On Preparing and Practicing for the Battlefield

Sometimes I catch myself praying zealous, ambitious prayers I truly mean with all sincerity, until I see God answering them in ways I did not expect. It happened yesterday.

I prayed for God to send me in. I'm pretty sure "Put me in coach," slipped out of my mouth.

I was being serious. I want to play the game.

But almost within the hour, He showed me I'm not ready. I am not trained to run the field for 90 straight minutes. I am not prepared to fight this battle yet.  My armor is falling off me. It's rusty, it's heavy, and any movement I make forward looks like a tripping duck.

I need some preparation. I need to be trained to use the equipment and armor I've been given.

Sisters, God will not send us into battle unarmed and unprepared.  (Click it to tweet it!)

He loves us too much.

Halleluia!

When I pray things like, "Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander, that my faith would be made stronger, in the presence of my Savior," I can almost see God the Father raising his big ol' eyebrows, placing his giant gentle hand under this chin and with a soft grin saying, "Well then Sweetie, we'd better get to work." 

He loves us enough to work with us, work through us, work in us. Oh how He loves us.

So that trial, that struggle, that annoyance or sin you and I are fighting to get passed, well honey, it's just some good ol' fashioned practice.

Embrace it. I will too. And I'll see you on the field.

Hey New Mama's, It's Your First Birthday Too

In the month where I feel like I've questioned every decision I make as a mother, this was a welcomed release. I cried because I resonated. I laughed out loud with the girl who said, "On my child's first birthday, I remembered I hadn't slept properly in a year." 

Today I'm reminded that it's okay to be faulty at something so new. We're learning. Whatever it is you're new at, you're learning. 

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If you're new to this space, I usually reserve Mom talk for Thursdays. This isn't a mom blog. But I do blog and I am a mom. So naturally, it leaks through. 

If We Were On a Coffee Date | No. 8

If we were on a coffee date, I'd invite you to my apartment. I started using our espresso percolator again to make lattes and Tyson is going coockoo for them. I need a second opinion.

If we were on a coffee date, I'd offer you some green crunchy grapes, brie cheese, and rosemary cranberry crackers because I'm probably starving and I love cheese. The crackers and grapes are just to maintain "balance."

If we were on a coffee date, I'd be apologizing for taking a phone call in the middle of our visit, but with tears in my eyes, beaming about how God really does provide. I'm not sure why I doubt it anymore. It's really getting silly.

If we were on a coffee date, there'd be a big long story about how I'm overwhelmed about getting a sitter for Symphony for the two days I work at the office. I don't know the first thing about interviewing a nanny, what I should be looking for and how to spot a crazy one.

If we were on a coffee date, I'd explain that phone call was from a co-worker who is quickly becoming a good friend, and her sister, whose baby girl is Symphony's age, is looking for part-time work! WHAT?!

If we were on a coffee date, I'd be a mess. A straight up mess of relief, thanksgiving, and wonder.

If we were on a coffee date, I'd ask you to tell me a story about how you've seen God work in your life this week.

And of course, if you'd like some more cheese.

23 Pieces of Advice for College Freshman

You've made it. The time you've been anticipating for the last four years has finally arrived, and while your Mom has been holding back her sobbing for the last couple days, you are out of your mind excited and nervous.

You pack your bags and secure your graduation gift Starbucks cards securely in your new totally hipster wallet. You and Mom make seven more Target runs and go over all the check lists you found on Pinterest, making sure you don't forget a single necessity. And by necessity, you know I mean those wedges you saw on sale. Duh.

Everything is new. Clean. Fresh.

Your un-inked college ruled notebooks giggle things like, opportunity, freedom, imagination.

What do these next four years hold exactly? Who will you be at the end of this tunnel?

You will be different. 

I don't know the details of your experiences ahead, but here is my big-sisterly advice to you:

1. You will meet people who will change your life forever; some will make it better and some will make it worse.
2. Be nice to everyone but choose your friends wisely.
3. Professors are professional pushers. Don't be offended when you get your first F. Do better.
4. Some study nights are just too intense for coffee. Insert Red Bull.
5. Talk to your roommate. You'll be together for 9 months.
6. Also on roommates, remember they might have been raised differently than you. "Doing laundry" might mean Febreze-ing. #dontjudge
7. Everyone puts on a good show the first few weeks. The cute boy you saw in orientation might be really bad news.
8. Also on boys, don't rush into it and it's okay to say no.
9. Group dates are the easiest way to get to know a guy. No pressure.
10. Take your vitamins.
11. Call your mom. She's worried about you.
12. Get involved as soon as possible. Clubs, groups, sports, committees.
13. Study your professors. Listen for hints on what they like and always be on time to class. It will go well with you.
14. Sit in the front.
15. "Freshman 15" and "Ring by Spring" are real things. #dontfreakout
16. Don't be afraid of $8/hr. Minimum wage has gotten many of us through college.
17. US History might not feel very practical, but the A or B at the end of the semester is.
18. Grades aren't everything, but they are something.
19. It's okay to change your major. More than once. Or twice.
20. In three years, Senioritis will return. With a vengeance. #highschoolflashback
21. Make memories.
22. Every decision you make will affect your future. Think ahead and think beyond the school walls.
23. You can be anyone you want. Don't settle and dream bigger.

Get ready to think differently, feel differently, talk differently, dream differently. This is the beginning of a wonderful adventure.

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Original photo via
This post was originally written by me for last year's Freshman. Congrats, you're sophomores now! Be nice to the Freshman.

Messy Legacy of Love

This is what happens when you take too much footage of your child and you get super emotional about her growing up.