Archive for the 'Motherhood' Category
April 15, 2009 @ 1:22 pm | Filed under: Motherhood, Pure Sunshine
Have you ever felt alone as a mom? Lost in your chosen field of mothering?
There is an organization that was created to encourage, educate and equip women in the profession of motherhood. Hearts at Home helps thousands of moms love their lives through their many resources including conferences, website, and books.
Recently I partnered up with this organization as a blogger. Over time I hope to share with you the many resources this ministry has to offer (old ones and new). To learn more about the Hearts at Home Blogging team go here.
In the meantime I would like to encourage you to explore their website and blog for an immediate dose of mothering encouragement.
February 23, 2009 @ 8:56 am | Filed under: Motherhood, The Solid Rock
A few days ago I walked into the house at the end of a long day and sank onto the couch, kicked off my boots, and launched into filling Mike in on all the details. He’s good at that; at knowing when I need to talk something through and - on this particular day - I think he realized long before I did that I was about to, indeed, talk something through. He pulled off his reading glasses like he does when he’s preparing to give his full attention to something and he listened.
It had been a full day, with classes, labs, a meeting, and then a late lunch with one of our sons. The many conversations - rich with nuggets of information that were still waiting for me to patiently mine through - played through my mind and skipped across my heart as I tried to convey it all to my husband.
After I had done the best that I could, he leaned over and simply looked me straight in the eye. “This is the answer to all those prayers.”
His words stopped me and I grew still.
In one single sentence he had managed to capsulize what my heart had been trying to wrap its arms around for hours. Sometimes I think it’s the prayers we pray the most; the ones we pray for days and weeks and even months that eventually become such a part of the fabric of our day. Much like brushing our teeth or getting the coffee ready to brew for the following morning. They simply become a part of us, so when they begin to be answered we don’t always recognize them.
My husband’s words took me back over the past months, to the countless times I’ve gone to my knees - the tears I’ve wept, the promises I’ve clung to, the prayers that made their way from the farthest reachest of my soul at some of the darkest hours of the night…
In those times I imagined what this answered prayer would look like. I pictured it in my heart’s mind and I memorized it. I knew its lines, its depth, its weight. I knew its color, its shape, the way it would look, sound, taste, feel and behave.
But you see, that’s the great thing about my God. He is the ultimate in delivering surprises. When He answers prayers, He takes great delight in making sure that each package is unique; He wants it to be a one-of-a-kind, original in every conceivable way. I forget that sometimes; either that, or my mind is just not able to comprehend the magnitutude of what it is that He is all about.
This morning I do know He is all about loving His children. As much as I love my own children, He loves His all the more.
From that first moment a few days ago, when He began to answer this long-held prayer, it has been an almost non-stop process since. Each day, more and more of His plan has unfolded and I am in awe of Him. I would never have imagined this answer. It looks nothing like I imagined. Feels nothing like I imagined. Sounds like nothing that I had imagined.
That makes it all about Him, and not at all about me.
And that makes it absolutely perfect.
answered prayers, faith, Family
July 9, 2008 @ 11:57 am | Filed under: Jorge, Motherhood
Jorge came home from Victoria a few days ago with the biggest box of all kinds of wonderfully delicious cookies. All especially packaged by Elizabeth.
Nestled among the chocolate-chip cookies, the lemon cookies, the oatmeal cookies - was this beautifully decorated strawberry one. With an equally beautiful note attached to it.
I had to stare at the card for a few seconds before I realized that the “Mrs. Wilder” on the front of the card was…ME!
Thank you, Elizabeth, for the beautiful words, the beautiful gift, and for always being so thoughtful!
June 22, 2008 @ 12:55 pm | Filed under: 5 Minutes for Mom, Motherhood, Uniquely Me
I posted over at Faith Lifts today…
devotions, Motherhood, parenting
June 20, 2008 @ 10:08 am | Filed under: 5 Minutes for Mom, Motherhood, The Writing Life
I am very excited and honored to be working with the wonderful women and moms at 5 Minutes for Mom. It’s phenomenal to have a place where we women can come together in our faith and in our calling as moms - both in the home and in the workplace - and know that we have a sisterhood that ‘has our back.’
