Yeah, it’s true. I laughed out my nose when the three year old lunged across the table to steal food from his older brother’s plate deft like a praying mantis after it’s cricket.
Seriously—the way he moved was impressive and spontaneous and I could NOT help it.
Yeah, it’s true, I sighed at first when:
8 year old: “mommy.”
me: “just a minute, I’m in the middle of a thought bud”
8 year old: “ok”
8 year old (3 seconds later): “mommy” (whispered now as though it’s a secret from my too-busy-self and currently he’s speaking to (what he firmly believes to be) my always-available-self, because, of course.)
Yeah, it’s true, I was afraid to face the “ginormity” of the day and decided not to think about it a little bit longer and looked at Instagram instead. This is one of the bigger tempters I have dealt with within my mothering: the temptation to disengage for fear of the greatness of this calling (although I haven’t always understood that was why).
But the other truth—in the midst of all my untimely laughter, petty sighs and legit fears…(and please remember friends these are not the ugliest of my faults) I hear whispers of glory in. it. all. The silent yet audible whispers of now being the ripened time for His power to bring rest to my tired and the chaos and my-less-than-all-I-want-to-be. Maybe I even hear those whispers more there than anywhere else. Because that’s how it works right?
In the true, is the true. Need, is like an arrow pointing to the answer. The pain marks the opening. In the light all is light. In the darkness there’s a safe way. Because this doesn’t all rely on us. We get to be a part. And this is amazing. This is powerful. This is glory in the mundane—my heart’s aching desire that I have so often thought I was wrong for!
No. We’re not wrong. We’re hungry for the more we were intended for. The design just waiting for us to unwrap. The table prepared just waiting for us to come and feast.
But sometimes I go wrong because I ignore all that, I’m too busy for all that. When all it would take was my presence…like a cup of water. Jesus said it. Just a cup of water.
Going raw, thirsty, and wide open into this day with you. I’m certain now that’s what truly teaching our children is all about. I will disciple only as effectively as I am discipled. Yeah, it’s messier, that’s true too. But it’s worth it. It’s worth everything.
Lord, give us understanding in the moments today, the weak and strong, what it means that Your grace is enough. What does it mean Your power is made perfect in our weakness? The words are nice, but the reality is what we need, what we want with whole hearts, to raise the children up in the way they should go.
Thanks for being here! I’m glad we’re changing the world together today, because you know we are right? This is big.
Raynna
P.S. The photos today are from around the house recently and a hike we took a couple days ago. These images are not staged but I am a professional lifestyle photographer. We are each surrounded by beautiful moments like these in our real raw lives!
If what I’ve written today resonates with you, Check out my book here. (But don’t buy it yet, lower price, coming soon!)
4 Comments
FreedomScout
Raynna: Today’s post, “The Truth About The Day,” is absolutely amazing! You were on a freedom roll, to be sure. And, with so much grace and grounding as well! The moving-snappy-style compliments you, but I’ve seen other writings by you as well, that’s extremely insightful: While being sweet as honey, slow poured as molasses, and deeper with honesty than most of us have ever dived. I love being inside your mind, and having you’re preciousness inside my heart. Write-On!
Raynna
Thank you SO much! Your feedback means A LOT to me, such kind kind words. I felt like my heart hit the page more clearly on this one. Nonetheless, the words come but It REALLY helps me keep courage to keep on and hit that publish button with your encouragement.
Lingie
I don’t want to end up constantly repeating myself but what you write touches my heart. every. time. Love you and yes, please, write on!
Raynna
Please repeat yourself anytime! This process and the day to day seem to beat it out of me before its time to write again. It means so much to me that any of this is touching you! Thanks for letting me know!