Heritage

I am always so proud of the amazing heritage my mother and grandmother have given me. Yesterday, as I sat at our church's "legacy tea", I was overwhelmed with thoughts of the legacy that's been prepared for me.

Even when I haven't lived up to it. Haven't deserved it. Or had no idea how to walk in such 'big shoes'...awkwardly stumbling, trusting that, one day, they'd fit perfectly. This great heritage has been before me.

It is one of hard labor, gut-wrenching efforts of unrequited love, forgiveness which transcends reason, laughter when circumstances call for grief, faith prayers that make the devil's knees weak, and friendship to all kinds of people from all sorts of places.

My mother and my grandmother have passed these down. I like to think I'm being objective when I say there are no women, past or present, who have been more tenacious. I'm sure you feel the same of your matriarchs. I hope you do.

Yesterday, we celebrated Mother's Day with my husband's family. Through our marriage I have gained a "Granny", though all in our family had passed. And a wonderful mother-in-law who works every day to invest all she has into her children. I have much for which to give thanks.

Today, though, I miss my Mom. She will be celebrating Mother's Day 2100 miles away - with a Mom smiling down on her from heaven and her children and their families living across the country. We worry about each other plenty, so I know that won't help. I simply ask Jesus, who knows no time or space, to bring the sun up on her in a couple hours with peace in her heart and hope filling her soul. After all, we do get to see each other in just 13 days...

Such a perfect day to give honor, praise and thanks to wonderful moms - natural and spiritual! And for some ladies, a very hard day. Whether you're waiting on children of your own, wishing your kids were home with you, praying your child back into the fold, or celebrating around the table with your 'heritage', today is about you. The mothering you do practically and spiritually. You help define the fabric of our culture. You are loved. Appreciated. And seen by God - even into the deepest recesses of your heart.

Thank you...for your investment.

Oh, so, blessed

Today, I woke up after the best night's sleep I've had in weeks (I can give some credit to the Vicodin I received after a little dental work), the sun is shining, and the buzz of summer fills every classroom. My 8th grade students labored intensely over a book report their teacher had them write in class today. And me? I'm inspired by their hard work.

I'm thinking about my own writing and how much I miss it. I'm thinking about their excitement over little things and how everything in their experience seems noteworthy. I appreciate that. It's compelled me to celebrate the little things in my life: an 'A' on a friendship quiz, a 'gold star' for people randomly stopping by and seeing a clean house, my husband turning into a 6th grader, giddy with excitement over "The Avengers".

My parents land in Raleigh in 15 days. Cannot express how much I'm looking forward to that. Today, every time the sun brushes my skin with warmth, a new reason for gratitude comes to mind.

...kids learning about Jesus...

.......dress down day in my favorite jeans.......

...making new friends...

.......Greenville: Zaxby's, Tuesday Morning and Target.......

....knowing there are people all over the country who I love and miss....

...being able to influence the next generation's leaders before they take over the world...

Sometimes the burdens we carry try to drown out the song of gratitude.

Sometimes responsibilities weigh so heavily that progress isn't tangible.

Sometimes all the "have to's" overwhelm the "dreams of".

But when we really take an honest inventory of blessings, we can't help but stand back in humility and say, "Wow. For me? Thank You..."

Oh, so blessed.

My Apologies

I can't say I'll be writing a full post at the moment; I'm typing on my phone actually. So this will be a bit of a mini-blog.

All of my efforts to share life with you in these past few months have been without avail. I just cannot speak. God is doing such deep things (big, not bad, as my husband would say) in my heart right now that I couldn't name you a single person I've been able to articulate them to...an unusual place for a gal like me to be. It's like there are collisions of seismic proportions in my soul. Battles that are attempting to alter my faith, views on family, church, calling and life. And I am being very still, listening for the still small Voice in my hour of chaos.

I have felt unceasingly guilty about this blog. Especially since, before I moved to Askewville, Webb and I were so excited that I'd have more time to write. Right. I've heard bloggers say things like, "someone who leaves
me hanging on their blog feels like an unreturned phone call". And, "I hate when writers go ghost and you hear nothing from them." Yep. That's me. I'll wear the t-shirt for a failure as a blogger. But I do know this - I'm not failing as a wife in my first year of marriage. So, I guess you win some and you lose some.

Webb and I have been dreaming and brainstorming about the next phase of this blog. I can't say that phase will be approaching quickly. But eventually.

Until then, a huge thank you to those of you who stop by here for me, not only for you. I know some of you read so you know how to pray, and especially now, you are a priceless treasure to me.

Thanks...