It's OK to be a Mess {joy in the hard days}

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It's OK to be a Mess {joy in the hard days}

It’s ok to have brokenness, unfinishedness, and to be out of control. Messy floors, broken fences, unhung doors—not having the time, energy, money, or mental fortitude to fix every little thing. It’s ok.

Jesus was born into a mess because the gist of all of us is just that—mess. We ARE ALL A MESS. His presence in that mess was the greatest gift—the greatest joy. He walked right into complete disarray, stink, and brokenness and made it all new.

But the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people." —Luke 2:10

We don’t need to fix the mess, perfect the mess, or even hate the mess.
We simply need to invite Jesus INTO the mess—so that all of our messiness doesn’t matter anymore. Because He is the only mattering thing.

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3 Questions to Ask When You Want to Quit Homeschooling {Part 2}

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3 Questions to Ask When You Want to Quit Homeschooling {Part 2}

{This is part 2 of a 5 post series, so if you're just finding this, hop back over here to read the introduction to this challenging topic.}

If you're reading this (and I hope you read part 1 first), it's probably because you're a homeschooling mom who is COMPLETELY burned out. You can no longer see the purpose in why you are doing this. You can no longer see the value in working SO hard, when other people don't- and they're kids turn out ok... right? I mean, YOU probably weren't homeschooled, and you turned out just awesome! So WHY do something that's just so stinking hard that leaves you questioning your sanity and constantly fretting over your child's future and your relationship with your child?  

So, let's gain some perspective first before you call it quits completely and have the kids waiting on the bus on Monday!

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5 Ways to Grow in Respect for Your Husband {and maybe heal your marriage}

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5 Ways to Grow in Respect for Your Husband {and maybe heal your marriage}

Confession: I have not always respected my husband, treated him in a respectful way, or even thought he was someone who I ought to respect.

I'm going to assume that my husband and I are not the only ones who have ever struggled in their marriage, had deep valleys to drudge through, or huge learning curves to overcome when it comes to pursuing Biblical marriage? I'm going to assume we aren't the only one who've hit rock bottom, maybe signed some divorce papers (and then burned them in the fire)? If you have walked through some seriously rocky times in your marriage, I hope that some of the lessons we've learned together can be an encouragement to you.

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The Secret to Beating Fear {once and for all}

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The Secret to Beating Fear {once and for all}

I know fear. I know earth-shattering, mind-spinning, gut-busting fear that comes in the blink of an eye, that overruns you with anxiety for everyone you know. I know what it means to have every single "worst nightmare" scenario race through your mind every time your husband leaves the house or your child is out of your sight. I know what it feels like to have life going along with everyone being "ok" and then the next moment, they are gone. I know it well.

Unfortunately, sudden death is a persistent friend of mine. I've met him time and again, and despite giving him the full breadth of my thoughts about him in no uncertain terms, he keeps showing up. Sorrow and suffering, it turns out, don't take direction from us. When they show up unannounced, all that seems permanent and concrete and never-failing can begin to shiver and quake and flip the world right on its axis.

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How to Find Relief from Overwhelming Grief

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How to Find Relief from Overwhelming Grief

Paul said it best when he said, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Phill 1:21)

And Paul knew. He had faced hurricanes, shipwrecks, stonings, beatings, torture unimaginable, prolonged imprisonment... He knew what it was to have much and to have nothing. He knew what it was to be imprisoned, abused, starved, lonely, grieving, and ON TOP OF ALL THAT- a stinking thorn be stuck that he could NOT get relief from- "a messenger of Satan, to torment me" (2 Cor 12:7). You know he had to had times when he was like... Dear Lord- HAVE MERCY.

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3 Questions to Ask When You Want to Quit Homeschooling {Part 1}

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3 Questions to Ask When You Want to Quit Homeschooling {Part 1}

Anyone who has ever homeschooled for more than a day knows it, and anyone who has only a few semesters under her belt can testify: quitting can be a nagging desire in certain seasons. We can feel doubtful, overwhelmed, incompetent, and stretched to a breaking point. We can worry that we are ruining our children's futures or damaging our relationships. 

This 5 part series is for those who are having more difficult days than they'd like and are considering throwing in the towel. Why 5 parts? Because it's that big of a deal. 

How do I know? I've been there. I've quit.

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How to Drop Mommy Guilt {once and for all}

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How to Drop Mommy Guilt {once and for all}

I should be able to accomplish more...Other moms do.
My house is always a mess...If I were more organized and more creative it would look better.
I want to do some fun crafts with the kids, but I don't ever have enough time. Maybe one day I'll get it together.
Look at all she's able to do with 5 kids AND homeschooling... I guess I'm just not made to do this.
I need a nap because the baby kept me up all night, but I should be able to keep going. I'm just being lazy.
She works AND has kids AND she still is able to workout every day. What am I doing wrong? I'll never look like that.
Her kids are always so healthy because they eat, like, perfectly. I'm probably screwing my kids up for life.

Any of this resonate for you? It does for me. This and a whole lot more. I bet you could add a few more of your own? Attacks and criticisms specifically designed to keep you worn down, discouraged, and distracted: designed just for YOU to have you walk through life weighed down by guilt and self-critical lies.

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Open Letter to the Mom at the Zoo Who Lost Her Mind

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Open Letter to the Mom at the Zoo Who Lost Her Mind

Dear Lady Who Lost Her Mind on Her Child at the Zoo,

I am writing you this letter to apologize for the level of judgement and shaming directed toward you after your complete meltdown at the zoo. You see, we stayed at the zoo until closing time, like you did, until the staff usherred us all out. And like you, we saw children begin to absolutely be destroyed and fall to pieces that their day of fun was over with. As we were all herded toward the exit, toddlers began dropping to the ground in pain and agony left and right- like there was a secret sniper on the SkyLift, taking them out one-by-one...

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One new habit {that's changing my mood}

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One new habit {that's changing my mood}

This is a new habit for ME... And it's definitely no big secret as I've heard about it and been told to do it many, many times before. But hearing about and thinking about it are very different than my actually DOING it. Others have planted these seeds of change in my mind on this topic over time, so I'm hoping I might plant a seed for you so that you'll reap a harvest of peace as well. <--- When the timing is just right ;).

Ready for it? 

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When you're never enough...

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When you're never enough...

And it feels like the whole world is grasping at you, pulling at you, wanting more and more- and you stand there, mouth open, gasping for air, bone dry. There's nothing left. You've given it all- the hugs, the kisses, the encouragements, the rebukes, the discipline, the redirection, all of the patience, all of the passions. And here you are- an empty shattered cup- and there they are... hands open, still waiting for more. 

Am I alone? I figure I am not. I figure that I'm not the only mom and wife who has given herself so fully that she's given it all away...

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