Real Life

If you were to look on my social media pages, you would see lots of pictures of smiling people. People in Disneyland, people with arms wrapped around each other in loving hugs, people gazing into each others eyes with joy. You would see a tidy clean house, food made pretty, a large family gathered around playing games. Is that real life? You bet! Is it ALWAYS real life? Not a chance.

I was sitting on my couch, watching my favorite show. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a pair of Snow White dress up shoes. On my orange bench. Where they do NOT belong. I seriously considered putting them away. I didn't. What I thought next is that I need to snap a picture and post it. That's REAL life. Toys not put away, folded (at least it's folded) laundry on my dining table. Miscellaneous items strewn about my countertop (which has been re-done...for the official record!) and baby items willy nilly on the floor.

We tend to only post the good. The things that put us in the right light, things that make it seem like life is just peachy. But...what if it's not? What if, at those family game nights, there is a tremendous fight? What if the tidy house picture is taken in the ONLY spot that is clean? What if every other plate of food looks terrible?? We let our moments be defined by what "looks" good. We show those because the alternative is raw, emotional and defenseless.

Real life doesn't happen with roses and sunshine. Real life is in the trenches....when kids fight, the baby won't sleep, when you're threatened by someone else's relationship with someone you love, when money is tight and it seems to be "raining" every day. Real life is hitting the floor with your knees, crying out to God to get you through one more day, please let the baby sleep, please provide, please...please....please. Real life is fighting with your spouse, being sad because you don't have one, crying because you're far from home, being angry because someone let you down. Real life is vulnerable.

Real life is also busy...we really do volunteer at functions, we have been to Disneyland twice in 6 months, we sold fireworks for a week, our girls go to camp...one as a counselor. What you don't see is the exhaustion, the long gaps between attending church, the not spending time with each other, the missed snuggles and the fights because we feel distant. Real life is knowing you have this moment...don't waste it. Real life is remembering that people are more important than things...really remembering! Real life is loving others, even when we don't have the "want" to. Real life is a simple touch, a pat on the back, truly listening, laughing at the big and little things. Real life is a quiet night at home or a boisterous game night. Real life is caring when they're sick, holding your tongue and crying when they cry. Real life is.....real.

I'm going to try to be more real. I'm a pretty open book anyway, but I'm going to be more. Maybe if I am, someone else will be too. Maybe if we all are a little more real, we can take strength from each other.

I didn't put the Snow White shoes away. They're still sitting there. Real life is knowing the sweet grandgirl who wears them will be over again soon. Enjoy this life, friends.

Oh What a Wonderful World

Everywhere you look, it seems this world is falling apart. There is constant strife in politics, war breaks out at a moments notice, hunger is still an issue and children are killing children. Yet....babies are born. Breath fills my body. The sun continues to rise. There are adventures to be had at the drop of a hat and joy to be found.

I'm doing a study on 1 John right now. It's based in how God loves us and how we should love others. It's been very convicting and very good. I didn't realize how much I let my own hurts dictate how I love others. I thought I was doing it right, thought I was loving well. It's not that I wasn't...it's that I was picky on WHO I showed love to.

It's right in His word. "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:39) And guess who my neighbor is! You. The guy across the street. The frustrated mom in the grocery store. That one person that I deem unlovable because of the way they hurt me a while back. The person who has it all together; I figured they didn't need my love as they have it all together!

While I've been studying 1 John, there have been some tragic things to happen in this world. People are divided, arguing over what is right and what isn't. But me...well, I have peace. I know that nothing happens in this world that God isn't aware of. I know that there is an enemy who has been allowed to roam, cause chaos all over. I know that even he has been overcome by the Almighty. I know that, while things may look scary, God truly is in control. And I know He loves me. And I know He loves you.

There are small things that happen every day. My grandson's smile. My husband arriving safely after work and kissing me hello. Our girls enjoying K's company while she's still here...the laughter that rings through the house brings much joy. Sharing movies with the girls that we have memories of from our youth. Going to dinner with his parents, my parents and friends. The sun shining while it snows, the rain sounds my home mini makes, our granddaughters very different personalities. All six girls at home. My small group ladies. My supportive team leader and group. The word of God that never returns void. The love and grace that God so graciously extends...even when I don't extend it myself. Our church family. And SO MUCH MORE.

I'm continuing to work on loving and I'm praying I don't get complacent when this study is over. I want to be the woman God has called me to be. I want to be a bright spot in this wonderful world.

This world isn't perfect. It hasn't been since the fall so many years ago. But there is hope. And promises. If you know Him, I encourage you to read His word. Take heart and comfort in knowing this world is overcome. If you don't know Him, I pray you will come to know Him. He is for you.

Take care, friends. Find the small things and enjoy them!

Happy New Year

It's a New Year. A blank canvas for God to paint on. Last year is in the rear view mirror, fading fast. While there are things that happened that won't be forgotten, this whole New Year stretches out before us, waiting to unfold.

We capped off our "experience" year with a trip to Disneyland. It was magical, traumatic, fun and (at times) full of irritation. Harley got sick, I had one break down and, thank goodness, Matt did great! Overall, it was a wonderful trip. We rode all the rides, ate all the food and just enjoyed the time with our girls. It was a perfect ending to our not so perfect year.

It's funny, right, how you start off a New Year with a "Plan"? Last year, we planned our "experience" year. Ha! While we did a lot of the things, some of them were done without Matt. We certainly didn't "Plan" TWO back surgeries. We didn't plan on PTO/ESL running out. We didn't plan Matt sitting at our kitchen table for two months. We didn't plan on buying a new car. We didn't even plan the trip to Disneyland! That was a BONUS!!

Our plans for last year....torn up and tossed away. We learned to take the moments as they came. We learned to roll with the punches. We learned that, while it might not look like what we wanted, it was exactly what God had planned. We learned to trust and lean on Him fully. We learned that Matt is special...4% special. We learned that we are stronger together than we thought. We learned that our girls are stronger than we knew. We learned that time doesn't wait.

Grasp this time, friends. It may not look like what you thought it would, but it's YOURS. Slow down, sit a while and soak up those around you. It's so easy to be overwhelmed by what is happening...we often forget to enjoy the moments.

This is a whole New Year. A giant, empty slate. This Year....every day a new day. Every day a blessing from God, even if it doesn't "feel" like it. Every day, surrounded by a Father who loves more than I ever could.

We have tentatively planned this year to be our "Explore Idaho" year. We'll see.

Grasp God, friends. His hand is outstretched. He loves you.

Happy New Year.