I have a confession: I am female, and I don’t multitask well. I admire those who do. I admire my friends that aren’t frazzled by the simultaneous chaos of kids’ activities, laundry piles, meal prep, meaningful discussions with company, and who may also work outside the home. I have high respect for teachers, amid constant noise and motion, who juggle…
I’d done what I was supposed to and it still wasn’t coming together. I knew God heard my prayers; I didn’t doubt that. So why was it so hard this week? I had thought that things get easier the more you practice them, not harder. So, I was surprised, after a decade of experience, at the unusual degree of difficulty…
I rummaged in the linen closet for a washcloth. Eye sleepies, dried drool, residual toothpaste…my five-year-old daughter was adorable, just needed a little unmasking. As I wiped her face, my daughter kept trying to peer into the mirror, delaying progress. She seemed to be admiring herself. After a few times, I said patiently, “Look at me, not the mirror. The…
In spite of my black thumb, we tended a tiny vegetable garden last year. It wasn’t the stuff of Better Homes and Gardens, but consuming homegrown produce was gratifying. And it was a significant improvement over the weeds. I like to weed; I like to see instant change. But my enthusiasm screeches to a halt when it comes to weeds…
Blood and guts aren’t my thing. I hate scary movies, and I don’t go into haunted houses. I don’t like most science fiction. But the following is a true story. Back in the pre-kids days, I worked in an office. My boss grew up in the country and joked that Chicago city folk vacationing in our region only saw real…
I enjoy weeding. Our yard may not always reflect this, but there is something rewarding about observing change the instant I affect it. I’ve noticed something that disturbs me though. Since I don’t have a clue what I’m doing when it comes to planting, I revert to weeding. This wouldn’t be a problem except the yard we had at the…
I don’t actually drink wine, but I participated in a Wine and Canvas event last year at 12 Corners Winery. (The owners are amazing, and their sparkling juice is phenomenal!) This fun and relaxing art entertainment event took place in the winery’s banquet room overlooking pristine vineyards. We brought nothing. We set up nothing. We just showed up. Every seat…
Life is a lot like playing Angry Birds. We’re supposed to be actively involved in our advancing through life’s levels as we’re told to, “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12) And I believe God wants us to take risks and be fearless ,even in the face of mistakes. I didn’t have enough energy to…
Bad days were common, but this day – four years ago – was distinct. Everything set me off. I couldn’t talk without snapping at the kids, both of whom were active toddlers at the time. I was harsh with them over minor infractions. I raged around the house and threw one of their books in the trash. I recognized something…
Mornings at our household may or may not resemble a circus getting kids ready for school. We prep the night before, but papers teleport, shoes shrink, or clothes disappear. Someone forgets to brush their teeth or hair – or both. Murphy’s Law requires all of these things to happen on the mornings we’re most pressed for time. It was one…
