Blogging Break

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Hello!  If you're wondering where I've gone, I'm still here.  I've decided to take a break from blogging for a bit though to focus on another writing project.  For any of you that blog out there, you know how time consuming this "job" can be.  After a lot of thinking {and praying!}, I've decided that my time and energy need to be focused elsewhere for a bit.  More details to come, so stay tuned!  I'm truly excited for the areas God has our hands into this season.  I'll look forward to sharing the writing/creative piece with you shortly!

Until then, be well and look for Jesus with every step you take!

Laura

Is Your Home a Fixer-Upper?

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What kind of home embraces real emotion?  As the soggy, wet winter digs her mitts into the Pacific Northwest, I feel my body slumping with this season.  Finding the courage and energy to let my feet out of warm, flannel covers feels incredibly difficult some days.  When the deepest black still hangs in the midst of the morning, why would anyone choose to leave a vivid, vibrant dream land?

My husband is a fixer.  Yesterday, the couch held my gloomy, tired self.  It’s important to not make any major life decisions on days such as this.  Making a conscious effort to say little (knowing that nice words are not lingering on my lips) I try to stay quiet.  Listening.  Praying.  Crying.  Resting.  Whatever my body needs to do to expel the emotion, I’m prying my chest open and giving it permission to simply feel.  Remembering that this too shall pass, I gently sit with Jeremy and ask him to just be with me in my moments of darkness.

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Keys, Please

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I lost my keys today.  At 9:15 a.m. this morning, after getting Emma bundled {not an easy feat!} and ready to go, I grabbed for the keys and found my hands reaching in an empty basket.  What?  Where did the keys go?  "Emma, did you hide them again?  Emma? Emma!  Help momma find the keys."  After pulling up pillows from the couch, books off the shelf, dishes from the cupboard, and toys from the chest, still no keys.  The mind starts spinning.  Did I leave them in the mailbox?  I wonder if they fell out of my pocket during our walk yesterday?  Oh my goodness, is the car still outside?  It started to dawn on me that keys are kind of important.  A tiny ring that holds entrance to both home and vehicle(s).

With an upside down stomach and tilted brows, I fetched the lone car key from the drawer.  At least we could still drive to our tea date.  Locking the front door was another issue.  With hesitant steps, I walked away, door left vulnerable to the world.  Please Lord, keep our home safe from theft and harm.

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A Star to Light the Way

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Pause for a moment.  Take a look around the place you call home.  What objects do you see?  What feelings rise up when you notice the things that hug each room?  Joy?  Sadness?  Nostalgia?  Does the "stuff" in your home encourage presence or does it enable distraction?

Join us on the second Tuesday of each month to hear about the story behind our stuff.  Most of the items that fill our home {the devries family} reflect our values, goals, and beliefs.  Without clear boundaries and heart-grounded discipline, the home runs risk of falling victim to overload.  If the things around you cause your spirit to feel heavy and burdened, then I would encourage you to take this into prayer.  Ask God to show you how you can start creating a home that encourages, inspires, and invites daily awakening.

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Death to the Yellow Jacket

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A few weeks ago, I smashed a yellow jacket with one of my daughter’s board books.  Right before her eyes.  With the sun shining bright, the windows were left open as we prepared our afternoon lunch.  As I turned around to say something to Emma, I noticed a hornet had made its way into our dining space.  Immediately dropping my spoon, I scampered towards the long-legged, pain thirsty insect.  As it flew towards the ceiling, it hit hard and came crashing down on the dining table.  In a moment of panic, I grabbed the nearest thing (one of Emma’s favorite books) and crushed the nasty hairy beast right before her eyes.  Pop!  The yellow jacket made a terrible crunching noise.  Stunned, I looked at Emma.  Within moments, her smile turned upside down.  Tears welled up, eyebrows moved in.  She proceeded to let out one of the most dramatic cries yet.  For five long minutes my baby sobbed.  She searched for the tiny visitor, pointing, hoping to see it fly once again.  When I removed the book, her face turned fire red.  I was in trouble.

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Keep On Keeping On

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Why blog?  What is a “blog” anyway?  I’ve been wrestling with these questions in the past few weeks.  My little sister came to visit, so taking a break from writing seemed appropriate.  Yet, whenever I stray from blog writing, I find it incredibly hard to reconnect.

Part of me feels guilty.  With dozens of others writing wonderful words about simplicity and spilling their ideas about Christ-centered homemaking{living}, why should I contribute to the “overwhelming” amount of voices already on the web?  Do my words truly matter?  What if my ramblings are just another “distraction” for readers?  Trust me, I don’t take these questions lightly.

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