Today I Choose Contentment

I have a treat for you! My daughter-in-law Caroline is guest posting on my blog today. She’s talking about something I don’t think we talk about nearly enough – contentment in the age of social media. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in comparing our lives to others’ and seeing ours as less-than. Caroline will challenge and encourage you all in one!

Sometimes I stumble into wanting things.

The checkout line is long, and inevitably, I’m in line behind the coupon queen. I like watching extreme couponers on HGTV, but in real life – not so much.

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As I stand there, I find myself staring at the checkout line aisle, and all the sudden, I venture off my shopping list. You know what I’m talking about; under the mints and the gum are all the items I forgot that I needed. Like, floss picks, hand sanitizer, and Tide-To-Go sticks. And while I’m at it, I find myself picking up a lint roller, even though I never lint roll anything. Ever. My moment of weakness peaks when I grab peanut m&ms.

Thankfully coupon diva takes so long I’m able to knock some sense into myself and put the “things I didn’t know I needed” back onto the shelf where they belong.

Those checkout lines are strategic. We all know this. We’ve seen many a tantrum as the child lusts after Fun Dip candy at eye level, only to be told a devastating no.

However, I’m starting to realize I stand in that checkout line a lot more than just at the grocery store.

Help! I Married My Opposite

Welcome to my birthday bash! If you’re just joining us, be sure to catch up on the party HERE and at the end of the post, enter to win the Ultimate C.S. Lewis Swag Bag! Peek into the Swag Bag HERE.

Today is the final day of my nerdy birthday bash! It’s hard to see it go, but today I have a special guest on my blog. You will love him – I sure do! He doesn’t write on my blog often, but his name is mentioned very often. Without further ado, please welcome my husband – Dr. Phil! Take it away Phil!

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Am I Praying to God or Worrying to God?

Hello my friends! Today I’m sharing a special post from Caroline Rothschild, my daughter-in-law. She’s an incredibly wise young woman with tons of charm and insight. She married our oldest son, Clayton, last year. They now live in Houston, TX. She and Clayton met at Baylor University, where she graduated with a Professional Writing degree. She went on to receive a masters degree in Theology from Truett Seminary. She has a great blog with a growing following and I know you will love her as much as I do! Today she’s talking about how she’s learning the value of true intimacy with God through prayer. Can you relate to her story?

I start.

“Dear God …”

It starts so pure. My intentions are genuine. I start so eager to submit to what He has for me.

I pray.

I want to know what He has for me; where He is taking me in the life; what He’s up to with all these bumps I seem to be bouncing along.

I start to think about some of the bumps that seem to be piling up, and all of the sudden, all the bumps have formed into a mountain. The mountain is rocky – insurmountable. I stare at it awhile, dwelling on how ill-equipped I am to climb it. How will I ever make something of all this?

I think I’m praying, but though I start with “Dear God,” I’m not praying.

I’m worrying.

My Husband Doesn’t Fulfill Me

Hello my friends! Today I want to introduce to you Caroline Rothschild – my daughter-in-law. She’s an incredibly wise young woman with tons of charm and insight. She married our oldest son, Clayton, last year. They now live in Houston, TX. Fun little tidbit about her: when we were expecting our second baby (15 years ago), Dr. Phil and I were planning to name the baby “Caroline” if she were a girl … well, the baby was a boy who we ended up naming Connor, BUT now we finally have our very own daugther named Caroline! Cool, huh?

She and our son met at Baylor University, where she graduated with a Professional Writing degree. She went on to receive a masters degree in Theology from Truett Seminary. She has a great blog with a growing following and I am just so happy you will get to know her. I know you will love her as much as I do!

Today she’s talking about marriage – a truth that rings true whether you’re single, a newly wed, or married for 27 years like my Dr. Phil and me!

“My Husband Doesn’t Fulfill Me”

Now don’t get me wrong, my husband is my favorite person in the world. He’s my best friend, and I love him with all of myself. He makes me laugh harder than anyone else, and we can go on adventures or sit at home and have a blast. He reminds me to dream and reminds me that I am capable, intelligent, and can really make a difference in this world.

Yet, if I’m really honest, I still get lonely. I get insecure, weary, and I doubt myself. It would be so simple if I could just sit next to him on the couch and have the painful empty places that loneliness and security create filled up by him. I know I’d be the happiest wife if he could do that for me. But, even though I wish he did, he doesn’t fulfill me.

He doesn’t give me value.

He doesn’t make me important.

He doesn’t make me smart.

He doesn’t give me confidence.

He doesn’t make me pretty.

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My husband doesn’t fulfill me because he can’t fulfill me. He’s not able. He’s not supposed to. The pure love of my husband was never intended to fulfill me.

If You Have Been Looking for a Sign …

Today I welcome a guest post from my dear, dear friend Ann Voskamp, the farm girl. There’s such a humble and pure beauty about Ann that shines from her inner spirit. Ann Voskamp is a farmer’s wife, the home-educating mama to a half-dozen kids, and author of One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, a New York Times 60 week bestseller and her newest release, The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas. In her blog, www.aholyexperience.com, Ann writes for the weary and soul-thirsty seeking the quiet grace of our Giver. I am exceptionally thrilled to have her joining us in my hometown at our Fresh Grounded Faith event in November.

When I find out what a teenager’s done, I’d like to ring one slender neck.

Dirt rings the mudroom sink like nasty vandalism. To-do lists keep scrawling ugly, longer and longer. I can’t find my watch. The bathroom mirror is splattered and smudged. The weather forecast makes it impossible to know if we should plant our next field or wait till the next rain or what to do.

We watch the sky for a sign.

We pray, we pray these begging prayers.

Creating a Coffee Shop Work Environment

This is a Taste This guest post by Caroline Rothschild, my DIL, or daughter-in-law. She and my son, Clayton, live in Texas. I think you should give this resource a “taste test.” Also find Caroline @jcarorothschild. This post was originally published at womensministry.net.

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We’ve all been there. We need peace and quiet in order to zero-in and get work done, but it seems such environment is no where to be found. In a world of distractions, our focus is always being interrupted.