I’ll never forget the day my then 14-year old (now 16) daughter argued, “Well, I’m not you, Mom. I haven’t been abused like you were, but my pain still hurts. And I hate admitting that to you.” I’m not gonna lie, I learned something that day. But even now with a 19-year old son and 16- & 14-year old daughters, I’m still tempted to revert back to showing them how much better they have it than I did (or many others do). And you know what? Dismissing, downplaying, diminishing…dissing my teen’s troubles, though understandable at times, is the wrong approach …
What Makes Mom Proud?
One of my favorite television shows is “Chopped.” It’s a live competition where 4 contestants are given baskets of mystery ingredients to put together “an unforgettable meal” as each course is critiqued by 3 judges. Each round someone is chopped from moving on to make the next plate of food. Almost every single episode, at least one of the chefs mentions (often with a break in their voice & a tear in their eye) that one of the reasons they are competing is to make their mom or dad proud. The chef’s win would somehow validate their choices and prove …
When Mom Needs New Vision
I remember several years ago when my daughter rushed down the stairs to the beat of her fear. She simply could not sleep with the “thunder booming and lightning bolts.” Though it was almost time for her to get up and get ready for Vacation Bible School, I hadn’t finished my prayer time yet. It was interrupted by a barrage of questions from her little mind instead. “Mom, what if lighting struck our whole house? Where would we live?” “Well, Sweetie, we would go to a hotel or a friend’s house until it was fixed.” “What if it caught the …
Frozen MOMents
This verse caused me to pause this morning: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Ephesians 5:15-17 I began to ponder the moments that have frozen in my mind at some point or another. Often when I do this, I remember slip-ups, mine to others & others to me. Betrayals. Abuses and hurts. I recall missed opportunities–with my husband, my children, my sister, my friends, that one in the grocery store, the …
Confessions of A Domestically Challenged Diva
By Guest: LauraLee Shaw It was my first time attending Bible Study at my new home church. A small, friendly setting, the down-to-earth women made me feel at ease. Our leader started with an icebreaker. Introduce ourselves, then tell one fact that others might not know about us. I shuffled through my thoughts for that one thing I should share. I could tell them I’m a Christian writer and speaker. I immediately rejected that thought, deciding to share a tidbit that would help them know my personality better instead. “I’m LauraLee Shaw, and I’m a stay-at-home-mom who’s domestically challenged.” This …