ENCOURAGED IN HEART

Putting the Me in Mom-me…

It sure looks different each season of life, doesn’t it?

With a newborn – putting the “me” back in “Mom-me” was pathetic…getting a shower – and being able to wash and condition my hair (that is – “conditioning” while I double tasked and shaved my legs!”!  Or.. four consecutive hours of sleep!

Two years later, I joined a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group.  It provided a cadre of  support, laughter and love as we entered life with a newborn and preschooler.

Now that we have one preschooler and one elementary aged child, both their needs and my needs have changed, again. One way I see God help me through this new exciting season is through the encouragement of friendships that are “in it” with me.  Last year, I joined EMoms (Elementary Moms) and it was such a delightful way to add “me” back into Mom-me.   It’s now called MomsNEXT….same group and purpose with a spiffy new name!

If you’re in the northern Virginia area, please consider coming – you’ll laugh, learn, be encouraged and inspired.  If not, see if there’s any groups in your area.  Or join a book club or running club or something…anything good that fills your inner woman so that you can be the woman God intended you to be.

My friend Kristen (the little crafter that she is!) heads up the MomsNEXT group that I attend.  I’m certain you’d feel very welcome by her and the other women there…and most importantly, refreshed with a renewed outlook when you leave! If you do plan to come, let me know steph@encouragedinheart.org and we’ll meet up!  Our monthly meetings are held from 6:45 to 8:45pm in Room 118 at Christian Fellowship Church.

What are some ways you put the “me” back into Mom-me?

Yesterday morning I read about a gal who was desperate enough…(Luke 8:43-48) and all I could say was, “WOW.”

For twelve years, she bled.  She tried to get her healing through doctors.  She low crawled her weak, most likely anemic body through a crowd with the hope…to touch Jesus.

Am I desperate enough?

This was the question that my private time fixated on.  I journaled through my thoughts and emotions which only brought up more questions. As I prayed and examined more the Holy Spirit provided such comfort.

The woman came to Jesus weak and sick, but left strong and healed.

And how…why? In verse 48 I found the answer.

Jesus said, “Daughter, you took a risk trusting me, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!”

At the point where she no longer trusted herself, but trusted Jesus…that was the point where she received her healing. INCREDIBLE!  I’ve wrestled with the whole am I really risking, when I “risk trusting Jesus”?  My answer today is, “yes” because  I’m dying to self (me) to live a slice more for Him.

Are you desperate enough to live well and live blessed today?

(Thanks for the idea Kim, this post is dedicated to you girl!)

Today I truly had the royal treatment!  I donned my crown and purchased my brand spankin’ new diva suit here.  The crown was compliments of my dentist drilling and reshaping tooth #30 for the better part of two hours, the diva suit was compliments of Macys!  And here I am drooling and numb just hours later, in my new crown and diva suit  chillin’ at our new kitchen table!

If interested as to why this is exciting to me…you can check out the diva suit reason here and the table here!