Confessions and Motherhood

Each Sunday, as part of our church's worship service, we read a corporate confession of sin aloud before having a time of silent prayer. The practice of corporate confession was new to me when we first began attending our church, five years ago. Over the course of time I realized that what I appreciate most is that these often rather general confessions of common behavior have challenged me and often revealed greater struggles. Reading together creates a sense of equality -- we are all sinners. It is powerful, convicting, and encouraging.

A few weeks after Hudson was born {after the blissful first days, in the midst of sleep-deprived crankiness} we read the following confession:

Our Lord, forgive us for being angry and grumpy when you call us to serve others. We serve our-selves gladly, but are often bothered when our spouses, parents, roommates [children] and co-workers need our help and interrupt our plans. As we serve, we often grumble silently to ourselves, watching the clock wondering when we can be done. We forget we're serving you first.
Lord God, forgive our selfishness. Amen.

As a mother, struggling with recovering from my cesarean section and coping with a two-year old acting out and a colicky newborn, I felt like this confession was written for me. It is so easy to slip into grumpiness and to let that attitude shape my days. To become ungrateful or to lose perspective will also rob me of the joys. I have been carrying around this confession, re-reading it almost daily. Praying this prayer. I have found this helpful as a mother, a wife, and a friend.

What do you find helpful in the hard moments? Does your church pray corporately? What do you turn to for encouragement?

The story of friendship

For about six years I have carried these two photo strips with me. They have been in my agenda, tucked behind the front cover. Annually I transfer them from my old calendar to my new one. If there was a fire I would want to save them. You see, these two girls are very special. They are two of my dearest friends. I have hundreds of pictures with them, but these photo strips stand out. This day is special.

I can't remember what year it was, but I am pretty sure that none of us were dating the men we are married to now. We didn't talk about boys that day.

The one on the right, was a year older. We looked up to her in highschool as a star athlete on our team. She drove us around. She brought us to early morning young life bible study, called campaigners. We often lacked self-esteem, while she exuded confidence. She helped us find out own confidence.

Out of the blue, she called us up and invited us to the beach, before we were best friends. The forecast was rainy, but she knew how to make the best of it. We walked the boardwalk and visited every shop brave enough to be open. We took ridiculous pictures wearing crazy hats and our brightly colored rain slickers. We spent time in the arcade where we took these photos. I don't know why I am the keeper. Perhaps we got three sets. Either way, I am glad to have them. These photos tell a story

of investing in others.

of loving like Christ.

of sisterhood.

of the foundations of friendship.

of a friendship that will last for an eternity.


I took the photo strips out of my agenda today to scan them. And then I tucked them neatly in my desk at home. But I will always carry them with me in some form or another.


I look forward to being 80 with these two, driving to Ocean City out of the blue, and having our husbands, kids and grandkids laugh at how corny we are. We wouldn't have it any other way.

Life Lessons | My 20's

our rehearsal dinner

21 // As a college senior, studying abroad and feeling invincible, I lost my great-grandmother. I abruptly flew home to be with loved ones and was reminded of the importance of family. This single event changed my interactions with my parents and grandparents, I gift of which I remain grateful to this day.

22 // Completing my final events as a college athlete, graduating, planning a wedding, and job searching, I learned the hard way, the importance of being content.

Once we became content, thanking God for his blessings rather than spending our time looking for something bigger and better, God laid out a plan for new jobs, and new city, and moved everything into place.

23 // Preparing to leave Boston, I realized the importance of seizing the day. I looked at my city with new eyes, and finally explored the hidden gems I had neglected.

24 // New jobs and demanding schedules pulled Mark and I in different directions. The wisdom of friends directed us towards marriage counseling, and only then did we begin to use our words to edify each other first. I learned the importance of loving communication.

25 // I learned to stop worrying. (I am still learning to stop worrying...)

Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles, it empties today of its strengths. - Corrie Ten Boom

26 // I learned that grieving is a process, a long slow process, and that is okay.

27 // After having Behr and receiving an outpouring of love and support from our friends here in DC, I learned what it looks like to be a resource that serves others.

a hidden gems of our vacation, being able to comfort this little guy when he was under the weather

28 // Juggling work, home, and motherhood, I catch myself constantly looking for the next thing to tackle. I want to slow down, to spend this year living in the moment. I hope that I can look back and see progress, that I can declare with determination that I learned to be present.

Being present.

With that, I turn to you, my friends.

How do you do it? What are your secrets?

How do you stay present at dinner with your husband, over a cup of coffee with a girlfriend, on the phone with your mom, reading books to your kids... In life's most precious moments, how do block out the distractions, ignore your phone, forget your to-do list, and simply be present? How do you decide to enjoy the moment instead of capturing the moment with your camera?


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A tremendous thanks goes out to Sarah of Fairy Tales Are True for continuing this series, and inviting other bloggers to join her. Thinking back over these lessons, and the blessing of God during this course of time, has proved to be a blessing of its own. Thanks for letting me share along with you!