backseat driver.

 

Backseat driver. You know what those are, right? Yeah. The annoying (and most often license-less) personage who is best known for phrases such as, “go!” “turn!” “hurry up!” and “STOP!” 


All from the backseat of the car, a good six feet from the wheel. Never been guilty? Think again. 


Sometimes, life feels exactly like New York City in the middle of rush hour. Everyone rushing this way and that, horns honking impatiently at me as I lumber along, lost and bewildered and just wanting to get home. I'm hustled and jostled along with a sea of frenzied traffic, and then--all of a sudden, just as I thought I was getting somewhere, life comes to a halt like a red light blocking my path. 


 Sigh. Why does life always do that? Deceive us and disappoint me, I mean? And why are people always honking their horns at me when they can see I’m just as stuck as they are? And where did I take a wrong turn? And why am I here when I’m supposed to be…there? 


 Wait. Hit pause. Um, okay, that’s easy to do—I'm not going anywhere right now, anyways.

 

 Something tells me that I'm forgetting the true purpose of my time here, on this earth, in my little corner of the universe. I have been so busy trying to read the map myself and pretend I know exactly where I’m going that I’ve begun to miss the whole point of this road trip called life. And guess what, Lucia: it’s because you were never intended to be the driver in the first place. 


 Uh-oh. Here stands a backseat driver, guilty as charged. And I had pledged never to be one. 

 

Friends, life is short. You know that, and I know that, but just the same, we take it for granted. And we make mistakes. Why? Because we try to drive ourselves through the maze of people and places and feelings and heartaches and heartbreaks, not knowing what we’re doing and becoming just as dangerous as a four-year-old driving a bronco. The halt in life that we merely passed off as a “red light” is really us overturned in a ditch. 


 So? What now? Simple. We can sit in the car with the airbags in our face, screaming and squirming and trying to figure out how we'll get out alive this time, or we can be still and know that He is God. We can put the mangled wheel in His hands, and let Him lift us free. 


 Jesus, drive this car, because I’m going nowhere without You. This backseat driver just let go of the wheel.

// all photos via pinterest // 

breath of spring.

A balmy wind appears out of nowhere, warming the still-chilly late winter air and gently prodding sleepy buds from their hiding places. With the breeze comes the scent of something lovely--wildflower perfume, roads warming after a rain, and home baked bread all in one.

I step outside and stand on the front porch, basking in the sunlight, inhaling deeply; taking a breath of spring.

I sit in the sun and gaze at the world around me. At the moment, there is nowhere I would rather be: this is my seraglio, my nature palace spotted with sunlight. The yellow daffodils beside the porch are beginning to lift their heads after a long winter nap. I've watched them bloom every spring for so many years, in that same spot, beside the bottom porch step.

Funny how time flies, how seasons pass in a blink.

I pull off my socks and leap into the mossy grass beneath me. It is cold and wet, reminding me that winter is still here--today the sun shines, tomorrow the rain pours. Nevertheless, I  curl my toes between the green blades and forget the chill still within the ground.

Winter can live out its course; I've had a breath of spring.  

black and white love // photo challenge finalists.

Apologies for the lateness of this post. It took me longer than expected to sort through all sixty-four entries. Wow, we've got some talent here, folks. No mistake.

Thank you all for joining me for February's photo challenge, and for taking the time to share your creativity + photo skills with the world. I hope you'll join us for March's challenge.

That being said, here are our twelve February finalists, plus a few favorites that I couldn't resist showcasing. The challenge for this month was to show love through black-and-white, or to capture something you personally love. Everyone did a fantastic job!

By Mary Katherine. 

I love this tender shot. His arm about her, she leaning upon him...beautiful.

By Beth.

Um, how could you not love this little person? What an adorable face. 

By Kelsey.

What a perfect silhouette, full of joyous love. 

By Madeline.

This picture is just so...uniquely beautiful. So full of love yet to come for a still-innocent little girl. 

By Emily.

Gorgeousness, and what a beautiful, loveable little girl! 

By Amelia.

I adore this! A paper heart, a little girl, black and white...yes. 

By Mary Noelle.

This is simply the sweetest. Two brothers, havin' fun and loving each other. Great shot, Mary! 

By Hadley & Abigail.

I absolutely love this unique shot. What a wonderful idea. 

By Hannah E.

Aw! This is such a sweet, gorgeous photo. Lovely work, Hannah!

By Neigh Girl.

"Puppy love--" one of the sweetest loves on earth. I adore this capture. 

By Jenoelle. 

Oh, goodness. This is just too cute. 

By Marie. 

Um, this = amazing. What a shot, Marie! "Love never grows old." 

And here are a few of my personal favorites from the entries this month...

Now it's up to you. Find your absolute favorite photo from the twelve above, then vote for it on the sidebar poll. Winners 1st through 5th places will be announced later this week.

Keep capturing, photogs. You are all wonderful. 

-lucia