Motherhood is both a lesson in practice and art. It rarely comes easy, yet if we continue to show up, it births countless joys along with endless challenges, all woven together to create a beautiful, imperfect legacy. But sometimes the hurdles take center stage, and we have trouble seeing beyond our own inadequacies. The smallest challenge can send our self-image spiraling into the abyss of defeat and discouragement. Often, we begin the day with our best foot forward only to find ourselves tripping and stumbling through constantly changing terrain. And being thankful or cherishing?…well sometimes it’s enough to just pick ourselves up and muster the energy needed to make it through another day. If this describes your day or week, the good news is it will pass, and tomorrow always Continue Reading
Why Laughter Always Follows Tears & Grief Doesn’t Have to Get the Last Word
It's difficult to imagine in the midst of sorrow and tears that anything good can ever be waiting around the corner. When the tears run raw and hot and salty, and the sobs reach deep. It's hard to imagine a smile will ever part our lips again. But it does. When the grief twists and squeezes our heart and our breath can't find its steady rhythm between the pain. It's hard to fathom that laughter will find its place in our world again. But it does. I lost a dear friend this week. Her life wasn't nearly long enough and my heart aches at the cruelty and timing of death and how there's no easy way to say goodbye. And I wince at the shattering left behind, of the lives held together by this one. How death delivers such a blow, and the heart longs to wish it away. To sleep and awake to Continue Reading
The Truth About Imperfect Motherhood & The Hope it Brings
Do you remember those days when you were a new mom? When you had no idea what you were doing and every expectation was bursting with excitement and fear all at the same time. And you dreamed of being the perfect parent. I'm preparing to pick up one of my kids at the airport, all the way from Australia, and I'm about to bust with expectation and excitement. He proposed, and we held his secret safe for a few months now so the anticipation of the precious season we're entering into fills me in new ways I've not yet experienced in motherhood. Times like these usher in memories that wash over our hearts with such sweetness as we think about where time has gone and how much life has been lived...in the blink of an eye. Lately, my mind travels to one of the last times I enjoyed all of Continue Reading
3 Fantastic Ways to Pass the Hope of Easter to Our Children
Easter is all about HOPE! Beyond the plastic eggs, grass-filled baskets and sweet, sugary confections, there’s a message waiting to be stamped on the hearts of our children….a message of redeeming life and all prevailing hope. Hope that transcends our yesterdays, captivates our todays and leaves us anticipating our tomorrows. Yet this hope can often be difficult for our children to grasp, and sometimes we have to look for creative, intentional ways to bring hope to life so the gift can saturate their tiny, moldable hearts and carry them to the lap of God. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14 So many times these intentional efforts become such a rich experience that before we Continue Reading