Motherhood

Happy Mother's Day!

Even though I'm not living the life I expected, it's God's good and perfect plan for me. At times, I still get tired, overwhelmed and frustrated by my lot in life, but I'm still blessed. I'm especially thankful for the blessing of my sons. It's amazing to observe glimpses of me and flashes of Kent in each of them. They encourage me to persevere through life while making it interesting and fun. They truly are gifts from God!

A Life Interrupted

Sometimes, I feel like my life has been interrupted, so I went to Priscilla Shirer's Life Interrupted Simulcast this weekend. Her message is based on the Prophet Jonah, because she says, like him, we tend to run - maybe mentally and emotionally instead of physically - when our lives are interrupted with something unexpected. If this simulcast comes to your area, you should go to it. It's so encouraging! There's also a book, Life Interrupted: Navigating the Unexpected, and even a Bible study, Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted. Check them out!

A New Year

As I sit here in a comfy chair, snug in a throw blanket with my laptop and a cup of hot tea with honey, close to midnight on New Year's Eve, I think back on 2010. For some, it was a year of gain, but, for others, it was a year of loss.

In thinking about the loss of my husband and best friend, my sons' father, leader of my marriage, parenting and home, provider of my family and, ultimately, my future, I hold close to my heart Isaiah 30:18 which is "Yes, the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion." This verse carries a lot of truth in my life, because, on this continuous road of unknowns, the Lord, out of his infinite love, so graciously and compassionately carries us through the trying times of our lives whether it's challenges in our relationship with our God, spouse, children, parents, in-laws, friends, stewardship of time and money, things that hold us in bondage to sin or even grief from loss.

While we're familiar with the challenges of this life, God is faithful to sustain and bless us along the way. So, regardless of what 2011 brings us, I trust His all-sufficient grace to carry us through it to find contentment and joy as we move forward in this journey on Earth.

Happy New Year, friends!

A Classic & its Spin-off

I finished reading Kent's copy of Oswald Chambers's classic and best selling one year devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, today. These daily entries have challenged me to truly give my utmost to His highest. There's even a child-friendly version of the book, Jesus Wants All of Me, by Phil Smouse. Check them out!

Plugged In Online

When I'm not sure if the boys should see a movie, I visit Focus on the Family's Plugged In Online for a review of it from a conservative Christian perspective. They also review TV shows, music videos and video games. Check it out!

The Gift of Widowhood & Single Parenting

I have a gift no one wants: widowhood at 36-years-old. While I don't like being referred to as a widow, I've had to identify myself as one on a slew of forms since Kent died . . . so much so that it's made my lot in life really hit home.

I've been reminding myself that everything from God is a gift . . . even my widowhood and subsequent single parenting. God gives us gifts that we don't ask for or even want, and, sometimes, they're gifts that can't be returned or re-gifted . . . but, nonetheless, they're gifts out of His infinite love to teach and grow us in our walk with Christ while drawing us closer to Himself.

I've also been reminding myself of God's goodness. God does not make mistakes with what He allows in our life, so He is good all the time. Because of this, I can trust His plan for my life, though I may not always understand it. Even though some of His gifts can hurt, we have to trust that, in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

I once thought brain cancer interrupted my life, but it's been a part of God's good and perfect plan for my life all along. My widowhood IS a gift; what I do with this gift is up to me.

Mother's Day

I'm overwhelmed with my life these days. Mothering my three sons in particular is challenging, because my parenting partner isn't here anymore. Most of my days are long and exhausting, because there simply isn't enough time to get everything checked off of my list of things to do which leaves me constantly seeking balance in what I do for my boys with what I do with them. It can be frustrating! Despite this though, I'm thankful for the privilege to be their mother. They're gifts! Even though it's bittersweet sometimes, the blessing of mothering them has made widowhood a little easier to endure, because they encourage me to persevere through life while making it interesting and fun.