• MARRIAGE :: authenticity

    “It’s easy, in our culture, to idealize marriage. This is especially true for younger generations who have grown up seeing reality through the lens of social media. Authenticity is applauded and sharing your real life is celebrated—just as long as it’s not too authentic or too real.” In the beginning of our marriage, I was so lost. Even with awesome examples of healthy marriages in my life I so struggled with how to actually BE married. I was so SELFISH. I had such high expectations. I often think Eric is a saint for hanging in there with me while I fumbled through the first few years. I wanted marriage to…

  • FAITH :: cure

    When I did a poll a few days ago, 77% of you voted that you are more surrounded by negative marriage talk as opposed to positive. I figured the stats would go that route, just mainly because of the culture we live in today, and the divorce rate. So my next devotional focus was an easy choice. Because of those poll results. But also because there is always room for improvement in my own marriage. We all have gaps in our ability to give and receive love. On our own, we’re all missing something. Gaps. I have so many gaps. I’m selfish. I’m impatient. I seek perfection. I have expectations…

  • PARENTING :: love

    What a great way to end this series. I’ve been thinking about while I’m reconnecting now, the guilt of having drifted for such a long season. A LONG season. I’d touch base here and there but I’d lost consistency, the borders got fuzzy, you know. But today, today’s reminder that God’s borders never get fuzzy. What a doozy. I mean, I’ve known this, but something about reading it this morning kind of sweeps away the guilt I’ve been feeling and gives me courage to move forward in this direction I’m headed. He’s always been there. Molding me. Nudging me. Encouraging me. Listening to me. His will has always been in…

  • PARENTING :: hospitality

    Oh boy… Hospitality. That one word is enough to make this hermit-hearted mama’s palms sweat. I prefer nights alone on the couch curled up any day over hosting others, or even being hosted for that matter. Mainly because hosting is so. much. work.  But today’s devotional gave light to another angle of hospitality that I’m honestly admitting I’d never gave serious thought to.  Why do we host? The point of inviting others into our home is to serve and to make them feel good. Of course!  It’s so easy to get caught up in the preparation of it all, especially if you’re a recovering addict of perfection seeking. I hate to…

  • PARENTING :: expectations

    It’s hard for me to write today’s post because it’s a large self admission of failure. And who wants to openly admit they’ve failed?! And failed. And failed. But I feel so compelled to share because if I’m struggling through this, I know others are too. Today’s devotional in the #nomoreperfectmoms series hit me like a ton of bricks. Because yesterday was a day. My toddler has entered the “do it myself” phase. Which, while super exciting and such a huge milestone for her, is literal torture for me. One of my biggest struggles in motherhood is letting go of my ideal, and allowing my children to lead the way…