When Jessi of Naptime Diaries and the Influence Conference asked me for my bible verse of the year I spent some time praying about it and feel like I found the perfect verse to help comfort the natural worrier in me.
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Category Archives: FaithI just returned from my second year at the Influence Conference (read about my first year here). Last year’s experience was just mind blowing. To be connected to so many like minded women who wanted to use their Influence for a greater good just did so much for my heart. I met some incredible friends and built relationships that I surely treasure. Needless to say I couldn’t wait to go back this year. I didn’t think this year’s experience could top last year’s but, boy, was I wrong. Let me recap some of my favorite points for those of you that couldn’t be there. Whitney English said something that I just loved. She said was “when we look at others we think that’s how life is supposed to look. And that pushing destroys us. The anecdote is authenticity and gratitude.” I am certainly guilty of comparison. Comparison when it comes to the numbers and how they measure success here in this world of analytics and social media followers. Guilty of comparison in the things that we have and trying to keep up with the Joneses. When we look at others we think that’s how life is supposed to look and try to follow God’s plan for their life instead of trusting him with his plan for ours.
.jpg) On Friday night the incredible Lara Casey held a special workshop just for Influence Network members. It was a mini Making Things Happen and, boy, did I need a refresher. Let me backtrack: I became a Christian a year and a half ago. Lara Casey offers something called Power Sheets that are similar to the processes you go through in a Making Things Happen conference. Within the Power Sheets you determine what did and didn’t work for you in the last year. Going through what didn’t work for me in our marriage, in parenting my children, in comparing myself to others, in trying to live up to expectations, and just taking a long hard look at the ugly parts of me absolutely pointed to my need for a relationship with God…so I just started praying. Needless to say this woman holds a very special place in my heart.
Lara’s session was incredible…as expected. Hundreds of us crying, naming our fears, and sharing our deepest and darkest secrets just opened up our hearts and allowed us to connect on another level. I got to know some of the girls I had known for the last year better than I could have imagined through this and we were able to stand side by side, pray for one another, and just become this united tribe through our struggles in this journey called life.
Our first baby has graduated from Pre-K…and we missed it. Yes, you read that right. A note came home from school last week that they had changed the date of graduation. Hudson had taken the folder that contained the note up to the playroom and hid it as it also had my Mother’s Day present in that he wanted to surprise me with. The tears were never ending when I found out what had happened. I, literally, could not stop crying…for hours. It was thoroughly dramatic. But, a great lesson was learned in all of this about how much grace our kids give us. My friend and I were talking about “Mommy guilt” earlier in the week and all of a sudden it clicked. I was beating myself up and Hudson could have cared less. Our kids love us no matter what. Yes, we all stumble and wonder if we’re making mistakes that will affect them in the long run. But God knew what he was doing when he made me their Mommy. I am imperfect but made perfect in him.
Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday. Taking the time to thank God for all that I have. I don’t do that often enough throughout the year. Today, I’m sharing with you a Thanksgiving Scripture printable that I created. Helping to remind me to be thankful not only during the month of November but every day. Enjoy!
Before joining the ranks of motherhood I envisioned that I would be the world’s best Mom. I judged the mistakes I saw other parents make (including my own). I thought I would never make those mistakes myself, my kids would be perfectly dressed, always well behaved, and I would never lose my patience. Then I became a Mom. Motherhood is the hardest job in the world but with the best benefits. Working from home is not easy. I struggle with balance, stretch myself too thin, and then lose my patience very easily. Annie Downs spoke during the Influence Conference and said “the tongue has the power of life and death. There is no middle ground.” I love my kids fiercely but my actions don’t always reflect that. After hearing Annie speak I felt determined to make some changes.
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