i got your back…

although i didn’t actually watch the golden globes, i did catch sandra bullock receiving best actress for blindside. something she said really caught my attention. first of all, she seemed truly gracious in her thank yous, but at the end, she thanked her husband and said something to the effect of: i finally know what it feels like to have someone “have your back”. the fact that she is married to jesse james, who is a biker (i kinda like that in a man), just really hit me.

recently, we were talking with a small group of friends from church and one of the ladies said that she thinks that one of the things that really speaks love, is knowing that people have  your back. she shared that she feels like most people have a very sheltered view and are primarily worried about their own little world. what she said has been echoing in my mind ever since. i’ve questioned what it means to have people’s back and for them to have my back. this is what i think: it means that we share an unspoken trust, that no matter what happens, we stick up for each other and believe the best in each other, no matter what the circumstances may “look” like. that we know each other well enough and have shared enough history with each other, that we don’t judge based solely on what it “looks” like on the outside. that we stand by our friends even when they go through hard things. even when they shut us out. we make the relationship a priority and not just when it’s easy. i think it means that when others are turning their backs, we take a firm stand and don’t waver until the trust has been irrevocably broken. i know without a shadow of a doubt that i have my family’s backs. i also have my friend’s backs. they know that i will stand by them when others may not.

here’s my confession. i have not always realized how important this is. i may have been too neutral. there was a reason that my first blog was titled “live and learn”. i will never stop learning. i’m far from where i want to be, but i’m willing to keep learning these lessons of life.

here’s my hope: that my children and grandchildren will(or already have) learn(ed) this lesson earlier in life than i did. it’s not that i was a complete failure in the past. it’s just that i didn’t really give it much thought. i think i’ve always been fair, maybe too fair, which isn’t a bad thing, it just might not be the best thing.

the good thing is this.  my family and friends know that i have their back. and if they don’t, i hope my life proves it.

and one more thing. it may be ironic, but this lesson came about because of my church. our wonderful little church has been through so much in the past 4 years. we have so many truly awesome people in our church body, that even when things don’t go smoothly, we still have each other and our faith in a God who is much greater than any of the petty problems that overwhem us. as we were going through some tough times, i thought about the sacrifice Jesus made and it seemed so silly. i know that no church is perfect. and i believe that the more passionate a person is about their faith, the more likely it will be difficult to find a church that “works”. but for me, it is so important to be involved and to commit, even when things aren’t perfect. as long as the Lord is lifted up, i can usually deal. i don’t want to go to church, sit in a pew, and go home unaffected. i want to belong and to pitch in. i don’t want to go to church out of obligation. i want to  be there to serve,  to learn and build relationships of depth…and to be inspired to live my life according to God’s will.

“love means living the way God commanded us to live. as you have heard from the beginning, His command is this: live a life of love.” 2 john 1:6

another friend said something that is echoing with me, that is closely related. it was on the same night that we were discussing “having each other’s backs”. she said that we need to be willing to “get in the trenches” with people. i have been asking myself ever since that night, if i am willing to “get in the trenches”, not just with my loved ones (because i firmly believe that i have that down), but with people in my church who have no one else. or even strangers who need a helping hand. i can’t stop thinking about the people of haiti. i’ve been praying and we’ve donated money, but if given the opportunity, would i go there and get in the trenches with them?

sometimes, i think that maybe i should just keep my blog lighthearted and pretty. and some days i do. but sometimes i just can’t….or i choose not to. thanks for bearing with me.

here are some of my ideas for future *b* lists that i want to share:

• over 40 skincare and makeup ideas
• local inspiration and ideas for things to do
• simple pillow making tutorial (i’ve gotten a few requests for this : )
• recent new recipes that i’m loving
• diy budget home decor ideas
• my top 10 tips for getting your house ready for company in minutes
• my favorite color combinations

i have so many ideas! and i love to share. i not only love to share, i love to read other’s ideas and shares too!

we have had so many days of fog and no sun. it’s hard to get good photos with very little light. but i have to share this vintage framed print that i bought quite a few years ago at the flea-

it hangs in my studio. i need to finish hanging my most recent gifts on my other studio wall. it’s making me so happy!

have a great day and God bless!