Walk of Shame

Late again...
      and AGAIN...
To church...

Taking that L-O-N-G walk of shame up the aisle to the very front of church, the very first pew where we cannot hide our tardiness. The one where I nod a hello to the pastor while wearing your Sunday best fake smile to hide the frowns of my children. 

The premium back rows in church are occupied by people who have arrived early or on time or late, but, at least before we did.

                                 So my kids and I take a walk, up the front, to the first pew. 

My kids fight me,
                 I fight my kids,
To church,
              For God.

I am positive that when they grow up and remember church and God, it's going to be
                       memories of nagging,
           pleadings ignored,
                              hungry stomaches and sullen car rides,
occasionally sweetened with a run for donuts to make us
               even more tardy, but pleasant on a sugar high.

When they get older and grow up, I don't want them to remember me as Sunday-Angry mom.

I want them to realize you have to be fierce, determined, and unwaivering to something important that makes me walk through the challenges of 'weakly' protests.

I am betting on Him to smooth out the jagged, sharp memories that it takes to get them there.

His love and grace are more moving than this Sunday-angry mom and THIS is the message I hope imprints into their hearts that makes the walk worthy.

What would you say to encourage someone's LIFE?

When I was in my 20's, I thought 40+ was sooo old.    My plan for life would be a good one to make it easy.   My friends had similar plans, too.  The plan looked like:  go to school, get good grades so I could get a good job, work hard to climb up the ladder of good job, get married, have kids, have a great marriage and a great career.   This is life on Easy Street. 

Today, I'm in my 40's and just living.   I'm still looking for Easy Street, but I think it got washed away into a ditch.    So, I'm on this road called LIFE.   There have been pit stops and 'learning opportunities.'  Often times, I've said, "I didn't go to school for THIS!"   LIFE doesn't like to follow textbooks. 

I have a friend whose LIFE isn't going according to plan.   She lives with obstacles and sometimes limited choices.  Her LIFE is truly just living it one day at a time.    I have run out of encouraging words for her and simply just listen to her story and circumstances that move at glacial speed.    My prayers seem to have hit a rut.

So you ladies who have LIVED and discovered that LIFE can be a challenge whether through your own experiences or just walking it with your mom, sister, or friend, what are words of encouragement would you give or were given to you?   Was it a Bible verse, a quote, or a saying?   Please leave a comment so that I can share with my friend so she knows she's not alone on this road:  LIFE.  

Gratefully,
MooWoo