Fit For Society?


I chuckle when I think of what my younger sister said to me one month while I was dealing with a bout of pms/peri-menopause emotions mixed with my own Evilina attitude. "You aren't fit to deal with society. Even if you think you're okay, you're not."  Leave it to a family member to tell you about yourself. I respect my sister's opinion and I'm reminded of her statement each month.

You can't see me through my blog, and I'm sure I seem to be a level headed mother and wife who consistently strives to be Christ-controlled and is open to receiving and learning from life lessons and you know what? You're right, however, have you ever heard of The Other Side of Midnight? Well, someone needs to make a movie or write a book titled, The Other Side of Motherhood.

Oh, you don't deal with mood swings from time to time? You don't deal with irritability and the horror of hormones each month? I'm sorry, you must have the wrong blog then. This is a blog about the REALITY of motherhood and hormones are a part of our life. That's the mask I'm talking about in We Snap in Silence. We hide these ugly things about ourselves and allow only our 'I've got it together' faces to show in public. Well, I've only got one face - my own, and it's not always pretty, kind, and loving....especially when dealing with the horror of hormones.

We all deal with it on different levels and stages of our life, but face it...it's alive and well in the body of every woman. If you don't think you deal with it, maybe you should ask somebody. You know, what we see in the mirror is not what everyone else sees. Hmmm...

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The Light From #6


"Everyone looks tired except #6."

 This is what a woman said to me over the weekend while watching a basketball game. Although it was the opposing team, I happened to know #6. I proudly mentioned this young man's strong spiritual connection with God. She nodded her head and said, "I should have known." She went on and on about #6 and his obvious enthusiasm, confidence, and how he showed no signs of growing weary throughout the game.

I immediately thought of how women are always tired, yet some of us show it more than others. Our hair, nails, clothes, attitude, and sometimes our home will show signs of our task-filled, overwhelming days.  Yes, #6 is a teenager full of youthful energy, but his spiritual connection was a light that a stranger noticed. Regardless of my daily spiritual, physical, or emotional circumstances, my light should be visible also. Thank you, #6, for a very unusual reminder to stay connected to the true source of strength, energy, and power that is always available to me.

Another week is upon me full of things to do and people to see, but remembering where my help comes from gives me a better attitude other than my here we go again attitude. Let's face it . As a woman, wife, and mother, our never ending responsibilities aren't going away, but our secure connection to the source will allow us to work in God's never tiring, supernatural power and not in our own limited power.

Have a joyful week in Motherhood and stay connected to The Source!

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Are You Watching?


The boys went skating last night and as badly as I wanted to drop them off, my motherly instinct said otherwise, so I reluctantly stayed.  The skating rink was full of pretty girls in tight pants. It was a fun night for them and I have no doubt they could have had more fun if their mother wasn't watching. Hubby and I raised the boys right, but that doesn’t excuse them from their own choices, temptation, or their puberty driven reactions to pretty girls in tight pants.

This morning when I sat at the computer, I noticed one of my sons downloaded Skype and didn’t close it out, so I was able to read the conversation. Although the content of the conversation was okay, the time of the call wasn’t. Outside the home isn’t the only place our children need to be watched. Texting, messages, friends, computer, television, music, and everything else in their life must be monitored! I can’t watch my sons 24/7 and I do sleep, but thank God for a mother’s intuition and the guidance of God to show me what I need to see. A mother's intuition is powerful, yet often ignored.

I now understand why one mother told me years ago, she thought it was more important to be at home with a teenager than a toddler. I don't put anything past my children and although sweet, they are boys and boys will be boys.

I will continue to watch and pray, watch and pray, and watch and pray. By the way, my son was talking to a girl on Skype; was it your daughter? Hope you're watching!

Luke 21:36 (NIV)

"Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen..."

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Have You Noticed?


Yesterday I watched Steven Spielberg’s, The Color Purple. It’s my favorite movie, and amazingly moves me each time I watch it.

