five matches

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Why Weepest Thou?

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. (John 20:15, 16 KJV)

I went all King James on you today. But I just find this particular language to be a bit more flowery than other translations, which typically read, "Why are you crying?"

I find myself asking this question multiple times a day to multiple small people. Fun fact: it isn't Harper nearly as much as one would think.

But this question, "why weepest thou?", spoken by Jesus to Mary Magdalen outside the empty tomb reveals a care and concern for her. Although she does not recognize Jesus immediately, she can feel his love.

Why weepest thou?

For lent I kept a gratitude journal. Each night before bed I wrote 3 things that I was thankful for from the day. Some days were harder than others. But looking back through my journal, I realize how much God is in the tiny details of my day-to-day.

So, why weepest thou? We are blessed beyond measure! He is risen! Nothing to cry about.

I'll leave you with some cute this Easter morning:

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

A Mess I Can Live With--My Messy Beautiful

People tell me things. I think maybe it's my superpower. I suppose it comes with the "pastor's wife" territory.

I hear about sick loved ones, broken marriages, unruly kids/grandkids and family disputes. And I am honored that these women (and sometimes men) trust me with their hurts and ask me for prayers. I am always happy to listen and pray.

Everyone has a mess. It's beautiful to be a part of it.

But there's another level of telling that I experience. Women fall all over themselves to explain their dirty kitchen, fussy children, or disorderly car. Like when they look at me they see a person who cares about such things and maybe I'll judge them. Because, obviously, I have it so pulled together.

I mean, just look at me and my family:

Pulled together, right?

Nope.

In the 24 hours after that picture was taken, my oldest was diagnosed with pneumonia likely stemming from an illness she had nearly 6 months ago, my middle child's black eye finally started to look better, I left my screaming baby in her crib for a solid 20 mins while I took a shower, and my husband and I traded verbal barbs over who was supposed to pick up the preschooler.

Messy, yes. But beautiful?

My kids don't always listen. I can be super mean to my husband. I yell at the dog for coming in with muddy paws. I want to hide when the baby starts crying. I never have enough hands or time. Seeing clothes or toys on the floor makes. me. nuts.

I don't like messes in general, or activities that might lead to a mess. But these surface messes are proof that life is happening. The messes make life beautiful.

Even with my self-doubt, loneliness, selfishness, and anxiety about the future, it's all a beautiful mess. My kids are a blessing. My dog is a comfort. My marriage is a work in progress. All this mess gives me purpose.

I am learning to embrace it. To slow down and watch. To put down the d&@$ phone. To ask myself: Is it better to be right or to be kind? I am following Mother Theresa's mantra to "do small things with great love".

I am a mess, but I'm God's mess. And my messiness is proof that he's not done with me yet. That's a mess I can live with.

This post and I are part of the Messy, Beautiful Warrior Project — To learn more and join us, click here: http://momastery.com/messy-beautiful-warrior-friends/

And to learn about the New York Times Bestselling Memoir Carry On Warrior: The Power of Embracing Your Messy, Beautiful Life, just released in paperback, click here: http://momastery.com/carry-on-warrior/

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Winter 2014 Bucket List

This winter was rough. Like, I-don't-want-to-talk-about-it rough. So, I present to you our winter bucket list. We had high expectations, especially for having a newborn in the house. The whole polar vortex thing didn't help. Whatever, winter.

And now we shall never speak of this winter again.

Anyone else feeling this way? I've never been so excited for 45 degrees and partly cloudy skies in all my life.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

A New Thing

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:18, 19 NIV)

It's official. We are moving again.

Todd has been appointed to Neoga Grace UMC

and Etna UMC in the Embarras River District.

We will be heading south along I-57 between Mattoon and Effingham.

The girls went through the entire range of human emotion on the car ride down to Neoga for the take in on Friday night. Tears, laughter, nervous excitement. They felt it all. And honestly, so did Todd and I.

We were not surprised about being reappointed this year, as Todd will complete seminary this May and will be commissioned in June. But when the reality sets in that you will be leaving friends, family, and familiarity, it's sometimes a shock to the system.

But of course, we are excited about this new opportunity. God has some special things planned for us, of that we're certain. He is doing a new thing in the ministries of our churches, both old and new.

We don't have an exact moving day set yet, but Todd's first day will be July 1. Please join me in praying for smooth transitions in the coming months for everyone involved at both our new and old appointments. And please pray for my family, as moving can be especially tough on children.