Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Confession 269: "To Parents of Small Children..." A Link-Up

My husband forwarded a blog post to me by Pastor Steve Wiens.  The title of the post is: "To Parents of Small Children: Let Me Be the One Who Says it Out Loud".  Of course, it got my attention.  As I read Steve's words, I found myself thinking, "Yes...Yes....and YES!  Finally, an online parenting article that doesn't make me feel bad about myself!!"  I LOVE this perspective on parenting.  It's true, and the truth is refreshing.  So, hop on over to Steve's blog, The Actual Pastor and just enjoy being able to breathe. :-)

Blessings and Peace,
Sara


Thursday, March 21, 2013

Confession 268: Wonder Moments


Thank God for His gift that is too wonderful for words! 2 Corinthians 9:15

I leaned back on the bathmat, watching my boys splash, laugh and play in the water.  I looked at their faces, so bright and happy and full of innocence and hope and possibility.  I smiled as I drank in this moment when I didn’t have anywhere else to be or anything else to do but focus my entire attention on these two precious gifts God has given me.  And it hit me there in the bathroom on a typical Wednesday night, this is a sacred moment.  This is a wonder moment.

As a parent of young children, most of my time is spent just making it through the day.  I get up, get ready, get the kids ready, get lunches ready, drive to work, work, drive home, get kids home, monitor homework, attempt a conversation with my husband, get kids ready for bed, get kids to bed, unwind, get myself to bed and do it all over again the next day.  I’m not complaining.  It’s a good life, one I am incredibly grateful to have.  But I have to admit, I don’t always appreciate moments with my children for the wonderful gifts they are.  Often, I send them out to play, or to color, or to watch TV while I work on something else.  I get their hair washed in the bath and run out to do a load of laundry or catch up on e-mail.

Fortunately, God has infinitely more wisdom than me!!  There are times when He breaks through the everyday plodding and reminds me that this time, frantic and chaotic as it may be, is sacred.  God gives me those wonder moments when I remember what is truly important and can let go of the mundane to feast on the extraordinary.  And the truly extraordinary is the time spent fully attuned to and connected with my family.

I love the song "Sacred" by Caedmon’s Call.  It reminds me of the sacred elements each day holds, if only we can turn our focus onto them.  As the chorus goes, "Everything is sacred and all this time, everything I've dreamed of has been right before my eyes."

What wonder moments could God have in store for you today if you would see them?

Blessings and Peace,
Sara

Monday, March 11, 2013

Confession 267: Death of a Supermom

I need not worry overmuch about the distortions of this world.  I do need to be aware that God is here and allow Him through me to reveal Himself to His world.  Psalm 11


It's been awhile since I have put fingers to keypad.  Like many women, I have overextended myself in the realm of my daily life.  I bought into the philosophy that as a contemporary American woman I can do it all.  But the truth is, that is one of the greatest fallacies ever to be presented.  We can't do it all, no one can.  And when we try, the things we love most can get lost in the process.

Unfortunately, this is a reality our media does not like to represent.  Instead, our media bombards us with the image of the "Supermom".  Have you seen the appliance commercials featuring actress and talk show host, Kelly Ripa?  In it, Ripa credits the appliances with helping her to accomplish more in her day, from having the perfect outfit for work, to making a wonderful gourmet dinner for the perfect dinner party, to hosting a fun and fabulous sleepover for her daughter.  At the end of the commercials, Ripa states, "With ______ appliances, now you can be even more amazing!"  We have this notion that the "perfect" woman (Supermom) goes throughout her day with a careless poise, juggling work, kids, spouse and home, happy and content in her ability to accomplish all things.

In reality, there are only so many burners on a stove top.  Something has got to give.

I believe that women should have equal choices and opportunities.  I am a "career woman".  It's a choice I've made, somewhat out of necessity, but also because it's what I wanted.  It was a choice that I was able to make.  Other women make the choice to support their families within the home.  That is a choice I deeply admire and respect.  And if I'm being honest, it's a choice that at times I envy.

Choices are important.  And I have to stress the word choice.  You see, we CANNOT do it all, no matter what the appliance commercials try to tell us!!  We have to make choices in our everyday lives about what is important, what is vital, what God is calling us to do with our day.  God not only has a purpose for our lives, He has a purpose for each day we awake and choose to get out of bed.  If we look for it, we can find a moment, even in the busiest, messiest days, where we can see the hand of God at work.  But in order to see that, we have to give up the "Supermom" myth.

We do not honor God when we aspire to do it all.  In fact, when we claim to have it all together, to be able to do anything, we are leaving God out of the picture.  Paul tells us that God's power is made perfect in our weakness.  In fact, Paul goes on to write that he will boast with joy about his weaknesses so that God's power may be even more obvious to those around him. (2 Corinthians 12:9)  When we let go of our pride and say, "we can't", it gives God the opportunity to jump in and say, "I CAN!"  When we admit that we cannot do it all, then we turn ourselves over to God and to His purposes.  And when we turn ourselves completely over to God, then we can be witnesses for the world of God's unfailing power and love.

So, farewell "Supermom"!  I can't do it all.  But I am determined to let God accomplish His plans through me.

Blessings and Peace,
Sara

My Family

My Family

My Family 2

My Family 2