This past week was crazy to say the least. So much happened….all unrelated, but each impacted me strongly. So instead of my normal outfit post, I decided it was time for some Real Chat. This is just me, keeping my promise of keeping it real 🙂
My children got back to back viruses this past week and a half. If you are a mother, you know that when that happens, you get weary physically and emotionally …very quickly. I don’t know how I would have made it through without Gabe being home so we were able to tag team it. (Hats of to you single mothers!) My little one still is recovering from one as we speak. As I watched her struggle to breathe last night, the tears flowed. It was a realization that my heart is completely intertwined with my children’s. When they suffer… I suffer. Despite how difficult the long nights have been, I came out of it with gratitude believe it or not. Gratitude that they are in my life. That I can even know a love so deep that I would die for them. I would take their sickness in a heartbeat so they wouldn’t have to suffer. It reminded me that its just a taste of God’s love for me. I now understand more clearly how He must hurt when we hurt….
which brings me to the next impacting moment of the week – the Aurora shooting. I heard about it on the radio driving back from Alabama. I know these kinds of tragedies have happened before but for some reason this one keeps weighing on my mind. Something so common…going to see a movie, and suddenly your life is over. What if I had been in that theatre on a normal date with my husband? How would have I reacted? Thinking these questions through, I really have come to be more convicted that our NOW is more important than our past or future. Our actions today and now is all we have. We have only today, so love more, love greater, even in the small things. It brought that quote to mind: “What we do in this life, echoes in eternity.” Sometimes, its tragedies like these that allow me re-focus my life. Answering all the unread emails may not be as important as being present to my husband after a long day at work…. Or getting that amazing dress I have been dreaming about is no longer as important, if I can use that money to donate to the crisis pregnancy center. So many ways to make the most of the here and now. My heart breaks for the victims and their families. How has this event affected you?
Last impacting moment – I traveled to Alabama with my good friend Rose, the founder of Radiant Magazine. We got to make a tv appearance as Publisher and Designer team, and share the purpose of Radiant, and why we are so passionate about it. Doing the show was a surreal experience. It was a moment that Rose and I were getting to share something near and dear to us. I realized I was given the gift to do something I love for God’s glory. I couldn’t ask for more. Now more than ever, young girls have a dying need to feel loved, know their purpose, and know that they are important in this life. After the show, we have had an overwhelming response to the magazine, and the subscriptions have skyrocketed! You can watch the tv show here if you like (Be forewarned -there is Catholic content;)) and actually see how I talk in real life…in my serious mode.
All these unrelated events have left deep and lasting impressions on me. Sometimes the extraordinary and ordinary can be equally life changing. It just challenges me to keep my head looking up, so I don’t miss the moments that could be opportunites to make something more out of my life.
Applaud if you made it to the end of this post! Have you had any moments like this recently? Please share!
P.S. Its the last day to enter the Jack and White Giveaway!!
