As a mom, I try hard to make spiritual experiences as tangible as possible for my children. I do not want them to think of God as a far-away being but rather Someone who is near, next to, within and all around. I know that it is not always necessary to feel close to God in order to be close to God, but having some tangible experiences can help our overall relationship with the Lord. I think that’s one reason God gave…
Today, I thought it would be fun to participate in #WorthRevisitWednesday, co-hosted by Reconciled to You and Theology is a Verb. It was kind of fun to look back in the archives and find a post I had completely forgotten about! I first wrote today’s repost FIVE years ago this month. I had five of my six children at that time, and their ages were 7, 5, 4, 2 and 2 … No wonder I say in the post that…
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. —Ecclesiastes 3:1— The Christmas decorations are finally put away, and I admit, my house looks a little bare, a little ordinary. In the cloudy darkness of January, I definitely miss the twinkling lights of our Christmas tree and garlands. I have never truly welcomed the season of Ordinary Time, the way I welcome Advent, Christmas and Easter. Even Lent has this very clear purpose of repentance necessary…
Four more days! Are you feeling anxious to get it all done? For me, that anxiety to get it all done can well up pretty quickly. And “not only to get it all done, but to get it all done perfectly Pin-worthy.” At other times, I can feel like I am giving up, telling myself, “It is what it is. I can’t do anymore. I have nothing left to give.” (Daily Advent Devotional for Women) But the secret to our…
Every year, when I take out our Advent wreath, I cannot help but smile. Not only is the Advent wreath one of my family’s favorite traditions, it also has a story that I enjoy reliving—and retelling—each Advent, for within the story of our Advent wreath is a lesson that I need reminding of each year. In fall 2009, I finally purchased an Advent wreath online. Prior to this, I had made one each year with pillar candles and greenery. But…
This time of year is very full. It is busy, as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday and as we anticipate the Advent and Christmas seasons. The world tells us we are already behind in our Christmas shopping, but we haven’t even sliced the turkey yet! In the liturgical calendar, we are experiencing a time of fullness, too. We are coming to the close of the month when we honor the holy souls. Yesterday was the last Sunday of…
November is such a beautiful month of gracious generosity and humble gratitude. Thanksgiving Day, which happens to be one of my favorite holidays, is two weeks from today. I am striving to keep this month of November slow, peaceful and focused on my blessings. I am striving to “just say no” to the commercialism and shopping season that seem to begin earlier and earlier each year. Without overlooking the importance of Thanksgiving, I also have come to realize that when…
My husband left for a business trip Sunday afternoon. It was disappointing that our weekend got cut short, but thankfully, this is not the norm. As my children and I made certain that everything was in order for an early Monday morning—uniforms washed, baths taken, homework completed—I braced myself for three hectic days as a solo mom. Monday came and went with a busy, but uneventful schedule. The kids were playing so nicely in the living room, that I decided…
For awhile now, it has felt like I have been carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. At least my little corner of it. As a wife, as a mother of six children, as a homemaker, I have realized that I put an incredible amount of pressure on myself to do it all. And to do it all really, really well. Do you do this, too? There is this unspoken, unwritten expectation that I put upon myself that…
Each year, as summer vacation descends upon my family, I get a bit nervous about the next three months. I’m the type of mom who appreciates the routine and predictability that the school year offers—early mornings, early bedtimes and a chunk of time in-between to stay caught up on my responsibilities, while my children focus their attention on learning in their classrooms. For some, the relaxed nature of summer is an opportunity to not be too busy. The slower pace…