LIFE IN BLOOM

Learning How to Flourish in God's Grace

Category Archives: Faith


by 2 Comments

The Safety Belt

I love my little one.  Her curiosity, zeal and zest for life is refreshing.  She absolutely loves to learn, is a super amazing artist (seriously, I think we have a prodigy), and has learned how to push the boundaries in the most delicate, thoughtful ways.   More often than not, I find myself in situations with her, where after the fact, I’m forced to ask God, “Is that how I am as your child?”

For example- the safety belt.  Or seat belt.  (Tomato, toe-mah-toe).

My little one enjoys going places (Target is her favorite store), and each trip unfolds some sort of adventure.  Of course, since she’s 5, she has to be strapped in to her booster seat before we can travel anywhere.  Now, when we first got her booster seat, she was pretty excited about it (I mean, it’s got CUP HOLDERS, y’all?!? I’m excited for her).  But after a while, she became pretty annoyed and uncomfortable with the safety belt.

At first, it was just a little thing, trying to position it properly to increase her level of comfort.  Then, it changed to slightly moving it over, so it ever-so-slightly rested off of her shoulder.  Though this behavior was corrected, it continued and grew, evolving to completely moving the safety belt so that it wasn’t protecting her to the degree at which it was designed.  After a more stern conversation, she was back to wearing the safety belt as she was supposed to, without maneuvering and manipulating it.

I have to admit that I was frustrated in this exchange.  While I don’t want her to experience discomfort, it is more important that she is safe.  And I as dealt with my frustration, the Lord gently nudged me and reminded me of how I am the same way.  He reminded me of the times where I’d prefer to ignore/disregard/remove the safety belt He has in place because it’s uncomfortable.  How often have I sacrificed my safety because of my discomfort?

While we overcame that challenge, as a parent, I continued to wonder the following: How do Preacherman and I parent in a way so that our children will CHOOSE the safety belt over the discomfort when they are older?  How do we parent so that she will choose purity over promiscuity in a culture that promotes the latter more than the former?  How do we parent so that she will choose virtue over vulgarity in a world that screams “I can do/say/be who I want and you have to deal with it”?

As an adult, there’s no one there to make sure that I use the safety belt in the car every day.  Sure, the car will beep to let me know that it’s not on, but otherwise, there’s not a real consequence unless I get caught (Hey Mr. Officer) or I’m in an accident.  I recognize that those consequences are costly, and instead of deal with the consequences, I’d just rather be safe (legally, and in terms of my life) instead of uncomfortable.

Even now, there are some circumstances and situations that God has me strapped in that are uncomfortable.  However, I trust that His wisdom, His plans to prosper me and not harm me are greater than the discomfort that I feel.  May you also trust that God has you where He wants you, that He has a purpose for you being there, and that despite the discomfort, you are safe.

Be encouraged!  Peace and Blessings!

 

 


by 1 Comment

Thoughts about Jax

It’s been just over a month since Preacherman and I made the big move to Jacksonville, Florida.  And since we’ve been here, we’ve been busy bees; working, getting our house together, and trying to create a “new normal”.

We like Jacksonville.  Even though it’s Florida, it’s still “Southern”, so we’re still able to get sweet tea, and people still say “Ma’am” and “Sir”.  Since we are in North Florida, it doesn’t have the tropical look that Florida is known for (which is more common closer to the beach, and further South- like in Orlando or Miami).  The greenery makes it look not much different from North Carolina.

We chose to live “outside the city” but are technically still in Jacksonville.  Most places are about a 20 minute drive (Target, movie theater), but we do have a little stretch not far from us that has no shortage of grocery stores, fast food restaurants, Walgreens/CVS, and pretty much any other store that you could think of, which is especially helpful and convenient.

We are working hard and definitely being stretched by our new jobs.  It is a blessing that Preacherman and I have the opportunity to work in the same school.  When days get tough, meetings don’t go well, kids act crazy, parents act crazy,  you can’t access the internet to really find the information you need, it’s great to know that your best friend is just downstairs (or upstairs).  But more than that, it’s a blessing to work with young people and their families.  We consider it a privilege to be able to do so, and though we are being stretched, we know that there is always a greater purpose for any challenges that we may experience.

The people here are really nice.  On more than one occasion, we’ve been overwhelmed by the kindness and friendliness of strangers.  It definitely has helped to make this place feel more like home.  We’re slowly finding our way, getting to know our coworkers more, and visiting churches as well.

Though we are enjoying our new life, there are things that we miss about North Carolina.  Some of those would be our family and friends, our church family, WTVD News, great restaurants such as Watts Grocery, The Q-Shack, and Bull City Burger…just to name a few.  However, the longer that we are here, the more confident we are in God’s plan for us in Jacksonville, and that helps us to manage any feelings of being homesick.  We look forward to having our family with us in Jacksonville for Thanksgiving, and for hosting others in our home as they are able to visit.  More than anything, we are overwhelmed at God’s love and purpose for us, and excited about having the opportunity to pursue it.

Until next time…

Be encouraged!  Peace and blessings!