Uncut Diamonds

"Many individuals have, like uncut diamonds, shining qualities beneath a rough exterior."- Juvenal

One of the greatest things that my parents taught me is "don't judge a book by it's cover." It's so easy to flipantly quote. It's much harder to live it. Some people just don't appear to be the kind of people we want to be around. We decide that we obviously have nothing in common with them based on the way they present themselves, whether by look or by action. But that just isn't true.

We all have something in common. We're all out of the same human mold. We all have struggles. We all have weaknesses. And does it matter what those weaknesses are? Not really. We all know what it is to lose, to fail, to hurt. As the saying goes, "we all bleed the same."

I have found that I can relate to just about anyone. From the standoffish teenager, to the wheelchair bound elderly lady in the nursing home, farmers, executives, cashiers, doctors...
Everyone walks the same earth that I do. None is better or worse as far as I can see. But sometimes, other's actions are very difficult for me to get my head around. I want so badly to hold people at arms' length whose behavior is hurtful or irritating. But sometimes my behavior is hurtful and irritating as well. Am I really any better? I'm so thankful God doesn't hold me at arm's length when I'm frustrating. Instead he draws me close and sees past my "rough exterior" to the shining diamond He created me to be.

If only we would put ourselves aside, and deny ourselves our right to "not be irritated," we could see the shining qualities under the surface of the rough exteriors around us. We were all made in His image. We were all loved enough that someone was willing to give His life for us. If we take the time to dig a bit deeper, get closer than we would usually find comfortable, and see with our hearts instead of our minds, we may find that it's much easier to get along with the world around us. We may find that people all need a Savior, all need a friend, all need love and grace.

So when you venture out of your home this week, take a minute to really look at the people around you. Look past the "rough exterior." You may be just the person that they need to meet. And you never know, the person next to you may be just the person YOU need to meet.

This is about all I accomplished today...

Kaesen in his new drool bib and diaper cover made from a ripped crib sheet

The verdict is in...

So, today I cleaned my house using my new Norwex Envirocloths...and...

I LOVE them! REALLY love them. I cleaned my entire house using just them and water! Now this is exciting for a couple of reasons! One, the obvious, not having to buy more cleaning products. (of course you still have to use something to clean the toilet bowl. HAHA) Two, you use WAY less paper towels AND you don't have to risk cross contamination because bacteria can't survive in the cloth so you can just keep cleaning without having to switch it up. Three, I have a TON of windows in my house...seriously, like a million bajillion. And I cleaned at least the reachable parts of all of them with NO smudges, streaks, or lint left behind. All with one cloth! I also cleaned the mirrors, tv, computer monitor, stainless steel items, my kitchen counters, did all the dusting, cleaned my leather furniture, cleaned the bathroom sinks and tub and even used it on my sunroom floor! And the very very VERY best part??? My little darlin's LOVE to help mommy clean and now they REALLY CAN! I can give them a wet cloth and they can clean just like I do without me having to worry about them being exposed to chemicals!
So, this is one satisfied customer. Money well spent!

Ah, the things that thrill me...

Is it sad that I'm totally excited about getting my new Norwex cloths in the mail? I can't wait to start cleaning! Yeah...sad. Anyone else use them? They contain silver particles and are supposed to be antibacterial, so you can clean your whole house (including washing windows/mirrors/etc) with only water. I'll let you know how they worked when I get done. Here's hoping I can stop making or buying cleaning products! Woohoo.

I Love Goodwill

So, I needed to take some stuff to the Goodwill to donate last week and couldn't help peeking through store. Much to my delight I found an awesome old bedsheet, a faded lavender curtain panel, a pillow case and a shower curtain. Interesting finds, I know...but I couldn't wait to go home and repurpose my treasures! So far, Kaytie has gotten a new shirt out of the shower curtain (hoping to make a skirt and possibly some other things from it), and I've nearly finished a quilt top for her bed out of the sheet and curtain panel. The pillowcase will be either a dress for her or a nightgown. The rest of the sheet will be the back of the quilt and hopefully a valence for her window, and the scraps I'm hoping to braid into a rug for her room. Total spent for these items a la the Goodwill? About 10 bucks! Can't beat that!

You're never too old to learn...

You'd think after nearly two decades of formal schooling you would have a pretty vast array of knowledge. And I suppose that I did in a lot of areas. But the past few months have been the most incredible, challenging and educational of my life thus far. I think it's safe to say that I see myself, my children, my husband, nearly everyone in my life, my calling, and my God in a totally different light. It would take me forever to put into words the things that have been challenging me of late.

It's amazing how far we, even as believers, fall into the traps of cultural norms. I have seen the way that society has entrenched itself in my mind and have been painstakingly attempting to extract those pieces and replace them with what I now know to be true.

If I were to flipantly address many of the issues that I have wrestled with and the conclusions that I have come to, I would probably be dragged out and burned at the stake. I have learned that following my Savior is to go completely against nearly everything that our culture teaches, even the seemingly harmless, widely accepted parts.

But as painful as the transformation of ideas would seem to be, I can honestly say that I have found a peace such as I have never before known. I have fallen in love with life. Just a different kind of life, found hidden away in my Lord. My husband, my children, my home are pure joy to me. I have found a gratitude, contentment, and happiness that most would assume to be purely fiction. I am so thankful for this continuing journey and hope that others will see the beauty of turning from the comfortable to follow the unchanging truth.