Just A Mom from Ohio

COFFEE. Coffee. Coffee. Remember the blog I wrote, The Best Part of Waking Up ? I think there is a common thread among moms and people in general about coffee. Its a big deal, isn't it. Why is that? If you take a look at your Instagram feed or even the end isles of a Target, you should recall seeing some shirt or mug with a phrase about coffee on it.  I've been contemplating this specific blog topic for a couple of years now. I wasn't sure how to write it when I was still daily consuming my coffee. That is until a couple of weeks ago. But before I get into that, let me share more of my heart's desire in this message.  For these years, I have been noticing the marketing of coffee and aware of my own love of coffee, I wondered if it had become an idol my life. Could I or would I willingly give up coffee? And if I couldn't give up coffee, what did that mean to me? Morning time is commonly suggested to be the time to do the thing that you need to do the most. Its ...

Lonely?  Tired?  Not happy with your physical health? Ummm. Yea, that's me. Can you relate? Often in the car, I'm tuned into Moody Radio and I thoroughly enjoy the variety of programming and conversations that come on. Today, I heard a topic on loneliness and one of the callers spoke about his personal experience of feeling alone and his attempts to reach out with a church. The author of the featured resource mentioned finding a safe space to talk and that might be a Christian counselor. I also am a fan of seeking a safe space to process and especially appreciate the Christian counseling option. But, that also sparks my desire to write this little blog.  DON'T GIVE UP! Getting help requires a lot of effort. I think the author speaking mentioned it takes about 8 to 10 years for a person to seek help for mental heath and to compare that with something physical like cancer. Yikes! That is way too long to suffer and go on without a proper care plan. We really need to get rid...

 I haven't been writing much but I still have the desire to write. I actually have several started ideas saved just hanging out in interspace. Perhaps it is the season I am in with #momlife.  Before I had this blog, even before I had kids, I had a blog. I used to type it out on my computer or write in a journal. My audience was God. My goal was to communicate. It was authentic and raw. It was a lifeline to Jesus.  I am questioning why the struggle to post much content on  Just A Mom From Ohio . In Bible study recently a topic of motivation struck me. Have I lost touch with the heart of the blog? Am I writing about God or for God?  Since I was young, I felt like God lit a fuse in the writing part of my soul. It came naturally. It was a way that I could communicate with others and with God.  I wrote a lot of poetry in high school. Writing poetry was a way to organize thoughts that I couldn't even speak. Today I would consider it a form of prayer. My heart wa...

 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...

Worship music is powerful. I've been listening to the new song " Jireh " by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Worship pretty much on repeat for the last 48 hours. This song is full of affirmations that I need and have needed for so long. Maybe this song could be a healing tool for God to move in your life too.  ***"FYI the new joint album "Old Church Basement" just dropped (4/30/21). So far, loving the songs!*** I'm going to break out some of the key phrases for me and talk about the lies they defeat by reminding me of truth.  Lyric   "I'll never be more loved than I am right now." 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in l...