Staying Present {a whisper about unplugging to plug in to what matters}
Have you lived the struggle of staying present in your home? I sure have. I know how so many Moms feel. I’ve lived those days when the exhaustion sets in, selfishness wins, and distractions take over. Especially the distractions. And don’t we live in a world full of time-wasting distractions? Part of the reason I long so deeply to be more unplugged is so I can ‘plug in’ to what matters. Because our culture urges us to live in fast-forward, blasting through the days. The laundry, the sports team, the dinner, the play date, the appointments, the cleaning, the this, the that, the phone, the email,…
Too Much Stuff… for when your soul aches for less.
It’s the day after Christmas and we’re in Toys R Us. I feel my throat swelling inside of me. It’s the last place in the world I want to be after two days of massive, sickening consumption. Our children received everything on their wish lists and yet, they want more. And we’re not alone. The store is packed with children all marching through the isles, Christmas gift money in hands, dying to spend, spend, spend. Never mind what’s already lining their rooms – it’s not enough. My heart breaks inside of me as I whisper the truth to our children later: Do you see it here, right…
Childhood and Rest.
It was a breath-taking August afternoon. The sun was hanging mid-sky and the breeze was warm with the remains of Summer’s last days. Our children were piled around me as we leaned up against our old fence. Under the shade of the Walnut tree, we read. We giggled through classics and spent time with Homer Price and his thousand donuts and a giant ball of string. We were in a state of complete calm. I remember clearly, the kids asking if they could rest for a while. I remember nodding yes. They grabbed sheets from the bathroom and set up a make-shift tent. They curled up on blankets and pillows and spent at least an hour just…
Being and Doing.
I’ve come to realize the idea of ‘rest’ is hard for me. I literally just don’t like to sit down. I much, much prefer to be busy: cleaning, cooking, chopping, planning, gardening, running, moving – doing. But I’ve also come to realize how important it is to slow down. To relax enough to really, seriously reflect and connect. Reflect on the big picture, and connect with God and others. This is HUGE for stability and spiritual health, friends. HUGE. I have, mind-you, realized that you can reflect WHILE moving. (For all the crazy A-types out there, there is hope!) I pray while I run and I sing songs to God while I…
Daily Surrender, Daily Renewal
I find most people have an interesting view of home educators. Sure, ideas about living within the ‘homeschool’ span the horizon but the ladies I speak to share a common response – “Wow, I could never do that! You must be an amazing Mom…” (or something along those lines). I always feel incredibly uncomfortable with comments that glorify my Mom-hood. Incredibly uncomfortable. I’m not perfect. In fact, some days we barely make it. Like the last few, where I’ve yelled at my children, pushed my puppy out in the rain, and spent twenty minutes secretly crying out to God in the bathroom. Home Education is a calling. I feel I’ve been…
