Quite a Ride

I never liked wooden roller coasters when I was a kid. You know the kind that go 70mph and are so rickety you feel like you could fly off at any second? Yep, those. I remember vividly the last time I was on one. I don't think I've ever been more terrified in my life. Total lack of control plus everything going way too fast equals scary. I literally closed my eyes until it was over. Not much has changed...I will NOT step foot on one of those things.

The last year of my life could be pretty much described like the above. Tons of uncertainty, many ups & downs, fear, frustration, relief. Pretty much any & every emotion you could feel, I've felt in the last year. It might be because...I've moved twice, lived by myself for the 1st time ever, quit my job, started a side business (still working on that one), began a new job, watched my best friend get married & move away, watched another longtime friend move to the other side of the country, dealt with some health challenges, and a few other things I won't go into. All that to say, it's been quite a ride. And at times, I've wanted to close my eyes until it all stopped. Or scream. Whatever seemed most appropriate at the time I was walking through it! Not to say there haven't been a few ups here & there, but overall, it's been a very challenging year. See, this girl doesn't handle change too well. But, I know the real reason it's been painful is that the one change I do want to happen, still hasn't.

So, I'm dedicating the next several blogs to a topic that I know way too much about (and wish I didn't): being single. I'll warn you, I'm going to be painfully honest at times. I might offend some people (although that's not my intention), and I might sound whiny (oh well). But, my real motive is to offer up what I've learned and hopefully encourage others who are in a "waiting" season in their lives.

I will say this isn't an easy topic for me to write about AT ALL, but I have LOTS to say, so I hope you'll keep reading...

To call her blessed

My mom & I have always been close...ok, I should rephrase that. My mom & I have been close since I've been in my 20s. We may have had a few struggles when I was a (rebellious) teenager. I try & block that time out. Don't get me wrong...I loved her then, I just didn't understand her advice or her way of thinking. I didn't get why I couldn't just do the things I wanted to do in the way I wanted to do them. At times, I thought she was trying to make my life more difficult.

I've grown up a little since I was a teenager. Ok, hopefully a lot. At least enough to appreciate my mom more every year. And on Mother's Day, a day to celebrate moms, I was reminded that I can't imagine my life without her. She's become more than just my mom, she's my best friend. She's also a spiritual mentor in my life, which is something I'm probably most grateful for. As I've gotten older & grown more in my walk with God, I find myself turning to her for wisdom & advice...a lot. Sometimes, she says exactly what I need to hear...and sometimes she says what I don't want to hear, but know I need. I know that the Lord has given me a gift; not everyone can say they have that type of relationship with their mom. I don't ever want to take her for granted. I'm not saying my mom's perfect, but I have learned so much from her insight. In Proverbs 31, verse 28, it says, "Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her." I could insert my mom's name in there. She is most definitely a Proverbs 31 woman...something that I aspire to be.

To have your children rise & call you blessed and your husband praise you is the highest honor & calling a woman can have on this earth. I really believe that. Mainly because God invented the idea of a wife and a mother. And when a woman knows how to be a good wife AND a good mom, she's a blessing not only to her family, but to those she encounters.

I have many friends who have exemplified the definition of a godly wife & mother. And from firsthand experience, it's so refreshing to see. Especially when this world doesn't seem to place as much value on honoring your role as a wife or mother.

So, this blog is dedicated to my beautiful friends who are wives and/or moms, and of course, to my own mom. I hope that I can be that godly example to someone else one day & take what I've learned & witnessed into my future marriage & family.