We had a blast this week filming our brand-new commercial that will hit local TV this fall in the Wichita Falls area! It’s always an exciting (and slightly chaotic) day when the cameras roll...but this year’s shoot was especially meaningful.
Let’s just say, I’ve confirmed once again that I was not made to be a stage mom! The moment kids step in front of the lights with lines to deliver, all my usual “take charge” instincts fly right out the window. I’ve got a whole new respect for child actors. Seriously, hats off to them!
The Montz granddaughters have basically grown up in front of the camera...literally! They’ve been part of Pecan Shed print ads and commercials since before they were even born. This year would have marked my niece Presley’s 20th year of appearing in our ads, but she had to sit this one out due to a packed schedule (and maybe because she’s heard enough of my “brilliant ideas” to last a lifetime...ha!).
My daughter, Dotty, just wrapped her 18th year in the spotlight as she begins her senior year of high school. My other nieces, Lulu and Lona, have been troopers for 10 and 8 years, respectively. And this year, we welcomed our newest star...Lila! She’s the adorable daughter of our amazing cameraman and creative mastermind, Jake from KFDX (not to be confused with my brother Jake…though that’s caused some funny mix-ups over the years!).
You’d be surprised how much time goes into a 30-second commercial. What you see on TV takes well over an hour (sometimes closer to two) to film. And by the end of it, I usually need a nap, a snack, and maybe a good therapy session! But each year gets a little easier. Maybe the girls are getting more comfortable, or maybe I’m learning to loosen my grip. Either way, this time I walked away with just a dull headache...and a full heart.
That’s kind of the lesson, isn’t it?
Whether it’s filming commercials or walking through big life transitions, the more we try to tightly control every detail, the more things seem to slip through our fingers. As Dotty heads into her senior year, I feel myself wanting to cling to every moment...like holding on to the edge of a cliff. But the truth is, the harder I grip, the more the moments seem to get crumpled by the pressure.
I heard a line on a podcast this week that stopped me in my tracks:
“We need to trust God more than our grip.”
Whew. That hit home.
As a mom, especially one facing the bittersweet season of senior year, I want to trust God with everything. But sometimes, my tight grip on Dotty’s future tells a different story. Letting go isn’t easy...especially for those of us who find comfort in the illusion of control. But I never want my agenda to get in the way of God’s plan for her.
You know, when we film these commercials, I give Jake from KFDX a rough vision. But what he produces always blows me away. It’s better, brighter, and more beautiful than anything I had in my head.
And that’s just like God.
His plans for our kids—for us—are always greater than anything we could dream up. So here’s to letting go a little more, trusting a lot more, and believing that the best is still ahead.
Thanks for being part of the Pecan Shed family. We can’t wait to share this new commercial with you soon...because from our family to yours, it’s made with heart…and just a little bit of pecan dust.
