Yesterday we went to take pictures out in the wild flowers. I had a perfect vision of how it was going to go. The perfect family picture would be the result. I haven't seen Carrie's pictures yet, but after seeing mine, the perfect family picture still eludes us. I did, however, learn an important lesson from viewing my pictures. It's a lesson I learn over and over again; that the best results come from the moments with the least stress. When I tried to MAKE the picture happen (which I tend to do and leads to Justin HATING taking pictures with me), the pictures weren't good. The ones that turned out the best were the ones when Aubrey was just enjoying the moment....smelling the flowers, riding Justin's shoulders, etc.
In other parts of life, I see this pattern too. Take social situations for example, as outgoing as I am, I still stress out about hanging out with new friends. I worry that I won't have anything to talk about or that I'll talk too much. I tend to worry so much that I don't enjoy my time with them. When I just relax and let the conversation flow, it always works out so much better than I planned. When I was interviewing for teaching positions, I had the same experience. The first few interviews were much anticipated and didn't go as well as I had hoped. Then Lakeside called. I didn't even know where the district was, but I interviewed anyways and I figured it didn't matter how I did because it wasn't one of my top choices. During the interview, I was so relaxed and wouldn't you know, it went GREAT! So great that they called and offered me the position before I even made it home.
I sure wish I didn't have to learn this lesson over and over again. I wish that I could rest easily in God's great plan. But, alas, I'm not perfect, so I know this isn't the last time I'll need to be reminded that the best pictures and moments happen when you stop to smell the flowers instead of worrying about the results.
11 comments:
Love it...post more pics...its still your sunday blog day....I can't wait another week for more!! :)
these pictures are precious, and so is your honesty. I'm right there with you friend, still learning to let go and simply walk by faith and allowing God to truly be in control. And to think we have the rest of our lives to continue to learn this lesson. =) Love you girly...and God's timing is so always perfect.
Those are so good. I still have to go through mine, and while I have some good ones of you guys, I should warn you that the PERFECT family picture probably does still elude you. :) But it was so much fun! Thanks again for the invitation....
The best things happen when they are unexpected. It makes life more fun anyways. It is so hard to just let things happen without the "perfect plan." Or at least OUR perfect plan. I think we are all still learning that little lesson. Love you and your "cheesy" posts. haha
WOW! GORGEOUS photos!!!!!!!!!!
i would never have thought you would worry about things like talking, because you instantly put everyone at ease! you are great with new people! i think the most important thing is just being willing to get to know new people.
and yes, the best pictures and experiences in life are the unplanned ones. however, sometimes you just gotta take the bull by the horns and hope for the best anyway, otherwise no pictures would ever happen, right? a subpar photo is better than none at all!
Barbie-
Your honesty is refreshing. So, often I stress out about my plans...and things don't turn out they way I wanted. I get stuck in that moment, allowing my focus to be narrow. I often rush through life with this narrow perspective. However, when I take a step back and I am still...the picture I see before me is quite different. Thank you for reminding me to take time to be still. (Be still, and know that I am God- Psalm 46:10)
Your post made me laugh because the day we went to the park together I was stressing about what we would talk about and if we would "click" (such a high school first date mind set!) Then when I left I though "darn it I talked way too much, I should have shut up more and learned more about her!" But Davi is totally right, you just relax people and make them comfortable ... everyone "clicks" with you =) XOXO
I really like your pictures, you guys are such a good-looking family. And, by the way, I always worry that I talk too much with new people. I'm so scared of being boring and then I worry that I overshare! Frustrating.
Shellie
Beautiful pictures! I'm so glad we got to hang out the other day. Wish we weren't so far away :(
SWEET pictures and great life lesson! Thanks for sharing!
Great post and insite. Even after all these years I need to be reminded. Thank you...and I think those photos are wonderful. Cute family!
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