Cory has worked his last 4 days from 2:00pm-12:00am (swing shift). If you know Cory at all, that means he's actually working all the up until midnight and that means working OT because he has to actually finish up all the "stuff" he does (it's A LOT more than most people think!). So he's on averaging rolling into bed at 2:30 am.
What does that mean for this mama? Well, no help in the morning and no help in the bewitching hours of dinner prep, dinner time, bedtime, and dinner clean up. I have set records this week on paper plates used, non-cooked lunches and dinners (including 2 dinners that were consumed by EVERYONE in the van from incredibly healthy and delicious Chick-Fil-A and Marco's Pizza), and food that includes ZERO utensils. And we survived.
Of course Murphy's law has it that this is the week both my daughters would run out of clean panties so we have laundry clean BUT EVERYWHERE (well my 7 yo went to school with "damp" underpants because the dryer couldn't dry them quite enough this morning. She's a trooper!) Also, I tried to cook last night but burned the bacon so National Pizza Day had my name all over it! SIDE NOTE: Marco's currently has a special of medium pizzas for $5.99. And we survived.
Books weren't read every night, instead of reading the Bible like normal, I lost patience, my children went several places in pajamas because it eliminated another step at bedtime, I lost patience, we watched 2 movies and television shows, I lost patience. And we survived.
And here's the thing, at one point I was feeling guilty for having a disastrous house and not-so-healthy meals. I was feeling worthless, unlovable, and undervalued. And guess what, that's freaking lies. Lie hurled by the enemy when I'm down to keep me down. Keep moms down. I can't have weeks where we eat like this all the time, but sometimes seasons are about surviving. This past week was one of those and I encourage you mamas, if it's your season, tell Satan to back off. Repent your sin to Jesus, repent to your kiddos (because they won't know how if we don't model) and trust Jesus' grace to cover everything, including SWING WEEK.
SIDE NOTE: Single mamas, weeks like this make me utterly in awe at your determination, perseverance, and resilience. You too keep fighting and I'm sorry I don't remember you are always in SWING week.
Friday, February 10, 2017
Monday, January 30, 2017
Colorblindness is an enemy...
I don't see color.
I didn't enslave anyone.
I worked for all I have.
The most discriminated against person is the white male.
Have you said any of those statements? Do any of those statements strike a nerve?
I humbly confess that I have said all of those statements. And when they were said I was ignorant of how minorities have to navigate life and have navigated life for centuries. I am saddened but my lack of empathy for people; my friends. Please forgive me my ignorance and lack of knowledge. Please forgive me for not listening better and immediately being defensive. Please forgive me for not learning sooner. I am incredibly grateful that God grew our family in a completely unexpected way; a way that is encouraging me to finally take off my blinders and grow in ways I didn't know I even needed.
My children will be living in a different world than I do. I am in the majority and Jolie and Josiah are not. Have you ever been aware of your white-ness? I will never forget last summer being at the children's museum and my son was playing inside the fenced park while I sat with his sisters eating lunch. Then, he disappeared; no where to be seen. Instant panic and frantic searching for what felt like an eternity was alleviated when an employee brought him back to the park. She truly believed him to be a lost child and was looking for his mother. And I couldn't possibly be that, because I am white. Never had I been more aware that I am not black.
This is just the tip of the iceberg for me and I have much more to learn and process as I want to to help my babies know how to navigate life. This sermon put words and terms to many things our family has felt the last 2.5 years. Listen to it; it will challenge you, it will grow you. I'm thankful a dear friend recommended it to me. I am excited to delve into the books he references to learn more.
Will you learn with me? And here is the rub, it's probably more important for white families to listen to it because of white transparency, white normativity, and structural advantage. Confused about those terms? I was too; so take a listen (or read the transcript) and let's learn together. I mean look at them; they are totally worth it!
LISTEN TO THIS.
I didn't enslave anyone.
I worked for all I have.
The most discriminated against person is the white male.
Have you said any of those statements? Do any of those statements strike a nerve?
I humbly confess that I have said all of those statements. And when they were said I was ignorant of how minorities have to navigate life and have navigated life for centuries. I am saddened but my lack of empathy for people; my friends. Please forgive me my ignorance and lack of knowledge. Please forgive me for not listening better and immediately being defensive. Please forgive me for not learning sooner. I am incredibly grateful that God grew our family in a completely unexpected way; a way that is encouraging me to finally take off my blinders and grow in ways I didn't know I even needed.
My children will be living in a different world than I do. I am in the majority and Jolie and Josiah are not. Have you ever been aware of your white-ness? I will never forget last summer being at the children's museum and my son was playing inside the fenced park while I sat with his sisters eating lunch. Then, he disappeared; no where to be seen. Instant panic and frantic searching for what felt like an eternity was alleviated when an employee brought him back to the park. She truly believed him to be a lost child and was looking for his mother. And I couldn't possibly be that, because I am white. Never had I been more aware that I am not black.
