Finding Joy on the Journey in Faith, Family, and all Things in Between.
In honor of Valentines Day and our epic love affair, here's a post from last year that still captures it all. I love you, Josh. Dear Josh, It's May and someone is in love. The sun is hot and glistening on my naked shoulders. I am fresh, with a face like clean linen, shining eyes and dark lashes low and inspired. You smell like romance. Red roses without the … [Read more...]
I started this blog as a ministry to others. To share my stories and develop community here. I wanted to have a place to share what God was doing in my life. I wanted this to be a place where I was fearless. Where I could push past platitudes and be real and transparent. I had no idea this blog would minister to me more than to others. Last year at my blogging début, I chose one word … [Read more...]
There is something to be said about writing in and through. So many times we can't write out the words in the midst of our own pain, our own trials, and we are so immersed in our story that it's hard to get perspective enough to share it. And I get that. Sometimes we do need time to heal, to process, to let it breathe. But there is something about that perspective that is powerful which … [Read more...]
She sits crisscrossed on the bed next to me. Tears have trailed down, dampening my pajama top, and it's her tiny hands with the chipped sparkly polish that push back my greasy hair and grasp at my cheeks. She turns my head to face her, still clutching softly with her fingers. "I'm sorry you're hurting so much, mommy." And my heart breaks anew. Tears keep flowing and I murmur thanks for her … [Read more...]
We drove the windy road to his grandmas house. And I festered. My soul black and ugly, scarred by bitterness and resentment. My baby boy, only 4 months old, strapped snugly into his new car seat. One of the only new things we had received at his birth. We were young and although we had planned and prayed for this baby, we hadn't had money to purchase new things. Friends blessed us with hand me … [Read more...]
It's Friday. You know what that means. Five minutes fast and furious and uncut. This week's word: Identity “Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion.” - Brennan Manning The letters are slanted slashing violently across the page. All sharp edges and fury. I've kept boxes full of journals stacking year upon year. So many pages … [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...]
You know the drill. We write for 5 minutes flat with no second guessing, backtracking, or overthinking. We write for the pleasure of the clacking keys and the release of our words. Then we link up at The Gypsy Mama and enjoy what others have shared. Join us. This weeks word is Empty. Ready Go. I began this year with a blank screen and a burning desire to fill the pages with my story. This … [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...]
She hands me the check as I'm headed out the door. Just slips it nonchalantly into my hand. It's for you, she says. I nod. Take it. A need is being met. The winter drags long and slow and work has been hard this winter. Every winter. New houses are not being built, old houses are not being painted. Bills are stacking up. This dear friend wanted to bless. We give thanks. We praise hard during … [Read more...]
I'd prefer having a different word, if I could pick any on a whim. I would feel much more comfortable with give or praise or heck, while we're at it blessed. But those don't resonate with me the same way. So I know that although those are things God might be speaking into others hearts for 2012, that's not what he's telling me. Stripped. It keeps coming back. Splayed open, bare, released from … [Read more...]
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