Lessons Learned Along the Way

August 2, 2016August 1, 2016 / morgancreynolds / 2 Comments

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Have you ever wanted a do-over?

Maybe you think pushing a reset button would be a great idea!

Perhaps you aren’t happy with how life has turned out. Maybe you feel disappointed. Especially when you look at how time has passed and the days ahead don’t ring with anticipation.

Perhaps it’s your current job or friend circle that needs an overhaul…”show me your friends and I’ll show you your future” as the saying goes.

Or, maybe you see pruning or growth in your family that needs to be made.

I think this is normal. I think life would be boring if we were never challenged to come up higher.

It’s time.

It’s time to make the changes.

Really, who wants to live frustrated for the next few years?

If you don’t make the necessary changes, you will be at this same spot this time next year!

Think about that.

Selah.

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Life is precious. What are you going to do with this one, wild journey?

It doesn’t always require drastic changes. Often times strategic tweaking can do the trick. Interestingly enough, we already hold the keys to the changes we need.

All it takes is some old-fashioned courage and grit.

Change doesn’t come easily and it always comes with a price. But, if the pain of staying the same outweighs the fear of change, this is your moment!

Now, I realize change for some can come unexpectedly and may even be un-wanted. But, instead of fighting it, how about embracing it? My family is in the middle of the biggest life change since our early years. My goodness, this is life altering!

But, it is exhilarating!

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Here are five lessons I am learning as we journey through our transition. I think they will help you as you reach forward.

Not everyone can make the journey with you. And, that is okay. And, you will be okay. Let them go. It hurts like heck, but, if you allow him to, God will help and heal. If you can avoid burning bridges, I’d advise that. But, sometimes, that can’t be helped either. Just go in peace and forgive. Live for the long-game.

Realize the past is a beautiful teacher. Sometimes, it’s tempting to hate the past and the hurt that has come with it. Even to the point of questioning the purpose of it all. If there is pain involved, bitterness will set in. Fight that! Fight it with all you have. Remember the good and learn from the difficult. Everything can be a teacher…if we let it. Keep in mind the past is what is propelling you into this new era of change.

Change is good. If everything stayed the same, we wouldn’t grow and become all we are destined to become. Go with the flow. Seek God on how he would have you respond to this change. He gives only good gifts. Remember the wonderful verse of Jeremiah 29:11. God has great plans for your life. Immerse yourself in the knowledge of this and be filled with gratitude.

Move forward in grace. God will walk with you into this new place. He has already gone before you. If you are losing something, he will restore it in his beautiful way. Take the grace you are carrying with you and share it with others. People need to see your light and courage. You in turn will inspire and encourage others. Forgive what needs to be forgiven. Release those that need released. Bless those that need blessing. Offer grace freely.

Stay in sync with God. Change can be a confidence buster at times. People around you may question your sanity or even try to sabotage your forward motion. Keep closely tied to the One who loves you more than anybody else. The One who knows your future days and works for your good. Not everyone does. That’s okay. But, God is on your side. He believes in you.

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We are well on our way to a beautiful new season.

I’m working to remember these hard-learned lessons and shepherd my Loves in this as well. The change has been challenging, but honestly, I haven’t been happier! I know God is with us. My children are thriving. We have more peace. We don’t know how it will all look, but God is good. He only ever has our very best in mind. I look and see he has been behind us and is already ahead of us.

Take a deep breath.

You know what needs to change.

Inhale grace and walk in gratitude.

Take the best first step and the next step after that. Sometimes the best thing you can do is press the reset button.

You got this!

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Unexpected Graces

February 17, 2016February 16, 2016 / morgancreynolds / 13 Comments

Well, here I am sitting in the saddle. It feels good! I have missed this place! I’m glad to be back.

It’s been a rough and tumble couple of months since I last sat down. When I took a break right before Christmas, I never anticipated the journey I would embark upon. Frankly, it was like someone gave a monkey a match. It has been quite a ride.

I needed this time to regroup and set my heart and mind right. I have been too afraid to write, honestly. Afraid of what just might come out. But, it is time. And, I am grateful.

In an effort to cope with our pain and lighten the mood, our family began to refer to this season as a “plot twist”. In stark reality, our lives have dramatically changed. Due to painful circumstances, my Love resigned his position at the church we pastored for over seven years. Sometimes, it is just time to move on. There comes a time when you realize the odds are not in your favor and for everyone’s sake, you have to make an exit. You just hope to do so with grace.

I do believe it has been one of the most hurtful seasons we have experienced in life and ministry. After 25 years, we have experienced our share of disappointments and set backs. But, this, by far, was the one of the biggest gut punches of them all. The only other to compare would be the sexual abuse of our son by a trusted friend and church worker.

I have learned quite a few lessons in our time here in Virginia. Some are pretty tough. But all have been for my good.

Our time in Virginia has been anything but easy. We have endured some losses. But, I also can look and see some beautiful gains. I would be shallow if I didn’t recognize them.

A few years back I began my own One Thousand Gifts journey. It was a life saver, really. Each day I would count out my gratitude, line by line. I am beginning a new one. It’s important to remember the gifts from our journeys. If not, it could get terribly discouraging! So, it is time. Time to refocus my attention.

One lesson I’ve learned is, “God gives good gifts.” Some seasons we just have to look a little harder. Many times they are hard gifts. I look back at our journey…it is unlike ANYTHING I’ve ever experienced…yet, I still find beauty in the charred rubble.

