Chasing Blue Skies

encouragement for every season of life

  • Home
  • Kristen
  • Blog
  • Books
    • Back Roads to Belonging
    • Girl Meets Change
    • Serving You (for military wives)
  • Subscribe
  • Instagram
  • Archives
  • Free
    • for everyone
    • for military spouses
  • Contact

What a Mama Needs Most

in Family· Grace· Parenting· Writing

 

She mentioned something last weekend and the words still roll around my head today:

“You are called to a message, not a method.”

I think about what beats at the heart of what I love to do in this writing space, and what beats is the passion to encourage. In this world that likes to beat down, I want to be a voice that builds up. So, whether it’s in a book, on a blog, in a card, or over coffee {and tea!}, I totally dig encouragement through words.

I think about other messages and methods and how they relate to motherhood.We are all responsible for teaching our children to love the Lord God with everything in them.We want this message – and others –  to sink into their noggins, but the method we choose to massage it in looks different. I know my kids’ personalities, learning styles, and bents. I know what environment they thrive in and what beats at the heart of what they love to do.

You know these things about your kids, too. You and I parent night-and-day different yet your kids and my kids still receive the message they need to hear.

{Even if some mothering days move 2 steps forward, 3 steps back.}

So then I’m thinking about messages and methods and motherhood and misconceptions.

I remember that time in Hawaii, when the Walmart {or was it Costco? Probably both.} employee scolded me because she didn’t approve of my kids hitching cart rides.

I remember when that friend asked with furrowed brows why I wasn’t homeschooling.

I remember when the well meaning AWANA’S leader informed me my kids needed to memorize more Scripture.

And I remember how guilty I am of judging other mamas especially when I don’t know their story. I don’t know what they woke up to, what battles they faced, where their feet trekked. I haven’t a clue about what method best gives her kids the messages they need. Or if she’s just plain tuckered out and absent of energy to keep her kids…oh, say…off the grocery cart.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts,

See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:24

So now I know of messages and methods and motherhood and misconceptions and mercy.

And I remember how face-flat-on-the-floor I need it.

Sharing is caring!

0shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Related

Share
Tweet
Pin
0 Shares

Filed Under: Family, Grace, Parenting, Writing

« She Speaks {and I Didn’t Freak}
Where Y’all From? »

Comments

  1. Jamie @ Six Bricks High says

    July 29, 2011 at 4:18 pm

    Oh girl, I need it too! I loved your words today and even more I love your encouraging heart!

    Reply
  2. Michele@From the Unpaved Road says

    July 29, 2011 at 5:43 pm

    Face-flat-on-the-floor how I need Him too. This week has been a bit of a doosey in that regard. MERCY. For Mercy (my newest daughter I found rummaging in the rubbish like an animal, slightly autistic, mute and a total treasure to her Papa in heaven and to me) who has bitten, scratched, beaten and bruised me in her journey to freedom. Love won’t let go even when life bites back. Freedom is not yet but it is coming. Add in a few angry mobs of people threatening to kill me for other people’s mistakes (and no this is not hyperbole) and looming deadlines. MAN, what a grace ride! Love always WINS. And I am learning all over again face flat on the floor how badly I need His. Your life dear one is a love letter from heaven to those who are privileged enough to read it! Hugs from Sudan- Michele

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      July 29, 2011 at 11:02 pm

      Oh, Michele. These glimpses into your life in Sudan always humble me. This work you do…you live and breathe Mercy for these precious daughters! A grace ride indeed, and you can bet I am face-flat-on-the-floor in prayer for you, beautiful Friend. Much love and hugs to you…

      Reply
  3. Beth says

    July 29, 2011 at 10:06 pm

    Oh! How I needed this now! Thank you so very much for your words:-) I also want more than anything to be of some encouragement to others through my blog! Not sure that I ever am, but the heart is there! You my friend always encourage me! So for that, thank you;)! Happy Friday!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      July 29, 2011 at 10:44 pm

      Oh Beth, you are! And above all else, you honor and bless Him with your sacrifice of words!

