Living Loved: Two years later...

My "On This Day" reminded me of a post from two years ago, written by an overwhelmed mama. If you would have told that mama that she would be sitting behind the same computer screen typing away as a mama of three, home alone on a Saturday night because her husband's business travel had increased, I think she would have broken into a thousand pieces. Truth is, while I was writing my 'advice' to overwhelmed mamas, I was the one who needed it the most. So how are things going now with all that was mentioned above?... Well, I'm so glad you asked.

I'm typing while spelling pop socket for my 5-year-old, who is writing her Christmas list. "Pop... p..o..p...". She has no interest in a pop socket, but she wants whatever her big sister wants. My brain is a little all over the place, but I've learned to own it. It's exhausting pretending like it's perfect around here. It's perfectly good, though, and I want to share it with you.

Our sweet baby boy, Tradd, was born in October 2016. Life is incredibly precious with him around. The girls adore him and he lights up when he sees his "sissies". Tyler travels a lot more lately; not sure if it's work or the three kids that keep him gone so much. Kidding. He balances it all so well and I could not be more grateful for that. I need to share more about the amazing man I call husband. The month of October he was gone 15 of the 31 days. When he was home, though, he helped so much. He loved on our children. He loved on me. And We celebrated our baby boy's first birthday. I still can't believe it's been an entire year.

With baby #3 and a living the 'single working mom' act, I've had prioritize and focus on what is most important. Two years ago, when I wrote to overwhelmed mamas, I was still living overwhelmed. I encouraged the overwhelmed to lean in close to the Father and let Him be your strength. But I still was not grasping exactly what that looked like. I was not doing anything for myself, except adding more to my busy schedule and comparing my life to others. I'm a yes saying girl, the "voluntold", as I am coined. And I would see other people seem to have it 'all together'. My life was a train wreck.

 In October 2016, I started digging deep into the Word. I had time at home on maternity leave and let's just be honest, I was swooning over a bundle of boy Father had just gifted me. Before then, I had been off and on. I prayed daily and journaled often. I would occasionally write something on my heart and muster up enough courage to share, but I did not consistently delve into the Father's Word and soak in all the love it exudes. I literally hug my Bible now after reading with tear-filled eyes because I can physically feel myself walking closer with the Father. It has transformed my life. This has been my best yes, yet. The extra 5-60 minutes a day has transformed me. Some days, I have 5 minutes to read and some days I have longer and can't bear to close the pages. I love those days.

This April, I got a few girlfriends on board to join me on my journey with Jesus, after feeling the Holy Spirit continue to place on my heart to invite them for coffee and a beautiful study, Finding I Am, by Lysa TerKeurst.  If you haven't read it, please do. Your life will be transformed. I completely fell in love with Jesus during that time. I had loved Him my entire life, but to be in love, to love Him first, because He first loved me. And not the cliche, but really. Life changer.

When I started truly loving Jesus first, my life was transformed.

The most beautiful thing about spending time with the Father is you begin to feel His presence, your direction is clear because all trust is in Him, and you crave more. The more I spent time in the word, the more I realized how little I knew.
I began to thrive on understanding my heritage, the Father's beautiful love story of redemption, restoration, salvation, and eternal life.

My "Bible Study Girls" became my sisters. This group of ladies have shed tears of joy and brokenness.  We've prayed over one another. We've held onto our Bibles in complete awe of Jesus. It's amazing what happens in the living rooms of our homes on those nights.

 

If I could go back to that Overwhelmed Mamas post and 'edit', I would simply say this to you...
Get in the Word.
Walk closely, in deep friendship, with the Father. (James 4:8 tell us to "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.")
Get some girls to share life with and study His Word together.
Then go home to your husband and babies and love them like crazy, just the way the Father loves us.

Life is still busy and hectic at times, but I don't shed broken tears over it anymore like I used to. I'm learning to live loved by the Father. It's not perfect around here, but it's perfectly good.

To my Mama, 

You fill the void when Tyler is away and for that I am forever grateful.  I love you!