• Start Here
  • Blog
  • Books
  • Table
    • Together at the Table
    • Food and Such
      • Beverages
      • Bread
      • Breakfast
      • Main Dishes
      • Vegetables & Sides
      • Soups
      • Desserts
  • Writing
    • On Family
  • Happy Designs
  • Connect
    • For You
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Happy Go Stuckey

Tethering Grace & Togetherness

Courage & Perfection

January 8, 2014 by HappyGoStuckey Leave a Comment

“Mommy, I want to draw it but I don’t know how.”

“What is it you’re trying to draw, hon?”

“Jesus. Baby Jesus in the manger. This needs to be the FIRST Christmas.”

“Ahh. Ok. Well why don’t I get you started with the manger and you can go from there?”

“Ok!” 

I began to draw a crude little box and made scratches of pencil to make hay so she could add Baby Jesus. (My drawing skills are about a 4 year old level anyway.)

She stretched out on a blanket and proceeded to get all her stuff straightened out. Pencils, here. Paper, here. Cup of water, here. Book to put under paper, there.

I sat mere feet away, tentatively cracking my own book. Preparing to read the days’ advent reading while she drew and her little sister napped. The quiet doesn’t come often these days and I was two days behind. Just as I read three words, I saw her shoulders heave with an audible sigh.

Inwardly I sighed myself, thinking. “She’s already bored with this.” The parent in me resolved to make her finish what she started. She sighs again.

“Mommy?” 

“I can’t do it. I can’t.”

“What’s the matter, Lu? You just started. You can work on it for a few more minutes, can’t you?”

“No. I can’t start it because… it won’t be perfect.” 

My stomach flip-flopped as I heard those own echoed words rising up in me so very often.

“Sweetheart, it does NOT need to be perfect. Just do your best.”

“Mommy, no. No. This is different. It’s a picture of Jesus.”

“Okay… but Mommy thinks you draw beautifully. And I’m sure Jesus does too. Especially if you’re drawing something FOR HIM. God is the one who made you and He made you a little girl who likes to draw!”

Little by little she became a bit more confident. Along the way she began to truly enjoy the picture she drew until the very end, when she was positively pleased with the outcome.

_MG_6404

_MG_6405

But even weeks later, I wonder… Why do we do that? Why do we allow the fear of the end result keep us from making art?

Why do we shy away from doing something new, something creative, something different– or something that stretches us… all because we cannot ensure the quality of perfection?

I was, however, reminded of the sobriety that is sometimes needed. I was reminded of the need for reverence when attempting to point anyone in the direction of Christ. Especially when that picture is my own life. Is it a clear likeness?

But when God has given us a desire, a passion or even an interest in something– we need not forget that even the smallest bit of creativity is hopefully a reflection of our extremely Creative Creator. I used to think I could never be an artist. I can’t paint. I can hardly draw a straight line– (see aforementioned manger description.) but there is SO much MORE to ART than a physical canvas and a literal paintbrush.

Whether you teach 6th grade Sunday School; speech to underprivileged children, or you’re just trying to teach your 5 year old to read– Your “art” matters and you are being used. Gone are the days when we might have incorrectly estimated that there is a hard and fast line between the sacred and the ordinary. There is nothing “ordinary” that is done to glorify God. What matters is our obedience. And the outcome is not really in your hands.

Did you hear that part? Because I really need to say it again for myself.

The outcome is NOT really up to you. And we need to start these things– regardless of the feeling that we “may not have what it takes.”  The fact is, we do NOT have what it takes. But He does. And this trying, this building and creating… it makes us shine brighter and gives us another avenue of worship.

Emily Freeman in her amazing book, Million Little Ways, A: Uncover the Art You Were Made to Live
said it much more eloquently–  “What makes us come alive goes deeper than what we choose to do in our professions and our free time. What makes us come alive is LIFE, and this life is Jesus. Painting, cooking, parenting, calculating, and conversation all have the potential to hold within them a mystery and an expression of our life in Christ.” (A Million Little Ways, pg. 30)

As my sweet four-year old revealed to me, she was afraid of beginning because she did not foresee the beauty of the ending. Her perspective was pure– but it was that of a child.

