Author: julie

spilled juice + sweet reminders.

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By now, you know that I have two little ones – Lilah and Aiden. A few weeks back, I was in for an unexpected treat of spilled juice + sweet reminders.

We were in the dash between work and soccer, stretching to fit dinner in the mix. Have you found yourself in that place before?!

We happened to be watching my niece and nephew as well. We piled them all at the table, having Lilah and my niece (both 4 years old) sit themselves at the table, as we were lifting the boys, one after the other to their spots. I had a brief moment in the midst of my rushing to grab some juice to be “more fun” for our special guests. Juice always makes things more fun – of course!

I had my niece to the right of me and my daughter kidi-corner across the table from me, and just as Lilah went to pick up her juice excitedly for her first sip – S P L A T. All. Over. She spilt. I wish in hindsight, I could have told you I handled it differenty. Or possibly even tell myself, “Julie, it is not that big of a deal”.

But, I didn’t. Instead, I let out the biggest sigh I knew how to in the moment, and let the words, “every time” come out of my mouth. I quickly turned to my left for my husband to double down and affirm me in my frustration, and he of course did with his response, “EVERY time”. Phew! We mutually agreed in our frustration.

Friends, it doesn’t end here. If anything, this is where it starts..

As quick as 10 seconds later, my niece mutters out, “it is okay auntie, everyone makes mistakes”, with a smile. She continued, “the only person who didn’t make mistakes was Jesus”.

Stopped dead in my tracks, I looked to her, “yes, yes we do all make mistakes”.

Seconds later, Lilah perks up, “AND, God sent Jesus to die for our mistakes”.

Humbled by this moment, my posture changed. From frustration and a rushed spirit, to a small side smile as I realized just what God was teaching me in that moment.

I took away two things that night around the dinner table. Although, I am sure there were more sweet reminders within.

First was that I never want to be so busy focusing on the to-do’s or the mess that is in front of me to instead pick my head up in the right posture to see the ways in which God is working in and around me, even in those I love – in this very instance, it was my sweet daughter and niece.

Second, was the realization that so often I over complicate my faith. I strive to find the right words or sometimes choose not explain at all in fear that I get it wrong or will look silly. But then, I replayed those sweet voices in my head over and over again..

“every one makes mistakes”.

“only Jesus did not make mistakes”

“AND, God sent Jesus to die for our mistakes”.

Because of this we can be saved by God’s grace. It is that simple. This moment left me with the reminder that I want to wake up each day, with a childlike faith that doesn’t over complicate what God wants us to know and recognize easily with confidence.

Maybe you need those reminders today too.

Friends, we don’t always get it right, but even when we don’t, God does. He can gently remind us of what is important and who is important. In the midst of the spilt juice and all. I am thankful today for spilled juice + sweet reminders.

seasons.

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Seasons are just that, seasons. Moments in time.

Last night I had just laid my kids down to bed and I headed out under the warm sunshine on my deck to finish up some work. I was stopped in my tracks as I heard the birds chirping, the new and full growth on the trees and the abundance of kids toys scattered around our 11×11 deck.

You see.. just a few weeks ago, those leaves weren’t there. The backyard was less to be desired with big buildings and lights in my view. Sometimes seasons in our life can be this way too. Seemingly bare, not what we would hope for or maybe even expose some of our flaws.

For me, the trees represented the steady and consistent faithfulness (and fullness) that God remains the same. That He makes all things new. Some seasons will bring growth and new life and others will instead require that the foliage fall away.

The sounds of the birds and the way the sun shined over the pond represented the awe and wonder of His creation to me. And those toys scattered… those represented the wild but fruitful season I am in with my sweet kiddos. They are only little for a season.

There will come a day when those toys will no longer be present. But for now, may I always remember to slow myself down and see the season in front of me.

May I not rush my thoughts and plans but instead be present in the way in which God is working now.

Morning hair, don’t care.

Let me ask you… what was the first thing that came to your mind when you awoke this morning? Was it calm, collected and content, with a pause of gratitude as you are in a season where things are going smooth? What about those birds chirping on a spring morning. You either love it or hate it. Or did you instead rather feel the rush of all the things the day holds ahead for you – asking yourself how you will get it all done. You know it will be moments before the pitter patter of feet come running down the hall or a call comes through that you have to answer. What about that work meeting you have coming up at 12 noon that you have yet to prepare for. Or the phone call you are dreading because it is a conversation you just don’t want to have. The drive-up grocery pickup order, yes, that will be ready at 9am so be sure you remember to run and grab in the midst of a million other commitments that will make up your overscheduled day.

Maybe you find yourself, hit hard with the waking moment, of pure dread, or discouragement, or heartache of the reality your circumstances. You can’t bear to turn on the news or check your phone to only hear of another tragedy causing communities and families to mourn. Or did your friend just share a pregnancy announcement, and yet you are still in a long season of waiting or maybe even lost your own sweet one by miscarriage? Maybe its reaching to grab your “reader” to silence the alarm sounding of dangerous numbers which is only a daunting reminder of the chronic illness you’ve been diagnosed with. Or maybe, you have been betrayed by someone you love most, and you’re just wondering how you are going to get through the day as you question being enough. Or you received one more door closed on an opportunity you were courageous enough to put yourself out there for.

The thing is friends, and that I want to remind you of this morning, (crazy morning hair and all), is that, those very things that feel unbearable, exhausting or you feel isolated in were never meant to be navigated alone. God calls us to be in relationship first with him and then with others. We also know that His mercies are new every morning.

Don’t give up. Keep showing up. AND don’t go at it alone. It is easy to fall into the trap of believing we need to keep our struggle hidden to save “face”. BUT instead, what power or possibility could come from bringing your pain or trial to the light. First to God, and then to a friend.

You don’t need to scream it on the mountain tops, but I encourage you to invite someone into the valley with you to walk with you to the other side. To remind you, that there is hope for a better tomorrow. That YOU, yes YOU were created unique and intentionally. That you are seen, loved and already belong. Today might be hard. Really really hard. But keep going. Allow yourself to feel. To acknowledge. To grieve. BUT then, also cast your cares to the one who created you and reach out to that one person you need in the valley with you.

His mercies are new every morning. He is big enough for all you bring. He is already with you and is just desiring that you turn to see him right beside you.

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