Tomorrow I’ll be 34. Today if you’re reading this on Friday.
And in those 34 years there are some things I’ve yet to grasp.
Like how to get that perfect messy bun that looks cute and whimsical without somehow crossing the line into ratted and messy, sprigs of hair sprouting from the nest of some unfettered creature. Pinterest has tutorials and apparently a lot of time and effort goes into the effortless look, much like the no makeup look is really the hardest to perfect because no makeup at all looks like you just woke up after a pretty hard night. But the no makeup look, when applied right, is supposed to leave one looking fresh-faced and dewy, reminiscent of youth and vitality and really good skin tone.
But those things aside, I have grasped some things in these 34 years.
I am wholly made to be loved by God. I grasp at grace with weak hands, but hold firm in my faith, knowing that I’ve seen His face and I can’t ever truly forget no matter how weak my eyes seem.
I am in love with my husband. Not because he is perfect or I am but because we work hard at this staying in love stuff. Because he is a gift crafted for my by God’s hands to complement me and break me. To refine the parts that jut up against his and tangle in the fray and rub smooth worn and polished over the years.
I am a good mother. This title, thrust on me, so unworthy and unwise, was the greatest blessing. In it you have undone me. Wrecked me in a way that my knees go weak in prayer and my heart thrums with the desire for God’s holiness poured out on them. That my children would walk with Him, and that I may be the mother who leads them on the path. Nothing else but the very heart of motherhood has made me seek Him more for the grace to do this job well.
I am a writer. Not because of analytics, or tweets, or followers, but because God has given me a voice and I can’t stay silent. He is writing my story and the pages fill with words of wounds healed, trials weathered, and faith restored. Every why? of my youth, every cry of frustration and wound of those sin scraped years is being redeemed. I wrap these letters and offer them as praise to Him. The author and the perfector.
So I may never sport that messy bun, though I’ll never stop trying because it’s so stinking cute on those Pinterest girls, I can say that 34 years have been well spent in His perfect timing.
You know the drill. Prompt: Grasp, 5 minute free write where you just let the words go where they want and then you link and love on the other bloggers there. It’s a great community. Won’t you join in with your 5 minutes over at Lisa Jo’s?
Happy Birthday for tomorrow!! May it be a really fun day! I love your blog post here – just such truth. Unashamed truth and it is what we – as wives, mothers, friends – need to hear. Thank you. xx
Fiona recently posted..Five Minute Friday: Grasp
Thanks Fiona. I’m hoping for coffee in bed and and some time to spend writing and reading. #introvertedpartygirl LOL
Alia Joy recently posted..Five Minute Friday: Grasp
I truly enjoyed spending time with you at the FMFparty tonight, getting to know you better! Happy Birthday and I just turned 34, too, on Sunday! Have a fabulous weekend celebrating YOU!!
I love what you have learned/grasped and the funny things too that you are still mastering…I don’t know if I will ever get those things right {messy bun & no-makeup makeup look} but at this point…I just go with it anyway!
Me too! Wow, we’re super close in age and our NF status, and I don’t sweat it too much although I swear I will get the hair thing down someday. Maybe when I’m forty and it’s totally out of style.
Alia Joy recently posted..Five Minute Friday: Grasp
Happy Birthday, Alia Joy…So glad you are writing and sharing your story…you made me smile in recognition as I read your writing…being a mother has brought me to my knees in prayer in a new way…Like you, I don’t think I will ever master the messy bun, no make-up look… Blessings
Dolly@Soulstops recently posted..Five Minute Fridays: Grasp?
I know, motherhood makes praying without ceasing a natural habit. Yes, there are some things in life that just remain a mystery and for me that is the large majority of things I ‘pin.’ But on the important things, I’m definitely learning to grasp at the one with the answers. Blessings to you as well.
Alia Joy recently posted..Five Minute Friday: Grasp
Happy Birthday Alia- think of you often . Your writing helps me with my faith journey- much love my friend- keep pressing in!
Stacey ( kfalls is treating us ok)
Thanks Stacey! I’m glad you’re doing good down there and I’m glad to be connected even in a small way through this blog. As for the faith journey- I’m right there with you, friend.
Text me sometime- you haven’t lost my # have u?
Stacey, I don’t have it anymore. Can you send it to me by email or through my contact form?
Wonderfully written. Happy Birthday.
denise recently posted..Five Minute Friday/Grasp
Thanks Denise.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Beautiful words Alia, and I love how you embrace who you are, you are a good mom, wife, and writer–you have so many gifts and you share them so beautifully with us. Bless you my friend! I celebrate you today
Kris recently posted..Grasp
Thanks Kris. Can’t wait to celebrate life with you at Allume. Bless you.
Oh you are all those things that beauty of seeing a woman declare them unwaveringly is powerful. Your writing is fluid and strong. I enjoyed reading it. Following you on Facebook now.
Laura @ Pruning Princesses recently posted..Grow where you are planted
Thanks Laura, I appreciate that. Look forward to getting to know you better.
I’m reading this on Friday so that means HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Love your words. Blessings from 5MF.
Positively Alene recently posted..grasping 31 days and letters of anonymity.
