Thankful-ness

Some people think it's annoying (to be direct) when folks jump on Facebook, Twitter, or any Social Media outlet... and start pouring out their lives, posting about how blessed they are and full of thanks. 

This public announcement is perceived as bragging or gloating... as something we should keep to ourselves and not share with the rest of the world. To a small degree, if I'm being completely honest, I used to be semi-among this group.

But...if I could ask a question to these social media downers... it would be this...

How can we as a society honestly believe this behavior is annoying when these are the very things that we SHOULD be celebrating? Shouldn't we talk more about the good that goes on... because, quite frankly, I hear a lot more of the bad.

Let me be clear. I'm not saying we should start constantly bragging about the things that we have, or the new shoes we just bought, or think that everything is rainbows and sunshine, and sweet, soft puppies. We know everyone can see right through the exaggeration. But, I am saying to be proud of who we are and the things we have been blessed with. There's a whole lot of good there!

Is it our own pride that gets in the way of saying thanks or looking sincerely at the person who is giving thanks? Are we surrounded by too many "messes" that we can't see past it to the blessings we really have? 

God has blessed us with life. It may be messy, it may be tough, but don't let pride get in the way of being thankful for it. 

And please, please don't ever think you have nothing to be thankful for. Because every day you should be thankful for our amazing Father God who loves you and wants the best for you regardless of your mess.

In this season of Thanksgiving, my hope for you is that you find a reason to be thankful. And share it! If the news is only showing the bad, turn it off... and turn your focus to your family, your friends, your neighbor. Share in the thankfulness of these things. 

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe" 

- Hebrew 12:28

Slow Down!

Ever have one of those moments, one that sort of slaps you in the face and reminds you to SLOW DOWN? No doubt, I have them often.

Just this evening while showering I began by frantically washing my hair, after rinsing I quickly shaved my legs WHILE my conditioner was setting in to save time... and of course to lock in that extra softness (right ladies)... I chose to skip the shaving cream all together because frankly, the body wash I have works just as well and takes less time. And before I even remembered that my kids were in bed sleeping soundly and that I could take the worlds longest shower if I so desired, I was already dried with a towel-wrapped turban on my head.

Why? Why did I feel the need to rush what could have been a relaxing, stress free, kid free, moment to myself?

Why? Because I'm guilty of letting my go go go routine get the best of me. We can all plead guilty to this right, if not daily than weekly.

So when was the last time you REACTED to that slap in the face? And I mean in a positive way. When did you force yourself to slow down, breathe, let out a long sigh if needed, and just relax?

Yes, life is going to be fast. There are meetings, deadlines, appointments, practices, school projects ... the list could go on and on.  But if we’re not careful, we’ll rush through it, head down, missing the sweet moments that make life special.

My second oldest is a "stop and smell the roses" kind of child. She has the tendency to take her time with everything she does. Nothing is a competition with her. And I love that about her, there is a lot I could learn from her.

I believe we could all use a good dose of straight up slap in your face - slow down! Let's not let the next slap hit us while we are racing off to our next event and miss it.

Who's with me? Let's slow down and enjoy this life God has gifted us with. Okay?!

Raising Little Men

I was recently asked by a good friend what advice I could offer a new mom who is about to welcome a little boy into the world.

With my own son turning 7 years old in just 4 short days...eek...the timing couldn't have been more aligned with my heart. I have recently been replaying the reel of emotional memories over and over in my mind... they are precious...they are humorous...sometimes scary... but overwhelming amazing!

Parenting a child, whether it's a boy or girl, is something God has given you the privilege to do. He has believed in you enough to give you an infant, in their pure and innocent state, to raise into a respectful man or woman of Christ.

It's not always a glamorous task...it's often hard and exhausting. But it is the most rewarding job...gift rather...that you will ever receive.

So what kind of advice would I offer? In seven years of parenting a boy here is what I have learned...

 
• Boys have an undeniable way of melting a mommies heart. So love on them as much as you can. No boy is too big to be hugged and kissed.
 
• Boys will be boys...let them be boys. But, don't be afraid if one day they get into your nail polish and want to paint their toes. Let them...or maybe do it for them! They are just exploring, and they'll go back to fighting their super heroes...with pink toenails to sport.
 
• I try to parent my son about the same way I parent my girls. Boys will just naturally like different things. Often they are more busy and less attentive, keep them entertained with toys that allow them to explore. Yes, even if they want a drum kit at 2 years old.
 
• Your son may not sit on your lap long, or color a picture like your friends' little girl whom you've decided to spend the afternoon with. And that's OK!!
 
• Teach them to be little men. It's never too early for manners. Please and Thank You's. Be gentle with girls. And let girls walk into the playroom or get on the bus first.
 
• Consistency is key! With both boys and girls. Establish a good routine early on. And when it comes to discipline follow through, follow through, follow through. They need to learn that when mom says no, that means no!
 
• And lastly...Listen. Even if it's just about a scrapped knee...because if you're too busy to not look their way when they say, "mommy", you may miss that one tender moment when they just want to turn to you and say...."I love you".

