Contemplations of a Mommy "Monk"

This year, I have have transitioned into a new stage of my life as I continue to juggle my responsibilities of motherhood and I have now returned to teaching full time. I teach high school students- teenagers -the NEXTgeneration (always a scary thought) and my re-entry into the high school world has caused a few eye opening moments. As August rolled into September, my excitement and anxiety grew. I was ready to get back into the classroom and do what I love to do, but I knew it would be a time of transitions too. I thought that I would struggle this year with trying to continue with my duties as a mother and hold down a very challenging job. I thought I might struggle with the content of my classes, since I'm teaching things I've never taught before (as college level courses too!). I thought I might be drained by the demanding schedule....but I never thought I might be challenged spiritually. I don't know why, but I kind of forgot that I was walking into a very dark place w...

I have been reading less and less these days, unless you count math books, statistics tests and geometry notes. But, last weekend when I needed a real break, I sat down with Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey's newest release: The Swiss Courier. What a treat (kind of like Swiss dark chocolate)! The story is set in the last days of WWII, with a touch of espionage, nuclear physics and love. The central character is a regular girl, who is a half Swiss, half American young woman trying out her feet in the world and making discoveries about true love from the two men who are vying for her attention and her simple godly parents. I enjoyed this unique perspective on stories from that time in history and the realistic internal struggles the main character faces. I don't think I've read anything from the perspective of a Swiss (neutral) national being involved in the war or about the building of the atomic bomb. The historical elements tied together with the real life experiences ma...

Have you ever been in a situation where you realized that people were talking about you behind your back? I remember the moment I discovered that my so-called friends had been criticizing my every move when I wasn't there to defend myself. It was my first year teaching (16 years ago) and things hadn't been going very well for me...at all. I didn't have a classroom and the teachers sharing their rooms with me were hostile and irritated with my "new teacher" mistakes. I had more students than I knew what to do with (150+) and to top it off, I didn't get a lunch break, but instead spent lunch monitoring students. I remember sitting down at 3:30 for the first time all day, feeling completely spent and very overwhelmed by everything. And in the midst of all this, my friends were doubting my ability to do the job. They were kind to my face, but when I was gone, they talked about my weaknesses and criticized my character. Read the rest of the story at Laced with Grac...

I talk and talk and talk all day long. I talk about quadratic equations, Geometry proofs and standard deviation. I talk about homework and accuracy and attention to details. Yackity Yack And when I'm done talking about math, I talk about responsibility and kindness to siblings, cleanliness and healthy eating habits. I talk about how the day went and I talk about trials and blessings. I talk about me and then I ask about his day too. Talk, talk, talk Talk on its own is pretty meaningless though and I wonder how much of my talk is sweetened with love. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1 Read the rest of my devotion at the Internet Cafe this morning.

Have you ever had one of those days where you wish you could just start over? Sometimes it's because of mistakes made and the ensuing consequences, like when you gripe at your family on the way out the door in the morning. Or it might just be the result of living in a fallen world. All I know is that some days I'm really glad when it's bedtime and I get to close the book on that "terrible horrible, very bad, no good day." And in the morning light, everything looks different. Mostly it looks new. Each day we are given a fresh start, a new chance to make this day better than the one before. Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:22- 3...

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29: 11- 13 This is one of those verses that makes it onto encouragment cards or even gets the highly honored name of "favorite verse." It's a verse that's so full of hope that we cling to it like a buoy in the stormy seas of life. Read the rest of my devotion at Laced with Grace today.

Let me introduce you to a wonderful book for any mother seeking to find God in the everyday moments of motherhood: In the everyday stretch and squeeze of motherhood, Tricia Goyer often feels smooshed by the demands of life. In Blue Like Play Dough, she shares her unlikely journey from rebellious, pregnant teen to busy wife and mom with big dreams of her own. As her story unfolds, Tricia realizes that God has more in store for her than she has ever imagined possible. Sure, life is messy and beset by doubts. But God keeps showing up in the most unlikely places–in a bowl of carrot soup, the umpteenth reading of Goodnight Moon, a woe-is me teen drama, or play dough in the hands of a child. In Tricia’s transparent account, you’ll find understanding, laughter, and strength for your own story. And in the daily push and pull, you’ll learn to recognize the loving hands of God at work in your life… and know He has something beautiful in mind. Read an excerpt: http://triciagoyer.com/cmsdocuments/...