2013 September

Five-Minute Friday: True

September 26, 2013 by Mel · 40 Comments

Today I’m linking up with Lisa-Jo for Five-Minute Friday.

Join me!

The rules: Write for five minutes. No editing, revising, overthinking, or backtracking. Just write.

Today’s prompt: True

True confession?

I have a little obsession with making the top row of this linkup.

It didn’t start out that way, and it’s not necessarily ok or admirable or something I’m proud of…it’s just a confession.

And another one?

Tonight I sat there, singing songs and writing forms, marking changes and how many times we were singing the tag…and checking Twitter.

Missing out on #fmfparty, trying to follow along with random glances down at the pew between verse and chorus, not daring to actually tweet along…

But following.

And somewhere in the middle of Your Love Never Fails, the prompt went out, and I had to fight the urge to race into the hallway and figure out how to somehow blog this prompt from my iPhone, which I know is done all the time, but not by Mel. The girl who always writes everything from her computer.

And then I caught myself.

And since we’re talking true tonight, this might sound a little harsh.

Why is it that I feel the need to be first?

Oh, don’t get me wrong…it’s fun to tweet with my friends and then dash off our five minutes and spend an hour or so encouraging each other. That’s such the heart of this community and something I absolutely love about it.

But the truth is that competition doesn’t really help anyone. And, does it really hurt me to be mixed up in the middle somewhere, surrounded by beautiful sisters who love Jesus just as much as the lovely ladies in the top row do?

So, tonight? I’m going to spend some time loving on them…reading their words and their hearts.

And being thankful…for praise team practice, for the fact that I didn’t get home in time for the prompt, for the fact that I get to hang out somewhere new and fun.

I’m also making a promise to never, ever open Twitter during praise team again.

True story.

Friends? I have this rule, one that I’m seriously considering tossing out after the last two weeks, but not tonight. I always write the first thing that comes to mind with Five-Minute Friday…and this was it. Please know that I love each of you…regardless of whether you link up at #1 or #527. We each have a voice, one that should be heard…and I’m going to spend some time listening tonight.

Filed Under: church, encouragement, Five Minute Friday, just life, music, what I'm learning, where I am

Behind the Scenes: What He Gives

September 24, 2013 by Mel · 24 Comments

Do you ever have one of those weeks?

I’ve kinda had one of those months.

And it’s not that this is a huge pity party…because I’m really fine. My days are full of smiles and laughter, often thanks to the sweetest little girl who can brighten the darkest room.

It’s just been a season…one where my desires and plans don’t match up with what He’s got for me.

And that can be hard.

In some ways, it’s been a strange paradox of death but life, of laying down but embracing, of letting go but choosing hope.

And that’s what I need right now. All of this.

But, a confession? It’s been hard to pray.

When my heart is just heavy and tired, I don’t feel like praying. Pray for others…absolutely. But pray for me?

It’s tough.

And maybe that’s why I’m so thankful that He’s there and He hears and He answers cries we don’t even speak…

And He answers them like this…

…a sweet note in the mail from a dear dreaming sister, just to let me know she’s thinking of me. Oh, if she only knew how perfectly timed those words were. Still are.

…a little book that has been exactly what my heart needs each moment I open it. My sweet friend has no idea how much these words have meant to this heart, especially in the last weeks.

…a Friday morning text…”Can I buy you a Starbucks?” She doesn’t know how long it’s been since someone asked me that…or how much it meant.

…a book that most of the world has already read, (or it seems like it, anyway!), and I am just now diving in. Coincidence? Not at all…my heart grips each word a little more tightly than the one before.

…Hello Mornings and challenging verses and before-sunrise discussions and prayers that make me breathe thanks for sisters who walk this journey with me.

…just-because texts that bring a smile in the midst of a hard moment.

Each of these felt like God was reaching down to wrap me in His arms and tell me, It’s going to be ok.

The funny thing is, I know that…but sometimes it’s nice to be reminded.

I’ve been showered with blessings in the past weeks, both by my (in)RL community and my online one as well.

Blessings…it’s a word He keeps bring back to me.

And I’ll write more about that next week.

For today, just thank you.

Thank you to those who love me so well.

Thank you to my Father for the countless blessings.

Thankful.

**************************

Happy Tuesday, friends! Today is the day when I join some sweet friends at Crystal’s space for Behind the Scenes.

Social media and online relationships can make us feel like everyone else has it all together. We’re edited, proof-read, Pinterest-perfect versions of ourselves (or so some might think!) when – in reality? There is an unfinished pile of laundry around the corner. That cute toddler smiling for the camera just had a massive meltdown seconds ago. That yummy breakfast-for-dinner you just showed us on Instagram? It’s because the cat licked the chicken that was supposed to be for dinner.