And when I step back, I see that my perspective is not always the accurate one. It comes from limited insight. But, HE sees the end from the beginning. And we will be most fulfilled when we are obedient.

So, 2014. Let’s agree to not be fearful. Pinky Promise?

You should know this being brave thing is pretty new to me too– which may be why I’m learning little lessons from watching my kiddos color. Courage. It’s not such a scary thing when we realize that it’s not ourselves we are trusting in, but He who holds Heaven and Earth in the palm of His hand.

“Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman keeps awake in vain.”  (Psalm 127:1) 

The Best of 2013
Favorite Things Party- Volume 1 & 2

Comments

  1. Deb Weaver (@DebWordWeaver) says

    January 9, 2014 at 12:10 am

    Oh, how often I have stepped back and proclaimed, “I can’t because it won’t be good enough (or perfect)!” I need to hear this and to break free of the fear that holds me back. Thank you for your encouragement!

    Deb Weaver

    Reply
  2. Courtney Sexton says

    January 9, 2014 at 2:29 pm

    This was beautiful. thanks for sharing, friend.

    Reply
  3. rachelinraleigh says

    January 9, 2014 at 6:34 pm

    yes. bless our hearts. // have you heard of/ read / thought on the book Letting Go of Perfect? 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe and receive a Free copy of “Simmer: Six soup recipes and the Stories that Inspired Them.”

Your personal information is safe and will never be shared.

Hey There!

I'm Cynthia and I'm so glad you're here. I am an introvert with an extrovert's love of gathering people together. I love good books and capturing moments. Whether you visit me here or on my own front porch, I'll be the one holding the Iced Coffee for us both.

Instagram

happygostuckey

Truth: I am not the best cookie baker in our house Truth: I am not the best cookie baker in our house. It is hands down @friar_stuck — Today he added a pinch of fresh orange zest to Oatmeal Scotchies and they taste just like childhood.

My grandma used to make these and serve them to me on a pink plate with a small glass of sprite with ice. At 39, I now realize two things— 1. She would have adored my husband and 2. these cookies go best with coffee or tea.

What cookie makes you feel eight years old again?
There’s something unusually long about the winte There’s something unusually long about the winter months when we’re in a season of slow growth and imperceptible change.

The landscape outside your window TODAY can feel like it’s your landscape forever but it’s actually not.

If the view from where you stand looks rather bleak and not at all how you hoped, can I remind you to look up? 

These trees in my own backyard, captured this morning, last March, and last August, will continue changing in their own rhythmic way whether I’m watching them or not. There’s a comfort in that for me today— and perhaps for you.

Whatever looks slow and unmoving, with change almost too gradual to detect— is still very much in a pattern of forward transformation.

And these quiet days in the midst of our January-ness— we can be reminded that growth never really stops, especially in the hidden places.

#wonderfortheweary #feastingandforaging #bluehousebackyard
Not moving from this spot, except to boil the kett Not moving from this spot, except to boil the kettle for more tea.

This is the first complete weekend that we’ve been home since Thanksgiving. 😳 It sounds awful, especially for this homebody, but really what it means is, we’ve celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas with family, attended one beautiful family wedding (Hey, Shelby! 👋🏻❤️) one 90th Birthday party for our beloved Granny, and had a family trip. They were all such sparkly gifts. Ones I don’t take for granted and so very different from last year.

