My sweet friend,
Suzann from The Olive Cottage, did a post this week based on five words. I liked it so much, I asked her to "assign" me five words. My words were faith, growth, ability, love and dream.
FAITH. Many people shy away from speaking about their faith, whether they're unsure of where they stand or are just afraid of offending others, I don't know.
I did not grow up in a church. I knew very few Bible stories, and only went to Vacation Bible School in summers with friends. When I met Joe, one of the things I loved about him was his faith. He DID grow up going to church, and knew a lot about Jesus. Once we were married and had our first baby, I knew that I wanted to be saved. I went up to the altar (with shaking knees but a determined heart) and confessed my faith in Jesus Christ our Savior. A couple of years later, after learning more and growing spiritually, I was baptized.
We have since changed churches, and now attend a United Methodist church, full of people from all walks of life, who are trying hard to be good Christians, reaching out to others in need and trying to find their way in this life filled with hardships and trials.
The one thing I try most to do with my faith is act in a way that allows others to see Christ shine through me. I don't always succeed. Some days I'm crabby (I'm human, for sure). But I do try, each and every day.
GROWTH. Physical, spiritual, emotional, intellectual. I could go on and on, but I won't. The most evident kind is physical, and none more obvious than with the growth of my babies. When they're little, people tell you how
fast this time will go. I remember being mired in the pit of having two babies in diapers, sleepless nights and ear infections and doctor visits galore, thinking "
this time is NOT going fast enough! They have no idea what they're talking about!".
Okay, now that my baby is five years old, going to preschool and riding a two-wheeler for heaven's sake!, now I believe them.
I blinked, and they went from baby to preschooler to sixth grader.
I now have toothpicks in my eyeballs, so I can't blink anymore. I want this time right now to last longer than a minute. Elijah is 11, Isabel is 9, Gabe is 5, I am 35 and life is so good.
From this:
to this, in the blink of an eye:
ABILITY. My kids have taught me so much about ability. When they're babies, you have to do everything for them. And you get into that habit so much that you don't realize when it's time to start letting them do for themselves. I love being a mom. I love doing for my kids. At some point, though, you have to let go, and teach them to start doing for themselves. And it's amazing how much they can actually do. And how proud they are to be able to do it. Now I always check myself to make sure I'm not doing too much for them, so they can feel that satisfaction that comes from a job well done.
Elijah is the perfect example of this. He has wanted to play tackle football for years. He tried back in the fourth grade, but he wasn't ready (and neither were we). When he begged and begged and saved up his own money, I relented and let him try again this year. And he is so proud of himself. He is not loving it (they have yet to win a game), but he is determined to stick it out (paying out of your own pocket will do that, I guess). And for that, I am so proud. He works his heart out at every practice, and goes to his games in the hope that he will actually get the chance to touch the football that time. I admire his spirit!
LOVE. You already know how much I love Jesus, and my babies. Now I'll tell you a little about how much I love my husband. Some days he makes me crazy (and I'm willing to bet he'd say the same about me). But every day I know I am blessed and living this dream life of mine because of him. He led me to Christ. He gave me my babies. And he has stood by me every single day for the past thirteen-plus years. We are still able to laugh together and enjoy each other's company, and that speaks volumes. Joe, you will always be the man for me.
DREAM. Like I said, I truly feel like I am living my childhood dream. I have a great job that I love (most days). I am a wife, and a mom. I have friends dear to my heart. Every holiday and many days in between, I am surrounded by a fun and loving family. My dream now is that each of my kids will find their way in this world, and be able to say the same thing when they are 35.
Suzann, did you have any idea this would be such a long post? Yeesh!
Anybody else want five words? Let me know, and I'll give 'em to you.
