three words

I was in bed the other night, almost asleep, when she came into my room, her voice was full of excitement. She had been in her room reading a book called, Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing. She asked if she could read something to me.

“What words does God want you to treasure in the deepest part of you? 
“Be good”? “Do it better”? “Try harder”? Are those the words God wrote in the Bible for us, to rescue and free us? 
No. Those words only show us what we can’t do. 
The words God wants us to remember are just three small ones: “I love you!”
They are the words that stop the terrible lie that Satan whispered to Eve in the garden: “God doesn't love you!”They are the words that heal the poison in our hearts that stops us from trusting God. 
They are the words that Jesus came to tell us with his whole life. 
They are words he died to prove. 
What words will you treasure today?”

My eyes almost filled with tears as she and I discussed this beautiful message. My heart was full. I was filled with so much faith and love as I heard her say these words out loud. I want her to believe and live her life in light of these three words. I want to live my own life, holding these three words close to my heart.

He loves us. Something so simple, yet incomprehensible at times. He will show us, always, even when we least expect it.

the end of a season

Today, you finished your first season of competitive travel soccer. We are so proud of the courage and strength you showed this season.  I know at first you were so scared to try out for a boy's competitive team, but you did. It was so fun to watch you develop, to watch friendships form, and to see your team come together by the end of the season. Remember to always seek God first, He will give you the strength to face whatever circumstance He puts you in. 

time to play

There are so many things in today's culture fighting for our children's attention and time. 

Organized activities, music lessons, clubs, sports, and playdates. 

Digital devices with endless games, music, and social media. 

These things can all be great and utilized in amazing ways, but I think it is so important for children to have time to be free. Time to be bored. To explore. To play. To imagine. To be by themselves.

Some days its easier to say yes to the other stuff, but every time I say "no, go outside and play", I am so grateful. 

It was a cloudy warm morning. I saw her through the back door, still in her Frozen night gown; running up and down the yard with sticks and flowers. She was singing and dancing as she played. 

I smiled. I know that feeling so well. That feeling of childhood; where you can go as far as your imagination takes you. I watch her like this often, hours spent in our yard; living a world she creates so beautifully. 

This is my reminder. Some days they will fight for everything but this solitude of "nothing to do"; yet the feeling of boredom can inspire amazing memories and creativity.

dinner date

Tonight you went on a dinner date with just you and Daddy. You have such a beautiful bond with him. I am so grateful for all the time Daddy invests in our family. He has such a love for Jesus and he pours that into each one of you. We are blessed to have him leading our home.

52 Saturday Mornings | week 7 | weekend blur

This year I am taking part in a weekly collaborative photo project called 52 Saturday Mornings. You can see the entire group of images here.

living in truth

I set my heart and mind on things above, not earthly things. This gives me peace. Colossians 3:1-2

Last Friday, my husband and I sat alone at a restaurant for lunch. Long, uninterrupted talks don’t happen often enough between the two of us. I cherish these moments with him. I sat there and shared my heart. I shared my recent joys. Then I shared some hurts I had been battling as he listened with open ears.
And then, he said something that has stuck with me ever since. At first I tried to deny it, but then, I realized he spoke truth.
Perfectionism and living to please others is being a slave to affirmation.

I once thought that people pleasing was a good characteristic. This trait I have battled my entire life, has left me disappointed, defeated and not fully living in God. I have had unrealistic expectations of myself and others. I have worried too long and too often about others opinions and making everyone happy; avoiding conflict or confrontation at all costs. I have felt that I was not enough. I have felt unnoticed. I have felt hurt.

Ultimately, I've been living in fear. Fear of not measuring up. Fear of disappointing others. Fear of not being loved. Sadly, I realize that I wasted years, not living in God’s truth. The truth that each of us are enough in Him. The truth that my identity is found in Christ alone. The truth that His grace is sufficient. Period. Nothing added. Nothing less. It’s not sufficient only when I make the “right choices”, act the “right way”, and say the “right things”. No, His grace is enough always; yet, time and time again, I let the world tell me otherwise. I told myself otherwise.

As I look at this picture of our daughter, I am reminded of the freedom I can experience when I remember how God sees me. There is beauty in the imperfect and His light and His love are always there shining. I don't have to earn His love. I never have to fear that I am not enough.

I want these words from Bethel Music's song, No Longer Slaves, to be the anthem of my life. "You split the sea so I could walk right through it. My fears are drowned in perfect love. You rescued me so I can stand and sing. I am no longer a slave to fear. I am a child of God".

new neighbors

create

I share these words from Emily P. Freeman, because I believe that there is at least one person that needs to hear them.

"You were born to make art. But that's not all..you were born to live art. It's time to live as though we believe we have something to offer."

We were born to create. Each of us has this desire deep within our soul. We all create differently. Our mediums vary; yet none is more beautiful than the other. Some create art in the kitchen, while others live their art on the sports field. Some create with a brush or pen, while others use their voice. The ways in which we create are endless. What makes you feel alive?

Somewhere along the way, in this media driven world, people have become paralyzed. So many are frozen; afraid to start or afraid to keep going. Self-doubt has crept in. Comparison has a sick way of killing our joy and we forget that we each have a gift to give this world. Silence the noise and remember these words.

There is a place for every one of us. Nothing or no one is off limits. Find your canvas and go create.

“Don’t wait until tomorrow. Pick yourself today. You already have everything you need. Embrace the art alive within you, and believe in the little ways God wants to release his art into the world through you.”

beautifully unique

Two sisters who are cut from the same cloth, woven together with such similar threads; yet each one beautifully unique. One is loud and one is quieter. One is a rule follower and one a rule breaker. One is reserved, while one is more outspoken. One is independent and one still seeks guidance.

