There are days where I feel like I’m running a race, but not getting far enough.
Burning consumes my chest as I try to catch my breath.
(more…)Author: livywade
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Along the Journey
Each day we have choices to make.
Where will I go?
What will I do?
Some days we have planned ahead but often even those plans don’t always play out as we imagined.
We may be determined to go in a certain direction, but ultimately that may not be the best route to take.
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Seeking: Balance
You’ve heard of work-life balance, right?
What about trying to find balance within yourself?
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Opportunities Await: Waiting on God
I just returned from a conference that gave me so much more knowledge and action items to take back with me when I return to the office. That being said, my future remains on my mind. While I am trying to remain open minded and open handed, I often drift off into what I think will be the best choices for the years ahead. I wrote this piece after having multiple people I highly respect bring an alternative dream to my attention. I can sometimes get caught up and don’t truly pause to process. So this is my attempt…
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The Blessing of Messiness: A Reminder for Moms of Infants/Toddlers that You’re Not Alone and Doing Amazing!
What a blessing it is:
To be a mother
To hold this precious child in your arms as they doze off into dreamland.
To be so tired but unable to sleep because you are still in so much awe that you have the honor and privilege to nurture and love this child for the rest of your days!
Oh yes those are the easy to remember blessings but also…what a blessing it is:
To have a messy home
To have a child who is able to throw fits and food and toys since they can’t quite yet explain what they need or want but are at least communicating the best they know how.
To have a child who cries and screams because they feel safe enough to know you will be their rock and find a way to solve their problem and comfort them like only you know how.
To have a child finally settle down enough to cuddle with you and end up drooling all over your chest.
To be so sleep deprived because you’ve had to become Super Woman too many nights to count, yet you keep pushing past the exhaustion because deep down you know what you do matters.
So many blessings even when they don’t always feel like it.
Yes, what a blessing it is:
To be living in the reality that you dreamed of as a little girl. To watch in amazement how your little one grows up too fast and learns new things each and everyday.
To know that you once prayed to be able to wrap your arms around this soft yet strong little gift that means the whole world to you.
To have living proof that you are stronger than you ever imagined, all because God called you to Motherhood and he will never leave your side.
So when you feel like you’re drowning in laundry and like you’re about to lose your mind over yet another sleepless night, remember that you are living out answered prayers and that these hard times are only a season but oh what a precious season it is, so don’t miss out on soaking in how much of a blessing each moment has been and will continue to be for the rest of your life as you will forever hold the title of “Mom”
And that is a beautiful blessing from our Heavenly Father up above!
As of the day I am wrapping up writing this post, I officially have a 13 month old who is not only walking but RUNNING around my house trying to tell me all sorts of stories that I’m still trying to decode. I’ve been battling sleep deprivation and as a full time working first time mom, it’s A LOT to juggle to say the least. I’m extremely grateful for our village! I’m so glad I’ve been able to encourage and be encouraged by other mothers during this season of being a “new” mom but also over a year postpartum. So when exactly does the newness wear off? I feel like each day is something new. Whatever label we add in front of our role ultimately “Mom” is your name once you have/become pregnant with/adopt that first child.
My goal in this season is to honestly and confidently say that I feel blessed even when my house is a mess!
I know what will last is my son’s feelings of safety and love. May the laughter outnumber the tears and may my heart continue to grow bigger with gratitude each day!
This is my prayer for every Mom who reads this post:
Heavenly Father,
You are the Master Creator. You have blessed us with a child of our own and we are beyond grateful! Please give us strength to be the best mothers we can be! You are so kind to us and we praise you! May we not forget that we are your daughters and you have placed a wonderful calling on each of us!
In Jesus’ Mighty Name, AMEN!
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Anticipating Eternity
Advent is defined as:
- the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event.
- the first season of the Christian church year, leading up to Christmas and including the four preceding Sundays.
- the coming or second coming of Christ.
So we celebrate the Birth of Jesus during the Christmas season, but we also wait expectantly for his return. When Christ returns, all will be made right in this world because it will be completely made new. In order for this to happen, the final judgement must take place. Those who follow Jesus and believe in their heart that he is the Son of God who died for our sins because we need a Savior do not have to fear his return. For we will live for eternity in God’s presence with no pain, sadness, or evil of any kind. We will be blessed to live the lives God originally intended at Creation before sin entered the world.
With the recent rapture predictions from September and October of this year, this topic became more front and center for me to write about…
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Living Out God’s Story
Writing has been a love of mine since I was very young! I’ve always had a wild imagination and loved to make up stories.
