My Fall Wish For You and Me

Back-to-back weekends with family at a Louisiana wedding and then for our youngest son’s baptism have left me exhausted, yet fulfilled. And it’s the refreshment that I want to share with you today in a wish for you and yours as seasons change and the holidays approach.

My mom babysat all three boys {bless her soul!}, and I hardly knew what to do with myself as we waited for the wedding to begin. I soon settled though, and as I sat there in the church without children for the first time in a while, I was able to listen, to truly listen, and what I heard was humbling and inspiring.  I heard it not with my ears, but with my heart. A family friend read the text that is so often chosen by engaged couples for their special day. It was one reading we chose for ours.

Love

My heart heard, “Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. It does not dishonor others. It is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth.”

Unfortunately, it’s been a while since I’ve read or listened to these words and truly received them. Scenes from our somewhat chaotic life flashed before me, and I couldn’t help but admit to myself that I haven’t fully lived my promise of love to my husband and even to my children. Admittedly, I’ve been envious of my husband for leaving the house for work, perhaps choosing lunch with colleagues or a quiet one at his desk, and heck, going to the bathroom when he needs to {and alone!}. I’ve recorded in my head instances in which I took care of my share of the household and, wait for it, took out the garbage too! And how often am I a “hurry up” mom instead of being patient while our kids are simply being kids? If I’m being honest, there are definitely days that I seek to take care of my needs and wants, become angry when it doesn’t happen, and then treat my husband unkindly because of it.

{This is where you nod that maybe you’ve had a day or two like this as well instead of leaving this post in horror, right?}

Fast forward to this past weekend. Our youngest son Abram was baptized, and I sat holding my sweet four-month-old with my middle son between my husband and me. I didn’t quite hear the message so much as I did the previous weekend. In fact, I had to hush my own giggles as John sang “Thunderstruck” and pointed out loudly that indeed it was thundering outside. {Thank you Disney Planes: Fire and Rescue!}

But I caught a few pieces. I heard that indeed, these little ones officially start their spiritual journeys at an age at which they cannot understand.  And somehow through the “un-der…ow-ide,” I heard that it’s up to us as parents to lead our children from this Baptism day through our touch, our words, our actions, through our love.

My mind jumped back to the reading last weekend. My heart settled on the last words, “Love never fails.”  We have a beautiful life. In fact, there are few moments when I felt more beautiful than I did that day surrounded by my husband, children, and extended family.  But we haven’t been without hardship. We haven’t been without life’s heaviness. My faith has carried me through. I haven’t been failed.

faith

And now it’s my job to extend that love to the best of my abilities.  As we enter into cooler days and holiday activities with family and friends, I want to wake with this sense of purpose. I want to carry the words patient and kind throughout my day.  I want that patience to be long-lasting. I want to hold anger at bay and be selfless in my giving.

Whatever your belief system may be, whatever code you choose to drive your days and evaluate yourself by each night, may you be reminded of it this day. May  you be renewed and refreshed as you care for those around you, whether grown children, young children, your own parents, your spouse. Or maybe children you “parent” as neighbors, teacher, friend. This Fall, may there be moments, big or small, that bring a sense of purpose to who you are and what you do.

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Jenn L
Jenn is an English teacher turned stay at home mom to boys Wyatt {2010}, John {2013}, and Abram {2014}. South Louisiana born and raised, North Louisiana educated, and Texas “polished,” she has found Houston to be home with her husband for the past ten years. After infertility struggles, in 2010 she traded in A Tale of Two Cities for Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site and has since been busy discovering ways to learn while playing, maintaining a semi-scheduled family life, and integrating both Texas and Louisiana culture into her family. Besides making memories with her boys full time, she enjoys reading, running, crafting, cooking, and football. Y’all stop by When In Doubt, Add More Salt to read more about family adventures with the boys and Jenn’s thoughts on hot summers and Pinterest pin attempts, and her love/hate relationship with March Madness brackets.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Oh Jenn. How your words and thoughts have blessed my soul.
    It is now me flashing back thru time remembering all the same instances you have shared raising children and as well being gently reminded by the Holy Spirit of the grace and mercy of God, His love for me and my children and how He desires me to love them all in return.
    Thanks for such a beautiful testimony.

    • Thank you so much for your sweet comment Aunt Mollie! You are a shining example of raising Christian children. This job is certainly not easy, and I fail way too many times, but we get back up with His help and try again!

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