't do well like organizing,
whipping out a spreadsheet, sewing, gardening, playing the guitar, etc.
I wish I was good at some of these things, so I ask my friends who are to help me,
or maybe I'll read up on them to inspire me.
I accept the fact I may never be naturally organized or able to write a song.
But we are all good at something.
I certainly wouldn't judge someone who doesn't take good pictures
or do crafts with their kids because maybe that's not what they enjoy.
And that's the beauty of a big vast world
full of rich differences of people and talents and loves.
What is it that moves you, fuels you, inspires you?
Find it, own it, live it. And maybe, if you feel inclined...blog about it.

----

When I read this, I was deeply encouraged.
I follow many, many blogs.
and though when I started reading them, I felt nothing but inspiration,
I've since started to sometimes compare myself to other bloggers.
I don't necessarily judge my blog against theirs
so much as I compare my life against theirs.
My skills and gifts against theirs. My hopes and dreams against theirs.
My marriage against theirs.

And while, yes, there is a divine sense of inspiration
that comes from surrounding yourself with those
who have excelled differently (read: more) than you have,
there is also a dangerous temptation to compare yourself
and to sink into discontentment.

That said, Kelle's words also reminded me
of something near&dear to my heart.

I can identify with the quest to
Find it. Own it. and Live it.
And part of me is also challenged in a different way.

This may not be a goal for everyone,
I don't think it should be and I don't expect it to be,
but for me and for my blog,
I want it to be a place where I not only blog about what I'm good at
but also about what I struggle with,
what I don't really like about myself,
what I just plain suck at.

Being a perfectionist
(despite how much I hate to admit it)
I tend to only want to do things I'm good at,
only talk about things I've succeeded at.

May that not be true.

And may you, my five loyal readers;-),
keep me accountable to that.
Please.

----

On a slightly related note,
if you haven't read Nella's birth story,
you must. you must. you must.
And not in between meetings,
but at home
with a box of tissue
and without any mascara on.

Inspiring.
Thought-provoking.
and painfully beautiful.

Inspired Today

She inspires me to be a better wife.
She inspires me to be a creatively thoughtful mom some day.
She inspires me to take beautiful pictures.
She inspires me to think deeply and honestly.
She inspires me to live life fully.

Who inspires you?