Perception is Everything

She had never seen a puddle before. I watched her intently.

First she walked up slowly. Leaning over seeing her reflection, she taps her foot on the surface and she sees the ripples. The effects of what she caused. She looks up at me with her ocean eyes wide and her smile so wild and mischievous. She jumps in the puddle as much as a one year old can. She splashes her feet laughing fully enjoying herself in this moment, in the awe and wonder of a simple puddle. Then…she looks at me with her face, the face that I know means she is about to do something I don’t want her to do.
And I see it in her eyes, I get to her as quickly as I can, “Paisy don’t. Paisley…. no no NO!”
 Splash!

She sits down in the puddle, the muddy puddle. Her shoes and socks are soaked through, her pants are completely entrenched in the puddle that meets her at her waist and her shirt, well…it’s more brown than white. But her face…her face had the biggest smile I had ever seen, and I discovered a whole new laugh that I had never heard from her before.

 It was one of the best moments of her little life and one of my favorites so far.
I let her play for as long as she wanted, I love to watch her…she is my wild child in all the best ways.

Watching her makes me think…makes me wonder where we lost our wild, our sense of awe of those simple things? Where along the way did we stop noticing everything around us? Or even do we pause long enough to breathe it all in?

She laughs, she splashes. And I think…these waters, recycled time over time. I wonder what other children have splashed here? Have these waters washed away someone’s tears, or been a perfect moment for someone? And now here they are. These waters being splashed in by my little daughter with no cares, no worries…she is amazed at the simple, in awe of the little.

When did we lose this?

We are now constantly rushing; rushing from one to the next. Completing tasks, To do lists, checking our social media updates, hitting refresh and refresh again…missing the little things, the simple gifts. How did this happen? Why do we choose these things over the gifts from God that surround us?

I have learned many lessons since becoming a mother, but the biggest one is Perspective. Children have a perspective that is so innocent. Ever think about this?

Everything is a surprise. Every day my girls wake up with no expectations. They wake with their little hands simply open and ready to receive. Receive hugs, kisses, breakfast, love, joy, play time, music, adventures…they live life wide open and we live life so closed, so focused but is our focus heavenly? Is our spirit walking with the Spirit?

Today I pause to challenge you to check your perspective. Take time today to just breathe, let go of your plans and let God have His way. He is ever faithful and steady in a reckless and shaking world.

I take a deep breath and I go and sweep up my littlest in my arms. I kiss her neck and watch her fling her head back with laughter. Fully enjoying. Fully embracing this moment. Muddy. Wet. And so Happy.

Your perspective can shift your purpose.

Much Love,
   Heather

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