One of my favorite parts is when Miss Celie and Shug Avery are having a conversation while walking through a field. Shug mentions how God probably gets upset when we walk by the color purple without noticing it. To notice God’s creation shows our love and appreciation for Him. If anyone knows about wanting to be appreciated, it’s a mother. Some of the everyday things we do are rarely noticed, but think how we feel when our hard work is recognized. Our God is no different in wanting His works to be recognized.

Mothers get so wrapped up with life, we sometimes forget to notice the life around us. If you don’t have time to stop and smell the roses, just notice them! Have you ever driven on a highway with trees and grass on both sides and out of nowhere is a patch of yellow or purple flowers? Have you looked up lately and noticed the awesome array of clouds and colors? Did you notice any birds singing this morning? We really don’t have to go outside to notice God’s creation. What about your office? Is there a plant or simple window view to take notice of? Look at your hands. Wow, our hands are God’s tools! What an amazing Creator we have! Not only should we take time to notice, but we should train our children to notice the life around them before they are consumed with living life.

Have a marvelous Monday and take notice of the life around you.

Genesis 1:1 (KJV)

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.


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Stir It Up!


   Mothers have more talent than we give ourselves credit for. We are able to creatively multi-task endless responsibilities, schedule logistics for several people going in different directions, manage diverse and sometimes difficult personalities, juggle planned and unplanned occasions, prepare meals to satisfy picky taste buds, create a safe and loving environment for all ages, and play peacemaker and judge at the same time while attempting to keep everyone happy. Isn’t it funny how we naturally do these things daily, but sometimes become clueless when it comes to showcasing our personal talent or gift? Some of us don’t even know what our talents or gifts are and if we do, we are hesitant to use them or come up with creative excuses to not use them.

These talents sit on the back burner waiting to be stirred up and served, but the only thing some of us feel comfortable serving is dinner. I thought about this while watching a documentary on rap artists. Rappers are making millions of dollars by simply expressing themselves and most of their expressions aren’t even understood! They fearlessly exhibit their talent whether anyone else thinks it’s a talent or not. I told hubby I was going to become Rappin’ Mama and asked Firstborn to help me with the music. If they can do it, so can I, right? Wrong! I don’t have their gift, but I do have my own and I need to fearlessly exhibit what God has placed in me. The key word is fearless. What’s stopping me from boldly using my gifts just as I boldly manage my home? What about you? Are you fearlessly using your gifts and talents as you do at home or on your job? It’s definitely something to think about. Let's stir it up!


2 Timothy 1:6 (NKJV)

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you…

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Do Teens Really Have Haters?


   I recently read a blog post titled, Why Do People Hate on Teenagers, and it definitely prompted some thinking on my part. Personally, I believe teenagers create their own reputation, yet unfortunately, we hear more of the negative acts in their challenging passage to adulthood than the positive. I also believe adults would rather criticize and complain than show patience, understanding, and compassion. Trust, me I learn something from my tween and teen on love, mercy, and forgiveness every day! My sons are raising ME!

Firstborn, my initiation to raising a teenager, did something this weekend that gave me hope and encouragement. I take his grand act of showing initiative as a life lesson in my belief in the power of prayer and finding the GOOD in all things.

Well, with Firstborn's permission, I'm sharing a positive act today.

Okay, are you ready? Without being told, threatened, or having bribe intentions for something he wanted, Firstborn CLEANED THE BATHROOM SPOTLESS! He even asked me to check it! His exact words to me were, "I'm tired of that dirty bathroom. I'm cleaning it up and I'm gonna keep it clean!"  I felt his head for fever and asked if he was okay. He gave me his sweet smile and said he was fine.

WOW! I'll gladly accept the first part of his statement about cleaning the bathroom, forget keeping it clean! I'll take one step at a time. Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Firstborn and keep HOPE ALIVE for parents of teenagers!


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