Church & Culture Mothering The Written Word Walking with the Lord: weekend links 1 comment
Weekend Links, Vol. 6
Photo by Sergio Lubezky
I have some stellar links for you this weekend. 
Really, I think these are worth your time:
- A Blogger’s Prayer: Upside Down Kingdom Blogging :: A Holy Experience
- Consumed with…? :: Thirsty Soul
- The Dilemma Every Mother Faces :: Motherhood Your Way
- Protecting Girls from Boy-Craziness :: Girls Gone Wise (mature content)
- Doodlebug :: Heart and Home
Enjoy the last weekend of October!
My Motives, My Heart
Photo by autan
The older I grow in my baby Christian walk, the more I see how deceitful my heart and motives are! The more I see that a particular action is motivated by self-love and pride and selfish ambition instead of a desire to see Christ glorified and lives changed for Him. The more I see that a certain fear is driven by idolatrous concern for what others think. The more I understand that my heart cannot be trusted; it always wants to make excuses for itself and its sin. The more I see that the only redemption from all of this is in the precious blood of Christ, and the only help for me is in the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within me.
How Do You Clean Your Shower?
Photo by Charles Walton IV
Cleaning the shower is my least favorite chore. (That little piece of trivia even made it onto my About page.)
I’m not good at cleaning the bathroom in general. But I manage. It’s just that pesky shower that gets me.
My tubs actually look clean, I think. But I’m not very efficient or thorough. Here’s my method:
- Turn on shower to get the walls wet.
- Spray with Spic ‘n’ Span. Wait a few minutes.
- Wipe down with damp paper towels.
Isn’t that terrible? There has to be a better and less wasteful way to do this.
I love collecting advice from you on random topics (e.g. making smoothies or budgeting). So how do you clean your shower?
Generosity : 1,000 Gifts
Photo by micah.e
A couple of nights ago while sitting in Christian’s room, I looked around and noticed anew how much other people have given us.
I am overwhelmed by generosity. Every item on my list today was a gift from someone else.
307. My new bike, an early birthday present from A.J.
308. Christian’s crib, a gift from our home group.
309. Christian’s dresser.
310. Our couch and chair.
311. Our TV and DVD player (on loan, but still!).
312. A delicious loaf of bread, a gift from my friend at church today.
313. A baby closet bursting with clothes, new and hand-me-down, from family and friends.
314. My car (partially).
315. The rocking chair in Christian’s room.
316. Our washing machine and dryer.
317. A kitchen full of dishes, utensils, and appliances.
318. Sheets, bedding, and towels.
319. Picture frames.
320. A beautiful vase from my nana.
321. Our video camera.
322. Lovely handmade quilts for Christian.
323. Baby paraphranelia – toys, a high chair, exersaucer, pack ‘n’ play, etc.
324. The love of our family and friends – relationships that surround us and are worth much more than any material possession.
Weekend Links, Vol. 5
Photo by Stuck in Customs
Thank you all dearly for your kind comments on Thursday’s post. Your outpouring of encouragement meant so much to me.
- The Contentment of Gratitude :: Dancing by the Light
- How to Become a Lady :: Cross-Eyed Blog and Webzine
- Finding Free Images for Your Blog :: Blogging Your Way
- How to Survive a Busy Season :: girl talk
- Infertility and His Perfect Plans :: Through Clouded Glass
Have a great weekend!
I was having some trouble accessing the first link after I posted this; let me know if you’re having similar issues, and I’ll replace it.
It’s Not All in My Head
I’ve been avoiding writing this post. Sidestepping the explanation. I don’t want to talk about it, here or in real life (other than with A.J., who hears every last detail). Yet I do. Maybe because I complain. And hopefully because I’m learning the beauty of fellowship and encouragement in the body of Christ. So I will explain here too, even though I often feel like no one will understand, and I’m ashamed for bringing it up. I don’t want to wallow in self-pity or try to elicit your pity.
Why am I writing about it, then? I suppose it’s because I’ve been chronicling my life here for years. Many experiences can never be shared publicly… but this is not one of them. It’s defining for me right now, and I simply feel the urge in my fingertips to spill it out.
The other aspect of my hesitation is that I could be significantly better anytime. And it probably will be sooner rather than later. This season in my life could be over tomorrow, and my angst will be for naught. But today is today. So I write.
Last week, I wrote Surviving As Mama When You’re Sick. I mentioned my May post Understanding, where I described how A.J. suffered from post-concussion syndrome throughout 2009 and into the beginning of this year, and then I got a mild concussion as he was recovering.
Post-concussion syndrome is not dependent on the severity of the initial impact. I didn’t pass out or experience amnesia (as far as I remember, ha!), but the past several months have been a roller coaster of symptoms, complicated by minor bumps here or there that made things worse for a time. I had head pressure, fatigue, suffocating brain fog, and depression. By the end of the summer I gradually felt better.
In September after I pushed myself back into an exercise routine, my symptoms worsened again. I began having moderately severe neck pain and headaches, accompanied by more exhaustion and brain fog. My pain wasn’t disabling, but constant and intense, and along with the fatigue it was often difficult to function by the end of the day.
