ummmmmm…….. so thank you to those who have figured out and made the attempt to continue reading this humble blog of my life and thoughts.
I have been experiencing intense misery and woe but as I sit here I am filled with the desire to express it all with frankness and humor. If you can’t laugh about your misery and woe then it has its evil hooks in you and that’s just not a nice feeling ask me how I know this.
Gosh, life is hard sometimes!!!!! Isn’t it?
But then again, Jesus loves me this I know, and despite the misery and woe I find myself uplifted and laughing even after I stubbornly fold my arms in front of my chest, stick out my lower lip, and think, “I refuse and I’m simply NOT going to enjoy this day today.”
Saturday was one of those days! I simply failed to believe I would even smile. I had cried so much the afternoon and evening and night before that my eyes were practically swollen shut. I was not feeling pretty, or good, or worthwhile, or hopeful, or confident, or anything along those lines.
THE CHILDREN SAVED THE DAY. Why? Because Sethers had a baseball game. Therefore I had to get myself dressed and get my butt out of the house. Because baseball games are OUTSIDE, therefore the sun was shining upon me. (Try to be filled with misery and woe while sitting in sunshine, it’s hard to keep up.) ALSO, ALL MY CHILDREN (except David) went to the game to cheer on their little brother. (This sent not a little joy through the cracks of my heart.) Also, Seth hit a homerun!!!!! To be honest, it would have only been a triple but the ball was overthrown to third and he was able to get to home on that error. You should have seen his proud face when he came over about 10 minutes later. He silently approached with the look, “I’m coming because I just know my mom is going to want to tell me how awesome I am.” And he was right, I did. His Dad and I sat in our chairs, sat in the grass, sat on the bleachers (we get restless at these games) surrounded by our children plus our Brittnee and our Michael and had (dare I say) fun.
Grace kept bonding with tiny caterpillars.
Sarah played with new-found temporary friends (it’s what you do at your brother’s games)
RIch and Michael wrestled in the grass.
Jacob took his latest Steven King book and didn’t read it and then forgot it (but Sarah grabbed it for him)
Ethan, Caleb, and Jacob played catch.
We all got our first sunburns of the season to varying degrees. Brittnee’s knees especially.
The game seemed to drag on forever……but…..
Seth’s team won!
And then we all went out for pizza.
And……..Sarah pulled me out of myself by opening her heart and saying, “Mom?” and I said “Yes, Sarah?” “Caleb told me I could play the Playstation but then he and Seth played it so long I didn’t get a chance and blah blah blah blah blah.” Her little troubles, I realized ,were MUCH more important than my big ones!!!!!! As I always do, I listened with a loving and understanding expression on my face. (LOL)
And then I laughed, what else could I do?
Thankful for:
a healthy sense of humor even as I struggle
that toad I saw yesterday evening hopping purposefully toward my flower garden
the bookbag I’m carrying around everywhere I go that says “baby got books” on it and it’s indeed got books in it along with fine tip markers, a journal, Bible, and magazines. Gives me life.
my family and the things they do and say
rocking chairs on the porch
matcha tea lattes
my cats
and you, my friends
You are loved. Thank you for being here. Please pray for me as I will also pray for you today. Be encouraged, we have each other!!! and lots of love. We can do this! and the rewards of eternal life are unspeakable. Heaven’s not now……but it’s coming.
“How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in Him should ponder them.” Ps. 111:2
“If the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” John 8:36
“For the despondant, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15
Good to be Home 
Prayer for you…
“O lofty Lover of broken men,
I come to You through Jesus, the guarantor of a better covenant. Instill within me the wondrous assurance that Christ holds His priesthood permanently, because He continues forever. Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to You through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. May I entrust myself wholly to Him, for it is fitting that I should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. May I exalt Him, for He has no need, like other high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for His own sins and then for those of the people, since He did this once for all when he offered up Himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever. Let me cling to Him all the more! Lord Jesus, be praised and exalted in your holiness and perfection. Thank You that You always live to make intercession for me. Each day may I grow in love for Your appearing (Hebrews 7). “
“There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God.”-Bro. Lawrence
I will always go through “the trouble” of finding my way into this sacred little spot of yours. I cannot tell you the number of times your blog posts have truly moved and inspired me. You have such a gift and you ARE such a gift. I admire you in so many ways…praying that you continue to laugh in the rain.
thank you for sharing your beauty with us! Your vulnerability is so inspiring and hope giving- it reminds me that there is no such thing as perfection- just life and love and grace. And some days are just hard and sometimes the internal struggle is overwhelming. lots of love
I love you, mom! I’m happy you’re blogging again. I missed you.
Praying for you! You are such a blessing in my life and I’m so grateful to have you as a second mom! I love you!
I so appreciate your honesty. You are not alone. Praying.
You have no idea how much I can relate to this and the feeling of guilt too when you know you have so much to be thankful for and yet … ugh huge hugs my friend! If I ever travel near your area I will look you up.
Yes, I hope we can meet one day. We’ve been bloggy friends for so long and I often think of you throughout my day. Knowing you’re doing much of the same things. Hugs.
God really knew what He was doing when He made pizza. And coffee.
Amen sister!