I had a mother of a dear friend visit recently. After I mentioned how crazy my life is,
she said that I looked like I had everything under control in my life according
to Facebook. I have thought about
that a couple times and felt the need to shed some truth on my Wog life. Truth: Everyday I fail at something. I forget to do something, hallucinate that I did, and neglect to sign something vital for my kids. I
do believe that God has given me the ability to shake it off (thanks Taylor for
stealing that phrase forever), to move on and to LET IT GO! (Thanks Disney for
officially making me a cliché abuser!)
I honestly don’t have time to wallow in my failures but must move on
because somebody needs me to drive them somewhere!
Last week a friend brought me the book by Jen Hatmaker, For
the Love! It has been such a
tremendous blessing already and I am only on chapter 5. I have heard myself laugh out loud…yes
I mean LOL more than I have heard in a long, long time! My laughing has shocked
my ears, which makes me sad. I
have obviously been under too much stress! Jen's book feels like my inside voice
released!! We do have the five-kid
thing in common which puts us in a rare, exclusive, insane group…(no we are not
all like Ruth Graham or Joel Osteen’s mother!) Each chapter I have read had a profound effect on me and has
resonated within me long after I put the book down. I just know we would be BFF's if we weren't so dang busy!
Some highlights for me so far….When Jen was asked about how
she balanced, work, family and community…I just LOVED her answer…balance is
like a unicorn she said! “We’ve heard about it, everyone talks about it and
makes airbrushed T-shirts celebrating it, it seems super rad but we haven’t
actually seen one. I’m beginning
to think it isn’t a thing”. Preach
Sister!! (I almost lost it yesterday when I saw a young girl rockin a unicorn
shirt) I stopped years ago seeking balance…maybe after I personally birthed the
4th or 5th Wog!
I almost choke when I hear a mother complain about not ever having “ME
TIME.” I can’t even remember what
that is like. I think it’s awesome
when moms manage this but I think staying focused on thankfulness is my secret
to a happy life so far.
In Chapter 2, Jen talks about the joys of turning 40. “Old Lady Hands!” Oh my heavens have I thought the same
thing…what in the world!! You look
down and its shock and awe in a bad way! I could see really vain ladies googling hand
transplants for sure after really processing Jen’s assessment. I got a lot of good laughter medicine
from that chapter!!
In Chapter 3, Jen gets all deep and surprised me but I may
have clapped and given her a standing ovation during her description of
“Calling”. I hear people all the
time talk about their “Calling” and sometimes it feels like a prison more than
serving God, like they are restrained in their calling box. I was “called” into the ministry when I was 19, got ordained
and have served God in a thousand random ways through the last 20 something
years. Calling to me has been hard
work, doing crap jobs and serving people most of the time when it is completely
inconvenient and a sacrifice to my family and my time off! I loved that she validated my feelings
about what ministry really is.
Chapter 4 was an honest girlfriend chat about how almost NO
ONE (except Jessica Alba) needs to wear yoga pants with no shirt covering their
behind! I know Yoga is all the
rage but I think Jen is right on this one! Chapter 5 is my favorite so far! RUN YOUR RACE!!
I just bet Jen was a cheerleader!
I felt pumped up after reading this chapter. She basically says quit trying to do all things and figure
out what you are good at and freaking DO IT! The thing that moved me the most personally was how she
finally realized her humor is a gift from God that she doesn’t have to stifle herself anymore. I have always tried to restrain myself and the funny
thoughts I have. I know some of
you faithful friends are like THANK GOD AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! Don’t worry
or add me to your prayer list over this….I have plenty of real things you
should focus on! It just made me
feel OK that sometimes I am pretty darn hilarious…at least to myself but less
often to my kids the older they get!
I will continue to curb the inside voice and pray that Jesus will keep
his holy filter over my mouth but I just felt like Jen gave me a nice hug and a
pat on the back saying, crack that
joke honey and I will laugh with you!
I see future For the Love blogs coming forth as I am moved
through the rest of the book but wanted to encourage everyone to read this book
even if you have found balance and you are a happy wife and homemaker who bakes, cleans
and crafts, I feel certain there will be something profound for you! I will be expecting a thank you note
from Jen and a personal signed book thanking me for this free advertising I
just gave her through my blog LOL! I pray that God will keep
blessing her and using her to release the psychotic pressure we crazy women put
on ourselves in a million ways. I pray that she will keep reminding us to be each others
cheerleaders more often than judging and offer more encouragement and love than
every before! Now to chapter 6! Thanks Jen!!!
