Who needs a reason to spend time doing something your children love?  Why not do it … just because?  No special occasion needed.  No other reason than just wanting to spend quality time together!

While my oldest daughter slipped off to meet with a church regarding incorporating her special effects makeup into their Easter program, my youngest and I slipped off to the fine art’s center!

Pulling on our aprons and typing pretty bows behind us, we glanced at the multi-colored paint before us.  The canvas was clear and white, but pretty soon it all came to life.

Our days start out just like that.  Each morning we are given a clean slate.  The day is bright with all kinds of possibilities.  While we may not know what all we will face during the course of that day, we can choose what light to paint it in.  Do we smear black and gray onto our pretty white canvas of the day, determined to remain in our dreary mood when something we don’t like happens to us?  Or do we purposely pick up pastel colors with our paint brushes and try to paint sunshine and rainbows instead of gloomy skies?

I realize things happen which are completely beyond our control.  We have to give ourselves some time to adjust when things are not going our way.  I’m not saying put on a happy face and pretend there isn’t any bad in the world.  What I am saying, though, is don’t remain in your bad frame of mind.  Get out and do something about the issue, if you can.  Then once you have exhausted all of your efforts, rest in the knowledge you did the very best you possibly could.  Yes, the matter still remains out of your control, but you gave it your best shot.

That’s why I paint with my little one.  For that period of time, nothing can intrude upon my thoughts for I am safe and secure in my zone with my daughter painting our little hearts out.

When things happen that are beyond your control, do something you CAN control … like paint, plant flowers, rearrange your living room furniture.   Do something so you don’t remain in your powerless state.  Taken back control over that which you can control and leave the rest to God.