This is just the tip of the iceberg for me and I have much more to learn and process as I want to to help my babies know how to navigate life. This sermon put words and terms to many things our family has felt the last 2.5 years. Listen to it; it will challenge you, it will grow you. I'm thankful a dear friend recommended it to me. I am excited to delve into the books he references to learn more. Will you learn with me? And here is the rub, it's probably more important for white families to listen to it because of white transparency, white normativity, and structural advantage. Confused about those terms? I was too; so take a listen (or read the transcript) and let's learn together. I mean look at them; they are totally worth it!
LISTEN TO THIS.
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
ALL People
The world is a tough place. It became tough when sin entered. Simple truth, simple disobedience; great consequences; great sorrow. If you don't know Jesus or even hate Him, please keep reading. Remember it is my lens and you have your own.
The world today seems worse than before but that is lie. A simple study of history will show us that humanity has ebbed and flowed and struggled with the same cultural issues through the generations. The Bible will tell us the same thing. Ecclesiastes 1:9: "What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun (read more here)."
I will not pretend to be a Biblical scholar nor an expert on social issues. What I'm burdened with though, is figuring out how to start conversations. I am beloved woman of God, wife of a police officer, mother of black and white children that wants discuss hard issues of faith, politics, women's rights (even as a pro-lifer), race, law enforcement, homosexuality, and much more. I'm lucky to be in a nation where I can worship what and whom I want. I am currently studying the gospel of John and read this passage today. My favorite part: "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw ALL people to myself (emphasis mine).
Jesus is directly talking to his disciples at this time with others able to hear. The conversation started earlier in the passage when Greeks came up to Philip seeking Jesus. Up until this time, most of Jesus' ministry dealt specifically with Jews and Israel. And Jesus shifts the conversation to discuss his crucifixion. And He INCLUDES ALL PEOPLE. In case you need the definition of ALL: the whole amount, quantity, or extent of; as much as possible.
NO ONE is off limits for Jesus. Reading that, I am incredibly convicted about who I consider off limits. What topics I deem off limits to discuss because I don't want to offend friends that don't love Jesus and yet I don't want my voice silenced. Who will I not talk to out of fear? I believe Satan is winning this battle among Jesus lovers. I want to talk with others' with different perspectives and lifestyles because I believe Jesus is for ALL people and wants all to come to Him (2 Peter 3:9)
Will YOU talk to me? The woman who loves and worships Jesus Christ, married to a police officer, raising multi-racial children, pro-woman and pro-life, lover of people and hates one thing, SIN. First and foremost, my own sin of pride, selfishness and self-righteousness. Because here's the thing; I am not defined by any of my stances but simply on my identity in Christ. What thing on that list makes you think I'm ignorant, arrogant, or stupid? I say, let's start on those topics. I will NOT exclude you; will you include me?
The world today seems worse than before but that is lie. A simple study of history will show us that humanity has ebbed and flowed and struggled with the same cultural issues through the generations. The Bible will tell us the same thing. Ecclesiastes 1:9: "What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun (read more here)."
I will not pretend to be a Biblical scholar nor an expert on social issues. What I'm burdened with though, is figuring out how to start conversations. I am beloved woman of God, wife of a police officer, mother of black and white children that wants discuss hard issues of faith, politics, women's rights (even as a pro-lifer), race, law enforcement, homosexuality, and much more. I'm lucky to be in a nation where I can worship what and whom I want. I am currently studying the gospel of John and read this passage today. My favorite part: "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw ALL people to myself (emphasis mine).
Jesus is directly talking to his disciples at this time with others able to hear. The conversation started earlier in the passage when Greeks came up to Philip seeking Jesus. Up until this time, most of Jesus' ministry dealt specifically with Jews and Israel. And Jesus shifts the conversation to discuss his crucifixion. And He INCLUDES ALL PEOPLE. In case you need the definition of ALL: the whole amount, quantity, or extent of; as much as possible.
NO ONE is off limits for Jesus. Reading that, I am incredibly convicted about who I consider off limits. What topics I deem off limits to discuss because I don't want to offend friends that don't love Jesus and yet I don't want my voice silenced. Who will I not talk to out of fear? I believe Satan is winning this battle among Jesus lovers. I want to talk with others' with different perspectives and lifestyles because I believe Jesus is for ALL people and wants all to come to Him (2 Peter 3:9)
Will YOU talk to me? The woman who loves and worships Jesus Christ, married to a police officer, raising multi-racial children, pro-woman and pro-life, lover of people and hates one thing, SIN. First and foremost, my own sin of pride, selfishness and self-righteousness. Because here's the thing; I am not defined by any of my stances but simply on my identity in Christ. What thing on that list makes you think I'm ignorant, arrogant, or stupid? I say, let's start on those topics. I will NOT exclude you; will you include me?
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