Where has time gone? It has been half a year since I have last written a blog. I read one that I was written by Erick's aunt Paula and I realized... I need to get back to writing. It was therapeutic even if no one ever read it.
Last Thursday, we welcomed blogger Aprille Donaldson from Beautiful in His Time to our MOPS meeting. I had never met her, but came across her blog randomly. After reading the first couple lines of her blog, I knew she would be a perfect speaker for our "hot mess group" as I call it. Over the past two years, I haven't given the women a topic to speak about, instead simply to pray about where God leads them. This month was simply perfect.
Aprille did an amazing activity with us that I encourage everyone to do. We were given a little packet of papers with the names of each mom present in our group (and holy moly have we grown and have a lot of amazing moms!) and we simply wrote next to each one something we envied about them. What an eye opener. You never realize as you are sitting there envying something about one mom they are doing the same thing right back at you. I never pictured anyone envying me in any way. I just do life where God leads me. When we wrote those words, it was freeing. It was amazing to write such simple words that were SO real. "I envy your artistic talent." "I envy how sweet you are and your kind heart." "I envy the relationship you have with your children." "I envy the fun things you do." "I envy your marriage and friendships."
While I wish I could say we are in a season of simple blessings, the birth of our King, and giving back, in the back of my mind we are in the season of comparison. How many gifts can we shove into a shopping cart? How can I stuff that tree? That family bought this for their children so we need to up the gifts. That mom looks amazing in her Christmas party dress, why do I look "fat?" Why did her husband put so much thought into her gift and I got this old thing? How can I fit in every last single thing that I can go to just because? Guilty as charged. Why are they invited to everything and I'm just looking for a friend? When did our eyes stray so far from the true meaning of the holiday season? I realized at that moment a lot of things I truly, legitimately envy about people I can make my own. I can create those beautiful things for myself if only I gave as much effort in doing it and spent less time comparing.... Although I don't think my hair will ever be as beautiful as Amy's or Melanie's!
This year, our family is slowing down and creating memories with our friends and family. Over the next thirteen days leading up to Christmas, I'll share a glimpse at our fun traditions and simplicity. For our family that is far from Reidsville, NC it's a peek into our life here that we love so much. Feel free to swipe any of the ideas that I post! Most of them I grab off Pinterest anyway! Let this be the week's reminder to slow down in your own lives and truly savor the holiday season without envy. Slightly imperfect cookies and all.
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