Rainy Day Play Pattern Collection

 ...It finally stopped pouring rain late that morning. As the sun began to peak out from the clouds, the little princess was allowed to go outside. She sloshed down to the duck pond with her four-legged best friend chasing after her. As she admired the tulips on the way, she knew that Mama had told her right, “April showers really do bring May flowers.” 

Rainy Day Play is all about those first few days of Springtime. The rain lets up, the sun comes out, and the flowers wake up from their winter slumber. Rainy Day Play is jumping through puddles and going to the nursery to buy potted plants; it's the squeak of a new pair of sandals and the squeals of happy kids who are enjoying the sunnier days.

This collection would pair well with ginghams, polka dots, and plaid blender prints in the same colors.

    

My inspiration for these patterns are, in part, the result of a walk at the lake with my husband. We saw a bunch of ducks swimming around in the pond and I was immediately reminded of trips to the park to feed the ducks when I was a child.  

Inspiration also came from my littlest love and her joy of splashing in puddles. 

Last, but not least, inspiration for this collection also came from the somewhat misleading appearance of ducks and the love of Yeshua. 

I know what you are thinking... the last collection summary talked about doodles, miracles, and Jesus and now I'm relating ducks, perfection and Jesus?

Yep.

But before I explain, let me tell you a story...

One time I got a phone call from a friend that I hadn't seen in a long time. She was in the neighborhood and on her way over! I was so excited to see her and then I looked around and realized that my house was a mess and I was still wearing my pajamas in the afternoon.  There were stray socks on the floor, dirty diapers on the changing table, dishes all over the counter, and craft projects everywhere. I spent the next ten minutes dashing about the house.  I picked up the socks and shoved the dishes in the sink. I corralled the craft mess, combed my hair, threw on clothes, and fluffed the couch pillows. I quickly made my house, my children, and myself look like we weren't slobs. When my friend arrived, I was out of breath and sweating. I opened the door very calmly with a smile and she said "Hey, I hope you don't mind me stopping by without much notice." I responded "Oh it's great to see you, we were just playing with toys and hanging out."  

Y'all, I lied and for no good reason. My friend was coming to see ME, not my house but I thought that I had to keep up some sort of appearance that my life and my house was picture perfect.

Ducks look a lot like me on that mad dash cleaning day. Upon first glance, ducks can swim without any effort. Ducks glide on the surface of water and look so peaceful and serene, and yet just under the water their little duck feet are swimming fast and hard. Ducks have to put in the effort to get where they want to go. Ducks might look picturesque and perfect, but just under the water there's a foot motor keeping them going.

I've had seasons in my life where I've been the duck. On the outside I've looked cool, calm, and confident while on the inside I was hustling so hard and felt like a fraud. What about you? Have you had seasons of frantic duck paddling under the surface? Have you ever lied about how you are doing?

I have to remind myself, sometimes, that it's okay to be less than perfect. I was never created for perfection. In fact, Yahweh always sees me right where I am and He loves me. Yahweh sees the struggle, the hustle, the doubt, and the exhaustion and he reminds me that He is the Prince of Peace. Sometimes I try to carry perfectionism, a burden that is not mine to bear, and I wear it like a heavy backpack far too big for my shoulders.

We read in 2 Corinthians, chapter 12 about the Apostle Paul and the thorn in his side. Paul did some really great things in his life, the Lord used him so many times to preach the gospel and perform miracles. Paul was a rock star, probably as close to perfect as anyone we could read about (except Jesus, of course)! Paul tells us that he was given a thorn in his flesh and while we don't know exactly what that was, we know that it made Paul weaker. It made Paul imperfect and he hated that soooo much that he pleaded with Yahweh to take it from him. The Lord responded by telling Paul that His power was made perfect in weakness.

Perfect in weakness?

Paul then reiterates for us, "That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Today, I encourage you to be your authentic, sometimes messy, but beautiful yet imperfect self. Cast your backpack full of perfectionism on big-shouldered Jesus and know that His grace covers us. He loves you (even if you are still in your pajamas after noon.)

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Matthew 11:28-30

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”