Last time, I ended by saying that I’d share more about where I’ve been. Here’s the deal: there comes a point in time that the past is no longer a part of our story, at least not the part we share when we are getting to know each other. If we’d met twenty years ago, I would have shared the heartache of watching my parent’s marriage being torn apart. Fifteen years ago, I’d have told you all about the ex-fiance who turned out to be my stalker. And as recently as last summer, I would have expressed the disappointment in lost dreams and in an unexpected change of plans. And the funny thing is, those incidents were in the past. But I carried it with me as though it were a part of my identity. ”Hello, I’m Sharon. My Dad had an affair, my ex was a dangerous conman who used to stalk me, and my husband and I barely survived when he lost his job.” Read the rest of this entry
Tag Archives: encouragement
taking the next step
So far in our Mother’s Day Out series, we’ve talked about living according to our priorities, living according to our purpose and last week I asked you to consider what changes you need to make to fulfill your purpose. Now, it’s time to take the next step.
Like this:
disappearing act
I have no doubt that my childhood influenced my decision to go into teaching. I wanted to be a positive influence in the lives of children by fostering a nurturing classroom environment. So, it made sense to me to specialize in Early Childhood Education. This gave me the platform to help young children establish a strong foundation not only in their education, but also in their lives.
I didn’t start out as an education major though. At first I was going to major in sociology, but had no idea what I wanted to do in that field…maybe social work. But at every family get together when my answer to the dreaded question, “what will you do with a degree in sociology” was met with disapproval, I was discouraged from pursuing a career in social work. Because there’s not enough money in it, it’s hard work and depressing….they would say. Ironically, people try to dissuade would be teachers with the same argument. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life, it’s this: Read the rest of this entry
Like this:
rise up and walk
A couple of weeks ago, I introduced the Mother’s Day Out series. That first week, we talked about living according to our priorities and last week we filled in the blanks of this sentence: God gave me the pleasure of being a mother, but He also created me to be________and when I _________, I feel His pleasure.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I could fill in those blanks with a few different responses. I think that is the point. We are not one dimensional beings, and living a one dimensional life will leave us feeling empty, dissatisfied and maybe even resentful. When I say that your life shouldn’t be one dimensional, I am not encouraging you to “do it all,” nor am I saying that motherhood is unfulfilling. What I am saying is that your identity shouldn’t be wrapped up in one thing, and that one area of your life shouldn’t rob you of other joys in life. This is what I want to discourage or conversely, I want to encourage you to live a full life.
Yesterday, I got to spend Mother’s Day relaxing on the beach. (The pictures were taken with my cell phone.)
I have to say that I was feeling very blessed yesterday. Because of this girl,
I have the honor of being a mother. I love my daughter so much that my heart could burst. Years ago, my Pastor at the time used to routinely declare that being a mother is the highest calling we can receive. Amen to that! Now, if you are not a mother, your calling in life is no less than that of motherhood. I think what my former pastor meant is that if you are a mother, that is your highest calling. And accordingly, my top priorities in life are to be a good wife and mother.
I truly believe one way to do that is to live according to all that God created me to be. Yesterday as I walked along the shoreline, I asked myself, “what area of my life do I want to see change?” And my next thought was that I am the key to making that change. I believe we are largely responsible for our own circumstances. You can let them control you or you can control them. I’ve been guilty of letting circumstances rule my life, and in this one area that I’d like to see change, I hear that still quite voice inside saying, “Rise up and walk.” It’s time to take control of my weight!
I’m going to share more specifics about that area of my life in a future post. But for now, will you ‘rise up and walk’ with me? Consider your dreams, goals, and your gifts and talents. Is there something you can change that would allow you to fulfill your calling to your best ability?
Until next time,
Sharon
inspired living
To see the first post, go here.
“I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.” Eric Liddle – Chariots of Fire
Mother’s Day Out
If you’ve been following my blog for a while, then you’ve heard me say that my passion is to encourage others; particularly women. With that in mind, I really wanted to do something in honor of Mother’s Day.
So, I’m bringing you a new series. It’s actually a spin-off from my first series, “Making a House a Home.” This series will elaborate on the topic: “If Mama Ain’t Happy” and will delve into our lives as mothers.