Both loved abundantly and equally.

I've learned numerous lessons being their mother. One of the greatest lessons I have learned is not to compare. Honestly, this can be very hard at times. Like wanting your more reserved child, to step out and be a leader. Or asking your more boisterous child to be still and quiet. So often we have expectations of our children. Sometimes these expectations are based on what we see other children doing; how they are performing or behaving. It is so important, as parents, to remember that each child is completely unique. One may be capable and strong in areas that another may never be.

God gives us each our own individual strengths. We should each strive to learn how to utilize these gifts for His glory. I love the differences I see in each of our children. They remind me that He carefully created each of us in such a special way. It is fascinating to look at each person and see the beauty in their individuality. I want our children to know that I love each of them and that I want them to be nothing other than who they were created to be.

monday morning

soccer siblings

The life of soccer siblings.

This photo captures the life our children have grown to love during soccer season. Our team families have spent countless practices and matches together at soccer complexes around our state. The siblings, who are not playing soccer, have become the best of friends as they wait for practices or games to finish. The kids play on the field sidelines, play-park sets, or wherever they can find room to run. These team families have become like family to each of us. It is something special. I am so grateful that our younger children enjoy this time at the fields. They may never know if Big Sissy won or lost; but they have a great time while waiting and always ask when is the next game.

52 Saturday Mornings | Week 6 | tournament day

This year I am taking part in a weekly collaborative photo project called 52 Saturday Mornings. You can see the entire group of images here.

hotel life

wings to fly

For Christmas our youngest daughter got a butterfly garden and a certificate to get live caterpillars in the mail. You can imagine her excitement when they finally arrived a few weeks ago. For days we watched them and often wondered if they were even alive. Then, all of the sudden, the transformation slowly began to take place. We watched them grow and then we watched as the chrysalides were formed. It was such an amazing sight. We waited patiently until one by one each butterfly emerged. It was truly something beautiful to see this full transformation complete. We were all fascinated; even at 39 years old, I was in awe.

Yesterday, the time came to release our 5 beauties. None of us wanted to let them go, but we knew it was time. They were ready to fly and explore the world around us.

As I thought about this experience, it made me think about my own experience as a mother to our three children. It’s can be so hard to give our children wings to fly. It’s hard to let them go; knowing they will make their own mistakes, and even get hurt. But, when we do, we give them the chance to see the world and its beauty. Likewise, the world gets the chance to see the beauty inside each of them.

We will continue to ask God to help us provide the foundation our children need to grow, but then it is our turn to trust Him and trust them to fly. I believe this is one of the greatest ways we can show them our love.

butterfly beauty

goodbye

Today, we said goodbye to our beloved dog Buster. Fifteen years of memories flood my head and heart. Each of us feels broken as a part of us is gone.

I was looking through pictures from the last month and I kept coming back to this moment. Over and over. Not because it is the best picture or memory we have of him. I stop, because this was our ordinary, our mundane, our everyday. Him, by our side. Him, as part of our world. For fifteen years, he was there.

There are parts of our life that are so normal, so every day, that we forget to even notice them. We take them for granted, almost like the breath that comes from our lungs. And then one day we wake up and something has changed. The normal; whatever it was, is different. I don’t want to notice the beauty of the everyday only when it is gone. I want to embrace it and appreciate it. I want to see it. The everyday; the habitual, the predictable, is what makes our life a complete story. Life simply isn't made up of grand picturesque moments. I want these seemingly insignificant moments to be etched so deeply in my heart and eyes that I never forget them.

I am grateful for all of the years we had with Buster. I am thankful that his life was full of joy and good health until the very end; yet, I long to have him with our family again. I wake up each day and feel such a void. There is nothing to take away this hurt, but I find peace in knowing that he is now without pain. These images will serve as an important reminder to me. A reminder to slow down, to notice and be grateful for all of the beauty God gives us in each day.

in awe

all three in the kitchen

52 Saturday Mornings | Week 5

This year I am taking part in a weekly collaborative photo project called 52 Saturday Mornings. You can see the entire group of images here.

in awe

I love to watch how our kids can find wonder in such simple moments in their days. I strive to live like this. I want to stop and be in awe daily of this world we live in. Life gets busy and some days I get so focused on the moments we are living that I lose sight of God’s glory and my part in His amazing story. Yet, our lives here on earth are so short. Whether we are given 4 or 94 years to live; they are so brief, in light of eternity.

Where do we each fit into His story? What do we do with the years we have here on earth? This is something I have been thinking about a lot. I met with 5 young women last night as we wrestled through this question. Each of us has dreams and visions that God has placed on our hearts, yet many of us fear others and what they think about us. Many of us are scared of failing. We are scared to move in obedience. And we seek affirmation, approval and love from the world. It is an internal fight so many of us face. But ultimately, it is a fight to love God the most.

And then this morning, I came across these words from Jennie Allen, “Our God is worth this fight. And if there is a sober, honest bone in your body you'll admit that this is a fight! It is a full-on war to love God more than any visible thing or person on this earth, even more than ourselves."

I pray we will all keep dreaming for Him.That we will boldly and bravely follow Him. That we will seek Him and His glory and our small part in His story. I pray we live our lives with the knowledge that His love and affection are far greater than anything we can create for ourselves.

And I pray that when I come to the end of my life I can say these words: “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do” John 17:4.

I don’t ever want to stop living in awe of Him. I don’t want to stop seeking my part in His great story.