Gratitude can be a funny thing. We let it roll glibly off our tongues when life is good: I am so very grateful for this brand new car, my beautiful home, the college graduation/wedding celebration/baby shower with the abundance of amazing gifts. Those are the easy ones because we are happy at our good […]
What if I lose my identity?
May 11, 2012 By 19 Comments
Who am I? What is my identity? I can hear the legions of women asking themselves that question as they ponder Lisa-Jo’s weekly prompt over at The Gypsy Mama. I’ll bet that “Mom” tops the list. After all, when you have children, you become a parent. You might still have a job outside the home, […]
Five ideas to break the unproductive habit of multitasking
April 23, 2012 By 42 Comments
I have a running disagreement with a lovely woman who believes to her core she is extremely capable of accomplishing multiple to-do’s at once. When I suggest slowing down and focusing on one chore at a time, this accomplished dynamo of a retiree laughs and replies there is no reason to do so when she […]
Moms-Take five for a date
April 9, 2012 By 21 Comments
Moms, we are notorious for not taking time for ourselves. Do our kids need help with homework? We’re there. Is our child’s sports team asking for volunteers? We’re on it. Does someone need to get to an appointment? We’ll drive them. We will just keep scraping the bottom of the barrel for any […]
Five Minute Friday-Loud
March 23, 2012 By 14 Comments
Shhhh. Can’t you just be quiet? Are you sure you want to wear that outfit? Don’t you want to be pretty? Don’t you want to be liked? Do you really think that joining that group is a good idea? Uh oh. I can hear my inner child ramping up the volume in response. But I’m […]
5 Ways to create margin in your life
March 19, 2012 By 21 Comments
The much anticipated and equally dreaded Spring Forward! time change has arrived. Those of us who have experienced it with children know how exciting it is for the kids to be able to play outside longer and later, but also know how it can disrupt sleep and morning routines. If you are functioning right to […]
Offering ourselves grace
March 14, 2012 By 7 Comments
You know the drill. You line the kids up before they sit down at the table, and ask to check their hands to see if they are actually clean. A reasonable request, don’t you think? What if God lined us up at the end of the day, and asked to inspect our hearts, especially in […]
Five Minute Friday-Empty
March 9, 2012 By 13 Comments
Empty. That word can bring up images of being wrung out and worn out, of having nothing left to give to your family, of gray days and long, dark nights. How about instead, we view it as an opportunity, of a clear and lovely place, delightfully awaiting the Master’s touch? We can imagine ourselves and […]
Your ticket out of the desert
February 29, 2012 By 1 Comment
The desert. That familiar hot and dry and endless place, where the winds howl to the world about the depth of my worthlessness and tear at the shreds of my self-esteem. Where the flying grains of sand sting at my conscience and blind me to my gifts. I have been there and done that, and […]
Love by the Book
February 27, 2012 By 24 Comments
Did you know that there is an entire marriage manual encapsulated within a mere paragraph of a book? Who knew? I suspect lots of folks, and I am just late to the party. In the past few years, I have read these words more times than I can count, and then the realization hit me-woke […]
