Just A Mom from Ohio

How would you answer this application question that was recently asked in a women’s Bible study: “How attached are you to your reputation? To your stuff?” In high school I wrote a poem called “Strange Popularity” and that phrase is one that makes so much sense to me. I was known more than popular. I was hardly noticed and then I was being talked about. It was uncomfortable to go from being almost invisible to being so exposed.  God has reminded me in life that my reputation is not mine to manage. I have no problems being vulnerable to a point it might alarm people. As I keep re-writing this blog, I recognize that I never could really manage what was said of me or how my life was going to go. If it wasn’t an option then, it hardly seems worth hiding now. However, I also am aware that at times our story can be taken and used in ways that do not end up reflecting well upon God. At the end of the day, that is truly all that matters.  Miriam Webster Dictionary defines “exposed” as ...

 Middle school. Ugh! The memories are almost as bad as high school. Those awkward years.  They were awful for me. How about you? Were you lucky enough not to cringe when you think of the past? For many, I would wonder if we don't have some insecurities that peaked their heads at that time.  I'm so grateful that I didn't have to grow up in today's selfie and social media ridden world. I'm grateful my kids are young enough to not be faced with too many questions about the internet and phones and social media. However, I'll admit that Covid definitely affected our access to the internet by the school issued Chromebook. Even with limits, it challenged me.  The addiction of the screen is no joke. When your kid hides the screen like they were just caught doing something wrong is alarming. Shame is not the goal but it reveals itself and I don't even have to say a word.  At church on Sunday, the word "poser" came up. Instantly, my mind went bac...

(updated 2/5/18, originally published 1/1/17) Even after a year I still need to be cautious about getting too caught up in how many followers or likes there are on this blog. My uncle is a missionary in Puerto Rico and has been for over 40 years. He was in town on furlough Christmas of 2016 and I was privileged to hear him speak. He mentioned how people that follow the mission may get concerned with how big or small the number of people there are in the PR congregation. My uncle said, " its not in the numbers" . Absolutely! It is too easy to get drawn into the statistics of how to get more likes and more reach on Facebook specifically. It's not about that. It's about God's love. God's love is more than a Bible verse post on a cool image. It is so much MORE!!! Look outside and see the undeniable work of our most amazing Father. See the way He reveals himself in our children's smiles. For awhile it seemed that every time I heard a crash or boom fr...