Seventeen from '17

Yesterday another great year drew to a close.  It left as quickly as it came.  Being in my mid-thirties with a husband, two young children, a career, a heap of homemaking to get done, and a dog…well, let’s suffice it to say that it’s the perfect environment for oodles of learning.  And 2017 did not disappoint.   It was a challenging year – even arduous at times.  But when facing a new 365 days – and all the laundry those days will inevitably make – I think I’ve got time to sit and write seventeen valuable lessons from my time in 2017, because, let’s face it, it all comes out in the wash. 

Truth from the Trenches: Choosing Joy Again (and again, and again)

This past Wednesday Addison had another neurosurgeon appointment.  It was in Lubbock, some two hours down the road – four hours round-trip.  And, as I was driving to and from, I was thinking.  I do some of my best thinking in the car, actually, although almost none of it makes it anywhere useful because I have a raging case of forgetfulness going on.

Bitter Things

Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not worth much more than they?  And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?  … So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.       (Matthew 6:26-27, 34)

Undone

Disclaimer: There are pictures but stay with me...get past that and read 'til the end!

Ever feel like your heart is undone?  Like your life is akin to your favorite, well-worn shirt?  Threadbare maybe?  But still your favorite because of its comfort and familiarity?

The list of hard things this side of heaven can be kind of long. 

Mom-a-logue

I’m a momma.

I spend a large amount of my time saying the same thing over and over and over again.  Like calling a child’s name or asking them to put their shoes back on or telling them, for the love, EAT YOUR DINNER!  (This principle is also true of my relationship with my husband who, though he is still young, can’t seem to hear for the life of him…so I get to say things to him over and over too…)

Come What May: On Bullies & God's Redemptive Way

Our stories die with us unless we write them down. 

There have been a few things in our life that have sort of defined us.  When I was in first grade, I met my first bully.  A burly, sorta strewn about, mostly dirt-covered, sandy-blonde second grader named Anson.  He wore stained striped shirts and tattered denim jeans every day.  As is characteristic of bullies, Anson picked on me.  He pushed me in the recess line, jumped on the snow-fort my friends and I had built, and pulled my hair.  He’s the reason my front left tooth got broken.  He picked on other kids, too.  His list of offenses piled high…he took other kids’ lunches, put his mouth on the water fountain, and spit gum into someone’s hair.  He jumped off the teeter totter letting kids plummet to the ground.  One time, he smeared ketchup all over the bathroom.  He got in big trouble for that.  And as they scolded him, I remember seeing huge alligator tears pouring down his cheeks.  He left at semester’s end and didn’t come back after Christmas. 

Spilled Milk of Spiritual Proportions: On Parenthood, Holy Practice, & Obedience

The Backstory:

We already had all three children.  Addison was just a teensy-weensy two-month old but between her and the jealous 16-month old brother, his persistent reflux, and a husband who worked out-of-state most days, my sanity was beginning to wane.  I posted some flaky meme and a half-hearted cry for help on social media and I promptly received the following encouragement: “Do the next thing.” –Elisabeth Elliot

Huh?  What am I supposed to do with that?

We Must Think Truth

I once wrote a post and called it About Me, even though No. 17 would have been a better title.  In it, I explained the power of words.  It’s true, isn’t it?  That words have power…  Because they do, ya’ know.  You believe it too, if you’re part of this, the “being redeemed.”   That yes, Christ has power, the cross has power, Christ on the cross has power.  And yet, the Word also says, that the message of the cross…that is, the gospel, has power. 

Truth from the Trenches: On Wilderness & Meeting Him Way Out There

If a trumpet is blown in a city will not the people tremble?  If a calamity occurs in a city has not the Lord done it?    -Amos 3:6

Swelling Soul

We are committed-oriented people.  

In Retrospect, I Should Have Bought the Canned Green Beans

Today was First Family Noon Meal after church.  In certain months for special occasions, the church caters the meat and people are loosely assigned a dish category according to your last name.  Today, A-J folks were bringing the vegetables.  (Of course, it’s not like you can’t jump ship and bring a dessert, but this way, it helps ensure we’re not all just gnawing on pie crust.)