1K Swarovski Crystals

Yes, you read that right.😭

ONE THOUSAND, probably more, swarovski crystals mixed in glitter. The bright, shiny, silver glitter gleamed all over my bedroom floor and it took me a minute before I realized my swarovski crystals were all over the floor too. I made myself so busy, consumed with so many thoughts and flooding my mind with the nonsense I am seeing on social media. While I was soaking in la-la land, my children were in my bedroom decorating my floor with all my nail glitter and crystals. For a moment, I felt like screaming at the top of my lungs and then as I took a breath, it suddenly shifted to a feeling of guilt and sadness. "Why was I not paying attention?" I asked myself. "What if they got into something worse?" I kept asking myself these questions that just made me feel even worse. I moved the kids from the bedroom and I had to realize that I am not less of a mother for this small incident. I could not keep making myself guilty over spilled glitter. As moms, we tend to compare ourselves (even subconsciously) to that mom whose child always looks put together and she always has her makeup done and house tidy. There are moms like this, and there are moms like me,...who are sometimes consumed with the thoughts of daily stress and fail to always 100% keep an eye on her children, rarely brushes her hair and forgets to put chap-stick on until her lips are red and painful. Neither one is better than the next. God gave you your children, but in actuality, he gave your children YOU. Accidents happen, fast-food trips can become a familiar dinner, piles of laundry will stack unfolded for days, and you won't ever be the perfect parent. But, you are perfect for your children. 

"Can any of you add one moment to his life-span by worrying?" -Luke 12:25

The secret within the glitter.

The lessons I learned today with this incident of spilled glitter, taught me more than I would have ever imagined. When I took a step back, realized I wasn't the world's worst momma, I was able to see something in the picture of the spilled glitter. As I stared into the pile of mess, I saw how tiny the glitter was and how many little pieces were scattered from my living room, through the kitchen and to the end of my bedroom. Ya'll, have you ever had to clean up glitter before? I love glitter, but it is NOT FUN to clean up. I grabbed my broom and went to clean up the mess and I noticed, my goodness gracious, these kids dumped about 1,000 little assorted sized crystals too! My heart dropped. I couldn't see the crystals in the middle of the glitter until I had looked closer. How did I miss that? 

Glitter vs. Swarovski Crystals.

I was so overwhelmed with the mess, I had failed to see more was mixed within. As I gazed at the sparkly pile, I noticed something important. Had I not taken the time to really look, I wouldn't of noticed the crystals in the glitter. Do you see where I am going with this now? Both were shiny, sparkly and small. The glitter is plastic, imitates the sparkle of a stone but is much cheaper. The glitter spreads and you end up finding it in the most far fetched places, places where the glitter was no where near. It is super hard to clean up and even when you think you've gotten all of it picked up, you still end up finding a few sparkles here and there. This is an example of confusion, anxiety, stress, anger, depression, unhappiness and negativity. You can mask it with a smile, you can imitate another person's idea of joy, and you can spread it around like wild fire. It sticks to you, it sticks to others and sometimes, the hurtful things never truly go away. You find those feelings and actions popping up in situations that have nothing to do with what is going on. They will arise in places you were never even hurt in the first place. And just when you think you have gotten rid of it all, surprise! It comes back. 

Now swarovski crystals are glass. They are much more expensive for only a few pieces and the sparkle they carry is one that is tough to dull. They are strong, beautiful, and unique. They are also few compared to how much glitter comes in a package at the same cost. This is an example of God's creation. He created you, uniquely and on purpose. You were molded so carefully and intricately. Your heart is one that cannot be found in any other. The very single strands of hair on your head are counted for. You are not replicated, there is no one like you. His word works how my eyes worked when I focused on the pile of mess. I took a closer look and found the crystals. The word of God allows you to take a closer look to see who you truly are. Strong, beautiful, unique, powerful, worthy, and loved. No one can take that away! And even in the pile of imitation, the pile of negative feelings and thoughts, there is a crystal if you take a closer look. 

Even you.

It doesn't matter where you are in life or what kind of difficulties you battle on a daily basis. You should know that you don't have to be consumed by the world and the expectations of how things are supposed to be. You have an impact to make on the world and you were created for that very purpose. Whatever it may be that you do, whether you write a blog also, create art, own a business, care for the sick, build roads, raise your children alone, or flip burgers at a fast-food business; you are making an impact. Are you sprinkling that glitter all over the place, or are you being a diamond? Just as I teach my 6 year old, you are capable!! You are capable of healing, of receiving love and happiness and of sharing it with those around you. If you find yourself in the mix of glitter, remember that it does not define you. It is not who you are. God is waiting...waiting for us to completely give up pretending, give up covering things up, and letting go. He wants us to make room...he waits for you to simply say, "Hey, I can't do this on my own anymore. I need help." Today I decided that I am going to let my light shine brighter than the glitter. I won't worry. I won't let the sparkle of glitter distract me from what God has aligned in my life. I want you to do the same, because there is no greater thing in this world than to truly have peace and love in your mind, heart and will. 

Shut your phone off. Take a walk outside. Take a step back from what you have been doing if you are overwhelmed. Don't acknowledge the glitter scattered among you, do not let it be a distraction. Although it is hard to clean up, remember YOU are a diamond and NO ONE can dull your shine. You don't have to go looking your voice...you have it already. If you are a parent, be encouraged, you were chosen, you are enough. There is beauty in the mess. 

"You are the lamp of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lamp stand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." 

          -Matthew 5:14-16 CSB