But I do love home— and am happy to spend the second half of the day right here with this book which I’m truly enjoying. 📚❤️
The inhabitants of the Dickens Village wanted me t The inhabitants of the Dickens Village wanted me to tell you three V. important things. 1. After years of having one pub and no church, they are *finally* getting a church tomorrow, thanks to FB marketplace. And all the people said, “Amen & Huzzah.” 2. We’re still keeping Christmas over here — Though we’re slowly bending towards back to normal. The tree still lives and we’re celebrating the tenth day of Christmas with a fire & coziness before we pull out the pencils tomorrow. And finally, 3. Everyday Affogato. You might need this tiny pick me-up in your life. One shot of hot espresso poured over a tiny serving of vanilla ice cream. Please and Thank you.✨ #merrymerrystuckeys
2021 was a year of change for nearly all of us. Mu 2021 was a year of change for nearly all of us. Much of which we are happily taking with us into 2022.🥂

Nine squares is not sufficient to reflect the ways we’ve grown and changed, but it is a glimpse of the graces of the year behind us.

Not pictured: waking up to find our children taller and suddenly at our eye level, new laugh lines on our faces, sweltering pool days, fireplace dinners, Marco Polo chats with friends, family weddings & visits, mountain air breathed, books read, new jobs begun, school days, approximately 52 pizza nights, new rhythms & schedules, house repairs, car issues, and God always before us, behind us and within us. Soli deo Gloria. #thebestisyettocome
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave t On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… 🍦Four Honeymoon milkshakes from the Dreamette. We’re going out with a bang, at the spot where their Grandparents grew up eating their ice cream. It’s absolutely the GOAT.
🎄✨Merry Christmas from Team Stuckey!✨🎄 🎄✨Merry Christmas from Team Stuckey!✨🎄

2021 has been full of new things— but I’m grateful we have walked through them together and in God’s sovereign hand. 

Pro (🤣) -Tip: if your Christmas cards say Happy New Year, you have longer to mail them… 📮🥂
Okayyyy @smittenkitchen ‘s Gingerbread Bûche de Okayyyy @smittenkitchen ‘s Gingerbread Bûche de Noël was fun and delicious. 4 out of 4 Stuckeys agree we have a new Christmas dessert! 🎄❤️

Happy Christmas Eve, friends— especially all you midnight merry makers! Hope you find all the stocking stuffers you hid.🙈
Do these Mince Pies make me look One-Quarter Briti Do these Mince Pies make me look One-Quarter British?

Truth be told, my grandma always used the jarred mincemeat and I wasn’t a fan as a child. Only last year did Lance and my Mom collaborate in the kitchen to try out homemade mincemeat filling and let me just say, we are never quitting these! 😍

The filling we use is from @bonappetitmag and it’s really good. It’s a gorgeous blend of apples, dried fruits (cherries, apricots, sultanas, figs, currants) with apple cider, spices, and a few other things. No meat, though.

Happy Christmas from the Jolly Old Stuckeys! 🇬🇧🎄❤️
Follow on Instagram

Categories

Featured Posts

Autumn Apple Dutch Baby

Saturday Breakfast is an important rhythm in the #BlueHouse-- my husband is an excellent breakfast … [ Read More ]

On Waiting & Moving

(And a Recipe for Italian Tortellini Soup)Later this month, our family will celebrate the 10th … [ Read More ]

Five Good Things

Hi. How are you, really? If you're anything like me-- you have moments of complete gratefulness for … [ Read More ]

Winter Favorites

(and why it matters to pay attention to the little things.)"For you are the sunshine-maker in your … [ Read More ]

Loving Lately in November

"...all creation's revealing his majesty. We're invited to join with all nature in manifold witness … [ Read More ]

Miss Something?

Please be kind and give proper credit if you share! © Cynthia M. Stuckey. For personal use only, not to be copied, distributed, altered or sold.

Privacy Policy

Full privacy policy may be found HERE.

Want each post to magically appear in your email box?

Your personal information is safe and will never be shared.

Cynthia@happygostuckey.com
xo Cynthia
  • Start Here
  • Blog
  • Books
  • Table
  • Writing
  • Happy Designs
  • Connect

© 2025 · Pretty Creative WordPress Theme by, Pretty Darn Cute Design