Wednesday, June 20, 2012

On a Personal Note: home again, home again

I've been a stay-at-home mom for 16 months now.  I left my "dream job" as a Resident Director at Biola University in Los Angeles to move to Raleigh for my husband's job at our church here. I'm recently realizing some beautiful benefits of being home...a lot.  And on many days more than I would like.  That's why Graham and I frequent the Target snack counter too often, make up reasons to go for a drive and sometimes just show up at Dad's office unannounced to say "hi."  That may sound glorious to some of you but it's kind of hard for me, specifically after nap time and before Daddy gets home.

But here are 3 gifts of being home that I am deeply savoring right now:


*The gift of starting days with perspective

Never been a morning person.  Never will be.  Being home allows me to slowly waddle to my coffee pot (I waddle when I'm tired), put my son in front of a video (which I don't feel guilty about anymore) and open God's word and ask him what he wants to show me that morning.  Sometimes it's profound- feeling like Scripture was written to pierce my heart specifically.  But more often it's a subtle perspective shift: Jesus is Lord and I am not.  Today, loving God looks like doing dishes, talking with friends, putting my son in time out 10 + times and listening to my husband's heart.

*The gift of being available

I used to be very busy.  I'm a high capacity person and I realize that can be a great thing.  But I seldom had time or space for those opportunities to help someone last minute or check in with someone who's hurting or make a meal for a friend.  It's honestly been so fun to get to do that more often.  God delights us as we give ourselves away to others.  I need that reminder so often.

*The gift of training my son

My friend reminded me yesterday of how repetition is at the core of parenthood, especially with a 2 year old.  I literally need to record myself saying "no more elmo" "no more cookies" and Graham could probably stay home alone.  But seriously, I have been so frustrated at how repetitive it is to train a little human.  What I'm realizing is how it is training me to have to repent for my impatience, be slower to speak and control my anger.  It's not fun but I know it's a gift.

For those of you that are "homers" like me, I'd love to hear what you are savoring right now.  And for those of you who don't choose to be home or don't get to be, I'm sure you can think of some gifts of not being home every day.  I'm sure these thoughts might have reminded you of those too ;).  God is gracious to give us gifts in each season.  Don't forget to look for them.


Amy Landis Photography

12 comments:

  1. Seriously: I really needed every 1 of those gifts pointed out today... Impeccable timing... THANK YOU!

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    1. I'm so glad, Michele. Thanks so much for letting me know.

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  2. Love the point about the subtle perspective shift--how huge. I learn so much from you, even today when Mommy decided to give Graham grace :)

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  3. Great post! I have a 2 1/2 year old and sometimes I feel like i am repeating myself all the time! Glad to know I am not alone :)

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  4. Lauren, first I just wanted to say that I follow your blog daily and I'm normally blessed by what you have to say or shamed by the fact that my closet isn't anywhere near stylish enough. Anyways, something I've been struggling with staying home with my 3 & 1 yr old is being part of my husbands ministry. He's a youth pastor, and I'm constantly torn because we can't cart our babies everywhere and more times than not, I'm home changing diapers while he's out riding go carts and whatnot. But recently, God has shown me that even though I feel called to be my husbands helpmate in his ministry and I love the students deeply, my home and what happens in it is my ministry. Sometimes it's hard to have that perspective when I really want to be doing what he's doing, but I'm slowly learning it.

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    2. Thanks for sharing this. A good reminder for me as my husband leaves to travel the globe tomorrow and I stay home to "man the fort".

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  5. Thank you for today's perspective. I needed it.

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  6. Something I've been chewing on is praying for Ben's heart to be kind and gentle. We know he has a tendency to be more quick tempered and prefers his hands to be used for hitting. I pray often for his salvation, his spouse and other daily things, but have been really convicted about asking for him to have a gentleness.
    Thanks for parenting alongside of me and not judging when our crazy comes out ;)

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    1. Love that. Thanks for the reminder to pray, friend.

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  7. LOVED LOVED LOVED this post. I may have been at home for years, but I needed this kind of Jesus-centered perspective. And the photo is stunning. So are you, inside and outside.

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