Thursday, January 21, 2021

10 Things I Love in March

10 Things I Love

Videos of my nieces singing Frozen

Houseplants

Working in comfy clothes

Daily walks with him

Trying new recipes

My sister's baby bump

Little Women

Slippers

Birdsong

The scent of grass growing

3.31.2020

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

10 Things I Love in January

10 Things I Love

Harry Potter evenings
Spontaneous days out
Date nights
Slow dances at weddings
Church friends
New bookshelves
Puzzle videos
Long-distance friendships
Twinkle lights
Mike Mains on repeat

1.31.2020

10 Things I Love in December

10 Things I Love

Our first Christmas ornaments
Making buckeyes with my mom
Hosting for the first time
Leaving work for break
Kisses and champagne at midnight
Driving buddy while he was off school
Christmas music on repeat
Sister and brother-in-law's baby announcement
Christmas Eve gift of financial aid
Andrew

12.31.19

Friday, March 27, 2020

Make Room

Make room for grace

Deep breaths, he says, as he holds my shoulders
Let it go, she says, because she's never held this fear
It'll be okay, he says, and I want to have his certainty
It doesn't have to be perfect, they say, voices of a world that hides its flaws

Perfectionism is the enemy of peace
And it disguises itself as virtues so that it can conquer more of my heart

It doesn't show up at the gate with swords drawn and a challenge, ready for a glorious fight
Perfectionism sneaks, it cajoles, it convinces
A trickster, it presents itself as ambition, dedication, required excellence

Perfectionism overpowers my loves and fears and hopes until there's no room for anything else

No room for grace

So I must make a substitution, an atonement, a desperate but worthy trade
And sacrifice the expectations of perfection on the altar of freedom

To make room for grace

Deep breaths, he says, and peace conquers fear
Let it go, she says, and my eyes release their tears
It'll be okay, he says, and I recall promises fulfilled
It doesn't need to be perfect, God says, My grace is sufficient for it all

Eyes up
Hands open
Spirit at rest
Making room
For grace

3.27.2020

Monday, November 25, 2019

10 Things I Love in November

10 Things I Love

White lights twinkling in the living room
When he says, "let's get pizza"
Waking up to fresh coffee
Clean sheets
Rose pink
Baby giggles
Notes in a new planner
Apple cider
Mini pumpkins
Long-distance friendships

11.25.19

10 Things I Love in October

10 Things I Love

Long-sleeves
My violet plant
NCIS
Long, hot showers
Tea before bed
Watching the sunrise from my couch
Tortilla chips
The crackle of a fire
Autumn breeze
Leaves crunching underfoot

10.16.19

10 Things I Love in September

10 Things I Love

1. Driving with the windows down
2. Yellow flowers
3. Evening walks
4. TV with my husband
5. Good pastries
6. Reading with no bedtime
7. Playing piano in an empty house
8. Staying home all day
9. Hazelnut coffee
10. Baking

9.11.19