Recently, I was having a conversation with someone and she mentioned how her son loves the everyday with the simple aspects like cooking or doing homework. After this conversation it got me thinking about the beauty of the everyday. Then it made me realized how, I too, love the everyday and the simplicity of it. As a Family and Consumer Sciences major, I am studying the things that go into making our days, like the clothes we wear and the food on our plates.
Since this conversation, it has made me even more aware of the small beauties and simple joys right in front of us. Most of our weeks are made up of weekdays consisting of work days or school days, yet many of us seem to live our lives for the weekend.
I love summer and all of the fun that goes with it, but one thing I always struggle with is not having a schedule. I am not 100% ready to go back into the busyness of the school year, but I am ready for the consistency it entails. I am starting to get excited about the daily happenings and weekly activities. I am looking forward to endless cups of average coffee and late night dance parties, even those both of those are usually happening around 2am during cram sessions. I am looking forward to this because that is where beauty is found. It is found in the everyday. In the smiles of friends and the satisfaction of a day’s hard work. It is found in the joy of a sweet treat after dinner and the quiet morning time with God.
Most of our lives are made up of the everyday. We don’t look fancy or do fancy things most days, but that doesn’t mean the only joys are found on the days off. What I have been learning recently, not necessarily by my choice I might add, is that beauty is found in the mess. The Lord has something going on in each of our lives and they aren’t all rainbows and sunshine, which is why he places those exact two things in our lives as well as other simple beauties. Even when I know the day ahead of me is going to host some battles, when I go for a morning walk I see the dew on the grass that has collected overnight and see my goofy puppy attack the sprinklers only to realize he ends in damp defeat each time.
However cheesy it is, it’s good to remember that it is the little things in life. As my time at home for the summer wraps up, I have savored the moments of the everyday. One simple thing I have loved this summer has been having an actual kitchen to cook in. Despite my creativity, you can only do so much with a tiny dorm fridge and a microwave. I have been making all sorts of crazy grilled cheese combinations and experimenting with different fun toast varieties. What has been special about cooking too is the people I have gotten to share the food with. God designed us to be in fellowship and one avenue of that was dining together. Acts 2:46 says, “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” Over the school year, I was in such a dash to get to class or undesiring of the questionable dining hall dish of the day that I didn’t always truly sit down and share a meal with the people around me. This summer, I have started to more understand the importance of this time. We all eat, so why not eat together? I have had this time to share dinner with my family, coffee with my friends and lunch with some of my favorite mentors. These meals weren’t five course affairs, but instead good food and good company that brighten up even the dullest of Tuesdays.
As I transition back into school, I have challenged myself to be open and aware to the joy I find in the everyday. There are so many great things God has for us we just need to open our eyes, it may be the school library or waiting in the laundry room, all we can do is be aware and expectant.
With much love & many Blessings,
Jill
A little bit about the outfit: This dress is old from Target, but still remains a favorite because of its ease for everyday wear. The jean jacket is from J.Crew and is a staple in my closet, perfect for any day or season. My sneakers are from ASOS last year and are great to wear with anything, especially dressing down a dress. My purse is from Kate Spade a couple of years ago and still remains a favorite. The bandana is also from Target and I love how versatile it is because I can wear it in my hair, on my neck, or on a purse.
