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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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August 6, 2012

Beautiful Imperfection~A Simply Sunday Special Guest





We are just so thrilled to have a very special guest with us today.
Please help us welcome Lauren from mercyINK!
Hello sweet At the Picket Fence readers!
What a tremendous blessing to be sharing with you for today’s Simply Sunday.
My name is Lauren and I’m the gal behind mercyINK, a graphic design shop and blog. The heart of my blog is to inspire women to create meaningful, purposeful homes on a thrifty budget; But way more than that, mercyINK is about cultivating faith in our hearts and in the hearts of our children. My greatest desire is to know Christ, and to make Him known.
One of the challenges in blogging, I think, is the illusion that is often created of perfection. Fabulously staged photos and eloquent words often paint a picture of perfection.
Perfect family, perfect house, perfect kids. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. It all appears so delightful, doesn’t it?

{Source}
Don’t get me wrong; I do stage my photos and I love to write powerfully crafted prose, but my heart is also to be real and authentic and let you know I’m a human being with three wild kids and really, a rather messy house on most days.
Lest you think I fall into this category of perfect people or perfect blog, I wanted to assure today:
I am completely imperfect, just like the rest of us.

As a young mama to three littles five and under, I so often fall short. Like, every. single. day. Somehow, motherhood has brought forth my greatest weaknesses and selfishness.
In my mind, there’s this pretty picture of the mama I long to be: gentle, loving, attentive, calm…
But my reality?
Really, I’m pretty good at getting annoyed. At losing my temper. At venting some big, grown up thoughts on little tiny innocent minds.
At wanting a break from my little angels. At wanting more time for me.
I make a lot of mistakes.

Several months ago, the pastor of our church returned from a trip to the Holy Land. I could sense a renewed passion and focused vision as he preached a powerful message he called: The Greatest Question (click the link for October 30, 2011 to listen).
In Matthew 16:13, Jesus comes to Caesarea Philippi and asks his disciples “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
And the disciples reply, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (v.14)
But Jesus says “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Peter’s reply that Jesus is the Messiah is joy to Jesus’ heart. Peter is saying that Jesus is the King, the Redeemer, the promised Christ. Yet just moments after Peter declares Jesus to be the Christ, and Jesus in turn declares Peter blessed and the rock upon which Jesus will build his church (Mt.16:17-20), Peter makes what Pastor Kerry deemed the greatest mistake:
“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” (Mt.16:21-22)
The greatest mistake is that we tell Jesus WHAT kind of King He will be: We may think we understand who Jesus is and that He is our King, but if we think of Him as an earthly King, we’ve missed the mark.
When Peter told Jesus he would not, could not possibly be killed, he told Jesus what kind of king he believed him to be.
After all, what kind of glorious King would come to die? Peter rebuked Jesus because He did not fully understand the question. He did not fully understand the great depths of Jesus’ love for us, not to simply reign as a natural, earthly king, but as the sovereign, eternal King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Sent to die for each of us. For my imperfect, mistake-filled life. For yours.

A few weeks after hearing that message on the Greatest Question (& the greatest mistake), I read another post on one of my favorite blogs, Katie Davis,  (Oh, and let this serve as my warning: reading Katie’s blog, hearing her story, will rock your world).
On that day, in that particular post, Katie wrote about being one of God’s “favorites”:
“One of His favorites. That is what I have felt like these last two weeks. Lavished with love. But isn’t that what He wants every one of His children to feel, all the time? Each and every one of us created perfectly in His image. Each one cherished. Each one “one of His favorites”. How would life change if we thought of each other as such? If each person that approached us we treated as beloved of God, cherished by God, one of God’s favorite people.”

You see, when we understand the true answer to the Greatest Question, we understand that we are indeed, each one, God’s favorites. Because who He is is love. It is death on an old cross for our sin, paid with His very life.
But the story does not end there.

He rose. And we too are risen to new life in Him.
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal.2:20)

A few days after hearing this message and reading Katie’s post, I spent some one-on-one time with my daughter, my oldest. When I’m busy in the day to day with three little ones, the oldest one often gets the least attention. I think I expect more of her than I should, because she’s the big girl in the house, but often I have to remind myself she is still just 5.
It struck me as the boys had gone to sleep and I sat at the kitchen table for a late night {at 8:00 pm} snack with her: if I love as Christ loves, should not each of my own children feel that they are my favorite? That they are treasured in a special, lavish way by their mommy?
I have so much to learn from my children. And so much to learn from my Jesus, the One and Only King of Kings, who gave His all for my life. He is gentle, loving, and just.
He is not impatient with me. He does not get annoyed at me.
He doesn’t lose His temper with me or vent to me in language I can’t understand.
He talks to me on my level.
He doesn’t want a break from me or tell me that He can’t spend time with me right now because He needs a little time to himself.
Jesus, let me learn from You!