Thanks Alene, and I didn’t make you do captcha so you love me right? LOL
Ah – you know me already. My eyes can’t read those tricky blasted captcha codes. I know, I know — I’m a little crazy for having a pet peeve and all . . . LOL
Positively Alene recently posted..31 days of anonymity {day 1 – dear coach}
I think we might be kindred spirits. Yes, I think so. This is beautiful and so much put into 5 minutes! AMAZING! We’ll be seeing each other at Allume so we can definitely chat then. Glad to have met you last night at the party!
I would agree, kindred spirits indeed. Thanks so much and I can’t wait to meet up in real life. It was a joy connecting with you last Friday. That party made my night.
What wonderful truths to cling to as you embark on a new year of life! Happy Birthday!
Mary Beth recently posted..Five Minute Friday:Grasp and a Guest Post
Thanks MaryBeth. I did have a great birthday. We celebrated for four days. I am seriously spoiled by my friends and family. Lots of love.
First, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Second, I’m so, so, SO glad I found you through Five Minute Friday!! Third, I love your writing “voice” and I will absolutely be back. Consider yourself bookmarked!!!
Thanks Dara. I saw your post on Facebook but I normally take weekends off, except for the 31 days this October so I didn’t get back to you. I look forward to getting to know you better. Are you doing the 31 days link up at the Nester?
Hi Alia! Yes, I’m doing two 31-day challenges, actually–one for scriptures and the other for makeup.
Dara recently posted..Challenge #2 Update: Moderation
”I grasp at grace with weak hands’” – I would so ‘pin’ this quote (if i knew what Pinterest did…) Love those words, and I’m feeling them for me this week. Thanks for giving voice to my feeling.
Your writing, mothering and marriage are much more beautiful than any Pinteresty wotsit. hope you celebrate well.
Tanya Marlow recently posted..Grasp
I know, I want to figure out how to make pictures and text pinnable but I just don’t have the time right now. Thanks for reading here, I smiled when I saw your face in the comments, friend.
Happiest of birthdays, Alia Joy! Please enjoy — you are worth celebrating. Even if your bun is neat and tidy
And I see you here on the screen and love your heart more than most would be willing to. Because I see Him in you. Shining brilliantly through every line. Your voice warms my heart and His story told through you encourages me… love and hugs to you, girl!
nikki recently posted..Grasping His Goodness ~ Five Minute Friday
Thanks Nikki! You are always an encouragement and light. Blessed to know you.
Happy birthday!!! Sounds like you have grasped the important!
Becky Daye recently posted..Five Minute Friday~ Grasp
Well, definitely working on it.
Happy Birthday!!
What a beautiful post, my friend.
Have a glorious day..
Stefanie Brown (@stefanieybrown) recently posted..Five Minute Friday: Grasp
Thanks Stefanie. It was fun getting to know you a bit better through the twitter party. Looking forward to getting to know you more.
You’re welcome:)) I, too, am looking forward to getting better acquainted.
Stefanie Brown (@stefanieybrown) recently posted..31 Quotes in 31 Days :: Day 1 ~ Assurance…
Happy Birthday! I love your confidence in how He has made you. That is just power there, girl, Him singing His truth in you. Love to you today! And I hope to give you a huge hug at Allume!!
Jennifer recently posted..Grasp
Thanks Jennifer. And I can’t wait to hug you back!
I totally loved the opening of your post! It’s so true! I always look at those buns on pinterest and think “WHY CAN”T I DO THIS!!!!” LOL.
Happy early birthday. I truly enjoyed reading your thoughts on “grasp”. I stopped by from the FMF link up.
Razella recently posted..Five Minute Friday: Grasping Time
I know, it’s always the easy looking pins that turn out to be so hard to replicate in real life! Thanks for stopping by here.
Happy birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy birthday, dear Alia, Happy Birthday to you!!!
Hope it was a great day… celebrate all weekend long!
I enjoyed your words today!
Julie Anne recently posted..Five Minute Friday –Grasp
Ha! Thanks so much for the birthday wishes and I did celebrate all weekend long and maybe even a bit into tomorrow.
Happy Birthday Alia!
I just love the idea of being redeemed. There’s such a beauty in it and such a transcendence above the normal bustle of motherhood. But that hope of being redeemed, the understanding of how much the Redeemer must love me to wade around in my mess and redeem me is something that I’m learning to grasp to tightly.
As always, love reading your thoughts.
Janice recently posted..Guest posting at Dreamer today
Thanks so much Janice. Glad to have you here. As always, I love you sharing your thoughts in this space. It’s a hard lesson but redemption always is.
I hope I can state with such clarity what I have grasped when I turn 34 (7 more yrs yet). Happy birthday! And yes, what is up with those cute messy looks that you either can’t plan or can’t accomplish without it looking uncute messy???
Michelle recently posted..FMF Grasp
Thanks for the birthday wishes and I know! Looking effortless and pretty without looking like a slob is seriously tough work. Who woulda thunk it? LOL
LOLL
Michelle recently posted..Day 1
I hope your birthday was filled with many blessings!
Wonderful post. I love that we’re loved by God despite our inabilities to make cute messy buns (I can’t do it either!)!
It’s way harder than it looks! My birthday was great. Thanks so much.