You is Kind. You is Smart. You is Important.

I am sure that we have all heard these words by now, but in case you have not, they are from the absolutely incredible book, The Help by Kathryn Stockett. The movie is in theaters now, but in my opinion, the book is SO much better than the movie - Regardless, those words - You is Kind. You is Smart. You is Important. - are an integral part of the story. The hired help, Abileen, tells her 'white baby,' Mae Mobley, this daily. She tries to make her see that she is important even if her mother is too busy to notice her. That she is a precious and much welcomed, loved, and cherished child, regardless of anyone or anything. . .

I came across an article today, and it reminded me of this, especially given the events of yesterday. In a nutshell, it said that you are perfect. That women in today's society try SO hard to look for imperfections and lack self-confidence. That we need to instead focus on the positive. That God made each and every one of us individual and unique. . .

I am always amazed that when I have a truly downer of a day, there is someway that God will speak to my heart and let me know that this is all in the ultimate plan for my life. That the areas I see as a BIG deal, are not that at all. That things are okay and life will go on!

Dear God,

I have been told I am a sinner and unworthy because I am human.

For, as a human being, I make mistakes.

I cannot dispute that I make mistakes, God.

It seems, sometimes, like my entire life is trial and error.

The worst part is, sometimes, I make a mistake over again

Because I did not learn from it the first time.

It is easy to judge myself and withhold love when I look at my life.

After all, God, am I smart enough?

Successful enough?

Loving enough?

Rich enough?

Thin enough?

Can I ever be?

More importantly

Have I given anything to the world that it really needed?

Or have I concentrated on what I saw as my shortcomings

Instead of concentrating on my talents?

I know how to criticize myself, Lord.

I have been very good at it.

But I am realizing it keeps me feeling small.

And that keeps me from contributing the beauty in my soul.

So teach me how to accept and love myself as I am.

For, although I am grown, it is my nature

—my human nature—

to keep trying things, as a child tries.

As a child falls, I have fallen.

That does not make me bad in Your eyes.

It makes me brave.

For I am resilient, and I never give up trying new things.

Which is how You created me. You created me as a seeker.

You gave me courage to fall and stand up again.

You gave me curiosity

That wants to know and see and experience.

So, like a child, sometimes I get in trouble.

Or, sometimes, what I do winds up not feeling so good.

Guide me, Lord, so that I explore and savor life in safety.

Help me know I am worthy

—infinitely worthy—

Of Your protection and love.

Just as my infant child is worthy of my love when she falls,

So am I worthy of my own love as I explore life.

Fill me with love for myself.

Transform me with new appreciation.

May these words resonate throughout my body, mind and spirit.

Align me with my highest good as I say them.

I am worthy of tender care.

I am worthy of a life I love.

I am worthy of loving friends and family.

I am worthy of wonderful work.

I am worthy of peaceful thoughts.

I am worthy of a peaceful world.

I am worthy of a healthy body.

I deserve happiness.

I deserve Your guidance and protection.

I am entirely worthy.

And the miracle is, when I accept all this good as my Divine Right

Then I serve You better.

I serve You at the highest level.

I serve You in joy, in gratitude and in freedom.

I serve You with no agenda other than loving You and All That Is.

So I accept my worthiness now and I am made anew.

I live in Your heart, bathed in Your love for me.

Because, since You cherish me, I can do no less.

Thank You, Divine Friend, Companion, Creator.

You bless my life with such meaning.

My life is my prayer to You.

And so it is.
Amen

"The BESTEST Day Ever!"

According to my 4 year old, that describes today! And as you can imagine, that made all of my struggles from today fade into the background. . .

As usual when we have to be somewhere early, the day began full of stress and struggles. Most of this is just my own personal stress, anxiety and the need for perfectionism and order. I try to keep it to myself, but there are times when I just can not and the end result is not only a frazzled mommy, but frazzled kiddos as well. We finally left the house ten minutes later than I wanted and the boys had mismatched shoes on - but oh well! We eventually arrived at my sister-in-law's house in one piece and I even had time to sip my coffee for a second before I ran off to the doctor.

I checked in and was called back for the dreaded weigh in - I feel every time like I am on The Biggest Loser and there is this HUGE flashing sign saying look at me! I am then directed into a room and chat with the nurse for a moment while waiting for the doctor and thinking about the numbers I just saw. . .

After a bit of waiting, he enters and I immediately start in on the scale. After a few moments of listening, he says some VERY kind words and tells me that there is nothing to worry about - He knows my history and knows that is SO much easier said than done. I know that many people have a fear of the scale and/or hate the scale. To me this one thing that can absolutely control how my day goes. I worry about this for days leading up to an appointment where I know I will be weighed. I meticulously pick out my 'lightest' clothes. I remove any and all excess - a total 180 degrees from the days of weights on my ankles just to give a few more pounds!

Anyhow, the appointment ends and he reassures me that I am fine. That my weight is fine. That it is not nearly as big of a deal as I think it is. (Okay, whatever!) I have my labs drawn make, another appt and head out to get the kiddos. . .

I pick them up from my sister-in-law and we head home. I give them all some lunch and put the little ones to bed. Hannah decides she is too big for a nap today and I am too emotionally drained to fight her, so I just let her stay up and play with Robert. After rest time, we finished our school work for the day and then I let the fun begin!

I wanted to do something that would distract me from my thoughts but something that would not aggravate those dreaded nerves. So, I decided that we would be pirates and go on a scavenger hunt - we were looking for footprints, leaf prints, anything that was embedded into the sidewalk. We were also going to try and find the BIG fish in the pond, so we brought some leftover stale bread to feed them and set out on our adventures!

They found some animal prints. . .

Just being a goofball!

The animal prints

We did not find the BIG fish, but the ducks did find us!

To end Hannah's BESTEST day, I let her choose dinner - scrambled eggs, waffles, and watermelon!