It’s quiet here … and this makes two nights in a row I’ve been up long after I normally am sound asleep. Just like last night I watched The West Wing on Netflix thinking the familiar dialog would lull my filled-up-mind into slumber.
Instead, I watched President Bartlett prepare to give the State of the Union address. {Side note: He is my favorite fiction president. In case there is ever a Teri Lynne Underwood category on Jeopardy!}
As the closing credits scrolled across my iPad and I listened to the gentle snores of the man who thinks I’m beautiful even with my scary morning hair and scarier morning breath, I whispered a prayer of wonder at this life I live. It’s amazing really … that the God of all creation looked down on me and said, “I choose her for my own.” And while simply being His would have been gift enough, He is truly the lavish Giver and granted me a life rich with love and laughter, with family and friends, with opportunities and ministry, with dreams and desires.
In that sacred, holy moment I smiled and maybe giggled a little as I quietly crept from my bed. I grabbed my camera {because that’s what bloggers do, right?} and set about recording the simple beauty, the beautiful ordinary, of my home on this rainy, cold January night.
Dishes done … well most of them.
My girl’s cleaned up stamps used to make something special for someone she loves.
A messy family room … blankets and socks, dog bones and headphones .. this is the stuff of our lives these days.
And then there is this …
The closet light in my girl’s room, left on “just in case.” I smiled as I leaned over and wrapped her blanket up around her sleeping face, the long blonde hair she asked if I’d hot roll in the morning strewn about her pillow. My heart soared with this love that stretches me in every way. And I realized, yet again, the magnitude of God’s love for me …
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11:13 NLT
As I’ve typed the date has moved from January 15 to January 16. I should go back to bed … I’ll be grumpy with those hot rollers in the morning if I don’t get some sleep. But maybe you need a little reminder about the beautiful ordinary, the gift of normal … and the boundless love of our Heavenly Father.
Julie@comehaveapeace says
LOVED creeping around your house with you and smiling at the beautiful ordinary 🙂 So glad the Lord woke you and the “President” sent you wandering for more.
Teri Lynne Underwood says
Thanks for joining me in the creeping, Julie!! 🙂
Deborah Bolton says
Thank you for sharing the beauty of the ordinary, Teri Lynne. Our Father has given us precious gifts in the everyday.