When I was growing up, my family often gathered together at the dinner table – all seven of us. I so appreciated my mother’s home-cooked meals – fried chicken and scalloped potatoes, tacos and refried beans, BBQ hamburgers. More than the food though, I appreciated that dinner was a time to be with my family – to laugh together, share about our day, our hopes and dreams. I just knew that when I grew up, I was going to cook for my family every night so that we could experience what I did when I was young. I had good intentions, but then life happened.
Author Archives: Barbie
Wishes – Glimmers of Hope
A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you’re fast asleep
In dreams you lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for, you keep
Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling thru
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
the dream that you wish will come true.
When I was a child, I loved to make wishes. I made them while standing outside in the dark, standing on the grass in my bare feet, gazing upon the stars. I made them in pretty party dresses surrounded by friends and family as I puckered up and blew out the candles on the cake.
Filler Up!
Burned out. Out of gas. No energy. Running on empty. Exhausted. Have you ever felt this way? I have had more days like this than I care to admit. There are times when I have so much on my plate that I can actually feel myself shutting down both mentally and physically. I am unable to think without feeling as if I am walking through a thick fog, and even the simplest of tasks become hard to accomplish. Could I actually be suffering from “burnout”?
Burnout: physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress.
As a busy wife and mom with a full-time job and ministry, life can be overwhelming at times.
Stop, Look and Listen
When I was a little girl, I was not allowed to play in the court where we lived without the watchful eye of an adult or older sibling. Even though it appeared safe, my parents were afraid a car would come barreling around the corner, putting me in harm’s way. And they did not want me to attempt to venture over to the other side by myself, risking my safety.
As I grew older, I received the much anticipated lesson on how to cross the street to avoid injury. This lesson was called, “Stop, look and listen”. When I would come to the part of the court where it met the street, they first taught me to stop.
Life In The Fast Lane
I’ve never been one to enjoy the thrill of a fast moving car. I’ve had the occasion to find myself in one a time or two. Buckled up tightly, I hung on for dear life as I was tossed to and fro, whipping around turns as the outside world passed me by in a blur. I am older and wiser now and would never choose to be in a fast moving vehicle. But my life can feel like one at times, as I am whipped to and fro, backwards and forward, taking sharp turns and enduring sudden starts and stops. On those days, life passes me by and I wonder where the day went.
He Sees Me
I am constantly reminded of the truth of God’s Word by my children. Just the other day, I was downstairs putting on my makeup before taking the kids to school. It is something they see me do every day. On this particular morning, my 7 year old son rounded the corner and the following conversation took place:
“Mommy, what are you doing?”
“Putting on my face”.
“You already have a face.”
“I know son. I’m putting my make up on.”
“Why?”
“Because it helps me to look pretty. Do you think I look pretty with makeup?”
“Yes.”
“Do you think I look pretty without makeup?”
Led By Grace
I often spend time reflecting on my role as a mother. Especially on Mother’s Day, I like to know that I am doing a good job. As a woman who wears many hats, including working a full-time job, I often feel inadequate. I admit that I compare myself to other moms who appear to have it all together. I have tried to be the best mom that I know how to be. I fall short. I am not perfect. I need much improvement.
I get angry at my kids. I lose my temper and I hurt their feelings. It isn’t any surprise to me then when my children do the same with one another.