“Behind the Scenes” is a fun link up where we show those photos – but tell the real story behind them. The sneak peek behind the scenes, a look past the edges of the photo to the real life behind it.

If you’ve got time to hop over, you’ll find some stories that will definitely make your day. From the sweet and silly to the sad and sentimental, the stories that happen beyond the edges of a picture are truly worth sharing. Blessings and happy Tuesday, friends!

Filed Under: Behind the Scenes, blessings, friends, just life, what I'm learning, where I am

Five-Minute Friday: She

September 19, 2013 by Mel · 44 Comments

Today I’m linking up with Lisa-Jo for Five-Minute Friday.

Join me!

The rules: Write for five minutes. No editing, revising, overthinking, or backtracking. Just write.

Today’s prompt: She

So I have this rule…

I go with the first thing that pops into my head when I see the prompt for a Five-Minute Friday.

You would think, with a prompt like she that would be a no-brainer.

Beautiful, fun, crazy, spirited, wonderful daughter…yep. There’s endless material to write about there.

However…

That’s not the she I thought of. So we go with it…and I give myself grace.

And forgiveness…right now, I don’t want to write about her.

Because she…she was the meanest person I’ve ever known.

The words that came out of her mouth were awful. The way she kicked my knees during choir and stomped on my pride in front of everyone…it was all just mean. The way she’d intentionally find a way to hurt me…

Sometimes I can’t even think about it.

I often resented even being in the same room as she was…I wanted to escape. And, yet…it was high school. Ya know how they have those laws about kids going to school?

Well, they kind of have to. And so I went, but I made every effort to avoid her.

And I honestly haven’t missed her a day since the last time I saw her sometime in May of 1996.

For years, I was sure that my interactions with her had scarred me for life, had wounded my soul, had made me less of a person than I would have been otherwise.

But I was wrong.

In the strangest way, she made me a better person. I learned from her how not to treat others, how to think before I act, how to make things right if I hurt someone.

The list goes on.

And today…on a random Thursday night…I think about what I might say if I ever saw her again.

Probably, it’s ok. And it’s over.

Because part of me wonders what ever happened to her…and if she was ever sorry.

I hope so.

Filed Under: barefoot, Five Minute Friday, remembering, where I am

Behind the Scenes: My Heart and an Invitation

September 16, 2013 by Mel · 27 Comments

This picture has popped up on my blog a few times lately.

Yeah, I think she’s pretty adorable.

A couple months ago, we took advantage of a Groupon deal and hired a photographer to come out to our C’ville stomping grounds and take some family pictures.

Let me tell you, friends…with a spunky toddler like we have, this was a tall order to fill.

But he rocked it, despite the fact that she was constantly on the move.

And? He managed to capture this gem.

To say that I. Completely. Love. It. is just scratching the surface.

Because what this is…it’s me and my girl and my passion and my heart all miraculously captured in one, beautiful photo.

For years, I have dreamed of writing. Of blogging, of publishing, of making a name for myself. (I didn’t say all of these were noble aspirations.) 😉

And during those years, another dream of mine has been dancing around my feet, sometimes holding my hand, sometimes spinning on her own.

This girl.

Maelie girl.

She’s fabulous.

And she’s my calling, my dream, my heart.

She is who I want to be my priority every second of the day.

Even over writing and blogging and publishing and being all that those things bring.

And so this picture…this snapshot of our moments…it represents so much.

Because I love my daughter to the moon and back. (Plus infinity…just ask her. ;))

I still love to write…

I still want to publish a book…

I still dream of being a contributor on a blog…and that one is happening soon, so stay tuned!

But my point?

Is that I want moments like the one in this photo all the time.

I want her all the time.

And so…I’m redefining.

Making mommyhood, marriage, a follower of my Father, a friend…priorities.

Oh, I’ll still write…’cause a writer still needs air sometimes. Plus, I just love to write…I can’t give it up.

But I’ll do that when she’s in bed. Or having her quiet time. Or watching her hour of tv (hour, not hourS).

😉

And I’m not perfect. I’ll fumble, I’ll fail, I’ll write a blog post while she watches yet another episode of Sofia the First or Doc McStuffins.

But where my heart is now?

It’s in that place where I don’t want to miss a single moment.

Ever.

And, friends?

I’ve been given a great opportunity, one I am incredibly thankful for, one I didn’t plan on…but one that God was weaving into His plan all along.

I am completely blown away by the opportunity to be an (in)courager.

Squeeeeeeeee! 😉 (Plus, imagine a little happy dancing, too.)

I am so excited to encourage and invest in the lives of other stay-at-home mommas like me…ones who, I have a feeling, struggle with many of the same things I do.

