31 Days of Practicing Faith
In October, I am free writing for five minutes a day—raw and unedited—on practicing faith in the every day. Each day is based on a different prompt from 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes.
{Day 2} – Paint
Her hand moves across the page tentatively. She questions her stroke and hesitates. The line doesn’t look exactly like the picture she is copying and she gets angry at her lack of skill. She erases again and cries out in frustration.
I swoop in when I can tell my sweet child is being too hard on herself. She loves art but she gets caught up in what it should look like instead of just making something beautiful, something from her heart. She thinks it should look a certain way, just like someone else’s creation.
I tell her not to copy others, that she can make beautiful things. “Don’t worry, baby,” I try to say soothingly. “It looks beautiful. It doesn’t have to be perfect when you paint. Just create something. If it comes from you, it will be lovely.”
I can tell by the look on her face she is not so sure.
A few minutes lately she brings me the completed picture of a flower and it is beautiful. It is her own creation and the pride shines on her face. It is unique and special, like her.
I smile as she runs off to paint some more and laugh at how I need to take my own advice. How often she becomes my teacher.
I sit down to write and try to let go of perfection. I sit down to pray and try not to focus on how the words sound. I remember I am His perfect creation and He sees whatever I do as lovely.
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