The Cool Factor

Evening sky through my daughter’s eye…

I think we all wonder if our children think we are “cool” or not… 

I guess I’m aging myself and that I am “uncool” for even using that word. I don’t know what’s relevant today- hip, dope, happenin’… yes, I am revealing my uncoolness with every word I type.  

BUT

I try to remain true to who I am, and who God calls me to be.  

One of the things my girls have joked about is the fact that I like to take lots of pictures.  They do not like having pictures taken of them, and so for the most part, I don’t press the issue.  I see the immense value in being with them and not having the pressure of capturing every moment on camera.  BUT the one thing I love to take pictures of is sunsets- which, by the way, is sort of not a cool thing to do- according to my girls.  

Nevertheless, I continue to do the things that bring me joy in hopes that THEY will do the things that bring THEM joy- and not worry about what other people think.  

One of my girls expressed sadness that other friends do not share her affection for playing with dolls. I tell them if it brings them joy- then they should not be concerned about what other kids think. And so I choose to do the same thing.  We shouldn’t take up hobbies or do things we don’t enjoy just to “fit in”. It’s okay to be different.  

So, imagine my immense JOY when my older (insert, the one who thinks I am the uncoolest of all) points out the beautiful sky as we were driving last night.  

“Momma, can I see your camera?”  

“Sure, babe.” 

I began to turn the phone on, and she quickly yanks it out of my hand.  

“I know how to do it…” she says, completely and utterly annoyed with me. 

I am secretly smiling inside, because I know she’s going to take pictures for me.  

Evening Sky #2

And I listen as my girls talk about how beautiful the colors are… and my oldest says she wants to be a photographer when she grows up…and then they tell their friend (who we brought with us to church that night) how much they love watching sunsets with me every evening.  

This one is my favorite of them all…

The power line pole looks just like a cross.  Several years ago, when I first said YES to God and to ministry, I prayed to Him as I drove.  I asked Him to show me that I was going in the right direction.  As I looked up, I saw many of these power line poles lining the winding, hilly road- and at once they all looked like crosses, much like the one my daughter took a picture of.  A simple moment with me and Jesus- but one I will never forget. For several years, I have tried to capture a picture like this…what a blessing it is for my daughter to have taken this beautiful photo.  

As I plant little seeds in my children’s lives and encourage them to follow their hearts and to do what brings them joy, I have been given a treasure in these beautiful pictures. Ones that my daughter took out of love for her uncool mom, without any prompting from myself. One that shows me that my girls really are taking in His beauty and that they learning to appreciate the little things… and that is the COOLEST thing of all! 

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Psalm 37:4