My sons are now sixteen and eighteen, but the days of bending over to care for their needs seems like it was just yesterday. The years I spent investing my life in theirs felt like a mix of chaos, cherished moments and sheer exhaustion at the time. My mothering isn’t over, it’s just entered another … Continue reading Bidding moms of young children to rest in the power of Christ
motherhood
Ashes, ashes
Photo by Daria Shevtsova on Pexels.com When my thoughts go to your younger years and I hear your deep voice cursing the time, my eyes fill with hot tears and I wonder if singing Jesus Loves Me with you as a toddler was enough. I lit a fire this New Year and watched the hot … Continue reading Ashes, ashes
A weight of glory
This morning before I headed out the door for work, when you were about to jump in your truck and drive to school, I looked up at your face anxious about what you don’t want to face, curious about what you won’t say until it’s too late and then you’ll want to find a way … Continue reading A weight of glory
The Breakup Phase of Motherhood
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
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!
A Man You Shall Be
Son tomorrow you turn thirteen Lemuel's mother's words sting I know ways that destroy kings And the man that I'm raising Hot tears in my eyes Lump in my throat I plead with the Lord Another story be wrote I know there's no keeping you from sin While still in my womb sin … Continue reading A Man You Shall Be
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
