One reason I’m so excited about this series of 31 Days is because all of the women writing beside me are writing about grace. They won’t call it that, but that’s what it is.
The Nester is teaching about 31 Days to a Less Messy Nest. Not a perfect nest. Not an immaculate nest. Not even more clean. Just less messy. There is room in that title. There is space to breathe and live and act without pressure. Sandy is writing about 31 Days to Stress-Free Entertaining. Not perfect entertaining. Not a magazine spread. Just stress-free. Or grace-filled.
Melissa is sharing with us 31 Days of Autumn Bliss. Her home is beautiful, but what makes it so is her heart. Her ideas are not to shame or scold for doing your house wrong. Rather, they are meant to encourage and inspire, as she truly believes in the beauty of our homes reflecting who we are rather than what we own.
Kendra is writing about 31 Days to an Inspired Table. She talks about what happens between the walls of your kitchen. She will not give you recipes to cook to perfection, with measurements and oven timers. She will give invite you to think differently about the way you see cooking. She will invite you to show yourself grace and extend graciousness to your family.
Emily is writing beautifully about 31 Days of Living Simply. I love they way she gently motivates in her writing, encouraging us to slow, to savor, and to simply live. And Jen is writing on 31 Days to More With Less, where she offers advice on budgeting and how to live free when money is tight. They are not approaching it from a you-have-to or you-should. They are sharing with you their passion and their perspective with love. And grace.
And Darcy is writing 31 Days to a Better Photo and I think these post just may be my favorite tutorials on photo-taking ever.These posts should be in a book. She is encouraging us to begin where we are, rather than feel intimidated by where we think we should be. All grace.
I totally and completely stole this photo from Darcy’s flickr stream because hello? Darcy is always behind the camera never in front of it and I have zero photos of her. And then when she sent me one of she and The Nester to use for this post, it was quickly vetoed by The Nester. So here she is with Harry.
There are plenty of blogs and websites and TV shows that fill the air waves with arrogance, pride, and cynicism. You can read those, if you’d like. I do sometimes. But I always feel a little less-than when it’s over, like I just took a bath in dirt. I don’t think you’ll feel that way when you read these 31 Days Series. I think you’ll leave encouraged. And I think you’ll get a little taste of grace.
Well shoot, fire. I’m afraid I disagree with you, Emily. The 31 Days Series doesn’t give a little taste of grace.
It gives a satisfying meal.
So thankful for you and your grace-posse!
Now I’m crying. I love you girls, and all the girls who read our words but understand our hearts.
melissa @ the inspired room´s last [type] ..31 Days of Autumn Bliss Day 9- Thankful Pause
Love this and love you and love everyone writing and everyone reading. And I love that I happily played with my little man this morning when he woke me up at 5:30 instead of grumbling. I thought of grace and it found me. Thank you for this series.
xoxo
You’re right, this series has been wonderful!
Laryssa @ Heaven In The Home´s last [type] ..New Post At Beautifully Feminine
“But I always feel a little less-than when it’s over, like I just took a bath in dirt.” That’s it!! You described for me what I’ve been unable to describe! That is exactly how I feel when I leave a blog like that you speak of… but when I leave your blog, or the others participating in 31 days, or one of the many that I love so much… I feel blessed. I usually sit here with a smile on my face, and say “Wow. Just wow.” And I love that. LOVE it. I love ‘walking away’ with a feeling of peace and happiness. And I love so much that there are others whose heart feels the same as mine– because sometimes, often times, I’m so full of love and joy that I want to scream it from a mountaintop– and I see it in your words (and theirs). I hope someday I will be blessed with the ability to attend a conference so I can meet all of you in person, because I know that experience will leave me feeling blessed as well! Thank you ALL for what you do!
Nickie´s last [type] ..Childhood memories!
Thank God for you and all the other 31 Days girls.
In 1989, when I was a young wife and you were a young girl, Don Henley recorded a song called “The Heart of the Matter.” It was about lost love and the need for forgiveness. Your post reminded me of some of those song’s lyrics:
These times are so uncertain,
There’s a yearning undefined…
People filled with rage.
We all need a little tenderness–
How can love survive
In such a graceless age?
The world is full of gracelessness, and you’re right: partaking of it does leave you feeling dirty. I like your words: “like I just took a bath in dirt.”
We all need grace; thank you for imparting it so beautifully here.
Richella´s last [type] ..Show us your life- the kitchen
you could have borrowed this one of darcy. http://www.flickr.com/photos/afamiliarpath/4336401117/in/set-72157623369222328/
melissa~afamiliarpath´s last [type] ..Coke with breakfast
LOVE that one!
The Nester´s last [type] ..Man Station- 31 Days to a Less Messy Nest Day 9
oh come on. now that’s just mean. :/
and i’m so posting a pic of me and nester.
just retribution.
darcy @ m3b´s last [type] ..Meter Maids – In Camera Metering Day 10
It’s so true, just because we don’t say “grace” doesn’t mean grace doesn’t abound in all that we do.
i’m tastin’ the grace and it is good!
p.s. i really hate it when i take a bath in dirt. especially because it is usually done with the thought that “i need a little down time, or a break or some mindless entertainment” but it isn’t. and i usually feel more restless when it is over than when it began.
Tracey´s last [type] ..My Husbands Office Has Great Sticks
I’m finally getting around to checking out some of the other 31-day bloggers, thanks to your prompts here, and I am so glad I did. I am especially loving 31 Days to a More Simple Life (ok, that may not be the exact titel) and your sister’s posts on 31 days to a less messy nest (the man cabinet idea totally rocks. My husband, though, I think need a Man Amoire).
Now I’m going to go check out Darcy’s photo tips — always, always can use those!
Oh…and of course I am enjoying your grace series…but you know that, right?
Michelle DeRusha @ Graceful´s last [type] ..Holiness Everywhere
You hit the nail on the head. There are plenty of less-than messages bombarding all of us….and we wonder why all of us girls feel like we can never get it together. Plenty of ways to have a better home, better budget, better body when what we really need are heaping doses of grace-filled inspiration and encouragement. I already loved all of these girls and I think you just explained why. This 31 days thing is giving me a chance to know some of them a bit better though. All of these daily posts are like little pieces of candy that I get to unwrap and savor every day. I think I may cry when October is over. : )
Scooper´s last [type] ..The Perfectionists Guide to Domestic Imperfection
yes. completely. you girls are all lovely and encouraging and add a slice of gentle positivity to my day.
shelley.´s last [type] ..where I talk about shoes in allegory
This is so sweet. What a great post, Em. And I think in that picture, I could pass as British. You know, the tea. Okay, maybe not.
Kendra @ My First Kitchen´s last [type] ..31 Days to an Inspired Table Day 9- Be Generous
I love that pic of Kendra.
I wish I had a pic of all of us together from BD last year. I’m kicking myself. I didn’t get even ONE pic with Sandy. Kick. kick.
And Melissa is in soooo. much. trouble.
darcy @ m3b´s last [type] ..Meter Maids – In Camera Metering Day 10
I’m just going back and re-reading all of your posts. I just love you. That’s all I want to say.
Sandy @ Reluctant Entertainer´s last [type] ..Day 29 During or After the Party- Who Cleans Up