Picture Perfect

On Thanksgiving, we gathered at my parent's home with all of my family and my sister's family. She has invested in a nice camera and wanted to take some pictures of everyone. 

It was a chilly day. 

We rushed out the front door into the yard to capture our lives at this time. I don't know about you, but in the moment taking pictures of the whole family can seem unpleasant at times. Getting everyone settled, and situated. Getting them to look at the camera, and smile. Making noise so the baby will look the way of the camera. Making sure we aren't slouching, and that we semi match. Finding the best backdrop with nothing in view but nature, etc, etc. We try so hard to make it picture perfect. 

After getting finished with picture taking, the children have had enough. They wanted to play after all. So running about they went. Playing ball outside, and running here and there around the yard with cousins. 

When the time comes to view your pictures, isn't it always fun to see what was captured? In the moment I thought there is not going to be one decent picture for my home. 

What I really should have said was "this isn't going to be picture perfect". I was reminded by my husband who is Mr. Laid Back that it doesn't always have to be picture perfect. He said "Stacy, they are children who want to play. Yes, they should listen and obey when told to look the cameras way, but boys especially do not want to sit all day playing smile to the camera". I huffed and walked off. You see, growing up as a girly girl with just a sister we loved to pose and smile for the camera. How could anyone not like this I thought. But after thinking over and over about what my patient and loving husband had said.....he was exactly right. It doesn't always have to be picture perfect. 

Not this picture, nor our lives. If I was being honest I would say I strive to have perfection in a lot of areas in my life. But why? It is something I have asked God for help with. I don't need the most clean home, or the best cooked meals every night. My children don't need a mother who is looking her best 24/7 or shopping for the best and most fashionable clothes for everyone. They need time with me. 

Time is the best gift I could give them. My time in listening, talking, praying with. Being picture perfect is not what God has called me to be.

Instead he has called me to be a wife and mother. Not picture perfect. 

“I believe women come nearer fulfilling their God-given function in the home than anywhere else.
It is a much nobler thing to be a good wife than to be Miss America.
It is a greater achievement to establish a Christian home than it is to produce a second-rate novel filled with filth.
It is a far, far better thing in the realm of morals to be old-fashioned than to be ultramodern.
The world has enough women who know how to hold their cocktails, who have lost all their illusions and their faith.
The world has enough women who know how to be smart.

It needs women who are willing to be simple.
The world has enough women who know how to be brilliant. It needs some who will be brave.
The world has enough women who are popular. It needs more who are pure.
We need woman, and men, too, who would rather be morally right that socially correct.”
-Peter Marshall, 1942