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Testimonies Set Ablaze
We cannot stay quiet! We cannot shy away from the uncomfortable conversation! We cannot let the negativity and darkness of this world silence us.
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How Will They Know?
I have many friends who are hurting, who are angry, who don’t see the point in believing in a God, who in their experience won’t truly love them for who they are anyway. These people that I love have been bruised, burned and scarred by the Church, by people who claim to be Christ followers but have been poor examples of who he calls us as Christians to be. We can’t be the ones to change their hearts. Only God can do that, but if they are to open their hearts so God can move, they must see witnesses acting as we are called. The more hurt we cause those who are already unsure about God, the more likely it is they refuse to approach God. The more light we shine on others and accredit the work of Jesus in our lives, the more people will be drawn in. God doesn’t force his way into our hearts because he gave all people he created the choice to love him and believe in his mighty power.
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Where is the Hope?
For months, I have had a lot on my mind in regard to those who are hurting around me. When I find out someone I know doesn’t know Jesus or isn’t interested in knowing him, it breaks my heart. I always try to ask questions without seeming to pry too much. I just want to get to the root of the reasoning. I know that if I live my life as a faithful follower of Christ that the seeds are being planted. I just know that sometimes I might not be the most fruitful, in that I don’t always represent my faith well…
When someone reveals to me that they don’t consider themselves a Christian, my first couple of questions are, “Do you believe in Jesus, and do you believe that he died on the Cross and rose back to life 3 days later?” Their answer typically gives me a starting point. If they say that they don’t believe, my next question is, “what is it that keeps you from believing in Jesus?”
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In the Middle of Life’s Raging Storms
One morning this past week, our German Shepherd jumped in our bed before it was time for my alarm to go off, so a little earlier than preferred… but I digress.
He usually only does this when there is a storm where thunder and lightning are involved. I’ve always had a heart for dogs who are afraid of storms. Just being a soothing voice and set of arms to wrap around the ball of fur, gives me a sense of purpose. During storms that might normally frighten me, I’m able to stay calmer because my focus shifts to caring for him.However, that morning, neither my husband nor I thought it was supposed to storm, and we didn’t hear any thunder. I decided to go ahead and get up for the day and check on the weather. Could I let our anxious pup outside? Sure enough, when I opened the door I saw that it might have rained some but not enough to be considered a storm. At that moment, it was safe for him to go out.
I’ve realized that dogs who have fears like this are prone to perceive the danger before it even arrives. Every now and then, like this morning, they pace and pant only for nothing bad to happen. And oh aren’t we so similar sometimes?!?
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Restoring Our Patchwork Hearts
My grandmother used to sew EVERY day. She had a whole room dedicated to sewing machines, fabrics, thread on spools covering 2 of the 4 walls. I spent a lot of time as a child in her sewing room. There wasn’t much I didn’t watch her make over the years! All the planning, measuring, cutting, piecing together, threading machines, actually sewing, surging, and depending on the creation, stuffing! She made me many outfits over the years! I have photos of me wearing vests with my name and a design embroidered on them with matching pants at an early age.
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Heart-Shaped Locket
When you see a heart-shaped locket, there’s a photo or two inside. The idea is that you place pictures of people you love dearly close to your heart, wearing it around your neck as a reminder that those you love are always near—even when they seem far away.
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Don’t Get Lost in the Weeds…
We are currently at the point in the Christian calendar between Easter and Pentecost. This is a period where we reflect on Jesus’ resurrection from the grave, his 40 days back on Earth with his disciples, and his ascension back to Heaven after giving final instructions.
Pentecost is on Sunday, June 8th this year, and it is a celebration of the Holy Spirit being sent down to dwell in the heart of all believers of Jesus Christ who proclaim him as Lord and Savior over their lives.
Before I go on, if you haven’t accepted Jesus into your heart and surrendered your life to him but want to know more about what that means and how to go about it, please feel free to reach out to me! I’m not claiming to have all the answers but I will gladly share my story of grace and salvation along with doing all I can to walk with you in seeking the answers that only God can provide.
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Unapologetically
People pleasing sucks your energy right out of you… with no energy, worship can be a struggle. Constantly apologizing sometimes for just existing. Having to say, “I’m sorry” for saying “I’m sorry” because true friends aren’t going to allow you to apologize for being yourself, for needing to take care of you, for wanting to bond.
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LivLoveLight 