Just stopping in to share some random news articles and blog posts that have caused me to stop and ponder things. Especially, as the to-do lists mount in my life and the endless running these past few weeks, combined with some rather sad news stories, I’ve been drawn to some interesting discussions on ideals, balance, mothering, slowing down, etc. It’s interesting how we seek out what we feel lacking in our own life.
I know it’s a lot of reading but I hope you’ll take the time to read one or two – or all – of these articles. I promise there are nuggets of wisdom and blessings buried in all of this!
As a somewhat-former workaholic and as someone currently trying to find balance between productivity and family time, this article resonated with me on so many levels. The article includes great advice about feedback and boundaries in the workplace. But it also puts into words something I felt and subconsciously knew but never fully recognized until recently: “‘Crazy-busy’ is a great armor, it’s a great way for numbing. What a lot of us do is that we stay so busy, and so out in front of our life, that the truth of how we’re feeling and what we really need can’t catch up with us.” I was guilty of that during my late college years and early professional life. Productivity feels really good but it’s also a way to numb and hide from the harsher realities of life, almost like a drug.
The main source of my exhaustion now? Mothering!!
We’ve all been here. A very relatable story about rushing, losing our cool and having to take a hard look at what our priorities are and how our actions reflect it.
"What do I want my children to remember — my joy in clean floors, made beds and ironed shirts — or my joy of the Lord? You will be most remembered — by what brought you most joy."
And more on Motherhood…
My friend Martha wrote a beautiful post about mothering. It came to me on “one of those days” and was such a blessing to me. In fact, it might be one of the best posts on motherhood that I’ve ever read. “I know that even when it gets hard, when I stop and take a breath this motherhood thing smacks so very much more of undeserved privilege than hardship.”
And, sometimes, you just have to laugh...
My copy of “A Year of Biblical Womanhood” by Rachel Evan Held just arrived in the mail and I am so excited to read it. The absurdity of it, of course, is hilarious. It’s so far from our current thinking and culture. I’m sure there were many applicable lessons learned. God blesses those who “seek earnestly,” right?! Although some might be taken back by such a discussion, but I think she sums it up best: "They thought I was making fun of the Bible, when I was really trying to honor the Bible by having more honest conversations about how we interpret and apply it. I'm hoping that when people read the book, they see that." I can’t wait to dive in! Take a moment to click through her slideshow of photos. I was giggling the entire time.
Life is crazy. Here’s to hoping we all find the balance and encouragement we need for today.
