Introducing Posts of Mothering/Homemaking ART

As I go about my work in the day I spot beauty. As this is my avenue to share, I thought it fitting to pass along the beauty around me.  They are everyday sights which bring me happiness.

Today's was spotted in my daughter's room.  She must have been creating this tree this morning as I found it this afternoon as I passed by her door.

Create well beyond the years of a child: look for shapes in the clouds, pictures in your hot cocoa mug, and play with your food!

The ups and downs of the days hold me tight. Lord, let me hold onto you tighter. 

Ungranted Wishes Turn to Playful Days

I often feel guilty over all that my children don't get to experience, as in trips to Europe, sailing camp, and Florida spring breaks. 

However, today I had a moment when I was reminded of the value in the simple life. My creative, inspiring children treasure the fun of playing in a lake, roasting smores, and riding their bikes. 

I am giving them an incredibly playful childhood. Many of my ungranted wishes for them can be experienced as an adult, but these precious days as a playful child will be counted gone way too soon. 

#nottoobusytoplayfamily

Balance

A balanced life is a God Centered life.

When you focus on God every thing else is put into a perspective that lines up the most important aspects of life as your first priorities. 

Simply look to God in everything you do. 

A Day's Mission

To live with humility with peace and hope above all circumstances. 

Your Bucket

"Fill up your bucket and pour it out."

Work hard and love

Your Response

Disappointment either breaks you or makes you.

Can it get any better?

Love is incredibly powerful! 

When broken

If I could just hear my own words. 

Stop beating yourself up

Let grace pour over you, either as a steady drip or rushing flood.

Being Brave

Simply

Simply being

Can you simply be?

Can you hear the sounds around you?

Can you see the unexpected?

Can being be enough and all?

When I lay my head down to sleep

Trusting that God will provide me enough time, patience, ability, and energy for the next day.

Failure

Can you rise every time you fall?

More than Understanding

The DEEP CHASM between sympathy and emphathy 

My Dreams

I have an order to my life.  This shall happen, then this.  I have been told to decide my dreams and make them happen.  The huge flaw in that advice is that I can't control others or even my own body.

I wanted a second child.  I did everything I was told that would give me another child.  I took all the common and uncommon advice: take tests, stop trying, go to the doctor... No baby.  They saw my first born and asked where is the second.  I lost my composure and avoided.  I had decided my dreams and couldn't make them happen.

I wanted to be successful and others to know it.  As a first born of a first born of a first born, I work hard until I achieve.  I plan and cover all my bases, not leaving anything undone. Perfection is my only option.  Within 13 years of competitive running, I have strived to perfect my body and mind. Read all the books, done every workout, ate the right foods, envisioned all my races, I had come to accomplish.  However I never was good enough for my dreams.  I could never win the top prize.  My highest is second place.  I am always number two.  I had decided my dreams and can't make them happen.

"So scale down the dreams, you made them too high," You say.  Fine. Then all I want is to enjoy life fully and be able to participate in the world that surrounds me. That dream has crushed me over and over: injuries put me on my back, money flies away leaving me worried, or rejection from those around me burns my heart. I still can't make a dream come true.

Since I obviously don't have control over what surrounds me or even my own body, I go on to understand that I will have to focus on my reaction to life.  Can I make lemonade when given a lemon?  Can I smile in the face of fear? Can I be satisfied with what is in my hand?

Life is not about making dreams come true.  It is about accepting the journey that God has so carefully designed for me. The journey is still one of delights and wins.  Embracing the circumstances and seeing either how I can grow from the experience or how I can help others grow.

It is not about what I am wanting life to give me but what I can give life.  I can love no matter what.  In every circumstance, tragedy or delight, I can choose to care deeply: pouring out acceptance, grace, understanding, and wisdom. It is not my dreams that I can impact but other's hearts through love.

This marks 17 years since they handed me my high school diploma and said go make your dreams come true. I wish they would have charged me with the challenge to go love others.

Overtaken

The stirring within me swells and then breaks as a crashing wave.

Fall

"Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed." Luke 20:18

I shall fall and be broken into pieces, put back together anew by Jesus. 

Flying Time

I am trying to halt time.

I won't let go

Holding onto hope.