Finding Joy on the Journey in Faith, Family, and all Things in Between.
Last year I wound up hours of feeding my sewing machine cuts of fabric, pieced together to make something born out of my heart. I wrapped them in gift bags and added tissue. I wanted meaning in the gifts I gave. I didn't want to stand in long lines and drift down aisles shopping for things. I wanted to create something with my hours and labor and love poured into the dresses that would … [Read more...]
Writing lends itself to a process. There are stages and maturation of story that mimic the seasons of pregnancy and birth An idea implanting, as it germinates somewhere deep inside you. Hardly even aware of its presence and the role it will have in the rest of your life but it's forming and coming together. The rocky sway of sickness as it takes hold. The clutching of your sides and the tilt … [Read more...]
I had another post planned for today but then life happened. And I realized this is a huge part of the writer's struggle. Life. Because just as the post forms in your mind, the thoughts coming together and the words harmonizing seamlessly, you are called upon to wipe your toddler's butt and swoosh, the perfectly aligned sentence just got flushed. And then the chore of pulling out your laptop … [Read more...]
I just got back from a mini vacation with my family and did not write at all. But this post has been in the back of my mind as I've seen the twitter stream fill with Hello Mornings devotees, committed to rising early and setting that time aside for God. I will be honest and say that shortly after this post from my archives, I failed miserably at the Hello Mornings and the only time I was up early … [Read more...]
My fists are clenched. My first reaction, to rip the door open and release a torrent of verbal assault on these kids, is tempered by the fact that I am in fact an adult and a professing Christian. The neighbor boys, small and innocent looking, not much bigger than Kaia, stand on my doorstep. I tell them to leave, that Judah will not come out to 'play,' and that if they continue to come … [Read more...]
I have a desire to be healed. To be made whole in the areas where I am not. To have the scars fade to pale flesh like stretch marks that snake across my soul and call to remembrance the growing pains and tearing of flesh that couldn't quite keep up. The scars that only time fades but the joy of new life makes insignificant. God has called me to new life I want to be healthy. Not a … [Read more...]
I can hear the soft rustle of her feet as she pads sleepily down the hall. I see tiny hands with chipped pink polish, lifting the blankets edge and then the softest wisp of a breathe on the side of my cheek as she nestles into the curve of my arm and settles where my heart beats. She is so beautiful to me. Her soft hair flowing over the pillow. He pulls up on the bed, grasping with tiny … [Read more...]
So anyway, I had a very serious case of pneumonia compounded by my asthma, which left me incapacitated for a little over a month. I'm up and around now and my energy level is steadily rising but the accumulation of things needing to be done over the past month has hit the roof, broken through, and seems to be pooling in my hallway. Apparently, things don't tend to get done unless you do … [Read more...]
There is a lot to be learned from patience, a quality I often lack when mothering. And mentoring. Which is easier said than done. What are we producing in our boys when we are rushed, impatient, and frustrated? I'll give you a hint, it's not strong character, responsibility, and integrity. How do we speak grace and encouragement into our young men? Today you can find me guest posting on MOB … [Read more...]
Some of the first advice I received years ago as a first time mom was "pick your battles." Being a first time mom, I was determined to do an amazing job. I read the parenting books. I got this, I thought. I watched the temper tantrums that occurred in grocery checkouts over skittles and lollipops and vowed that my child would be well-disciplined, respectful, and obedient. I couldn't … [Read more...]
Often, I forget the purpose of educating my children. I lose perspective and see it as a daunting task filled with chapters to be read, reports to write, phonics to sound out, number charts to memorize. I get caught up in the mundane. The teaching of ordinary stuff. I am drowning under waves of lesson plans, memorization, and the constant need to prod my children along in their learning. … [Read more...]
Besides the inordinate amount of recipes for things involving Nutella, stuff to Mod Podge , print, or sew together, pictures that are supposed to be humorous because a child or animal is using expletives, and fantasy wedding, house, and party decorations, there are also a great many thinspiration pins on Pinterest. I've got nothing against Pinterest. I pin away with the best of them. If you … [Read more...]
Tell me what you need and I'll tell you how to get along without it. There are many different reasons to commit to a spending fast. Mine are detailed here. A lot of people are committing to lowering their budget or to being more frugal. Those are great goals and they can definitely help one be more aware of their financial situation. My reasons for doing a spending fast had more to do with … [Read more...]
Fasting is a lost discipline in our culture. In many ways we are simply too busy to fast or we misunderstand the concept and purpose completely. I'm not talking about skipping meals so you can fit into your skinny jeans. That is a diet. Fasting without the intention of seeking God is simply asceticism and anyone with a little willpower can do that. Denying yourself to attain righteousness … [Read more...]
Copyright © 2012 · Narrow Paths to Higher Places · Powered by Wordpress · Built by :: Fluid Web Studio ::