      Reply
  4. Megan O'Neill says

    July 31, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    Ohhhh Sister!! When Hope was maybe nine months old, we were grocery shopping, when we ran into this guy with a toddler. The little tyke was giving dad a run for his money, and I remember feeling ummm “smug” because my child was being so angelic and NOT causing a scene! So recently I revisited that day, when Hope had a melt-down, for the record books, inside Hobby Lobby. It was sooo ugly, and the looks from the other patrons cut like a knife! Ohhhh it burned!!! On the upside, when Client’s come into my office with small kids, I try to help and not judge! I try to point out something nice and build them up because chances are, if they are coming to my office, they are already well aware of their failures!! Love you!!!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      July 31, 2011 at 10:43 pm

      Ya, I think all us moms have a story like that! Sounds like your approach is the *most* helpful, grace-based one! Love you too, sweet pea!

      Reply
  5. Flower Patch Farmgirl says

    August 7, 2011 at 10:01 pm

    I just love this post, K! We all feel those judgments…and I’m guilty of judging, too. You said this very well.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. When You Want To Chuck the Yuck says:
    August 8, 2011 at 10:26 am

    […] same missionary who rescued the orphan, she tells this story in a comment , and I especially can’t get this out of my head: “Love won’t let go even when life […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

On Instagram

This week brought to you by family heart-to-hearts This week brought to you by family heart-to-hearts around the fireplace, tulips on the table, and my first trip of the year to the garden store. ⁠⁠
⁠⁠
Never underestimate the ministry of flowers for you and your family. ⁠⁠
⁠⁠
"Home is never simply a threshold you cross. It is a place you make and a place that might make—or unmake—you. In this halfway space, we would begin to learn the costs of stepping into the role God first gave in a garden: to be, like Adam and Eve, the makers and caretakers of a particular place." ⁠⁠
~Christie Purifoy (@christiepurifoy), in her stellar book Placemaker ⁠⁠
⁠⁠
#backroadstobelonging
Holler if you're a fellow expert at coming up with Holler if you're a fellow expert at coming up with worst-case scenarios and making plans to divert them. ⁠⁠ 📣
⁠⁠
In this particular case, I thought I had foreseen every possible problem. I took measures to ensure the best possible outcome. I’m not talking about anything outlandish or expensive. Rather, I used good ol’ hard work and productivity to take care of things responsibly.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
And then came the turn of events only God saw coming, and all my forethought and “responsible planning” didn’t amount to a hill of beans. I didn't asked for or want this outcome, but it was what I had.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
Yeah, it's easier for me to daily assess the risk of doing something than to lean into trust.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
I write more about this at my second online writing home, @incourage. Visit the link in my profile to read more. 💛
I belong where it will snow in April (and May!), b I belong where it will snow in April (and May!), but where spring always comes, eventually. ⁠⁠
⁠⁠
Where do you belong today?⁠⁠
⁠⁠
#whereIbelongWednesday
Remember my post from a few weeks ago about our fr Remember my post from a few weeks ago about our friend Ryan, a USAF vet, who lost all all feeling and control from mid chest down due to a sudden spinal stroke?⁠⁠
⁠⁠
This is his wife, Rebecca, and she is one of my dearest friends in the whole wide world.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
Sometimes when a change comes that turns our world upside down, God works through others to turn it right side up again.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
This gal has surely been a turn-the-world-right-side-up gal in my life, and now I'd love it if *we* could help do the same for her.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
As Ryan undergoes physical therapy and rehab in the spinal cord unit of the VA hospital in Denver, we would like to help Ryan and Rebecca defray the many costs not covered by insurance following this spinal stroke, such as:⁠⁠
⁠⁠
▫️Outfitting Ryan and Rebecca’s home for needs regarding Ryan’s limited mobility.⁠⁠
▫️An outfitted vehicle that’s wheelchair accessible.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
These needs and several more are on Ryan and Rebecca's own dime, and they cost a shockingly WHOLE LOTTA DIMES. ⁠⁠
⁠⁠
If you're interested in helping with these needs and/or sharing about it with your people, please check out the link to our fundraiser in my profile.⁠⁠☑️
⁠⁠
Swipe to see a pic of Ryan and Rebecca and a pic of the GoFundMe page.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
And on behalf of Ryan and Rebecca, thank you for your continued prayers!⁠⁠❤️
⁠
Follow on Instagram
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2021 Kristen Strong · Site by Design by Insight · Chasing Blue Skies Logo by Aliza Latta