"Mommy, let's go outside and get some fresh air."  

I have to laugh at her attempt to speak like a grown up.  I am not surprised she speaks so well actually.  She began speaking in 3 word sentences at 15 months old.  My daughter has always been an extremely verbal individual.  

And she is also very emotional.  When I tweet that I have a migraine you now know why . 

She quickly got dressed as she had been in her pajamas  most of the day due to having a fever and a cold that was quickly taking over.  Not one to let a little runny nose ruin her day, she has been up and about, talking about school, Miss Dawn (her Sunday School teacher) and clothes.  

She put together the first outfit she could think of with confidence and exuberance.  She didn't care that it was warm outside and that fur-lined boots and a winter hat didn't make sense to the world.  It made sense to her.  She wasn't deterred when I asked her about her fashion choices and if she wanted to wear shoes that wouldn't make her feet so hot and a hat that wouldn't cause her to feel uncomfortable.  

She was confident in the choice she made. She created her own sense of style in five minutes and was happy with her choices.  

In looking at this picture, I am reminded of how many times I make choices in this life because I am confident in them or because I believe I know best.  But when God gives me gentle instruction or wants me to change them, I don't listen.

Because I believe I know best.  

I watched Madi play outside with her shovel, and I could tell she was getting tired and hot.  She was trying to hold out as long as she could.  Finally she came to me and said….

"Mommy, it's too hot."  

I felt bad for her, because I know she doesn't feel good and that some of the attire she was wearing didn't make it easier on her. (Had the weather not been 90 plus degrees I don't think it would have mattered too much. And she was also sick.)

She learned a small lesson that mommy knows best sometimes.  She learned that mommy wants her to be creative and an individual and to have fun, but sometimes certain things aren't appropriate at certain times.  

I learned a lesson too. That God doesn't correct me or guide me to different places and directions because He wants to keep me from being creative, spirited and from having fun.  It is because His desire is for me to become more like Him in this process called Sanctification. Set apart for Him and His purposes.  That yielding to His Spirit and acting in obedience is actually more freeing than going in my own direction.  At times it doesn't feel that way.  We think we are caged and cornered with no other way to move.  

But by God's grace and mercy He continues to use us even despite our attempts at breaking away.  That He gives us glimpses of Himself when He teaches us lessons through life, friends and His creation.  

He teaches me often through the everyday activities and antics of my children.   Through my marriage with Dan. Through ministry at Illuminate.  

Madi's little fashion lesson taught me that God truly knows best.

Tiff~