Love Brightly

(originally published 2013, updated 2018) If what started out as the hardest summer of your life -working the longest hours you've ever worked, -being stretched physically, emotionally, and spiritually, -relying on God to make it to the end of the week (much less 5 or 10 weeks), -wondering how you were gonna live happily for that long with all these new people... If you thought all of that was challenging, you had no idea that the biggest challenge came at the end- -after God had pushed you through to the other side: where the work seemed tiring but in a rewarding way, where the schedule stretched you thin, but you now know yourself and God better because of carving out time for Him, where you stepped into scary situations and saw God show up in ways only He can, where you now know once strangers soul to soul, backwards, forwards and sideways, and you love them anyways, where you experienced that they love YOU in spite of every flaw you possess, and that saying goo...

I Am From I am from pastures of red wildflowers and tickled knees. I am from Momma's clothesline and Papa's tractor resting by the crackled barn. I am from the smell of fresh cut grass, and the taste of clean cool well-water. I am from a neighborhood of ladybugs, spiders, and squirrels. I am from the front porch rocker, purple irises breeze beside the hummingbirds.   I am from a table covered with smoked ribs, fried catfish, red-checkered cloth. I am from a fence of towering oak trees, sheltering the sounds of the world. I am from Momma and Daddy's loving tickles and hugs, sheltering the worries of the world. I am from hours of alone imaginative play--mud pies, dress-up, treasure hunts. I am from a clan of boisterous loyal cousins, aunts, & uncles--smiles and hugs all around! I am from a trusted intimate school, where my baby sister made her debut at show-and-tell. I am from Grandma and Granddad's, floating on black i...

Such tragic news this morning! The passing of Cory Monteith causes something in my gut to say, "That's not right...It can't be..."  When tragedy strikes someone so young, someone who brings joy to others, it pains us, and forces us to look at the uncertainties of life. 2 years ago I wrote a post about Finn after an episode of Glee wherein Cory's character ponders his own mortality and the existence of God. On a day such as today, it's impossible to avoid reflecting on these "big questions" (as Ms. Pilsbury referred to them). The "big questions" are at the bottom of each and every soul, but many push aside those restless thoughts because the duties of life press for time and attention. I pray that today you do not push aside the "big questions" but instead really explore them. I'm re-posting that 2011 blog here: Glee, Finn, and the Big Questions Sweet Finn—who lost his Daddy when he was a baby, who’s the masculine High ...

My Daily Mommy To-Do List   1. Snuggle with each child.  2. Read aloud to each child.  3. Offer them nutritious food.  4. Clean them when necessary.  5. Put aside my plans in order to correct them when necessary;  focus on their heart, not just their behavior.  6. Join them in an activity that they enjoy.  7. Weather permitting, provide an opportunity for outside play.  8. Study God's Word with my children and for myself.  9. Pray with and for my children.  10. Include my children in praying for others.  11. Appreciate their individuality and express that with encouraging words.  12. Comfort the boo-boos of the body and of the heart.  13. Complete the household tasks that are most important to my husband. Allow/require my children's participation in order to grow their responsibility.  14. Model a life that is mindful of the needs of the world by focusing on others  in action...

Last year, I had fun with the challenge of creating 30-40 outfits with a few articles of clothing. This year I wanted to have the same experience, but not start fresh buying ALL new pieces of clothing (who can afford that?!). So I wondered if I could again create completely new outfits using existing articles and carefully selecting a few more, and doing it for $50*. In today's world of internet writing, one has to not only say what one thinks, but also clarify what one DOESN'T think. Let it be said then, that I do not idolize clothes, nor what people think of me wearing them. I do enjoy clothes. I also enjoy things that are pleasing to the eye--colors, textures, and things of beauty. It brings me pleasure to play around with them, and I have fun creating variety. I enjoy the challenge of being frugal, but don't find ultimate satisfaction in the bargain. I truly believe that God provides these bargains for me as a way of showering not only His provision, but also His affe...

For the past 13 years of marriage, Karl and I have but one area of life that we are aware of and yet fully embrace pretentiousness: Mexican food. We're Texans, which geographically means we are better judges than most of our fellow Americans, and we have high standards. We never voluntarily eat at a national chain Mexican Food restaurant. Not even _____? You may ask. No. [In compliance with my own personal boundary of not bad-mouthing anyone on the internet, I will refrain from names. But you can fill in the blank with your favorite chain Mexican restaurant, and our answer will remain the same. ;)]  And so because of our mutual affinity and pretenses, one of our favorite marital hobbies is to visit small, locally owned restaurantes de Mexico and rate them on a scale of 1-5 in 6 different categories. We always order the same thing, as to truly compare experiences. Hubs tries the beef taco dinner, with rice & beans, while I sample the enchiladas, also with rice & beans. We ha...

My middle child, my Sweet Pea, the one whose boisterous laughter delights everyone in her company, the one whose pensive introversion makes this momma scratch my head in prayer for help to minister to her heart. While my firstborn wears her heart on her face before verbally expressing every thought and feeling she possesses (making my role as nurturer, disciplinarian, and shepherd fairly easy to navigate) my Sweet Pea flees the scene at the first engagement of her emotional muscles. Tucking herself in a tiny ball within her bottom bunk, she grips "snuggly blanket," the obvious name for her favorite item of security. I stroke her hair and whisper reassurances to her. Rarely does she respond with words; occasionally a purr. Inwardly I pray for God to reveal to me what her heart needs in order to experience love and security. I pray that He would give me words to build her up, but mostly that she would eventually run to Him instead of "snuggly." We talk about Jesus a...