There are days when things simply do not go as planned.One time when I was like 15 my family and I went to Cabo San Lucas for vacation. The trip in general is what we affectionately call the "vacation from hell!" Everything that could go wrong went wrong. Oh how we laugh about it now, but it was the longest week which brought with it a new mess each day.
How to Throw off Obligations and Embrace Grace
I am standing at my back patio. It’s a windy night. The strong, cool breeze pushes against me as I breathe it in. The night is bright, a full moon is directly above me as scattered clouds hasten across the sky.For months I have been in a funk.Engulfed in a myriad of fear and doubt, insecurities and uncertainties.I’ve been bogged down by the noise and every time I have desired to rise, life manages to sucker punch me. Oh nothing out of the ordinary is occurring in our lives...from the outside in we are happy and healthy and fine.Yet, in the past few weeks I have been made aware of the fact that I have been wasting away. This crankiness, sour disposition and even bitterness has crept into my soul and has even plagued my relationships, my desires and mostly my faith.What’s going on? Nothing.Yet, you know how people say that attitude is everything...well, maybe they are onto something.As I stand out in the cool night I realize all of this life…it’s a gift.
Sharing Truth in a Noisy World
I’ve put aside this blog for a few months because, to be honest, I had nothing to say.I felt a little overwhelmed, a little insecure and well, I was totally flailing. I hadn't heard much from God and really, I wasn't listening. I was too busy. Too tired. Too undone.Plus, there has been so much noise. Unfiltered sounding gongs. I honestly haven't wanted to contribute to the noise. I haven't wanted to use my voice or words and I fell into believing the lie that more words were useless and they didn't matter. Who wants to hear about my little struggles or lessons or motherhood fails or desires? The world has been on fire in every aspect and so what difference does my life make in any of these things.And so I have been quiet.
One Simple Way to Keep the Romance in your Marriage
I was exhausted. My whole body ached.“Am I getting sick? I don’t have time to be sick!Is it just pure exhaustion? After a relaxing weekend, why am I still tired?If I go to sleep now I’ll get 5 hours. I can’t function well on 5 hours, but its better than 4.Why am I still awake? My head hurts.Maybe I should be praying for someone. God am I awake because I need to be interceding? …nope, just awake apparently. I got nothing God. Since I’m up, maybe you can just put someone on my heart. Super sincere, I know.”I lay in bed staring at the ceiling. My husband was lying next to me lightly snoring.
To Heal our land, Our Hearts must first Change
I had a post ready to write about Father’s day today. After the Charleston shooting my head isn’t in it.I’m heartbroken.I’m fearful.My heart is so heavy.I’m weary.My children are playing in the neighborhood pool while my son is at swim practice. They are so innocent. So fun. So full of joy and laughter.Other mothers are nearby laughing and sharing stories. I sit at a nearby table under an umbrella and tears pour down my face hidden by my oversize sunglasses. I wipe my tears away quickly, but I don’t care if anyone sees me crying. My heart is overwhelmed and the only release is through tears.
5 Ways to Embrace the Bored Moments and Create Summer Memories
Summertime is finally upon us! Sunshine and long, lazy days. Poolside and snow cones, day trips and vacates! I LOVE Summer!Despite all the fun I plan to make Summer memorable and enjoyable for my little tribe, there are always those days where I hear 3 little words that drive my bonkers…”Mom, I’m bored.”I’m gonna be honest, my kids aren’t really allowed to utter those words.They know their momma does not take kindly to such words and will usually find a chore for whoever says them. Seriously ya’ll, it’s inexcusable. In this day and age boredom should not exist. Screen entertainment alone should take care of all boredom, not to mention books, pools, trampolines, play equipment and toys that litter every room.I am all about making summer memorable. We craft and play and I have board on pinterest with all kinds of summer fun. We go on adventures and vacations and day outings, but there are many days where we stay home and relax and enjoy being home. Unfortunately, I find that many of us moms can easily lose our balance when it comes to summer fun and instead of enjoying the long, lazy days, we fall into becoming cruise directors! We have this idea that we must fill in every hour of the day for our kids so that they enjoy their summer break and we run around crazy with our clip boards of activities filling every moment with things to do.
As I sat down to write this morning, this was not the post I was intending to write. But many times, the Lord tends to grab the pen and changes my plan and words and so this. Yesterday a sweet friend of mine posted something on Facebook and I laughed at her antics and totally related to her struggle and then got distracted with children asking me for something. I can’t even remember if I liked her post. Nonetheless, I was reminded of it this morning and so, to all you sweet, faithful mothers doing your best to pour into your children your hearts and faith, I am here to tell you that You are Amazing and all that you do to reach and teach your children truths is not falling on deaf ears, but you are building a foundation that will carry your children further than you can imagine.
IF: Gathering, a Small yes and a Changed life
This past weekend I, along with some dear friends co-hosted a live streaming of IF: Gathering or what we call, IF: Richmond/Katy. [dt_gap height="10" /]I really had very few expectations for this weekend for myself.I knew God was going to show up.I knew he was going to bring down walls.I knew these things, because IF: Gathering awakened me last year and propelled me forward in ways I never imagined and I knew it would do the same for many who wanted the same for their own lives.
If:Gathering, God is Real...Then What?
If God is real, Then He will move in you, for you and through you.Last year I cried out to God to do something in my life. I was hopeless, passionless and for years moving in and our of the hills and valleys of depression.I was lost.God had called me to surrender everything. To stop with my formulas and my plans and my desires and give it all to Him.Surrender.And I was terrified.The phrase “What if” ruled my thoughts.I was a slave to “if.”What if I can’t do all you have called me to?What if I mess up?What if all of this is too hard?What if I fall on my face?What if I live my entire life restless, afraid and depressed?
6 Ways to Surround Yourself with Godly Mothers
One verse that has been such an amazing testament in my life these past few months has been Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw of everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…” To know that I am surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses that have run this motherhood race before me is so encouraging and inspiring. Ecclesiastes says that ‘there is nothing new under the son’ and motherhood certainly isn't anything new!