Five Minute Friday: Encouragement

Yes, it's time of week again.

When I think of encouragement, I think of moms. Every. Mom. Everywhere.

I think of moms who have no idea how great a job they are doing with their kids- their family. I think of moms who think they have it all together- but don't. I think of moms who look at other moms and want their lives. I think of moms who look at other moms and don't want their lives.

We all need encouragement. It becomes water for life.

There's something powerful about having someone come up beside you and say to you, "You're a great mom."
It's simple, but oh so important. So needed. Needed on days when things are going great. When the laundry is done and the house is clean.

And needed on days when the washer has been run 3 times because you keep forgetting to put the clothes into the dryer. When the dishes are piled up and there's an inch of dust everywhere.

To hear/ see the words of other s that it's all okay. That you aren't permanently screwing up your kids. They'll make it and be okay. You'll make it and be okay.

That you, Mom, you will make it through this day. And the next and the next.

Sometimes, just a word of encouragement into the life of another makes all the difference in the world.

FMF: Grace

Sometimes I find it very hard to live out the idea of GRACE. Like, really hard. When the laundry has piled up & is starting to stage a revolt. When the kitchen counters are still sticky. And the trash needs to be taken out AGAIN. And the dish washer is full, but the last person who put something in it didn't start it.... AGAIN.

And when there's more month than money. Plans go wonky & the woman who has a hard time when plans change on regular days about has a spaz fit when plans go sideways on surgery day.

And the toilet clogs (again.) And the 5 year old refuses to poop. Again.

And everyone is tired and cranky. And no one is thinking about showering others with grace. But we sure want a lot of it poured on us.

Sometimes it seems like an endless cycle.

And, I think that's alright. For me, the cycle leads me back to showers of grace. I end up in that exact moment when I think, "Wow. If I had done that, I would really appreciate the other one to be kind. To let it go. To help me fix it."

There are so many times, more than I would like, when I just don't want to be the one to bend. I want others to bend to me. But... when you humble yourself to others, something amazing happens. They tend to do the same thing. And this amazing grace fills up the space & drives out the anger. the frustration. the hurt. Other things well up. Love. Joy. Thankfulness. Understanding.
***

that 5 minutes went fast as I was writing. Not quite sure I'm done unpacking this thought. Perhaps another post at a later date. 

5 Minute Friday- the "Together" edition

5 Minute Friday

prompt: Together

Well, it's Friday, so that means it's time for 5 Minute Friday writing. 

(and, I'm actually remembering to check the prompt & write this Friday! Woot!)

Go HERE, to read all about the idea behind 5MF & to meet some other really awesome writers/bloggers and maybe even join up.)

My son is 5 years old & it's a rare thing when we are not together. He wants me to be in the same room with him all the time. When he goes to the bathroom, he leaves that door wide open and wants me to come and visit with him. And, vise versa... he gets all huffy when he encounters a closed door- and I'm treated to fingers under the bathroom door and a little voice, "Whatcha doing in there, Mommy?" 

My husband works long hours and, often, 6 days a week- when he's home, he's bombarded by me and the little Mister. Both of us wanting as much family together time as possible, because it's sweet. The husband needs some time to decompress. I need some time to not be the short one's personal playmate & dictionary. And Jacob just wants to soak up as much time with all of us together as possible. 

It's just the 3 of us, so dinner is usually somewhat peaceful. It's the time we can sit together and eat & see each other's eyes without 900 other distractions. 

We scatter after the dishes are done. 

But then, the bedtime routine brings us back.

There's a 'commitment/attitude/job' chart & a thankfulness tree that we almost always remember to do. 

There's some time for reading books & just 1 more lullaby, Mommy please?

And the husband and I try to go to bed at the same time. 

Try.

Sometimes I'm in bed & dead to the world first. 

Mostly, him.

And we wake up the next day.

But we're bound together.

the 3 of us.

in the little home.

5 Minute Friday: Small

So, I'm late on my 5 Minute Friday writing. Sigh. 


If you have no idea what 5 Minute Friday is- go here. Read. And then start writing. If not this prompt, then next week. 


Prompt: Small

The life of this stay at home wife/mom seems so small sometimes. Just like my sweet little 2 bedroom/2 bath apartment. 

So small. 

So filled to with much stuff, all crammed into this tiny space. Busting out at every seem and in dire need of a good cleaning out. So many times I wish for more- more space. More margins… more. 

And I’m amazed at how much seems to be bursting out of my small little life. And I think I could not possibly cram anything else into it. There’s no room. 

It’s small. 

But then, I fit more in. Somehow, in this small space- I find more room. 

More capacity. 

I find more in the small. And I think maybe, just maybe that’ s a bit how God works- He finds more in the small. I’m so so small. And He finds more in me. In the smallness. 

5 Minute Friday. Wide.

Yup. So. It's 5 Minute Friday..... The Prompt is "Wide".... Here We Go....


I think I'm so often frozen by the gulf that is 'I'm so far from where I thought I would be by now'. I'm no where even close. I'm divorced. I have a kid. No job. I live with my parents & my grandmother. And I never thought that would be me.

But. I wonder what's keeping me from writing the words I want to write. Following the dreams that are bubbling up within me. That gulf of fear. Oh, she's wide. Wondering what others will think. I freeze at the thought of the disaproval of some people. (I wish I could be less of that person.)

I know that God has me. I know.

And I have been blessed beyond my thoughts- my son. Is Amazing. And. I have a relationship with a really wonderful man. (I could write for an hour or 2 about those 2.) And a family that does love me.

Perhaps the next step is to just take it. Go for it. Maybe I should just jump.

We'll see.

He Joins Me

It's 5 Minute Friday. (go Here to get all the intel on just what 5 Minute Friday is all about. And, while you're at it, I highly recommend reading Lisa-Jo's (I call her by her first name, as if I know her personally. Ah, the internet!) blog and then read some of the other blogs that will be linked up.)

This Friday's Prompt: Join

Go

Off and on all through my son's sweet little life, he's been joining me in my bed to sleep at night. Sometimes when he's sick. Sometimes when he's ha a bad dream. Most often, when he's simply gotten up in the middle of the night for no good reason and is wandering the house.

But lately, oh, since he turned the ripe old age of 4- it's changed. He joins me in my bed almost every night he's with me. I don't quite know what's changed or what truly started this new little bedtime ritual of his. But 9 times out of 10 if you're looking for Jacob at bedtime, you'll find him nicely tucked into "his" spot in my bed.

Sometimes we watch the Rangers game. Some times we watch Star Wars.

But, every night. He looks up at me with those bright blue eyes and says, "I like you Mommy." "I like you too, Jacob."

There will be a pause. And usually he'll hug me.
"I love you, Mommy."
"I love you, too"

And I don't mind so much the jumping and kicking and rolling around. And feeling like I'm sleeping with a wildabeast.

Because he's just 4 for now. And he won't want to join me in bed one day (nor should he!). He won't want to join me for much in days that are coming far, far to quickly.

But, for now. He does.
Stop