Come Just as You Are

Have you ever been around a close family? They laugh, cry, share hugs and kisses. They are usually expressive with each other. They let down their guard and are vulnerable with each other. They don't try to be anything other than they are because with family we can be ourselves.

Do they always get along? No. Do they forgive and move on? Yes. The world has so many expectations of us that its nice to have a place of acceptance and abundant love despite our shortcomings.

By now you know your family's not perfect. But you love them anyway. And is there anything that could get between you and the love you have for them?

Not PMS, bad work days, or the teenage years.

Go ahead...Hug them, kiss them, forgive them.

Love them deeply so when the waters get deep in the trenches they know where to turn. They'll know who's going to receive them with open arms and a hug, no matter their condition. They'll know that, "this family loves you, no matter what... come just as you are."

Yet it all begins with us.  We're not perfect.  We make mistakes and need forgiveness.  Its Ok to be wrong as long as we make it right.  Our example of humility shows our family that we are in this together. Sometimes we need them to give us a hug of comfort. 

When my husband makes a mistake and wants to ask me for forgiveness, he calls the kids and asks for my forgiveness in front of them.  He doesn't do this to be showy, he uses it as a teachable moment to teach them that when we mess up, we need to make it right. I think its cute, because I love that he's man enough to say, "I messed up." He's OK being vulnerable in front of his family because he knows this is his safe place.  

Family accepts, loves, forgives, just as Jesus accepts us, loves us and forgives us after we come to Him, just as we are. 

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  

I love this quote that perfectly describes what family should be.
My goal is to live this out daily.

In this house...
We do second chances
We do grace
We do real
We do mistakes
We do I'm sorry
We do loud really well (we've mastered this part!)
We do hugs
We do family
We do love

What do you do to let your family know they can come just as they are?

I'm Forgiven

I had a very rough day.  My life seemed to be caving in on me.  You know, the normal demands on a mom that can sometimes make us feel less than unworthy. The laundry was piling up, the house was messy, and I had a super bad attitude with the kids.  I sat in the car while the kids were at their home schooling enrichment program because I wasn't feeling up to socializing that day. 

"I don't get it", I wondered.  "Lord, if you don't give us more than we can handle then why do I always feel like I can't handle what I have?" I was having flashbacks of poor choices made and my failures as a wife and mother and to top it all off I was feeling as if I didn't even understand my baby.  She was fussy and I didn't even know why.  (This IS baby #5, you would think I'd have a clue by this point!)  Add postpartum emotions to this sea of doubt and it made for the perfect storm.  

So there I sat... in the back seat of my minivan...nursing the baby...trying to go unnoticed by the world, when song #10 on the WOW Hits 2011 CD came on.  Had I been in the drivers seat I would have pressed the forward button to the next song (I don't think I've ever made it 30 seconds into this song).
Being that I was in the back and I wasn't in a singing mood I just sat there nursing, my mind going in all different directions.

THEN I HEARD IT.  God took notice and answered me through the words of a song I had always blown off.  It came at the perfect time.  I sat there listening while being comforted by my Heavenly Father. Since that day, I listen to that song daily to remind myself of the treasure I am to my creator. 

Well, I love this song so much that I wanted to share it with you as well. 

I'm still not close to perfect.
I still haven't finished attacking the laundry pile
I still need to pray for patience, then repent when I lose it
But I know who's I am and I know my worth is in Him!
Isn't He amazing?!!!

This is where my focus should be. On the blessings that my family brings to me.  On the sweet memories of the past and the ones that are still to be made.

"The Girls" after a wonderful Valentine's Day dinner

"The Boys" getting ready to enjoy their Valentines Day treat!

The Hubby and I

In what ways has God taken notice in you lately?

ENJOY!!!!