Grace Expectations

“When you stop expecting people to be perfect, you can like them for who they are.”          

― Donald Miller

As I walked with my friend, the heaviness in her spirit was written on her lovely face, dampening her normal radiance.  She was feeling guilty and frustrated.  One of her dearest friends had called to lambaste her, letting her know in no uncertain terms that she had failed miserably as a friend.  Apparently there was some sort of friend code that had been broken, a specific sort of support that had been withheld.  My friend had had no idea she was so neglectful.  She hadn’t even known the friendship code existed.

Two Little Words

It was an ordinary day as I pulled out onto the highway. The late morning traffic was light and my mind wandered as I drove the familiar route, alone for the moment, a rare pleasure in my busy days.

As I approached the quiet downtown area, I slowed. Up ahead, at a cross street, I caught sight of a familiar navy blue truck. My heart did a crazy little flippy thing, an automatic response that happened almost before it registered that it was my husband, now crossing the highway on his way home.

Clear Vision

Sitting back on the couch, I tucked my feet under me to get more comfortable. I looked around the room at the group of young ladies sprawled about, some on the floor leaning against the brick hearth, others settled into plush furniture like me, eager to hear what would come next. We came from various backgrounds and most had only been married a short while. Being the oldest student, I’d been married the longest, eight years, but the differences didn’t matter much in this place.

Becoming More

Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of my daughter’s wedding day. I’ve long wanted to write about one central part of our preparations, but the words simply haven’t coalesced. Spiritually speaking, this past year has been hard. I have encountered steep, seemingly impassable terrain on my journey to the high places. Yet my Shepherd has been faithful to lead me through it, and as I look back on my daughter’s lovely, lovely day, I now see the gem, the standing stone, my Father left for me.

Everyday Romance

I’ve never been much for the forced romance of anniversaries and holidays.  It’s not that I’m a romance Scrooge or anything, rather, it’s the expectations of grandeur on specific days that I resist.  Call me crazy, but I expect a bit more wooing in the day to day.

We all yearn for someone to find us utterly irresistible, don’t we?  As children, many of us dreamed of finding that one person who would make us feel wanted, accepted, and safe.  We all desire to be swept away by our beloved, yes?

Then we find that one…the soul mate, the knight in shining armor and it’s so intoxicating!  But then what?

Read the rest over at The Family Road Map!

 

Photo by bngdesigns, courtesy of pixabay.

A Pleasant and Savory Failure

If success tastes sweet, and defeat is bitter, then what would you call an experience that, while technically a fail, brings great satisfaction and joy to your life?  Is it sweet or bitter?  Or would it better be described with other words of gustatory perception such as salty or sour?  Hmmm.  Not quite right, any of them.

I recall as a child, learning about the different perceptions of taste.  The teacher demonstrated with small dixie cups, each filled with a mystery liquid.  She used cotton swabs to dab a drop or two of each flavor onto different areas of our tongues and we contrasted sweet with salty, sour with bitter.  Later on, I learned, a new category was added.  Umami.  U-u-what??

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, my friends!

May we remember that Christmas is a celebration, not a duty.  Let us lay aside, as much as possible, the busy work and focus on the best bits.

Give undivided attention to your spouse and to your children.

Laugh.

Play.

Revel in the beautiful message of grace that is ours to enjoy every day of the year.

Celebrate and reflect the lavish love of our Father by showing your kids just how crazy you are about them, by simply hanging out with them.  Enjoy your people!

Grace and peace to you–

♥Rebeca

A No Regrets Christmas

At my daughter’s urging last night, we brought the box up from the basement.  I hadn’t seen my wedding dress in over 21 years, so it was with an interesting mix of reluctance and anticipation that I tore off the sealing tape.  The dress had been treated and painstakingly packaged to keep out the light and air that would damage the fabric with the passage of time.  I had never opened it, knowing that one day it would be time, that this cherished token of the happiest day of my life, would be put to use again.

Breathing a barely perceptible sigh of relief, I saw the fabric was still as snowy white as it had been on that long ago day.  Only the sequins were yellowed with age.  They shimmered, golden in the festive Christmas lights.  When moments later, my daughter entered, wearing the dress, her feet fairly floating across the room, I smiled.  Seeing her there, swirling around, admiring the train, the lace, the bead work, I was acutely aware that this will be our last Christmas with this exquisite young woman.  Her beau proposed on Thanksgiving day.  Come this time next year, her primary role will be wife, rather than daughter.

 

Join us over at Me Too Moments For Moms for the rest of the story…

 

Deserving My Best

“I’m selfish, impatient, and a little insecure.  I make mistakes, I am out of control, and at times hard to handle.  But if you can’t handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don’t deserve me at my best.” –Marilyn Monroe

This quote, from one of our culture’s most beloved feminine icons, makes the rounds on my social media from time to time.  On the surface it sounds strong, confident, and wise.  But when I ponder it’s implications and make it personal, it leaves me unsettled.

Why would I want my worst self to be so active that those who love me need to learn how to ‘handle’ it?  And why should I only gift my best self to others if they prove themselves by dealing with me when I’m being rude or abusive?  It’s kind of sad, really.

5 Tips for Parenting as a Team

Last month I wrote about the foundation for parenting well.   The post was titled, Who Comes First?, and if you missed it, please go back a check it out as it sets the groundwork for what we are discussing today.   Today’s topic, parenting as a team, will be impossible if you haven’t first established that you and your husband are a team.   Go ahead, I’ll grab a cup of coffee and I’ll wait for you…

Great!   So to recap the main points: You and your husband became a family the moment you said ‘I do’, and your marriage relationship needs to take priority over all other earthly relationships.   This is the genesis of Team Us, and from that shared vantage point you and your husband can enjoy your children and raise them up together.

Join me over at Me Too Moments For Moms to continue reading the original post…