(In)courage has a new session of (in)courager groups kicking off this week, and registration is open! If you’re looking for a small group, a place to connect with women in the same season of life, a place to be encouraged…this is exactly for you.

You can go here to read the heart behind (in)courager groups AND to find one that is the perfect fit for you. Of course, I’d love it if you joined my group, but look for the one that best meets you in your current season. (And as of tonight, my group is full…but there are TONS of groups…go find one! ;))

Five-Minute Friday: Mercy

September 12, 2013 by Mel · 65 Comments

Today I’m linking up with Lisa-Jo for Five-Minute Friday.

Join me!

The rules: Write for five minutes. No editing, revising, overthinking, or backtracking. Just write.

Today’s prompt: Mercy

Some nights I feel wordless…very wordless.

And tonight is one of them.

His Mercy Overwhelms Me. I know that much. I know how it has changed my life, how it has changed my heart.

I often talk about how thankful I am for the fact that His mercies are new every morning.

That’s because I. Need. Them. and I can’t pretend that I don’t.

I mess up…I have bad days, I say mean things, I do things that don’t honor Him…and I need His Mercy and Forgiveness.

I need those new days.

Recently I had A. Day. with my girl. It was just one of those frustrating ones…the kind when little, three year-old wills take over and don’t quite want to do what their mamas ask them to. Over and over, all day long.

And by the end, well, let’s just say I welcomed bedtime with a little happy dance. 😉

There weren’t a bunch of gushing, I-love-you’s as she cuddled down into her pillow and I closed her door for the night.

But the next morning when I heard her wake up?

I went into her room, and her head popped out from under her blanket, the biggest smile ever on her face.

We snuggled and said our good mornings…and it was a reminder to me, one that was so needed.

New mercies, new compassion, a new day.

Blessed.

Filed Under: being mommy, blessings, encouragement, Five Minute Friday, just life, Maelie, remembering, where I am

Behind the Scenes: Just Breathe

September 9, 2013 by Mel · 20 Comments

There are few moments…few…in the life of this extrovert when space is needed.

Yep, I’m mostly being serious.

I thrive from time spent with friends, my family…and it’s possible I thrive equally on caffeine, too. (Just keepin’ it real today, friends. ;))

That’s why I surprised myself last week.

Or, maybe it wasn’t really a surprise. That much, anyway. I’d seen it coming for awhile.

You see…this space has been going for almost three years. Yep, that’s a long time for Mel to stick to anything. I wrote a lot more during the first two years, but I’ve been posting at least twice, sometimes three times, a week since I started my blog.

And it’s slowly taken it’s toll.

Not always in a bad way, but I was exhausted. Emotional. Potentially starting to detest the idea of sitting down to splash out words from a tired heart that didn’t want the gift of words anymore.

But we can’t always throw away our gifts, can we? And, to be honest, I didn’t really want to.

And so I took a break. As in, I replied to the comments from last Tuesday, and I broke for a week.

That was not an easy thing for me to do.

My online community…where many of my sweet sisters and friends dwell…they were thriving and sharing life, and everything in me wanted to glue myself back together, take back my words, and rejoin them to tweet and pin and insta-whatever…just be a present part of their lives.

But I didn’t.

And instead, I embraced this.

This path.

This quiet.

It’s one I used to detest.

Going on and on with not a whole lot more than solitude and creepy woods, it used to bore me to tears. (Not really…no actual tears involved. Just sweat running over my eyes, but that’s kind of the same thing, right?!) 😉

Last week I pounded out over 22 miles on this path.

Part of that is because I somehow got myself signed up for a 10k that involves a lot of running and a lot of hills and, therefore, I need to train my body to go further than 3.1 miles.

But I don’t think that’s the only reason I ran it over and over.

Do you ever have those weeks, friends?

The kind when you question everything?

I’d like to say that I spent this time in prayer…in praising God for His amazing creation. In thanking Him for giving me the physical ability to actually run multiple miles without (mostly) feeling like I’m going to die. In lifting up friends and those I love who are hurting.

Sadly, I think I spent more of my time arguing with Him…telling Him how I thought things should be.

How this writing thing should be easier and the words should just be flowing…it shouldn’t be this hard.

How relationships should be a lot less complicated, too…why can’t we just get along all the time?

And telling Him that I think now (or, at least nine months from now) is the perfect time for us to have another baby…and why doesn’t He think so, too?!

There was a lot more than that, I’m sure. (And so you all aren’t disappointed, I did still sing along sometimes.) 😉

But in the middle of it, even after unleashing that much frustration…I still heard Him.

Breathe. Just Breathe.

I’ve got this.

Friends, I struggle every day.

