Take the Picture

 "The deepest parts of who we are rise up. They can't help it."

Peanut and I had a couple of hours to kill yesterday in between taxi duties. We went to check out one of our favorite spots. The botanical gardens is special to a friend of mine and I wanted to make a wish and say a prayer for her in her spot.

It was Christmas card picture day at the gardens. Every time we rounded a corner we found a photographer, a family in matching outfits, and a crying small child.

None of these people looked like Christmas joy. There were frustrated Dads fussing at kids to be still and quit running around. Moms aggravated because wiggly babies wanted no bow and to get down on the ground. Grandpas who had ditched their matching flannel shirt and Grandma complaining.

As Peanut climbed around in the dirt, picked up wet flowers, ran through the overgrown maze, I sat on a log and thought about the image we try so hard to create.

We are all trying to send out the perfect Christmas card in our own ways.

Maybe it's the social media image you portray. Or the version of your reality you share at work. Or even how your family looks as they walk into church on a Sunday morning.

While behind the scenes we had to stage that perfect picture so no one sees the sink full of dishes. Or we slap on fake smiles and threaten children as we get out of a hostile car to go in and worship Jesus.

Sometimes I think we put a lot more effort into the Christmas card version of our life than the real one.

As we wake on this first day of Advent, I'm challenging myself to put my efforts in the behind the scenes moments and not the Christmas card ones.

I wanted to tell those families yesterday - take THESE pictures.

Take the picture of the wiggly baby who just wants down with the adorable pouty face and the bow in her hand instead of on her head.

Take the picture of Grandpa and Grandma arguing over the flannel shirt in Grandpa's hand. The way only couples who've been married forever do.

Take the picture of the pure joy of kids in too nice clothes in a garden where it just rained all night play.

Take the picture of the reality because there is beauty there.

Mama Warriors, when we focus on the Christmas card version we completely miss out on the beauty in the mess.

As you read the Christmas story over the next four weeks, I challenge you to look for the mess. It's there.

Take the picture of the messy moments this next month and let those be ENOUGH.

The spilled cocoa, the arguing over who owns what in Christmas monopoly, the gingerbread houses that won't stand up, the who has to sit where in the car on the way to grandmas, the mismatched kids who dress themselves, the teen in shorts even though it's 40 degrees.

All of that.

That's what you are really going to miss because that's what life was really like.

The moments.

The mess.

Take the picture.

2020