I’m posting today over at The Sampler, which is a weekly column of 5 Minutes for Mom that brings you exclusive samplings from the some of the best mom blogs. For weekly encouragement, please check them out regularly. I promise you’ll be blessed!
5 Minutes for Mom, Add new tag, encouragement, mom blogs
June 8, 2008 @ 6:48 am | Filed under: Motherhood, Soul Food, The Writing Life
Every once in a while a door of opportunity will swing open wide, and we know for certain that it is God who is bidding us to walk through it.
This is what happened to me when Faith Lifts invited me to be one of their devotional contributors a couple of weeks ago. The people that I’ve met so far - Shera and the other writers - are nothing short of warm and welcoming. Already I feel at home, and very excited about this very special place!
As a writer, this is an opportunity to share bits and pieces of what God lays on my heart. As a mom, this is a place to find needed encouragement and strength. But - maybe most importantly - as a woman, Faith Lifts is a place where godly women are endeavoring to hear His voice and allowing Him to direct their lives and the lives of their families.
My first devotion with Faith Lifts is up today. If you find time to check it out, please linger a bit longer and read the words of wisdom and encouragement that other Faith Lifts writers have on their hearts.
I promise you’ll leave uplifted!
May 12, 2008 @ 5:55 pm | Filed under: Family, Motherhood
The first Mother’s Day is almost always such a special time in a woman’s life.
I remember my own, back in 1988, when I was a brand new mom with a roly-poly four-month old little boy. During those early months, there are lots of special ‘firsts’ - first smile, first uninterrupted four hours of sleep, first tooth, etc…
New moms are tired, but they are also filled with joy in a way that just can’t be explained until motherhood is experienced firsthand. So when that first Mother’s Day rolls around, new moms everywhere truly do feel like a new member of a special club.
And it is.
For the next eighteen years (and, ladies, that’s a minimum, from what I’m told), this child is yours to lead, to enjoy, to guide, to laugh with, to instruct, to correct, to cajole…
It is the hardest job…but it pays the highest dividends.
It is the least thankful job….but it is the most fulfilling.
It is the one job that allows for zero vacation days…but it is the place where you feel most at home.
This year it was my sister-in-law’s turn to experience her first Mother’s Day. I know the day was bittersweet for her because it was also the first Mother’s Day without her own mom, who lost a battle with cancer this past November.
Robyn, in honor of all that has come into your life, and in memory of what once was, here’s a poem I found. I want you to know that we love you immensely and are so happy that you’re a part of our family!
Tomorrow and A Day
“Mom, I have a boo boo,
Could you kiss it, make it well?
I tried to ride my new bike
but I crashed it then I fell.”
I will kiss your pain away.
I will dry your little tears.
I will rock you in the cradle.
I will soothe away your fears.
“Mom, is that my baby sister?
Do you still love me too?
Can you fix my broken teddy?
Can we paint my bedroom blue?”
I will love you till tomorrow.
For tomorrow’s never end.
I will fix a heart that’s broken
and I promise it will mend.
“Mom is Santa Claus a real man?
Can you take my sister back?
When will Dad be home from work?
May I have another snack?”
I will tell you about Jesus
and the gifts he brought to you.
One of them is little sister
and we’ll eat with Dad at two.
“Mom, how does a firefly glow
like the color of the moon?
Can we go to the playground?
Can we buy a red balloon?”
I can’t give you all the answers
but I’ll try my best to be
loving, caring, and forgiving
as I hope you’ll be with me.
“Mom, why do bad things happen?
Is God mad at you and me?
Mom, will you always love me
even when I’m sixty three?”
If you’re feeling overwhelmed
get down on your knees and pray
and remember that you’re loved
till tomorrow and a day…
Happy first Mother’s Day, Robyn!
babies, Family, Mother's Day, traditions
April 22, 2008 @ 6:31 pm | Filed under: Motherhood, Summer at the ballpark
Tonight it was Nate and I who headed to the ballpark around seven-ish for game #2 of what we’ve affectionately dubbed ‘the summer at the ballpark.’ Our family is quickly becoming some of the Roughriders’ top fans, I do believe!
