May 2014 – Loving My Lot

It’s that time again. Last summer, I took a two month blogging sabbatical, and this summer I am sorely tempted to forge on through. Partly because I love to write, partly because I fear loss of readership (oh, vanity, my constant companion!), but mostly because of you. Every few days when I scroll through my emails, there will be one or two from readers. Always, I can’t wait to see what you’ll say. Sometimes you have an idea or an opportunity to offer, and sometimes you just want to share a little bit of your life. With me. Few things in this world make me feel more undeservedly blessed. Somehow, amazingly, through the wonders of technology and the grace of God, He has allowed me to meet people all over the world. And what’s more, to encourage them, share my broken story with them, and celebrate Christ’s mercy together. That is my favorite part of blogging. I thought it would be the writing, but it’s actually the impacting. It’s you. Being a small part of your life.

For this very reason, I’m reluctant to say farewell for the summer. But if I were honest (which is always my first priority in writing), I would admit that my batteries need recharging. My soul needs time to meditate on God’s Word for no purpose other than personal growth. To soak it in without immediately thinking about how to spew it back out. Not to mention, I welcome the chance to spend a little less time online and a little more time like this.
Besides quiet reflection and loud play, there’s one other item on my summer agenda. It’s a project of sorts that’s been sitting on the back burner of my mind for months now. This summer I want to explore it–maybe embrace it, maybe chuck it. Either way, if God brings me to mind, I would greatly appreciate your prayers.

Here’s to hoping God grants us both a rejuvenating summer, filled with laughter, purpose, and the peaceful satisfaction of Christ. See you in August!

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10 Reasons Family Vacations are Worth the $$$

In case you’ve been wondering, I haven’t been abducted, just sick! Our busy schedule is winding down as summer approaches, and all at once my body is exhausted. So last night, when my kids’ MMO program offered childcare and a free ticket to the new movie Moms Night Out, I was right on time.

I hadn’t seen a single trailer and had no idea what the movie was about, although for free childcare I would’ve seen Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The movie began by introducing a clean-freak wannabe Mommy blogger barely holding it together in the crazy, messy chaos of her world. Yikes. If I had red hair (and a nicer house) it would’ve been like watching the story of my life. At one point, the main character tells her husband something like, “This is the life I always wanted. So…why do I feel so unhappy?” So much work, so much exhaustion, so little sense of self. That was what her life looked like. And boy, could I relate to her. I could relate all the way down in my bones. And as I watched her story unfold, it struck me that all these feelings must be much more common than I realize.

Patricia Heaton (of Everybody Loves Raymond) plays the wise and like-able pastor’s wife, who gives us a glimpse of mothering a teenager. When I realized her husband was played by Alex Kendrick (think Facing the Giants, Courageous…etc.) I’ll admit I had a moment of “eesh, I hope this isn’t cheesy.” And you know what? It was, at moments. There were spells of over-acting and slapstick humor. But there were also truly hysterical moments, that prove you don’t have to be crude to be funny. And more importantly, there was a sense of resolution for the main character, a recognition that maybe a lot of the discouragement and discontentment in motherhood comes from expectations we heap upon ourselves. The unrealistic standards that nobody (except you) expect of you.

Is it Oscar worthy? Of course not. This movie has been trashed among Hollywood critics. But for the first time in a long time, I left a movie feeling like my heart had been a little bit refreshed. I left a movie grateful for my messy life, and not longing for the romantic adventure of Charlize Theron’s sexy life. I left a movie without the slightest twinge of guilt over the things I’d just seen and enjoyed. And to me, that’s a pretty good moms night out.