We've all seen her...the mom who seems to have all the mojo. The one who drifts by us balancing and juggling and multitasking like it's an art form. The one who's fully engaged with her children and understands how to make each one feel loved and special. The one who often causes us to doubt if we're really doing the most effective job in this massive role of motherhood. I remember those days vividly. Two children seemed like a walk in the park, and then the news of a third surprise bundle came along. The thought of balancing and multi-tasking seemed a bit overwhelming as I considered trying to spread myself between three littles who all needed more of me than there was to go around. If you've found yourself in the same balancing act, you're not alone. It's easy to find Continue Reading
When You Need to Brave a New Job
I was ready to take on the world when I graduated from college with my communications degree. I had an internship lined up with a Christian magazine, I had been a copy editor for my university’s newspaper, and I had my first article headed to print for a real magazine. Yes, I felt on top of the journalism world for a fresh-out-of-college kid. Until I received an email from my internship stating their magazine was going under, and, therefore, my internship was gone. Just like that. I remember the immediate sinking feeling. At the time, I was working as a seasonal camp director for a Christian summer camp in Indiana. My summer had been carefree in the sense that I didn’t have to apply for any jobs. But in one email, my plans crumbled, and my stress level rose. In the midst of Continue Reading
Practice the Art of Reimaging
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
5 Ways to Clean Out Your Mom Closet
When was the last time you cleaned out your closet? When I want to get a better handle on my life, one of the first things I do is clean out my closet. Sometimes it just needs a little tidying up. But other times it needs to be a total reworking. To bring calm To energize To ignite hope To reclaim control To increase joy Often, the simplest transformation in our physical world has the capacity to profoundly transform our spirit and our soul. The same principle applies when it comes to the practice of cherishing motherhood. It's easy to let our calling overwhelm and get the best of us. Stuffing things and not really processing and organizing leaves us frazzled and complaining. Precious moments gifted are so easily eclipsed by the urgency of all that now claims. And both Continue Reading