Reflections on a Blog’s 4th Birthday

 

They say that reflecting on one’s life is good, right?   I know “they” say a lot of stuff, but maybe this is actually true.  So here are some reflections as our blog has it’s 4th birthday.

The past four years for me has been like opening my eyes to a dream I didn’t know I could have.  Sure, I liked writing.  Sometimes I thought I was even good at it.  At the very least my past showed me that I was decent at teaching it.  But when Michelle asked me to write on this new blog that she was dreaming up with another mom I didn’t know, I had my doubts.  I was an unlikely blogger for many reasons: I had four boys under five so time was an issue, I hadn’t written much on my own since college, and I had (ok, still have) an aversion to social media.  But God could see past these disqualifiers.

So I started writing, and I emerged from somewhere I’d been–maybe a postpartum fog that’s hard to remember now.  I’ve processed so much of life here on Texting the Truth with my fellow writers and with you our readers, and the processing has been so helpful to me.  There is something valuable and beautiful about opening up to another mom about my difficulties in parenting or in living, for that matter.  As we write, we ask God to help us see our struggles with His eyes.  We search the Bible together.  We search for other resources that will help us.  And then we put it all out there for readers, hoping that maybe by giving the details of our struggle, others will feel they are not alone, and in fact, that they are normal.

A lot has changed in our world in the last four years.  Goodness, a lot has changed in the last 4 months.  By and large our blog hasn’t said much in the year 2020.  Processing these changes– the fear and uncertainty, the grief over what was normal back in March, cultural outcry, the magnificent way our families bonded in quarantine, and so much more–has been mentioned on the blog, but I’ll speak for myself and say that I haven’t always known what to write.  I haven’t always known what to think.  My silence became easier to maintain.  Writing disappeared from my routine almost altogether.  But as I reflect, I realize I’m in another fog that I need to emerge from, and maybe it’s writing and the honesty of other moms that I need most to help me out of here.

Because a lot is the same.  I’m still a mom.  I still have kids to guide and shepherd.  I still have a husband I want to support and love well.  I still have my friends to share with.  I still have plenty of issues to process.  I still need grace.  And after all, that’s what we are about here at Texting the Truth.  Even in 2020, we are in the end still Real Moms who want to give and receive Real Grace from God and from each other.  It’s still what we need so desperately and maybe more than ever.

So I’m committing to try again.  To write some more.  To keep on being vulnerable in this new world.  To keep on seeking God with other moms.  To listen to the Voice full of love and wisdom toward us.  To share my real, normal, everyday struggles with moms.  To pray that He will guide us to raise our kids well.  To openly reflect on life even when we don’t always know what to say.  

Happy 4th Birthday Texting the Truth! 

Laura

 

Boundaries: 2020 Edition

Anna
Anna

Help!!! Can you talk? 

Anna
Virginia

Yes! What’s wrong?

Anna
Anna

Everything feels like a huge mess.

Anna
Virginia

Awww. I feel you! It’s such a weird time.

Anna
Anna

I’m so overwhelmed. I feel like I’m in a game of elementary school Dodge Ball and I can’t get out of the way fast enough. I keep getting hit and I just want the game to end already. I thought after 6 weeks of the kids being in school that this stressful feeling would be gone.

Anna
Virginia

Same, girl, same! Yeah, it sounds like more than just everyday stress.

Anna
Anna

Right. And I think in an effort to feel better, or “normal,” I’ve been looking to the wrong things for comfort (ahem, one more sweet coffee drink, please?)… but it never really fixes this feeling. ?

Anna
Virginia

Me too… I’ve so been there! I’ve eaten soo many Hershey Kisses…?so many metallic wrappers….and you’re right, it wasn’t enough. I think the issue is that we’re seeking information, which isn’t bad, but we’re absorbing it all, whether that’s the news or social media or our friends’ and families’ advice. I need walls to keep all that stuff from coming in and affecting me. Boundaries, basically. 

Anna
Anna

Hmm, that makes sense… letting too much in. I feel like I’m constantly being hit with all of the divisive issues right now, pressure to take sides, and disturbing information that I may or may not be able to trust — it’s there around every corner. 

Anna
Virginia

Yeah, exactly. There’s no resting place. I was finding that I was getting really restless, losing sleep, not feeling productive or connected to people, or God even. I was letting the world’s anxiety affect my inner peace. 

Anna
Anna

The world’s anxiety! ? That’s what I’ve been doing. And add to it our everyday “normal” problems, that are still there! Hmm… Remember that children’s song, “Be Careful Little Eyes, What You See?” ? Maybe we actually could start being careful about what we see and hear.

Anna
Virginia

I know that one. Kids’ songs offer the most wisdom.? But seriously — I think it’s true! I’m trying to notice what threatens my peace. I need to stop looking at and taking it ALL in.

Anna
Anna

Yes! And as we start to put some boundaries up for ourselves, we can trust God will help us find the peace we’re looking for. 

Anna
Virginia

Right. We can’t fix the world but we can put up some shields so we’re not constantly hit with all of the “dodgeballs” of life.

Scripture to Encourage You:

  • “But, Lord, you are my shield, my wonderful God who gives me courage.” (Psalm 3:3 NCV)
  • “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” (Proverbs 30:5 NIV)
  • “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.” (Proverbs 2:-6-8 NIV)
  • “My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgement and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.” (Proverbs 3:21 NIV)
  • “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23 NIV)

Reading and Resources to Come Alongside You:

Music to Inspire You:

Ideas to Try:

  • Pre-arrange a calming activity if you wake up in the middle of the night and can’t sleep instead of staring at your phone. I (Virginia) recommend “Meditation Minis” — a podcast that offers directed meditations lasting about 10 minutes. 
  • Examine your nighttime routine. Find and replace a depleting activity (reading negative comments on social media) and replace it with an encouraging activity (regularly checking in on textingthetruth.com) or the fun of a DIY pedicure.
  • Examine your morning routine: What can you prepare the night before to reduce your stress? What can you delegate? I (Virginia) have my son make his own lunch; it has been glorious. 
  • On the subject of time management, another piece of advice I’m implementing is from “The Lazy Genius” Podcast. The principle is to examine your day. What tasks can you only do when you’re alone? What tasks can you do while the kids are home? For example, I can’t do focused writing when my kids are home. I can, however, do the dishes while they watch TV. Sometimes my kids and I spend time outside on the driveway: they ride their bikes and I fold the laundry. This principle reduces stress for me because it helps me prioritize my tasks throughout my day. 
  • Delete or rein in those time wasters on your phone – set up a designated time limit. You won’t regret it. 
  • Make time for your passions. What is calming to you? Reading, writing, listening to music and decluttering are things that I enjoy doing. This is not self-care talk. This is “essential to feed your soul and get out of your own head” stuff. 

*Note: The Texting the Truth team is all about grace for moms. No one expects you to do more or be more. More importantly, God does not expect you to try harder. He is readily available with the wisdom, grace and peace that you need. We’re here to offer practical suggestions. Use what works for you and leave the rest.