Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Pulling Those Weeds!

I've been doing my share of gardening, lately; whether it's been planting in flower pots or in the garden. Planting seeds, watering and now pulling the weeds, it's all beginning to sprout and bloom, the pretty flowers AND the ugly weeds.

I am the type of person that doesn't like missing the mark. None of us really enjoy seeing where we've messed up. For some, it's easy to blow off and move on, but for some of us, we might woller in failure, a bit, then eventually move on. Unfortunately, that is pride. Truth is, we all mess up, but because of God's grace...He is made strong, even in our weakness(es).

The other day, I was pulling weeds and a thought occurred to me, when I pull the weeds, I don't take time analyzing the weeds or studying them. I discard quickly. The whole weeding process is to exemplify and accentuate the beauty of the things planted...flowers and vegetables.

When we mess up and see the negative, whether it be in ourelves or each other, let's just discard the negative and move on! Let's not dwell on the negative, but let's "accentuate the positive" in our lives!

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

From Boy...to Man

My mom and I were sitting in a restaurant, today, and I watched a couple walk in. The woman was carrying a baby carrier on her arm. I felt myself cringe. Later, we went to a friend's house and watched one of their horses swagger with a full-term belly. Again, I felt myself cringe. In that season of life, when I carried a baby carrier on my arm or walked with, what felt like a "swag" (not sure if I just made up this word), being full-term and ready to drop, any day; I did it with a sense of pride. I was in my hayday. I loved being pregnant and I loved carrying my babies with me!



I guess I cringe, now, because I'm in a different season. This past weekend, we celebrated the graduation of our third son, Nathaniel. I felt pride as people embraced him, celebrated him, encouraged him, and honored him. I don't resent that other season. I'm currently fully embraced by this season. I can see in the future that the celebration of marriages will be the next season. It doesn't seem too far off. Whatever season you're in, embrace it and enjoy it! The seasons pass too quickly.


No matter the season, as one of my favorite authors puts it, "It's my job, my honor, to walk them, quite literally, from baby to toddler to boy to man." (Shaunna Niequist)