First wife of my woodboy, mother to our eight children (one in the military), southerner, saved-by-grace anglican, holder of interior design degree, writer, student of herbalism, feeder of chickens, willing slave to pugs, reader/collector of books, caregiver to my mom who's a stroke survivor, lover of tea and fan of cake.
In addition to what I've written above, I truly am Cracked China. So many Christians profess a perfect faith---one with gorgeous children, an enviable marriage, and impeccable finances. I have gorgeous, yet flawed children, a faithful husband who adores me, and finances that in our self-employed life contribute to an up and down reality. It ain't perfect. But I have the goodness of the Lord Jesus Christ who moves in front, in back, and on either side of me. While some of my children often stray (and gladly, but to my despair) I've grown to depend on God even more. With hardship, my relationship with Him has become richer. Even with difficulties, I can praise His name for standing by me in the mud.
With my tendency to Melancholy, the hard parts of mothering are harder. I fall into the Slough of Despond not so much willingly, but often. I don't want to be discouraged, but it's the way of who I am. And I tend to need to talk about it, to get the frustrations off of my chest. I grieve for my children who aren't the innocent beings they used to be. And you know, folks don't talk about these things. We keep it tidy and pretty for the world. The thing is, we're all (as my husband says) dragging around a wheelbarrow-load of stuff. All of us. And with the added work of caring for my mom (who fortunately as of this writing is living alone), I feel challenged beyond what's healthy for me. And as for wheelbarrow-loads, this journal tells about mine. ~melissa
In addition to what I've written above, I truly am Cracked China. So many Christians profess a perfect faith---one with gorgeous children, an enviable marriage, and impeccable finances. I have gorgeous, yet flawed children, a faithful husband who adores me, and finances that in our self-employed life contribute to an up and down reality. It ain't perfect. But I have the goodness of the Lord Jesus Christ who moves in front, in back, and on either side of me. While some of my children often stray (and gladly, but to my despair) I've grown to depend on God even more. With hardship, my relationship with Him has become richer. Even with difficulties, I can praise His name for standing by me in the mud.
With my tendency to Melancholy, the hard parts of mothering are harder. I fall into the Slough of Despond not so much willingly, but often. I don't want to be discouraged, but it's the way of who I am. And I tend to need to talk about it, to get the frustrations off of my chest. I grieve for my children who aren't the innocent beings they used to be. And you know, folks don't talk about these things. We keep it tidy and pretty for the world. The thing is, we're all (as my husband says) dragging around a wheelbarrow-load of stuff. All of us. And with the added work of caring for my mom (who fortunately as of this writing is living alone), I feel challenged beyond what's healthy for me. And as for wheelbarrow-loads, this journal tells about mine. ~melissa