Today, we’re going to try and answer the question, “What makes you happy?”
I hope you will meet me back here on Monday, May 7th for a thought provoking visit with Inspired by Family Magazine.
Until next time,
Sharon
discovering my passions
Last week I shared some of the cruelties of my childhood, but left off saying that there were some positive experiences too. Today, we’re going to hear more about those; the fond memories.
…by the time I was in Jr. High, my family was spending many a week night and most of our weekends at the ballfields. All four of us kids played and over the years, Dad took time to coach each one of our teams.
Looking back, I would say that God used my Dad’s love of the game to draw our family closer together. I think those years are when the hearts of my siblings and me were knitted together. We walked home from school together, we cheered each other on in sports, we even cheered each other on at the dinner table. It does take cheering on to finish your brussel sprouts. ;)
The love of a sibling and for a sibling is like no other. I am so very grateful for that blessing.
I’m also grateful for my eighth grade homemaking class. It was in eighth grade, too, that my love for writing really blossomed. So, it is no wonder that the school year that I remember most fondly is the year that I discovered my passions. I’m only just now realizing this connection as I write. It fills my heart with awe and wonder at God and His providence.
I’d like to share a post that I wrote previously about being in homemaking class.
Who remembers 8th grade homemaking class? I sure do. My teacher used to play a motivational tape by Zig Zigler in the background as my friends and I worked together to cook and create. I remember learning to make funnel cakes and parfaits. I was so excited about the parfait that I served it to my parents for dessert one night. They were good sports. :) Right around the end of the class period, we would be finishing up, and The Zig Zigler tape would come to an end. We’d chime in with him as he declared, “I’ll see you at the top!” My fondest memory, though, has to be the peach poplin shorts.
After days of laboring over the pattern and finally stitching the last seam, I was ready to take my pretty peach shorts up to show the teacher. I’ll never forget her encouraging words, “They look like you bought them at Foley’s!”
I went home with a smile on my face that was bright enough to light up the state of Texas. I couldn’t wait to tell my mom the good news! Of course, mom agreed.
After reflecting over my experiences in homemaking class, I’d have to say that’s where it all began. The feelings of joy as I prepared meals, exhilaration after a completed project, and pride in my newfound abilities were all such positive experiences. I think this is why I get such great satisfaction from homemaking even today.
Thinking about that time in my life makes me so grateful for the good times. They are like a glass of ice water on a hot day; refreshing and necessary. They are a time to rest and rejuvenate. That is where I find myself in life today. Enjoying being back home full-time, loving taking care of my family and having time to pursue passions.
Of course, there’s a lot more story between eighth grade and today. I’ll tell you a little more next time.
Until then,
Sharon
Little Miss Sunshine
“…This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine…
..don’t let Satan blow it out, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine…”
My first memories of church are when I was about seven-years-old. I vividly recall my Sunday School teacher telling another adult that I was her little ray of sunshine. Does that make me the original “Little Miss Sunshine?”
Not to go off on a tangent, but if you didn’t see that movie, I highly recommend it. If you look past some of the language and subject matter, there’s a beautiful story of unconditional love and acceptance.
Okay, let’s get back on topic. As a little girl, I was bubbly and joyful. I was very friendly; didn’t know a stranger. I loved everyone with all my heart, especially Jesus. My light shone so brightly.
But, with time, life started to cause my light to flicker. Read the rest of this entry
my first love
Circumstances as of late seem to be leading me to share my story with y’all. I think I will start with the present and then flashback to earlier days.
I really don’t enjoy talking about myself, but I do enjoy pointing people to Christ. I am not a bible thumping, hell, fire and brimstone kinda Christian. So, I hope I don’t scare you off with all of this Christian talk.
I may offend some people here, but in my opinion, what you see on t.v. and the media does not represent Christians well at all. In fact, if I were not a Christian and that public persona is all I had to go on, I most certainly wouldn’t want to be a one.
If you have been hurt or burned by the church, I am so sorry.
It is easy, even as a Christian, to be discouraged in the faith. I’ve been there. I was there for quite some time until recently. Read the rest of this entry
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