Daughter, Wife, Mother, Teacher
As I shaved what was left of her hair off yesterday after her 5th chemo treatment, I thought about how grateful I am that there is hope and a future for my mom. That her hair will eventually grow back and life will go on. But what about those who are losing the fight or are still unsure which way the battle will go? Don't they have hope and a future too?
That's what's important and what I want to remember every day. Not the cheesy, fickle, ever-changing poetry kind of love, though. I mean the kind of love that makes a good mom, wife, and friend. The kind of love that puts others first. The kind of love that grows in you the more you give it away. The kind of love that is given even when it isn't deserved, pours out even when the source feels empty, stretches even when it's already tight, expands even when constricted, is contagious and genuine and forgiving. The Jesus kind of love.
This isn't a mother-thing, it's a girl-thing. A girl's desire to care for others exists long before she has children. It's an ability and a gift that God puts in every woman, it's our purpose and our privilege to be the nurturers and caretakers in our world.
Even before I was married I wanted to homeschool my future kids but now that I'm 5 years in with a 2nd, 4th and 5th grader this year and with 2 little ones under foot while I teach, I wonder what in the world I was thinking! It’s super hard! ...but it's the hard stuff that produces great results when you press on.
Friends, I need grace. And I might not be the only one. Life is hard, our bodies are imperfect and our emotions are a beast to be tamed. Sometimes we just need to be real with each other and say what’s up.
You see, Jesus isn't sitting at your house in your favorite "quiet time spot" waiting for you to come meet up with him. He's with you everywhere, all the time. Watching, waiting, hoping you'll acknowledge him, talk to him, share your everyday life with him.
Candice has a wonderfully smooth and captivating writing style that keeps you reading till the end. Full of candid stories of heartbreak, hope and healthy doses of comedy, this is a great read!
I truly believe that God’s heart for us is to be free of all fear. I mean it. Every-Single-Fear can be wiped away and we can live our lives in complete freedom and surrender and trust. I know, this sounds too good to be true, but I really believe it because His Word is full of encouragement to do just that!
The goal is to live life at full capacity. Not under and not over. Don't be a race car driver that drives 15 miles below the speed limit or a teacher that reads every book out there but doesn't share what they've learned. Don't be a spectator, get in the game!