I struggle to accept the fact that He truly does have it all.

Because I have a plan in my head that seems *so perfect*…and I forget that my plans should be His and surrendered and taken out of my fully-open palms and placed into His.

Oh, how hard that is to do.

This is the path where I told Him all of that as my feet pounded and the tears mixed with sweat and the words

Lord, I need You, Oh, I need You

played over and over.

That time for me and my heart and Him.

And now I’m back.

I’m not sure what’s different yet, but something is.

Because He’s Good and He hears the hearts of His children.

**************************

On Tuesdays, I link up with my friend, Crystal, at her space for Behind the Scenes.

If you have some time, feel free to stop by for some great stories of the fun and funny, the sad, the joyful…all of those things that happen behind the camera lens. I hope you’ll join us!

Filed Under: barefoot, Behind the Scenes, encouragement, just life, running, where I am, writing

Behind the Scenes: A Sanctuary (and a Superwoman Story, Too…)

September 2, 2013 by Mel · 28 Comments

This may come as a shock to some of you, but I’ll let you in on a little secret: I’m not really Superwoman.

😉

Especially when it comes to tasks that require assembling…well, pretty much anything.

But I surprised myself last Friday night.

So this past June, a friend and I were walking through Target, and I saw The. Cutest. little table and chairs the world has ever seen…exactly something I’d been wanting to buy for awhile. Unfortunately, the price tag was more than I could pay at the time, but I vowed to keep my eye on it throughout the summer, figuring it would go on sale eventually in the land of red and white.

Well, I was right.

I was really right, apparently. Just a week later, the price had been slashed 50%. I bought it immediately.

And then?

The box sat in our garage for a small forever. (Read: two months.)

I’m not exactly sure why.

I’d been dying for a cute little place to sit and drink coffee with a friend, to do my morning Bible study on our back porch, to kick my feet up in the afternoon and read a book…

But there it sat. And sat. And sat.

Finally last week, I decided it was time to put it together.

Hubby was out of town.

I was faced with attempting ~~the impossible~~ to assemble some big and scary furniture all by myself.

And Friday night was the night.

Mae and I had been out most of the day, got caught in a huge storm, made a late(r) night trip to Target…but by 9 p.m. she was in bed, and I was ready.

Tired, but ready.

I tore open the box.

I made sure I had all the pieces.

I read the directions because I am a woman. 😉

And then I found the little allen wrench (totally had to ask hubby what that thing was called…) and started on the first chair.

After (rather painfully) struggling through attaching the first armrest/leg, I decided it would be best to work on both of the chairs at the same time.

It was slow going…I think I finished them around 10:30 p.m. with a quick, I-need-something-to-eat, snack thrown in there.

My muscles were tired from squatting, bending over, and trying to hold pieces in place with one hand and use that little wrench thingy with the other hand.

I actually broke a sweat. (And made a lot of noise when I kept dropping the wrench…)

But I finished.

You can clap here if you so choose. I may or may not have had a little celebration myself. 😉

And the table was my redemption. Five minutes.

Aaaahhhh….furniture.

Furniture. That. I. Miraculously. Assembled. By. Myself.

😉

The best part? Is that my sweet friend joined me the next morning, just so we could break it in properly with coffee and a long chat.

And no one broke a chair, either. 😉

And since Saturday morning, I’ve managed to sit at that table quite a few times.

Coffee on Saturday morning and Sunday, catching up on a few things today, reading a little…

I love it.

It makes me smile that I finally have a little place…a sanctuary…on my back porch to breathe and just be.

And I’ll gladly reclaim the title of Superwoman if anyone wants to send me a cape. 😉

**************************

And, friends? I want to thank all of you who have been stopping by to read my words, leave me some comment love, pray, encourage me…you just bless my flip flops off. Truly.

But for the rest of the week, I’m going to take a break. Just a week…my plan is to be back for Behind the Scenes next week.

I just need a few days to breathe, catch up on some other commitments, and work on a few things that desperately need to move from my brain to paper. Plus, we all need to take a break once in awhile, right?

Love you all!

**************************

Happy Tuesday, friends! It’s time for one of my favorite link ups, hosted at my sweet friend, Crystal’s place.

Hop over and check out some sweet and silly, fun and moving stories of the things that go on behind the pictures. Some of my favorite bloggy friends hang out there, and I know their words will bless you. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Filed Under: Behind the Scenes, creating, friends, just life

Five-Minute Friday: True

Behind the Scenes: What He Gives

Five-Minute Friday: She

Behind the Scenes: My Heart and an Invitation

Five-Minute Friday: Mercy

Behind the Scenes: Just Breathe

Behind the Scenes: A Sanctuary (and a Superwoman Story, Too…)

Mel

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