Nate and I enjoyed the game, the hotdogs, and the unlimited supply of Diet Coke but - most of all - we enjoyed one another’s company. He just moved home from his college apartment last week so this night was somewhat of a treat for us both.
August 15, 2007 @ 4:16 am | Filed under: Motherhood
It’s 5:30 in the morning and I’m up early, knowing that Round Two of The Moves is just ahead. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee downstairs is luring me and I’ll sit in the quiet, still dark living room and enjoy a couple of cups before pulling on my workout clothes and putting today’s walk behind me.
My morning prayers have been whispered as well, in the stillness of my bedroom, as I awoke with, both, a sense of delightful anticipation and a sad pang of…well, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
Today Jorge moves to his own College Town and today will probably go much like Monday did. The exception is that, for this drive, Jorge will be in the car with me and we will have HOURS to talk on the way. Don’t you know he’s going to love that? Don’t ALL eighteen year olds love this kind of trapped-and-can’t-get-out-cause-we’re-driving kind of conversations with their moms?
But in all honesty, all the heavy conversations are behind us. The past weeks and months have been dotted with conversations around our house. Conversations where we’ve given advice, shared tips, communicated concerns, and mostly just tried to prepare this second son for the adventure that awaits him.
So now he’s ready and, amazingly, so am I. Though I can’t deny the tears that refused to stay bottle any longer last night and I gave in and let my heart and mind explore the changes that are enveloping our family and our home, when the tears dried and my heart was still, I only felt joy.
Deep, true joy. Jorge will be fine. This next step in his life will mold him and help to shape him and his future. And I will still be right here, always ready to talk whenever and wherever he might need me.
In the meantime, I’m doing my best to take a step back and let him grow up and venture out, knowing that we’ve instilled in him a deep faith and equipped him with an everlasting hope.
And as for this Empty Nest thing, well as someone so aptly put it, "how can a nest be empty if it’s filled with good things?" And my nest is filled with many, many wonderfully enticing things. Love, hope, friendship and a safe place for us all.
So, Mike Baby, when I pick you up at the airport tonight, I’ll be the woman with the party hat stuck on her head and the big, goofy grin on her face, okay?
Let’s get this adventure started!
August 13, 2007 @ 11:26 pm | Filed under: Motherhood
Our day began early. 3:30 a.m., to be exact.
Mike had an early morning flight to New Orleans, where he is scheduled to teach training sessions and call on customers for the next few days. By 4:20 he is showered, dressed, and out the door. I can tell that he is hesitant to leave and the words left unspoken between us are many.
The next time I see him will be when I pick him up at the San Antonio airport. By then I will have delivered both sons to their respective college campuses and life as we now know it will be altered.
A mere few hours later and Nate and I are staring down two loaded-to-capacity vehicles. His Mustang and our van.
I wave him good-bye, telling him I’ll be just a little way behind him on the highway. The truth, though, is that I could use just a few more minutes to acclimate to the coming hours and days.
Today is moving day for Nate and, by the looks of everything that is carefully packed and stacked into our cars, he is ready. Releasing him to another year away at school is somewhat easier this year. He has one year under his belt and the adjustment period for him will be minor, I know.
And yet my mother’s heart feels tight and constricted within my chest. I slowly down a final cup of coffee, check last minute emails and - basically - stall the inevitable. It’s time for me to climb behind the wheel and make the three hour drive to deliver the furniture and help Nate settle into what has become his life.
A life I am immensely proud of, even as I swipe at tears and will my worries to vacate the premises. He is no longer a child, but a capable, strong, and intelligent young man. He’s made numerous references this summer to the internships he looks forward to next summer and I know - though I may try so hard to ignore it - that life is shifting for us all. Nate is claiming his future, taking responsibility and working toward something that he is passionate about.
For this I am grateful.
Once behind the wheel, I pull through Sonic for that crucial Diet Coke, stick in my new favorite CD, crank up the volume, and hit the highway. By the time I’m on the long stretch between home and the campus that has become a second home to this family, I’m snapping my fingers and bee-bopping my head to the music blasting inside the van and coursing through my heart. This is what I’m singing along to.
I pull into College Town a few hours later, with a renewed happy heart and a secure knowledge that my life - and the lives of those I love - is in the best possible care ever.
My Father’s hands.
