Each month of this year, I have enjoyed rifling through the pages of my journal, looking back on what I’ve written, and then writing a blog post about it all. You can check out the other posts here-January, February, March, April, May, and June.
Time without the kid’s
Each year, our children enjoy going to Daily Vacation Bible School at a local church. It lasts for 5 days from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Now I’m a homeschool mama, so I have to admit that it is rare that I get a day to myself without any children. My children often have playdates with friends, but it’s almost never all of the children at once. Bernd and I also have date days without the children, but we don’t generally stay home, therefore I’m not by myself. I have to admit that I did enjoy my week without the children. This year, I decided I wasn’t going to clean my house. (Which I had done every other year) Instead, I did a lot of writing, some exercising, and a walk with a friend. It was much more enjoyable than cleaning. What I learned, though, is that I can’t imagine being at home without the kids all the time. It was a good reminder that I am doing exactly what I am called to be doing. Doing what we are called is the best place to be, no matter what that looks like.
Online Book Club/Accountability Group
I am so blessed to have been able to spend each Monday evening for at least 8 weeks with some amazing ladies via zoom talking about what we are learning through the books we are studying. It’s been so much more valuable than I could ever have imagined. I have definitely had a lot of personal growth happening through this group. It has also been so fun to get to know them just a little.
How do you talk to yourself?
I have mentioned “What to Say When You Talk to Yourself,” by Shad Helmstetter. I have learned so much from reading this book! One of the biggest things I’ve learned is to actually speak positive words out loud over myself daily. The author suggests various methods including making recordings, writing things out, and changing the way you say things when you catch yourself speaking something negative of yourself. After speaking some different words over myself at least 5 days a week, I can honestly say that I am starting to see myself in a different light.
I’m not meant to be like everyone else
I have long struggled with comparison. I’ve often not gone after the things I’ve dreamt of doing, wanted to do because I saw someone else that was most definitely better at it than me. I’ve been held back because I didn’t want to stand out, but I love that God made each of us different. I get to be who I am created to be. Just like you. You are created for exactly what God has called you to be. You don’t need to be like anyone else.
Know Thyself
Along with realizing I don’t need to be like everyone else, I am learning to know myself. Honestly, I don’t do well with being on the go all the time. I am not an extrovert, though I love people. I am an introvert who just happens to like being with people. The difference between myself and an extrovert is that I get tired if I don’t have down time without people to re-charge me. This used to bother me. I wanted to be like my friends that love to be going all the time and never seem to run out of energy. I felt like I wasn’t enough because I wasn’t like them. Now I’m learning it’s okay. As part of knowing myself, my husband and I have started a new system. This system means that my husband has taken over the 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. block of our day. He is now managing the kid’s chore time, tooth brushing, etc. I have been using, this time, to read my Bible and pray or exercise. For the longest time, I have tried to do it on my own without help at all. That’s my pride taking over. However, recently I realized this wasn’t working for me. Now I recognize that I am blessed that my husband is able to do this for me, I know that not all of you can do this. The reason I share this, though, is that as moms, we need to know how to take care of ourselves and be the best moms we can be. It looks different for all us, but I truly believe we all need to find that way to re-charge.
A Quote that Touched Me
The really important stuff happens just outside your comfort zone. –Michael Hyatt
Do you know how long I’ve stuck close to my comfort zone? Literally all of my life. Stepping out to start this blog was the beginning of getting out of my comfort zone. Beginning to read Business books when I’m not an actual business owner was the second part. Joining the online book club was the third.
I can promise that to step out of your comfort zone is not easy. There are days that I step back in, but I’m starting to see the rewards for stepping out. When I dreamed of blogging, I didn’t think I was any good at writing, I didn’t know if I would like it long term. But by doing it, I discovered how much I love writing, how much it touches my soul. I’ve also discovered that I’m not so bad at writing. I’m discovering that writing helps me process the difficulties that life throws my way.
Passion for Jesus
I’ve been faithfully reading through the Bible this year. I’ve re-discovered a desperation for my Savior that I have prayed for with all of my heart for quite a few years. I’ve discovered that I wouldn’t want to walk this life without him. He’s an amazing friend! He walks with me through the thick and the thin.
Praise and Worship
For those of you that know me personally, you know that I love to sing and worship Jesus. Recently, I’ve recognized that this is one of the things God has created me to do. I don’t just praise him when I’m feeling happy, I praise him just because I love him so much. This has been a comfort to me, recently. I can’t put into words just how amazing it is.
The Pain of Loss
I’m not sure how to even share this part because our family recently lost someone close to us very suddenly. We found out this person was very sick on a Thursday and she passed away this Monday morning. As I write this, I can only write with thanksgiving in my heart. Why? Because God is faithful. I can thank the Lord that she didn’t suffer long, that she knew the Father God and is in heaven rejoicing with him. I can thank God because he has been so near to me, personally. I have never felt the presence of the almighty God like I am feeling him right now. He is so close. I am reminded of some words to an old chorus, “So close I believe, you’re holding me now in your arms I belong, you’ll never let me go.” That’s what I feel right now.
How about you? How has your summer been? What has your favorite part been?
If you enjoyed this content, I’d love if you’d take a moment to share it with a friend or via social media.