Jesus, may my life be a response to your great question; a true reflection of the who You really are. In being mommy, sometimes my kids are the hardest people around me to love. But they are each your very favorites. May I love them in such a way. Not barking out orders, or raising my voice, or impatiently rushing them on to the next thing/place/activity. But loving them in a way that says to them, “You are the love of my life! I’m listening to every word. I hear your hurts and your heart. I see your mistakes but I forgive them; we’ll work at this stuff together. As long as it takes. As many times as you falter. Because you are so worth it. You are incredible and special and made in His image. You are treasured. And more than anything, you are loved, my sweet child. You are my very favorite.”
* * * *
Heather and Vanessa: Thank you so much for having me today! Readers, thank you for hearing my heart. I would be honored to have you stop by mercyINK for more inspiration and encouragement for your heart & home. Facebook | twitter | etsy
Lauren, you have ministered to us today and we believe that God has given you the gift of encouraging others by sharing your own journey of Faith. Thank you so much for blessing us with these truth-filled words today. We are grateful to have you as a Picket Fence Sponsor and friend!
Heather and Vanessa

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Comments

  1. sweet european dreams says

    August 5, 2012 at 2:43 PM

    Wow. Truly beautiful words! It’s nice to hop on my blog list and get some new decor inspiration, but it’s especially nice to be inspired from within. Thanks so much for sharing this word with us – I am blessed! -diane

    Reply
  2. NanaDiana says

    August 5, 2012 at 4:45 PM

    Wonderful message here- I agree- it seems there is so much perfection in the world of blogging that most people feel they fall short of the standard that has been set. Them the blessing comes along from someone that is REAL. A REAL Mom with REAL life issues-and lets us know that she is NOT perfect. Thank Heavens for people like Lauren. GREAT post- xo Diana

    Reply
    • Lauren @mercyINK says

      August 6, 2012 at 3:20 AM

      Diana- Appreciate your kind words! Yes, I am all too REAL most days, lol! pray you had a lovely weekend! 🙂
      -lauren
      mercyinkblog.com

      Reply
  3. Jocelyn says

    August 5, 2012 at 7:46 PM

    Beautiful!! Love love love hearing from other moms who desire to be authentic. I so appreciate your vulnerability. Your words echo many of my own recent thoughts.

    Reply
  4. Sue says

    August 5, 2012 at 8:08 PM

    Beautiful. I surely needed this; it has been a tough few days. Thank you!

    Reply
  5. Bounced Blessings says

    August 5, 2012 at 5:17 PM

    Beautiful, Inspirational & Cause To Reflect. . . Even Mommies (like me) Of Grown Children Can Find Much To Take Away From Lauren’s Words!

    Thank you For A Wonderful Faith Based Sharing!

    Keep Bouncing!

    Reply
  6. Lauren @ mercy(INK) says

    August 6, 2012 at 3:22 AM

    Really so blessed to be here today! Thank you ladies for all the heartfelt comments… you’ve encouraged me today 🙂

    -lauren

    Reply
  7. Judy says

    August 6, 2012 at 6:35 PM

    What a wonderful post. I stopped by her blog to tell Lauren so directly.

    Reply
  8. doctors excuse says

    August 8, 2012 at 6:46 AM

    The good news is… you will probably meet so many great bloggers! Atlanta is a hotbed of blogging talent!Your home is gorgeous.

    Reply

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What do you do when you want to use a bunch of boo What do you do when you want to use a bunch of books in your decorating but it can cost $50 or more for just ONE brand new book? Head to the secondhand bookstore of course! I’m so excited about this new look in my family room and this easy, inexpensive decorating tip I’m bringing to you for this #tiptuesday
Today feels like one of those days that is worthy Today feels like one of those days that is worthy of a chef’s kiss. Blue sky with nary a cloud in sight, perfect mid-70’s temps, a gentle breeze blowing through my hair as I walk around my yard to see the status of my flowering plants.

This morning I was running errands and the weight of hard things that are happening in the world, the culture, my own community and even in our circle of friends just felt so heavy.

But, as I was exiting a store, I passed a couple who were in their late 60’s/early 70’s and holding hands as they walked through the parking lot. I happened to glance over just as the husband lifted his wife’s hand up and planted a kiss right on it. It was a moment that reflected such love and tenderness and it was made sweeter by the fact that they weren’t spring chickens. I felt honored that I had been the one to observe and appreciate that moment.