 

Ultimately parent instincts always kick in, listen to them. If you're reading this and you're new to the parenting thing...hang in there. You're doing great. And for the soon-to-be mom or dad...you're in for the most amazing journey of your life. You're going to do great!

 

     Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.  ~Pslam 127:3

 

Child of God

When was the last time God tested your patience? I mean really tested it... and not just in the drive through line at Starbucks waiting to get your frothy "cup of joe" to start your day?

The last few weeks... almost month really... I've felt God reaching out, like a mother to a child, saying "just hold on, we're almost there". We parents do this to our children constantly, don't we? We're that repetitive voice saying...

"Hold on... mommy's on the phone"
"Be patient and wait your turn"
"Don't eat that... dinner's almost ready"
"You can't, you're not big enough yet"

It's almost comical how easy it is for us, without hesitation, to point out to our own children their lack of patience. Yet, when it comes to our own walk with God, we quickly become just like a child. We don't want to wait our turn. We want God to hear us now, and notice how anxious we are. Doesn't God think I'm ready? Big enough? Strong enough? 

 

The answer? YES! Of course. But the kicker... when God says so.

 

Lately God has been that voice whispering in my ear, reminding me to just be patient, to just hold on and wait for His plan... we're almost there. I read a verse the other day that struck a cord in me. It's a verse I'm sure I've read many times before, but this time as I read it I noticed something so sincere and so honest about it. The words seemed to settle into my heart and get stuck a while. 

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 
Point out anything in me that offends you, 
and lead me along the path of everlasting life. - Psalms 139:23

God knows the desires of our heart. He knows what we need before we know what we need. And God, just like a true Father, reminds His children often that waiting is sometimes the best answer.

Blessings!
Child of God

Mother to Mother

Mom, mommy, momma, mum... and the ever so often... mother.

These are the names that ring through my ears at home... in the car... while shopping, while eating, while sleeping... or attempting the later. Sometimes it's a sweet momma, and other times an urgent MOM, and still others a gentle mommy.

I remember words I wrote some time ago. I think it was right after we had our second child. The words brought me back to when we were just attempting parenthood with two, and now we've grown to a bundle of 3. But to be honest... the words mean just as much now as they did back then...

"... being a mother is nothing short of easy. It's hard work, long hours, and God's best tool for teaching patience. It may be one of the hardest jobs... but ultimately the most rewarding one there is.

Being a mother has taught me and changed me...

...it has changed me for the better."

I believe that more now than ever before. Once a child has been blessed into your life, you are forever changed. No one, or no thing, can prepare you for that feeling you feel when you're handed your newborn baby for the first time. There is something absolutely amazing that happens inside of you...

You no longer look at another parents child the same way... because you now understand how much love they have for THEIR own child.

You learn to love in a way you never knew you could.

You worry less about tomorrow, and more about the moments shared today.

... but you tend to also worry about things you NEVER worried about before ... whomever made washable ANYTHING was a genius!

I've learned that things won't always stay in order, my shower will still be captive to Spiderman and his posy and my refrigerator will proudly display artwork only a child can create, but these are the things we will miss most when our children are all grown.

I've learned that being a mother is about loving deeply, listening intently, and letting go even when I don't want to.

And I've learned that being a mother is the most amazing honor God has given me. I may stumble along the way... and not always do it right. But I will do it the best way I know how.

From one mother to another, Happy Mother's Day!

Symphony of Footsteps

Running has become a passion of mine. There is something almost meditative about your feet striking the ground... left foot, right foot, left foot... while your mind has the opportunity to just wonder freely.

I read a book recently that I would recommend to anyone... especially to those of you interested in kicking off the old sneakers and lacing up for a morning jog. The author is Scott Jurek, a renown ultra-marathon champion and the book is called Eat & Run.

Incredible!

This book is packed with inspiring stories from Scott's life, why he eventually went vegan, and how he became an utlra-marathon runner. It's definitely worth a read!

And in the meantime... get out there... run a mile or 5 miles... and "listen for the unwritten symphonies in your footsteps".

You'll be glad you did!!

Loving Messy You!

CAUTION these next few words are going to shock you...

My life is often messy

I'm not perfect

I don't always wear the latest trends

My house does not look like Pottery Barn

My cooking skills could definitely use some work

My kids aren't dressed like they just stepped out of a magazine

I often run to the grocery store in my sweats (truth)

Most of the pins I PIN on Pinterest never come to fruition

BUT... guess what... I LOVE MY LIFE!

I love that God chose me... just like he chose you! He chose me to be with the amazing and talented husband I married. I love that our life isn't normal and often chaotic. I love that He chose my husband, a loving and courageous man, to spread His love to the world through music. I love that God chose to bless us with three amazing kids. And that He believed in us enough to entrust his children in our care, to love them and raise them in a world full of not so nice things. 

So let's stop drooling over the latest Pinterest pin... and celebrate our messy, fun, humorous lives! 

DONE