Bearing One Another's Burdens

There was a game I used to play as a child. We'd form two opposite groups, both of which held hands in a line. The first team would chant, "Red Rover, Red Rover, send _____ right over!" The person named ran as fast as they could in order to break the "chain" formed by the other team. If they were successful, they could choose an opposing team member to bring back to their own side. If they were unsuccessful, they had to join the other team's side. The group with the most people at the end of the game won.

When a member of the other team ran as fast as they could toward my part of the chain, I began to tighten my grip on my teammates' hands and tell them not to let go. I had a rush of adrenaline in that moment, as if everything depended upon me.

Then there was the feeling I'd get when my name was called. I'd grit my teeth, try to find the weakest link, and run like the wind (or so I thought). I loved the feeling of breaking through and bringing someone back with me to the other side. I had proven stronger than the opposite team. I had broken the chain. I had "rescued" someone from what was sure to be the losing team. It was always a proud moment for me.

Sometimes, I think life is similar to that old game.

No Matter What

Ivey, you and I had this conversation today:

"Mommy, if I hit or push, and get in trouble…you'll forgive me?"

"Of course, baby, I'll always forgive you and love you no matter what." 

"No matter what, mommy." 

"That's right, baby."

"Mommy, I love you…no matter what." 

If I feel that way about you, how much more does the Father feel that way about you? How much more does He feel that way about me?

Dear Daughters, Don't "Follow Your Heart"

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"Follow your heart and your dreams will come true."

"Stop thinking so much and follow your heart."

"Do what you know in your heart is right."

"Follow Your Heart."

What a great thought…what a detrimental way of life.

Now, I know most people's intention behind this statement is to "be true to yourself," "do what you love," "find what makes you happy, and go for it!" The problem? 

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9

"When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord." Proverbs 19:3

My heart and your hearts are not trustworthy. The reason many of us feel like we are riding a roller coaster through life with no sense of security or steadiness in view is not because we failed to follow our hearts, but rather, because we choose to trust our foolish, sinful hearts above the thoughts and desires of our Creator. 

Craving "Control" When "Control" Is Not the Answer

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I would argue that one of the number one things people seem to desire in life is "control." 

If you believe the Bible is the Word of God and is all-together true and reliable, like I do, it is not difficult to see where this "control issue" began. When Adam and Eve ate the fruit they were forbidden to eat, there were probably several root issues going on there. Maybe they began to doubt whether or not God was truly good, and whether or not He was holding out on them. They probably wondered what He was keeping from them. They might have felt a sense of power in making their own choice about the fruit…a sense of control. Unfortunately for them, and us, this one decision solidified the great "problem of evil" found in our world and within each of our hearts. We are a rebellious people. We desire control. We would rather die than surrender. 

Awkward Lindsey and What God Has To Say About Insecurity

My best childhood friend (who was also in my wedding and I continue to love dearly!) sent me this picture recently…

Yep…soak it in. It's fifth grade Lindsey in all her glory.

As funny as it is now to look back at old pictures of myself, this little picture brings back many memories. That girl was in a full on AWKWARD stage, that I'm afraid lasted beyond fifth grade. (Truth be told, I'm not sure it really ever ended.) If I had to sum that age up with one word, I have a feeling it would be the same word many would use to describe this phase of their lives: Insecure. 

As women especially, we deal with insecurity from a young age. I'll let you in on a few fifth grade Lindsey insecurities…

"Oh That You May Know Him!"

Dear daughters,

I can't believe how you are growing, learning, and developing each day! I feel so blessed to be your mommy and watch you become the women God created you to be. 

Ivey, you are three years old and so excited about life! You have such a fun personality; you're smart, funny, silly, loving, tender-hearted, strong-willed (like your momma!), and you soak up the world around you like a sponge! You love to learn and talk about new things. I am praying I will be faithful to use these important, early years to pour truth into your heart, and prayerfully, watch the seeds grow into fruit down the road. I pray daily that God would draw you to Himself at an early age, and captivate your heart for His purposes. I know He created you with great purpose and He has given you such a special little personality and spirit I know He intends for great things! I pray you would come to know your true identity as a REAL princess – a daughter of the one true King. 

{Pity} Party of One

A while back, I called your aunt ready to “vent” about how I’d been done wrong. I told her all the details of the story and how I had not been considered or thought of. She seemed to be playing “Devil’s advocate” by trying to help me see the possible "other side" of the story. This only made me explain all the more why I knew I had been mistreated and should be apologized to. Then, in only the way a sister could do, she said, “Lindsey, I think you need to go read your ‘Toddler Tantrum’ post because you are having a tantrum.”

I didn’t love hearing that rebuke from my sister; my feelings did not all of a sudden go away, but I did take a moment to stop and evaluate myself. 

{Pity} party of one! 

Isn’t it frustrating when you seem to be the only one who understands your side of the story or why you’ve been wronged somehow? Typically, when I allow myself to have a pity party, all too soon I realize I’m the only one there. How could something I feel so strongly not be evident to those close to me?

As a woman, I know I can “feel” my way toward a bad attitude or poor decision in a heartbeat. It’s easy to forget how fickle my own feelings can be.