The View Outside My Window

For as long as I can remember, I've always wanted a large window over my kitchen sink with a beautiful view outside. When we did a showing at our current house, I was so excited when I saw the kitchen window overlooking the yard. I could imagine seeing my kids playing outside as I cooked dinner.

When part of your view is watching you. This is Gates.

I had no idea the views that I would see out that window.

When I look out the window I see the blue jays and cardinals fly from tree to tree. Our dogs like to run around and chase these birds which makes for a very comical scene. The squirrels run up and down the trees and hop from one to another like they are in a game of tag.

The sun rises on this side of the house so each morning I get to see the sky change to various cotton candy pink and blue swirls as I get breakfast and lunch ready for the day. A reminder that God has given us a new day and shared his creativity with us.

There are some big oak trees in our yard and if you look out at just the right time of day, you will see the sun shining through these trees making it seem like heaven is shining down on this place. 

My favorite view is when I get to see my husband and kids playing outside together. They are outside playing their own baseball, frisbee and football games.

I love seeing their smiling faces turn red with exertion as they run from one base to the other trying to make it home before dad catches them. My boys often team up to try and beat their dad.

Even our dogs join the fun, racing around the bases to keep up with their human besties. 

The sight of my family playing together is one of my favorite things. It literally makes me smile every time I get to watch them outside playing together. I get to see my husband engaged in our kids' lives, and I get to watch them bond with their dad. 

The View isn't Always Perfect

But life isn't always picture-perfect, and sometimes the view is less serene. Fingerprints and smudges streak the glass, reminders of my son's seed projects and our cat that comes to say hello each morning.

This window is also where I see my kids screaming at each other because one of them cheated in the game. They stomp toward the house crying, or even sometimes they get so angry that they end up wrestling each other in the yard.

Sometimes the view might be messy, but it is in these moments that I am able to find joy and see God's beauty. I think sometimes we can get so caught up in the negative of something that we fail to see the great wonder that is right in front of us. We can miss the amazing views that God has placed in front of us when we are too focused on the negative moments.

We often let those negative moments dwell and linger and they really smear and blur the view we have of the world around us. There is still beauty in the messy and chaotic moments. We just might need to look a little closer to see them.

Despite all the fights that I witness through that window, it is the most beautiful spot in my house. When we bought this house, I really didn’t understand what a glorious gift that window would be and how much I would enjoy that window. It has provided me with so much awareness and hope. I get to see glimpses of God through His creations. 

No matter what I see outside my window -- joy or chaos -- I'm so grateful for these moments. What do you see from your window? I would love to hear about it in the comments.

Enjoy your tea, and I'll talk to you next time.