“Hang Up and Drive”: Motherhood Edition
Hello, my name is Marissa, and I am an iPhone addict. I’ve known something was not right for awhile now. I’ve tried putting away the laptop on the days my kids are home, but that didn’t seem to be enough. Then recently, a friend shared this post from Hands Free Mama on Facebook. Reading it was like getting hit in the gut. It’s got me thinking about how truly enslaved I am to my electronic devices, especially my iPhone. “Enslaved? Really, Marissa? That’s a little overboard.” But think about it . . . Can you go out to lunch with a friend for an hour, put your phone in your purse on silent and not even think about checking it? Or do you worry that your husband might need something or your kid might puke at...
Read MoreWhat does your prayer life say about God?
What would someone believe about God if all they knew about Him was what they learned from your prayer life? This question posed by our pastor today has got me thinking. If someone could witness your prayer life, would they think . . . God must require them to say these words every day so they can check that off their list. Her God must not be too powerful, if this is all she’s asking for. Is this God a short-order cook? She calls Him “Father” but then talks to Him like she’s placing a fast-food order. It doesn’t seem like God has done anything for her before, why does she think He will do something now? This God must either not exist or not be too important if this is all the praying she does. OR . . . This God is deserving...
Read MoreMasks
A friend sent an email awhile ago, asking a group of women about what type of masks women wear. I’ve been thinking about this for awhile. I think there is the obvious mask: the Martha-Stewart, perfectly-dressed-with-perfectly-dressed-kids, have-it-all-together mom. When you’re wearing this mask, you don’t want anyone to see any weakness or failure as you oversee the school fundraiser while cooking a three-course meal in your spotless kitchen and patiently serving as referee for your children’s bi-weekly disagreement over which one gets to take out the trash for you. I think moms also wear the “I’m so obviously overwhelmed and stressed out that you shouldn’t expect anything from me” mask. The purpose of this mask is to make sure...
Read MoreWould you die for a criminal?
Don’t you love those teaching moments with your kids when you realize they truly get it? Like when Christopher was 3, and he had heard all about Jesus dying on the cross, but I was there for the moment that he realized that Jesus had risen from the dead . . . “You mean He’s ALIVE?!? HOOORRRAAAYYY!!!” His genuine exuberance brought tears to my eyes. This morning, I was reading Romans 5 to the kids when we came across these verses: Romans 5:6-8: For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person–though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die–but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. I...
Read MoreTherefore
Romans 12:1-2: Therefore, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing, and perfect will. Our pastor has been preaching through Romans. It has been so good. I think if I could only have one book out of the Bible, I’d pick Romans. I could read every day about what a wretched sinner I am (Romans 1 and 3), how God chose to save me through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23-25, 5:8, 10:9), that there is no condemnation for those who are...
Read MoreRACK Recap
Our Random Acts of Christmas Kindness project is over for 2011, but my kids are still talking about it, pointing out ATM machines as we drive around town. Our Christmas by December 1 effort really made the Random Acts of Christmas Kindness project possible, because I was relaxed and able to put the time into it. Next year I’d like to plan ahead for the RACK project and have bags decorated and labeled for each day of December, like an Advent calendar, with cards inside to let the kids know what we are doing that day. (See my friend Karen’s blog for photos of her bags.) If you have never tried finishing your Christmas preparations early or Random Acts of Christmas Kindness, I would encourage you to consider it for 2012. Just make a mental note or...
Read MoreRACK Update ~ Carols, coffee, and candy canes!
We have been having a blast with our RACK projects in the last few days. On Tuesday, we called our church office and got Starbucks orders from our pastor and church secretary and took them coffee and coffeecake. It was so fun to see them and chat for awhile! The boys are both very enamored with Pastor Chris, so I think they were thrilled to do something for him. On Wednesday was my FAVORITE of all our RACK projects. We went with some friends to sing Christmas carols in the chemotherapy treatment room at the oncology clinic. Last December, when I was there receiving chemo, some nurses got together and sang carols for us. I decided then that if I was able, I would bring my kids to sing the next Christmas. So it was very meaningful to me to be able to...
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