Mustard-Seed Moments

Daily I complete what feels like a zillion, small tasks in hopes of making a significant difference in the lives of those around me. I put a whole lot of faith in the belief that I am doing the right things as a parent and wife and accomplishing all the roles God calls me to fill. Most of the time, I do not experience the euphoria of success, in particular when it comes to being a parent.

My kids torture one another. My little darlings fight over the MOST RIDICULOUS things. They forget stuff I consider important, like homework or chores. They treat our home as if is their personal dumpster to discard shoes, socks, food wrappers, soda bottles, and empty cups wherever they please. It is enough to make this mama’s heart hurt and ask, “Lord, am I doing anything right?”

All too often, I feel like saying, “Lord, I’ve got all kinds of seeds planted. When am I gonna move those mountains?”

I guess we have to consider what a “mountain” looks like because sometimes they aren’t as big as we expected in the beginning.

Continue reading “Mustard-Seed Moments”

Swamped in a Hive

Have you ever tried to have a conversation with a parent who is inundated with the behaviors and requests of their children? It’s like trying to locate the queen bee in a hive of crazy. Nobody is concerned about or can comprehend what’s being said, focus is going in a million directions, and the constant buzz is enough to drive everyone in and outside of the hive crazy.

This past weekend I witnessed my friend, Jamie, at the heart of her own wild hive. We were hanging out at a friend’s shop, and for some unknown-to-our-children reason trying to have a conversation.

While Jamie balanced her son on one leg, her daughter traipsed passed walking her baby doll by the hair. Without warning, the baby doll leapt onto Jamie’s vacant leg and began marching up her arm and then rested on her head. Shortly there after, Jamie’s husband asked her about something he couldn’t remember, and she replied calmly with whatever he needed to know. Barely skipping a beat, Jamie continued on with our conversation. After finishing her sentence to me, she politely asked her daughter to take the doll to play somewhere else. Her daughter’s response, “But I need you to be my jungle gym.”

Well, there you had it.

Jamie was needed.

She was a comfy place to sit for her son, reference library for her husband, an apparatus for her daughter’s baby doll activities, and a hub of conversation for me.

Continue reading “Swamped in a Hive”

What to do with mountains – Wise Words Wednesday

What to do with mountains – Wise Words Wednesday

What to do with mountains

I thought this quote might be appropriate for hump day. 🙂
“These mountains that you are carrying, you were only supposed to climb.”

W-O-W! Wow! Powerful!

Those stupid grains of sand add up fast in life. The worrisome grains that make mountains out of mole hills. The ones that filter past our best laid plans and most dedicated intentions. The stained shirts in the bottom of the laundry. The bill we forgot to pay. The milk carton that got left out this morning. The low fuel light glaring at us from the car dash.

What are we supposed to do with those mountains?

I know I get mad when my kids climb on the mountains of laundry, but hey, at least someone is having fun with the unfolded clothes. The looming bills, chores, and commitments darken our horizons. What are we supposed to do with those mountains? Continue reading “What to do with mountains – Wise Words Wednesday”