Church

Not going to sugar coat it, when it comes to Holiday Traditions I’m one cynical sister. At least the ones that come with large consumeristic attachments…these ones often leave us wanting more before we’re even grateful for what’s set before us. Holiday traditions can also carry an emotional weight when we’ve experienced something tragic in and or around a holiday.

Perhaps it’s a first holiday, with holiday traditions that someone isn’t there for. Or perhaps it’s a love gone wrong that leaves us cynical about that holiday for years to come. Maybe it’s a bit of a mixture of all of them.

There isn’t one holiday tradition that I’ve clinged to year after year.
I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge where I am today. Not too long ago, I wrote here about burning out after spending ten years in a high-profile firm. Little did I know then that God was about to uproot everything in my life—or what seemed like everything. People’s lives change; they move away, or they move on, and soon after writing that article, our lives began to shift dramatically.

My family struggled to find our place in our community and church, despite our efforts. We tried to integrate, to contribute, but it felt like we were not needed, or even wanted. My daughter faced challenges at school, and I found myself involved in some complicated and challenging situations within the church. Despite my sincere efforts to contribute and
It's so hard, but it's worth it.

Getting your late sleeper up on time, or interrupting your early riser's Sunday morning fun.

Asking your little ones to go get dressed to get out the door, when they really just want to stay in their pjs. "It's the weekend!"

It's so hard, but it’s worth it.

Taking your kids somewhere they don't necessarily want to be.

Expecting little ones to sit quietly for an hour
Church in early motherhood is…

…taking the whole pew because your kids will end up taking it over anyway.

…snack crumbs and loud rustlings when opening the snack bag.

…crayons. Hot wheels. Books. More books. All the toys because their little bodies want to play.

…telling your kids to whisper just for them to shout back at you, “What did you say, mama?!”

Mama, can I be honest with you?