Category: Kids/Parenting

His Word, Kids/Parenting, Series

Day 12 – Rest

Michelle

In my quest to get ‘caught up’ on this blogging adventure, I decided it was time to write another post.

The day 12 prompt is: Rest.

Matthew 11:28-30 tells us, “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

You know the book I featured in my post yesterday? The one about being a raging perfectionist? Yeah, that one…ok, let me tell you this…IT’S GOOD! I mean, it’s SERIOUSLY good. Amanda challenges my way of thinking and my views…and she does it in such a way that makes her totally able to relate to.

Well, I read this passage from her book this morning, that goes with this theme of ‘rest. She says,

“Because while we can choose to rest our bodies, soul rest only happens at the feet of Jesus. When we lay down our agendas, our focus shifts to His agenda. And in my experience, His agenda usually includes the reminder that I’m loved already. That he accepts me as I am, without title or accomplishment. That I don’t need to seek approval from other people, because I’m worthy in the eyes of the only one who matters.”**

Ok, I can’t speak for you all, but I need, and I mean, DESPERATELY NEED that kind of rest. Where I don’t have to perform or be ‘on’ for anyone…where I can just be. ME. The me that is broken. The me that seeks love and acceptance – and can find it in the most reliable of places. The me that doesn’t have to hold the world up on her shoulders.

I can tell you all this much, God is taking me on a true journey during this month. Between this writing/blogging challenge, and the online 6-week Bible study I’m participating in {we are reading the book of Matthew, by the way. And if you need some serious meat to chew on, start here!}, He is taking me to some uncharted territory and it’s kind of uncomfortable. But I know that I’ll be better and stronger and more dependent on Him when I come out on the other side. But until I get there, I need His grace and His embrace to get me through this. Cause I’m surely not strong enough to do this on my own.

**{taken from ‘Chapter 3 – Recognition’ in “Confessions of a Raging Perfectionist” by Amanda Jenkins}

 

Kids/Parenting, My 'Farm', Random, Series

Day 9 – Join

Michelle

I have to say that this writing challenge has truly challenged me in some really great ways. I’ve stretched myself to a place I’ve not been before. To a place where I’m forcing myself to write just for the sake of writing.

The prompt for day 9 is: Join.

It catches me by surprise this morning when I step outside that fall has joined us. As I make the trek to the chicken coop, I traipse through damp leaves that have fallen softly from the trees.

I feel the cool, crisp air tenderly touch my cheeks, and as I exhale, I can see my warm breath.

Where has the year gone that fall has made it’s arrival so silently? Like a thief in the night steals, summer has been snatched from our grasp.

And just as the days and the years quickly tick by, the fall of my children’s lives joins me.

How one day, I open the door to my life and it shocks my system to find I have a 9-year old and a 7-year old. She has less than 2 years left in her elementary school days.

Less than 2 years and she will join the ranks of middle-schoolers where life takes on a new level of complexity.

And him…my baby…is not a baby any more. He has joined the thousands of boys that have gone before him into the land of no more hugs and kisses for their mamas.

Oh dear, sweet children…how can I slow time down? How can I learn to join you in this moment?

Help me to appreciate the cool, crisp air of the fall now; before the cold, sharp air of the winter blasts me in the face and chills me to the bone. Because it will be here all too soon.

His Word, Kids/Parenting, Series

Day 7 – Go

Michelle

Well…I’m a couple days behind…but that’s better than I expected to be doing with this challenge.

The word prompt for the 7th day is: Go.

Some days I just want to go. To get away from it all. To wander away from it all. If only for a moment.

I want to go somewhere that I’m not a single mom trying to do it all for everyone.

And the kicker is that I enjoy doing things for others. Alas, it seems like I am in a quandary in which what I love also brings me frustration.

I want to go. Where the sun meets the horizon and illuminates nature.

I want to go. Where the sea goes on forever and there is no end in sight.

I want to go. Where the animals roam freely in the wilderness.

I want to go. Where the monkeys swing freely from the trees and the smell of fresh rain permeates the air.

But for now, I will go where I’m needed the most. To tend and care for the two precious gems that God gave me to be steward over.

Until next time when I can daydream and go to remote locations in my mind.

His Word, Kids/Parenting, Series

Days 5 and 6 – Stuck and Know

Michelle

I’m combining days 5 & 6 in the writing challenge. Partially because I’m behind but also because with what I have to say, they kinda go together.

Day 5 is Stuck and Day 6 is Know.

I’m stuck. I’m literally stuck between a rock and a hard place and I know the only thing that will get me out of it is the rough knees that result from fervent prayer.

How do I attempt to explain to her that he isn’t interested in fighting for her…that he’s not capable of fighting for her the way she deserves to be fought for…that there’s a reason that God hasn’t allowed him to come back…

How do I continue to look deep into those wise eyes, that have already been exposed to more than she should have at this young age? How do I make her understand that I know, all too well, the rejection that she’s feeling?

How do I get unstuck from this place and help her get to a place where she knows she is loved, valued, treasured, cherished and a true princess?

How do I help her to understand that the sunshine and roses and unicorns and rainbows that she feels covers the lives of so many other people are also available to her…if she would only believe and know…that He loves her infinitely more than she could ever imagine.

How do I remind her of the song in her heart when she has forgotten the tune…and doesn’t want to recall it?

How do I help her to see and know that they’re not all the same…despite the fact that sometimes even I feel that way?

I’m asking more questions than I’m getting answers to here, folks. I suppose it’s time to turn it over to the man upstairs. It’s time to work on those raw, chafed knees. Better those than a raw, chafed heart.

His Word, Kids/Parenting

Day 2 – View

Michelle

Well, I’m back for day 2 of the 31 day writing challenge. I’m only on the second day and already I’m feeling the pinch of this challenge. But, it’s a good feeling because it means I’m stepping out of my comfort zone.

Today’s prompt is: View.

I wonder how I’m shaping their view. Particularly hers.

How is what I’m doing, saying, and feeling being portrayed to their little influential minds? Am I shaping their minds and their views for the better?

Am I helping them to view the world in a realistic, and yet positive manner?

Through my actions, and hopefully my heart, I desire to demonstrate servant hood, Jesus-style.

So, when I make that extra meal for another family, do they see my view? That sometimes the need extends beyond our front door.

When I explain that not everyone learns at the same pace, do they see my view? That sometimes people have their own set of challenges, but that doesn’t make them any less worthy of our love or respect?

Am I helping to color their world-view in such a manner that they will make a difference? Not just in worldly ‘big’ ways, but in Jesus-style small ways? In the daily details.