grace | Texting the Truth

Michelle

We are excited to welcome Jill McCormick to our blog today! Jill, give us a glimpse into your life!

Jill

This is a picture of my husband and I after climbing down a mountain. I’m not one who loves camping, but I love being outside as much as humanly possible.

Michelle

I am right there with you on that one! Do you wear any other hats in addition to your [big, gigantic, hugely significant] Mom Hat? ?

Jill

I do! I am first a mom to two girls who were born 19 months apart. They couldn’t be more different! And I’m a writer. (You can find me here.)

Michelle

I’ve enjoyed following you on social media and getting to know you better! What is a mom win you have experienced?

Jill

Changing my perspective about losing the baby weight has been a huge mom win for me! It took years of renewing my own mind to understand that Jesus is the only One who can satisfy my soul, that a number on the scale or accomplishment of a goal isn’t really what fills me up! Here’s the link to my story about it.

Michelle

I think so many moms can relate to the feelings after having a baby and feeling weighed down with the extra pounds – not just literally but also emotionally. I know I struggled with looking different and so I appreciate you writing about this from your experience.

What’s a mom win you would text your best friend?

Jill

Anytime I can give myself grace instead of beating myself up for all the ways I’m failing.

Michelle

Amen to that! We moms need to speak more grace and less judgement to ourselves and the mamas in the world! ? Any words of encouragement for other moms in the trenches like you?

Jill

God loves you and is crazy about you. He doesn’t expect us to be perfect, that’s why He is. He knows one day that we’re going to fall apart and drop the ball, which is why HE (not us) is the one holding all things together. He knows that we’ll make mistakes, which is why He promises us His presence. God is so good!

Michelle

Yes! I recently was talking with a friend about how freeing it is to realize that we don’t have to strive to be enough because God is enough and so therefore we are enough in Him. It is so freeing to embrace that truth that it’s not all up to me, you know?!

Thanks so much for sharing what you’re learning today, Jill!

Anna

I am soooo cold today! I can’t get warmed up! I seriously went to work like this.

Michelle

Aw, cute! It is definitely freezing outside! ❄️❄️❄️

Laura

Ummm… You’re adorable, Anna! Bundling up is a must in these midwest winters!! Unless you just stay inside! #thejoysofthemidwest

Anna

I know… I feel like I could just stay inside and hibernate for a few weeks. ?

Laura

Just put a stack of wood outside the backdoor, light a fire, and hunker down!? Or I guess you could move to to L.A. or something…

Michelle

Ha! Yes! That actually just reminded me of something. When I lived in sunny Florida, I didn’t always feel nice and warm all of the time.☀️ Maybe in temperature but not always in mental space, ya know?

Anna

I do… Sometimes I don’t feel warm and fuzzy emotionally, either!

Michelle

Right, I think we can all think of a time when it was perfect weather outside but inside we weren’t feeling so balmy…

Laura

So how do we stay warm — whether it’s cold outside, or a little “cold” in our hearts?

Anna

I think we have to warm ourselves by drawing close to God’s warmth first. It reminds me of a campfire on a cold night. At first, I’m just freezing and all I can think of is to put my hands up to the fire until they aren’t numb anymore! ?

Michelle

So true. You don’t know how many times I’ve been tempted to just jump in the fire to get warm! ?

Anna

Spiritually speaking, maybe that’s just what God wants us to do. ?

Laura

Maybe so…all too often I seem to feel in the dark as a mom, or a friend, or a wife, and I need to remember to move toward the light and warmth rather than away.

Anna

Me too, Laura. Sometimes I just start to withdraw inside and that can be a lonely and cold place to be. I’m still functioning, but not with the warmth that I normally have. I think that’s just because I’m feeling kind of defeated.

Michelle

I’ve been there too…like I’ve forgotten to draw close to God’s warmth, and without Him keeping the fire burning inside of me, it can get snuffed out.

Laura

When I stay in that chilly place long enough, I can start to forget what it feels like to rely on God, and I find myself consumed with doubts or relying only on myself. But the warmth of God’s fire relights the fire in me.?

Anna

You are so right, Laura. God’s fire brings light to our darkness. Why is it so easy to forget sometimes? All I have to do is reach out, and He meets me in the middle of my coldness.

Michelle

So maybe this winter, let’s stay tuned into when we’re feeling cold–emotionally or spiritually. And let’s invite God’s warmth into those places and let Him bring renewed light and warmth even when we have nothing left inside ourselves. #warmthinthewinter

Soaking in the Truth
Scripture to encourage you:

“But as for me, it is good to be near God.” (Psalm 73:28a)
“When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” (Isaiah 43:2b)
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” (James 4:8a)

Music to inspire you:

Readings and Resources to come alongside of you:

“Stay in the Shade” by Marybeth Whalen with Proverbs 31

Related Posts on Texting The Truth:

Living Out the Truth
Ideas to try:

Start by thinking about the areas of your life that feel “cold” or “in the dark.” What are those areas/things/relationships?
How have you reached out to God in these places? How has He met you?
Reach out to a friend. Sometimes God uses us to bring His warmth to others and I am sure there is a friend who wants to do that for you when you’re feeling cold.
Stay tuned, because this is just the beginning of a season on finding warmth in the winter! We’ll talk much more about what this looks like in our lives. #warmthinthewinter

Treasured Products we love:

Find a journal that you love and listen to the music we listed above. Cozy up next to a fire and write out your heart to God.

{These suggestions are ideas from novice moms. Sometimes our life situations need more. In that case, seeking out professional help is the right call.}

Tag Archives: grace

Mom Win Wednesday: Jill McCormick

Warmth in the Winter ?