It’s been a while since I’ve had time to do a real, down-to-earth post around here. There’s so much cool stuff I want to share with you, I don’t often find the time to just be ME. Today’s Five Minute Friday post was an irresistible invitation to get real…(and to break rules and go overtime. I understand if you don’t have time to read my ramble…)
Real is what you get when you’re face-to-face. It takes real effort to be real online. If you were to stop by in person today, you’d get my reality by default, whereas online this only happens if I choose. And why would I want to choose to show you my reality? Because truth is more meaningful than the fiction we create to fill in the gaps of what we reveal to each other in this online world. Openness fosters true fellowship and the accountability that allows us to grow.
So, here’s what you would see if you stopped in today. And I have to use my words because my camera’s broke and the desktop (with all my photos on it) is sick today.
Unfortunately, your first impression is not so good…the screen porch you enter my house through looks like 3 small children have been partying (probably ’cause they have?) Garishly-colored toys and food scraps create booby traps for bare feet. But if you can make it past the porch (which I plan to clean tomorrow, I promise!) the kitchen’s not too bad. Yeah, I’ve got dirty dishes from lunch still, but dinner’s cooking and I’m going to make cookies tonight, so butter is softening along with coconut oil in the mixer bowl.
The kids will notice you, but as they are generally quiet and shy at first ,they’ll turn back to their movie. I just finished a consultation with a bride I’m working with (I’m coordinating her wedding next week) so I had to give them snacks and put a movie in and spent half the afternoon on the phone.
We could sit at the dining room table, but more likely I’ll invite you to pull up the bar stool and keep me company while I tackle the dishes. We’ll talk about whatever is on our hearts this week because I love getting down to the nitty gritty as fast as possible.
Heavy on my heart this week is balance–struggling to find it and keep it for a few minutes at a time with all the plates I have in the air. I might tell you what I told a friend on the phone this morning, how it’s easy to prioritize and know what you have to let go of when you have a new baby–it’s really life or death that you put that baby first, and a clean house or correspondence or creative meals easily goes on the back burner. But when you’re in a season of productivity, with fewer physical limits, it’s harder to discern and to keep things in the proper order. I’m working hard this week balancing my marriage, motherhood, ministry, business, homemaking, and still fitting in the things that refresh and recharge my own soul. Sacrifices are made daily, and I strain to make sure they’re premeditated and not accidental.
And yet, I’ll be smiling as I get real with you, because the truth is, I’m feel very, very blessed even in this busy season. It’s like the problem you face at a really great dessert buffet – so many good choices! It’s a great place to be, when so many areas of my life are vying for my attention, but each one is a joy-filled opportunity. Connecting with women online and in real life…sharing my passion for real food with families…teaching my son to play checkers…sitting on the swing in the backyard talking with my husband as the sun sets…so many delectable choices! I’ll laugh with you and conclude that it’s a good problem to have…
And then I’ll ask, “What’s up with you this week?” And you could answer in the comments…
It was a crazy busy weekend for us with my sister-in-law getting married, so I’m just now getting around to read this, but I love it! Thank you for being real… 🙂
I’ll just say ditto to Katie’s!
And add that life is good here as well!
It sounds like you have a wonderful life and it’s a good kind of busy 🙂 🙂 My life is super q uiet right now, but I’m going to love these moments, because I”m sure my life will get busy again at some point 😉 🙂 Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 🙂
and I would tell you how we went from 0 kids to 3 in just 2 months, and that we also do respite care for other foster families and so this weekend we have FIVE between 8 1/2 months and 2 1/2 years.
We’re shopping for a minivan.
And I’m tired and a little overwhelmed and don’t get much done most days except wipe up and dispose of the various liquids and solids that seep from every bodily orifice of all those children.
But I think I’m officially a mom now. And on Mother’s Day this year we hope to have a baby dedication for our three long-term placements. Pretty different from last year’s mopey Mother’s Day.
Love it, Trina! Almost feels like I really did walk into your house. :O)
If you walked into my house the other evening, you would have found a clean living room but dirty floors. I’d be just a few hours out of bed from a silent migraine (collected from a super busy week, plus low sleep, plus lots of sun), and super grateful that God had answered my prayers for healing! I’d invite you into my very lived-in kitchen/office, where I’d plunk you on a chair next to my computer and a stack of receipts while I finished making pizza. We’d eat an hour later than expected…but hopefully you’d enjoy yourself just the same.
That sounds about right for a visit to Trina’s only I’m thankful you let me help with the dishes as we spill out our hearts! 🙂
Love every bit of this post. Thank you, friend.
Can I tell you how much I love this post? I try very hard to be real in my writing, but hiding is so much easier behind the words. I’m not even going to begin to tell you what you’d see at my house today;)
Visiting from 5 Minute Friday. This is beautifully written and sounds very familiar! and REAL!!! Thanks for sharing!
Sounds like a real family home to m full of joys and normal up and downs. what a screen door you have and thank you for the invite ~Blessings