I’ve also been anxious like never before – physically anxious, shaky over the slightest stressor, even on the verge of panic attacks.
This week and last week have been extremely difficult. My symptoms were as bad as they’ve ever been. I’ve had a lot of dizziness and trouble driving. I have good days and bad days, though, and when you’re talking to me you probably can’t even tell that I have it.
So now you know the outward story. But what about the inner experience?
It’s lonely. A.J. tells me post-concussion syndrome is called the invisible broken arm. It’s disabling but no one can see it. Hardly anyone has experienced it. It seems made-up. And how bizarre that I would get it so soon after A.J.
It’s been one of the most fearful things I’ve ever gone through, because it’s affected my cognitive abilities. I’m a bookworm and I love academics, but it’s hard for me to read now. I’ve waited my whole life to be a wife and mother, and now playing with Christian takes effort and focus when I’m mentally exhausted. I don’t want to feel that way.
I often want to lie down, close my eyes, and wait until the whole thing is over.
I want to end on a hopeful note, wrap up the story with a bow. But it’s not over yet. I feel emotionally disconnected, even in a spiritual sense, which is wrong, because not even brain fog should prevent me from being spiritually-minded.
I need to cry out to the Lord in desperation, more than I do. I sense His Spirit gently speaking to me, reminding me not to rely on myself but on Him. I think maybe He is leading me through this helpless place to show me how much I need Him always.
So now you know where I am and where I’ve been. (Oh, and I do have a doctor’s visit coming up. It’s my first one, so I’m self-diagnosed, but A.J. and I have seen this injury from the inside for a year and a half, and my symptoms line up exactly.)
I didn’t think this would be a part of my story, especially at this point in my life. But it is. And now I’ve told it.
Photo by ben matthews :::
Trying not to be jealous…
The Relevant Conference is beginning.
“We support women turning their hearts toward home and using their blogs to bless their families while also engaging the world for the glory of God. Relevant is a one-of-a-kind conference that seeks to engage women by teaching blogging techniques and social media skill while also urging and encouraging women to live fully integrated lives with their faith and family.”
It’s the first year, and I would love to be there, hear the amazing speakers, and meet so many lovely bloggers I’ve followed, some of whom may or may not know I exist…
Sarah Mae from Like a Warm Cup of Coffee…
Jessica from Muthering Heights…
Ann from A Holy Experience…
Crystal from Money Saving Mom…
Courtney from Women Living Well…
Kat from Inspired to Action…
Traci from Ordinary Inspirations…
Lindsay from Passionate Homemaking…
and many who I haven’t followed but would like to meet.
Oh well, at least I might be able to watch a few of the keynotes, and follow the action on Twitter.
Do I sound like enough of a nerd yet?
11 Ways to Disrespect Your Husband
Photo by Conor Keller
In How to Be a Biblical Wife I shared five principles of biblical submission from The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace.
Those positive principles are convicting enough… but wait until you read what she says about the negative side of submission. Here are 11 ways not to be submissive, paraphrased from pp. 151-153:
1. Annoying or vexing your husband.
2. Not disciplining the children as you should, even after your husband asks you to.
3. Being more loyal to others than to your husband.
4. Arguing, pouting, or giving him the cold shoulder when you don’t get your own way.
5. Not staying within the limits of your budget.
6. Correcting your husband, interrupting him, talking for him, and being too outspoken when others are around.
7. Manipulating him to get your own way. You may manipulate by deceit, tears, begging, nagging, complaining, anger, or intimidation.
8. Making important decisions without consulting him (unless he has instructed you to).
9. Directly defying his wishes.
10. Worrying about the decisions he makes and taking matters into your own hands.
11. Not paying attention to what he says.
If you’re like me, this list may leave you cold. Discouraged. Yes, I do that. And that. And that.
Martha finishes with an encouraging statement: “In the areas where you know you have failed, you should take a few minutes and confess your sins to the Lord (1 John 1:9). Then go to your husband and ask his forgiveness. It may be best for you to be specific and give examples. Your attitude should be humble, focusing at this time on what you have done wrong. You can begin today to be a gentle, godly, submissive wife to your husband. It is the heart of God for you.” (p. 153)
If my goal is only to have a great marriage and make sure my husband treats me well, avoiding the above mistakes will be impossible. The only true and lasting motivation will come through relying on the grace of God in Christ for me, and desiring to please and obey Him.
Learning to submit…
To-do list of simple pursuits
I’ve pursued these before, but I would like to renew them…
1. Read poetry
Photo by letrerias
Emily Dickinson, Marilyn Chandler McEntyre, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, to begin with.
2. Decorate my home
Photo by yvestown
Reorganize, declutter, and create a more inviting atmosphere.
3. Sew
Photo by jigabugbaby
Possibly crochet or needlepoint.
4. Bake
Photo by Emily Carlin
Become more proficient in breads, pies, etc.
5. Walk
Photo by BigGolf
I do this already, but I want to do it even more, especially outdoors.
What simple things would you like to pursue?