What an incredible thing it is that as humans we are able to hold so many emotions in our souls all at once. To feel sorrow for the pain a friend is enduring, grieve the decline of a culture drifting further from the Lord, ponder how to navigate a challenging school situation, marvel at and enjoy the beauty of creation right outside my door and feel joy at getting to see a tangible example of lasting love while walking through a parking lot.

I truly believe that as we mature in our lives and in our faith, we learn to embrace the tension that comes with the collision of different emotions and recognize that they can all coexist at the same time without one taking something away from another. Simple joys make the hard stuff a bit easier and hard stuff makes us appreciate those simple joys even more.

What’s a simple joy that you are thankful for today?
Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here are some highlights…

*Friday night I joined some wonderful ladies at church for a time of fellowship and yummy desserts. I made a strawberry lemon coffee cake and it was amazing if I do say so myself. ☺️ We are new-ish to this church and have just felt so warmly welcomed and folded in which has been very healing.

*Saturday was filled with getting our outdoor spaces spiffed up and my guys got our new table put together!

*Sitting outside for lunch with a yummy salad and iced tea felt like a little slice of heaven.

*Sunday we went to the iris gardens with my in-laws and then came home for naps and the most mouth watering ribs that my sweet husband had on the smoker all day.

*This glorious weekend ended with some ferocious rounds of UNO-corn (a hilarious version of UNO) and brownies my sweet daughter made for our dessert.

How was your weekend sweet friends? 🌸
I am absolutely and completely a better version of I am absolutely and completely a better version of myself when the sun is shining! Raise your hand if this is true for you too.

And, not only do I feel myself seeming to physically rise up from a slumbered state to greet the sunshine we've been longing for, I find that it seems like my house is rising up too. Every room, every nook and cranny (even though I now see dust bunnies that I missed during my cleaning on the dreary days), every leaf and flower outside...it's all coming to life and breathing fresh hope into my spirit. What a gift it is to be able to enjoy this home in all of the seasons of the year and of our lives. Now, I'm going to head outside and clean our deck and maybe there will be some time leftover for those dust bunnies!
I’m slightly obsessed with these glass dispenser I’m slightly obsessed with these glass dispensers! They come with pre-made labels for SO many different options and would make a great Mother’s Day gift! I love how they add a bit of pizzazz to my kitchen. And they go perfectly with some of my antique accessories like the little dish my mother in law gave me for salt and pepper and the tiny toothpick holder which belonged to my great grandmother. 

If you’d like the link to order them, just leave a comment with the word ‘bottles’ and I’ll send it your way. They’re even on sale right now! 🙌🏻
The lilacs are coming! The lilacs are coming! This The lilacs are coming! The lilacs are coming! This is what I’m thinking (and sometimes saying out loud) every time I pass my dining room window and see my lilac tree bursting forth. I should probably just go full Paul Revere and ring a bell while I shout the news for all to hear. I’m sure my family would love that!

Lilac season is so bittersweet because it’s over way too soon but, fortunately, I’ve figured out how to capture the deliciousness of the fragrance by making my own lilac scented room spray. It’s SO simple!

Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka.

Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

This sweet little project was first featured in my book Life in Season and is definitely one of my favorites.

Have the lilacs started blooming where you live?
The cherry blossoms on the tree in our backyard ar The cherry blossoms on the tree in our backyard are at their peak and I’m here for it!
It’s time for another #tiptuesday! One of the gr It’s time for another #tiptuesday! One of the greatest joys of this stage in my parenting journey is getting to see the results of the years spent pouring into my children. The worry, the sleepless nights, praying, questioning our decisions and learning to trust in the Lord Who loves them even more than we do. We definitely didn’t do everything right, but what an an amazing experience it is to watch them become these incredible teens/young adults. My tip this week might seem simple, but I believe it can make a major difference in the lives of our children, in our homes and maybe, just maybe, in the culture too. 🌸
It was the most glorious day to celebrate my best It was the most glorious day to celebrate my best friend! Oregon came through with perfect weather for my wonderful husband’s birthday and we made the most of it by taking the convertible to our favorite winery and soaking up the sunshine, yummy food and wine. Then we had a lovely time celebrating with family at our home. Robb is truly the most amazing husband and father and all around incredible man. He loves and leads us well so it’s such a joy to get to honor him on his special day. 🎂

“The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good.” Matthew 12:35
It’s time for another #tiptuesday! Today I’m s It’s time for another #tiptuesday! Today I’m sharing with you two critical things to determine if you want to create order in your home which leads to a much more peaceful experience for everyone. As a recovering perfectionist, this has been one of my greatest lessons and I hope it encourages you today! 🍃
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