I'm entering a new phase of parenting. I don't know what it's called. But I recently saw a video on a Facebook group for women over 40 that I think may have named it for me. The subtitle of the video from a radio show called Jonsey & Amanda read, "Being the mother of a … Continue reading The Breakup Phase of Motherhood
motherhood
Get up! Lift them up! Take them by the hand!
There's a story in Genesis that grabs me. Abraham and Sarah used their servant Hagar in their unbelief to get for themselves the child God promised. But when Sarah finally gave birth to the son God had promised, they sent Hagar and her son Ismael away into the desert. In Genesis 21:8-21, the story goes … Continue reading Get up! Lift them up! Take them by the hand!
Rally cry for parents on the day before school starts and the day after 2 mass shootings
Honestly, I don't want to send them. I want to hide them in a bubble of safety and happiness. But I have no such magic powers. I do have the King of heaven's attention though. He hears me. I know he does. And he promises to not abandon me or my kids. So, in this … Continue reading Rally cry for parents on the day before school starts and the day after 2 mass shootings
Mothers: Tell your kids to trust the God of their mother.
Yesterday at church my pastor taught through the story in Genesis where Jacob wrestles with "a man." Toward the end of the sermon he referred to the passage in Genesis 32: 9-12 where Jacob prays. And Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your … Continue reading Mothers: Tell your kids to trust the God of their mother.
Tired mom, don’t give up
Tonight after a day of high school classes for my sons, and a day of work as a nurse in acute rehab I wanted to veg out, and so did they. I had homework (only one calss left for my BSN!), they had finished theirs. By the time I finished my required essay, I was … Continue reading Tired mom, don’t give up
The Mother of Moses: Preaching my essay to myself this morning
This is the second week of high school for my two fast-becoming-men sons. I dropped them off feeling that familiar threat, "They're never going to believe you Sheila. They're never going to love Jesus." That voice of accusation, lies and hopelessness that likes to try and tempt me to give up. Whatever that means. But … Continue reading The Mother of Moses: Preaching my essay to myself this morning
A mother’s prayer for her sons on the first day of high school
It's the first day of school around here. My 6'3" firstborn walked out the door to start his sophomore year, hands in jean pockets, looking at his boots, one ear bud in, one draped over the other ear, baseball cap and t-shirt sporting his athletic cowboy look. My 5'10" freckle-faced, fair-skinned and just-as-sensitive-in-heart son walked … Continue reading A mother’s prayer for her sons on the first day of high school
Our wildlife sighting adventure in the Apache Blue Range Primitive Area
I saw a black bear cub today. I caught a brown Trout. I went to New Mexico and back into Arizona on a fire road through a spot on the map called Blue, Arizona. I saw the white Blue Cowbells in the meadows next to the stream that is the Blue river. I saw bull … Continue reading Our wildlife sighting adventure in the Apache Blue Range Primitive Area
Capturing a moment I want to remember
47 junior high and high school students, including my two sons, left the parking lot of Valley Life Church Surprise this morning to make their way to ZONA 2018. Over the years there have been many times I've felt hopeless for my sons. I've felt the pressure of raising them in a home where there … Continue reading Capturing a moment I want to remember
The glory of motherhood is Christ
Yesterday on Twitter I wrote, "Motherhood is the Shadow. Christians discipling others in Christ is the substance." Today I spent the morning chasing shadows. All the Hallmark ideas about being a mom were a no go at my house today. Fifteen years of raising sons in a hard, "even if" marriage have taught me not … Continue reading The glory of motherhood is Christ
Sheila Dougal 