What I’m learning, though, is that each of these seasons prepares me for the next. While I may not enjoy my doubting season, it gives me an impetus to explore what I believe about mothering, marriage, faith, and friendships. When I do this, I’m better able to solidify my convictions and move forward with purpose. Read More
12 Uplifting Quotes About True Friendship
What does it mean to be a true friend? What qualities do your very best friends have that attract you to them? We all likely have different answers to these questions. But for all of us, true friendship is something to be cherished. It’s something to take care of. Like all good things, it’s something we should occasionally take time to reflect on. After all, counting our blessings regularly makes … Read More
Former Victim of Bullying Natalie Hampton Creates App So No Kid Ever Has to Eat Lunch Alone at School
The way it works is that kids can download the app on their smartphones and find a Sit With Us club at their school. The app allows willing students to sign up as ambassadors, which means they can volunteer to keep an open seat at their table for users to find them and sit down for lunch– and hopefully find new friends. Read More
There are No New Ideas: Relating to One Another Through Blogging
There is a very real explanation for why the internet is flooded with parenting blogs: so many of us are asking for and seeking the exact same things. A creative and personal reimagining of the same old wisdom, experiences, and ideas that many of us are facing in a particular season of life. Read More
What I’m Learning About Finding My Village
I want to boldly confess something important that I’m learning as I grow: that what is more important than how I feel is being an active part of a community. I will continue to extend invitations to fill our guest room and table with those in our growing village. Although I may still have to fight the deeply ingrained cultural mindset that says if I’m uncomfortable then I won’t do it, I will do so because of the long-term benefits, for both my family unit and those who are a part of our lives. Read More
Life in the Comments Section: Why Facebook Discussions Are Important
The internet exposes us almost immediately to swaths of people who aren’t in our immediate circle of influence. There is a greater chance of diversity; racial, gender, economic, political, religious, and otherwise. I truly believe that it could be, that it is, a way that our world can further come together in understanding and mediation, if we let it. Read More
Women, Why Do We Cut Each Other Down?
I would bet that there aren’t many of us who haven’t suffered at the hands of other women. Whether it be in the workplace, within your family unit, or in the preschool carpool line, I know that few are exempt from this behavior. I have vivid memories of bullying and intentional hurt that I still carry with me, even from nearly two decades ago. My guess is that this isn’t uncommon. Read More
In the Midst of Tragedy, Why Are We So Quick to Throw Stones?
I tend to think that outsiders blame parents because, when they admit that it’s an actual accident, they are admitting that they and their loved ones are not immune to the very same circumstances. It’s acknowledging that there are things that are out of their control; that even the most caring parent can’t completely shield and protect their child. Read More
Laughter is the Glue That Holds My Family Together
It’s a universal language. Even at a very young age, for our kids to see mom and dad laughing, just like they laugh, is important. We want them to know that not only are we married, are we a family, but we like each other. Laughter is not just for the young. Read More
To All Women, When Mother’s Day is Hard
The sad truth is, if you could survey the women in the room, statistically, you would find that there are very few who would be untouched by miscarriage, infertility, broken marriages and families, or death. So why is it so unheard of for these hurts to be acknowledged in the same breath as we acknowledge the amazing work of motherhood? My prayer is that we find a way to boldly acknowledge pain while still celebrating the gift of Motherhood in an intentional way. Read More