The Bright Eyed Brunette

 Every year on March 17, the world turns green. There are parades, shamrocks, Irish music, and an endless supply of green shirts. But behind the festivities of St. Patrick's Day is a story that is deeply rooted in Christian faith.  Many people celebrate the day without ever thinking about the man it's really named after--St. Patrick. His story isn't really about luck or leprechauns. It's about redemption, forgiveness, and the quiet power of sharing the gospel.  My leprechaun, Trey Patrick wasn't born in Ireland. In fact, he was born in Roman Britain in the late 300's. As a teenager, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland where he was forced to work as a shepherd. Those lonely years in the fields changed him. Patrick later wrote that during that time he began praying constantly and turning toward God in a way he never had before. His faith deepened in the middle of hardship. Eventually he escaped and made his way home. Most people would have close...

 Happy Monday, good friends! I hope you all had the best weekend. It was pretty low-key around here. On Friday, I watched Wrenley all day. I hadn't seen her in a whole week, so I was really needing my girl!  She was watching my uncle's new dog, Skipper in our yard. We ate McDonald's for breakfast. She wanted a McGriddle and a hashbrown. We went to Nanny and Pop's house and played all morning. Then Carl came home around 12 for the day. We "rested" for about an hour and then it was back to playing! We had a tea party.  She mostly just like drinking her tea from a spoon and making a mess. Then we took a ride on the Ranger She laughed and squealed because Boone came with us and ran in a big puddle of water. Carlie and Caleb came and brought some take-out plates from a fish fry at the Christian school my kids attended when they were younger. Then she went outside and looked at where we are going to plant the garden. Somehow, she slid down and got mud all over her w...

Yesterday I made a classic mistake. I said the words every small-town person eventually regrets: “I’m just running to town real quick.” Now if you live in a big city, a quick trip to town probably means you go to the store, get what you need, and come home. But in a small town, that’s not how it works. A trip to town is not an errand. It is an event. It started out simple enough. I needed one thing. Just one. I told myself I’d be in and out in fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes later I was still in the parking lot. Because the first thing that happened was I saw someone I knew. Now in a small town you don’t just wave and keep walking. That would be rude. So we stopped and talked for a minute, which naturally turned into ten minutes. We covered everyone’s health, the weather, someone’s garden, and whether the rain last week was good for the hay. Then I finally made it inside the store. That’s when I ran into someone else I knew. This conversation began with, “How have you been?” and someh...

 Some weeks call for a long list of things to do. Other weeks feel like they need something different-- something a little softer than a schedule full of tasks and expectations. This week, instead of focusing on everything that has  to get done, I'm keeping a simple wish list. Not goals. Not deadlines. Just a few small things I'm hoping to make space for in the days ahead. A Quiet Morning. I'm hoping for at least one morning this week that isn't rushed. The kind of morning where the house is still, and the day hasn't started pulling in a dozen different directions yet. Just a few quiet minutes to think, pray, and ease into the day. Time Outside.  Even if it's just a short walk or a few minutes standing in the yard, I'd like to spend a little time outside this week. Fresh air has a way of clearing your mind and reminding you that the world is bigger than whatever is crowding your thoughts. A Good Conversation. Life moves quickly, and sometimes conversations g...

Happy Monday again, friends! It seems like Monday comes around too quickly. We tried to not let the rain bring our weekend down.  Sweet Wrenley was named star student in her class and was recognized in front of the school at chapel. Such a sweetheart She is growing up so much. It makes me both happy and sad. Look at sweet baby Wesley! He is growing too!! Wrenley said he was sticking his tongue out at her :) I was finally able to get my hands on the lime slush Alani Nu. I've heard several people talk about how disappointed they were in the taste (they say it isn't sour enough). It tastes just like Lucky Charm marshmallows! I think it is delicious. We were also able to celebrate my nephew, Noah's birthday with him (a little late) My Dad ran another race. In the rain. It was a 5k Pound the Pavement for cancer. He is a cancer survivor. We are so thankful that God has given us more time with him. And his running time wasn't bad either: 29:58...in the rain. I couldn't eve...

 There's something humbling about changing your mind. When you're younger, you think changing your mind means you were wrong. Now I think it means you've grown. I used to believe strength looked like holding firm to every opinion, every plan, every expectation. But strength, I've learned, sometimes looks like loosening your grip. Here are a few things I changed my mind about: Being busy means being productive . I used to wear busy like a badge. Full calendar. Full schedule. Full exhaustion. Now I know busy and fruitful are not the same thing. Some of my most meaningful days look slow and simple. Saying yes make you kind. I thought the good women were the ones who always showed up, always volunteered, always helped. I've learned that saying no can be just as loving--especially when it protects your peace and your family. Rest is lazy . I don't believe that anymore. Rest is stewardship. Rest is wisdom. Sometimes rest is obedience. Everyone has to understand me. ...