Unique Beauty

I have learned so much from my eccentric, almost 3 year old daughter! Leah Joy continues to be a very strong personality with definite opinions and firm likes and dislikes. I have given up the need to have her clothes folded and sorted nicely in her dresser, because her favorite thing to do is carry ALL (or as many as she can hold) her clothes around. She also has this thing for hiding random objects under her pillow. I have put her to bed many a time and found not only clothes under her pillow, but many other items (the remote, my phone, Bella's kindle, q-tips, pens, toys...you name it!).  Along with carry her clothes around, she also likes to change her outfit several times a day. I used to be very particular about my children's outfits. They had to match and look just so. Leah has helped me let go of that for sure! I have taken her to the playground in plaid pajama pants with a star covered dress and a striped shirt over that....with a backpack full of dora and princess underpants!

 

Today was our town-wide yard sale. Ben and the three older kids went up to camp, in Schroon lake, to do some work and fishing. So I took Leah and teeny for a walk to check out some of the sales. We came across a lady with fresh produce and a lot of beautiful pumpkins for really cheap. I told Leah she could pick out a pumpkin, any one she wanted. I tried to help her by saying "look at this one, it's perfectly round!" she shook her head. "Look at this one, it's really big!" she shook her head. "How about this one, it's a nice pumpkin!" still nothing. Then she started hopping up and down and clapping, "this one! I want this one!" I looked at the lady and she laughed and said "you have a very unique child there!" I sure do. I couldn't persuade her to get a different pumpkin. We ended up buying the toad of all pumpkins...and Leah loves it!

 

 As we were walking back home, I started thinking about this eyesore of a pumpkin. It really is unique, and my daughter found it beautiful! God looks at His children in very much the same way! He does not look on the outward appearance. He looks at the heart. God sees weakness as strength, because it is when we are weak that we depend on Him alone. There is beauty in uniqueness and I praise God that my little girl finds joy and beauty in the strangest places. Even in my everyday life of housework and children, there is beauty! Selfless living brings beauty! And in a world and generation of self...humility is a unique beauty!