Learning So Much

It's amazing how much I've been learning lately. I love my life as a stay-at-home-mom, but seriously, who would have guessed there was this much to learn among laundry to fold, hungry kids, and the never-ending (okay, it ends sometimes) soundtrack of Thomas the train movies in the background?

I'm learning that consistency is important.

I'm learning that GRACE is an essential part of every relationship.

I'm learning that people have different dreams, some people are looking for a dream, and that dreams change.

I'm learning to love where I am in life (figuratively and literally).

I'm learning how much God cares about every detail in our life. Important or silly.

I'm learning the difference between 'need' and 'want.'

I'm learning what a privilege it is to have been given two boys to raise into godly men.

I'm learning that writing is something I enjoy more the longer I do it. Who can say that about their job?

I'm learning that regular exercise really is worth it. But that being healthy doesn't have to mean swearing off ice cream for good.

I'm learning that having coffee twice a day increases my productivity level times a billion.

I'm learning that stress does nothing but rob you of moments in life you won't get back.

I'm learning that there's a balance between routine and flexibility that needs to be found.

I'm leaning when to make myself be productive and when to relax on the couch with a book.


What are you learning these days?

Also, I posted some writing quotes on Scribblechicks today, so hop on over there if you need writing encouragement. =)

Incredible Story--Victim of Grace

Robin Jones Gunn has taken her story and the stories of women in the Bible and woven them together in Victim of Grace, a book that gently reminds all of us that God lavishes His grace on us, whether we see it at the time, whether we ask for it, whether we deserve it, or not. It's a beautifully written, honest account of the hard parts in life, the parts so many of us try to keep to ourselves, to brush over and pretend they don't hurt us. Or the parts we use to define us, giving everyone around us too much detail about our struggles, allowing them to define as. As Robin shares her story with us, gently, heart-to-heart, like it was done over a cup of tea, she strikes a perfect balance between the two and is honest without making the struggles the focus of the story. Because the struggles, of course, are not the part we're supposed to focus on.

The element that is supposed to capture our attention is grace. God's grace that rises in our lives like sunshine rising out of the fog, illuminating the grey mist into something beautiful.

This book is part Bible study, part devotional, part auto-biography. I can't think of a woman I know who couldn't benefit from some part of this book. Infused with the Truth of Scripture, and written by a woman whose God-given artistry with words always leaves me a little speechless, this book is a story women need to hear.

Trying to Tell me Something...?

So on my Facebook today, I've seen 3 posts from people linking up to different blogs and articles about the Sabbath and the importance of rest.

Um, coincidence?

My favorite was this one , written my a friend of mine. I'm pretty sure I need to change things in response to it, really in response to the Scriptures it references. But I have no idea how.

How do you rest?

Hands Free

Have y'all heard about the Hands Free Mama?

Look up her blog (I would link to it here, but, um, I'm sleepy) if you're a mom. I read a few posts tonight and LOVED it. Maybe I'll even recover from my list-making habits?

Thoughts about Teachers...

I haven't said anything because it almost feels like tragedy, especially when it's widespread, especially when it's as heartbreaking as some of those our country has experienced lately, shouldn't be spoken of other than to say "we're sorry."

I don't like it when people use tragedies for agendas. And I hope and pray this doesn't come across that way. I'm completely agenda-less here. But I want people to realize something.

Teachers care about their students.

A few months ago, a teacher died for her students, literally laid down her life so that they could live, the very thing Jesus tells us is the greatest love anyone can have, in the Sandy Hook shootings. I cried when I saw her picture. I cried because she was so young. Because she did the right thing.

Because I could so easily have been in her shoes.

Anyone who has been a teacher has probably been forced, at one point or another, to consider the 'what-ifs'. To think through all of the unthinkable threats that could face their students and to wonder, to plan, what they would do. And for all of the mistrust of teachers these days, all of the assumptions that they're 'in it for the money' (haha!), almost every teacher I've ever met I believe eventually came to the same conclusion.

Teachers are responsible for their students. Sure, on paper, maybe their contract says they're responsible for the students' learning. But in their hearts, they feel responsible for their safety. For their lives. When I became a teacher, I knew that whatever happened, my number one goal was going to be to keep my students safe. And I'm not heroic by nature. It's just the way I knew it would have to be.

This Moore, Oklahoma tornado has brought more brave teachers to the forefront of public attention. And I believe they ARE heroes. For sure.

But you know what? I'm not surprised.

The idea that a teacher would lay her body on top of her students and pray that they'd be spared from the fury of an F-5 tornado? It seems completely natural. You know why?

Teachers. Love. Their. Students.

Let's honor these teachers for the heroes they are. Let's tell them thank you, let them know that we're watching and that they did the right thing. But as a nation, could we take this to heart? Maybe see that for each of these teachers who does have the occasion to prove that they'd lay down their lives for their students, there are hundreds--thousands more who (thankfully) will never be given the opportunity to prove such a thing, but who feel it in their hearts? Parents, can you know that almost every teacher your child has truly does care about him and they make the decisions they make in the classroom because it's what's best for your child? Can you acknowledge that we're on the same team?

Teachers everywhere--thank you. Thanks for your love, that covers a multitude of talking without permission, not-turned-in homework, episodes of plagiarism, and misbehavior. Thanks for caring about the people these kids are.

Teachers in Oklahoma--thank you. Your love for these kids has shown them and has shown a nation what love really is. I pray for you in your recovery from this tornado, and thank you for the testament you are to a whole profession of people whose immense love for kids sometimes goes unnoticed.

Progress!

Y'all, do you ever feel like you just can't quiiiite get it together? Like if you just had one more thing, one more organizational tool, one more calendar, one more hand, one more sip of coffee, you could be one of those people who doesn't constantly look like you're about to lose it?

Okay, yeah, maybe it's just me.

So I've been working a lot on priorities lately. Here are some of the things I've been working on this week.

1. Time with God. I know I want this to be a bigger part of my life, not out of obligation, but because I really do want to be walking with Him.

2. Time with my boys. The little ones and the big handsome one. Because they're my family. And time with my other family, like my parents and sister too. And friends. Basically, relationships are important.

3. Writing. It's my dream, and it really is coming true, so how could I not invest in it?

4. Housework. And not just making sure I can check off an impressive list of what I get done in a day (although, haha, you wouldn't be all that impressed...). What I'm working on here is doing things AS. I. GO. and putting things away RIGHT AWAY and taking care of little jobs immediately so they don't pile up.

So far for the day I'm doing pretty good! But #3 is calling, so this is short. I just wanted to pop in and say hi since I never wrote that post I promised (time is flying so fast!!!!) and I miss talking to y'all!

Hopefully more soon!

Happy Friday!

Visit me today at Scribble Chicks!

And for y'all who just came from there and popped over here to see if there were any new posts--I'll have one up for you tomorrow! =)