Light only shines through cracked vessels.

So, when people ask me if I had known then what I know now, would I still have relocated to Virginia, I’m never sure how to answer. In the natural, it does not seem worth it. We have paid quite a high price. We certainly didn’t know all we were taking on.

Truthfully, I don’t like that question at all. My first instinct is to scream NO, of course not!

Injustice,

hatred,

jealousy,

abuse,

unfair expectations,

rejection,

financial loss,

illness,

anxiety and depression,

plots and schemes,

abandonment,

betrayal.

Who would?

When I look at that list of pain, it would seem hardly worth it. I could easily drown in that sea of loss and hurt. I do see, however, the gifts from God’s hand that He gave in the middle of such ugly hard.

So, I choose to look at the gifts. It is time.

Friendships,

children discovered their gifting,

memories made,

bound family ties,

new dreams inspired,

spiritual growth,

loyalty,

a sweet canine companion,

hope,

peace,

increased faith,

grace from unexpected places,

deep kindness,

lessons learned,

lives changed,

wisdom,

provision,

protection,

opportunity,

divine encouragement.

I am most certain I have forgotten many other blessings.

I have a sneaky suspicion I am not alone in this listing. We are not unique.

We all have experienced our share of pain and loss. I simply refuse to get stuck here. I don’t want to live in the muck and mire. I will not suffer needlessly. I want free of it. And, the only place I know to start is with gratitude.

Christ does not promise a trouble-free life. No, indeed.

This world is fallen and is coming undone. People disappoint. No amount of dancing can undo that fact. But, I have learned something else.

Light shines out of my broken places.

God is mending in such a way that light will warmly glow and draw others in. They will meet Him there. It isn’t about pretending to have it all together. No one understands such living. It is a fairy tale and too great a weight to drag around.

So, once again, I have picked up pen and tablet and will scribe my gratitude.

I won’t forget our pain, for it has left a mark. But, mostly I will remember with a heart of gratitude all God is and was to me in the pain. The strong arms that have held and carried. I will remember. All that was meant for my harm, is turned to good. Nothing can ever take me from His hand.

That is what I will remember. That will be my focus. There is beauty to out-sing the ugly. For it is well with my soul.

With a Grateful Heart

November 24, 2015November 21, 2015 / morgancreynolds / 2 Comments

This past weekend was our big family weekend.

Well, one of them. It is the weekend we all look forward to with great anticipation. It’s the weekend we always think of when we think of the holidays. This is our tradition we have done for years. We started this particular expression of it when we moved to Virginia almost 8 years ago. We’ve always had some form of it—based on ages and stages of life.

We go to Williamsburg to the flagship Yankee Candle store. This is not your average candle store. No, my friends! This is candle store extraordinaire. This store not only has candles, but an entire store dedicated to Christmas all under one roof! There are hundreds of ornaments and it snows indoors. We are crazy in love with the holidays and this is our kind of store!

First, we pick out candles for the holiday season and then move to the Christmas store. Each person picks out a special ornament that catches their eye or represents something from the past year. The ornaments are whimsical and beautiful. This is followed up with dinner at a favorite restaurant nearby.

This year we picked out our Christmas tree as well. Our church is selling live trees to benefit our benevolence ministry efforts. It was great fun tucking this adventure into our day! Our very own Christmas tree lot. What could be better than that?

The holidays are well under way here in the Reynolds’ Casa. My children hold on to these traditions with great love and fondness. It is a priority on the top of my list. This special weekend is a non-negotiable, everybody clear off the calendar, sort of weekend. I will always cherish this holiday tradition. Traditions give children valuable touchstones in life. They need them. We need them.

In preparation for all of the festivities, I’ve been thinking about gratitude. I know Thanksgiving is the official holiday of gratitude, but, honestly, I’ve decided it needs to permeate the entire holiday season. Actually, I don’t see it as just a holiday mindset, but one that should be a part of who we are throughout the year. However, I love how Thanksgiving compels us to focus our gratitude.

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I am participating in a daily devotion on my “She Reads Truth” devotional app. The focus is on gratitude and the active pursuit of a grateful heart. Today’s Scripture focus is I Thessalonians 5:16-18.

“Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Gratitude is not a passive mindset. I am learning gratitude must be a part of every situation. I don’t have to be grateful for hardship or tragedy. That would be a little strange. But, I am to be grateful for the God who is with me and brings me through it all. He never leaves me and brings me through all things. And, through gratitude in the circumstance, I will become the reflection of Him. So, in this, I can be thankful in all situations.

In active participation of this devotional today, here is my gratitude:

“this joyful thing”

Holiday seasons and traditions. I love spending it with my crew! Memories.

“this unknown”

Some unanswered questions. God knows what is going on and always has my best interest in mind. I can rest in this. I don’t have to have all the answer to be okay.

“this certainty”

God never leaves or forsakes me or my loved ones! I have doubted— He revealed himself in my doubt. I am grateful for grace. His grace is amazing.

“this stress”

Law school has been a real stressor this semester. I have to reframe this circumstance. If my Mister didn’t have this amazing opportunity to attend Regent Law School, we wouldn’t have this stress. But, then, we wouldn’t have this adventure. I’ll take the adventure any day.

“this want”

I am thankful for this dream my heart dreams. It hasn’t happened yet. But, I know in God’s timing for my life, it will. I am thankful He will do what He needs to; I will do what I need to. He gives us good things.

“this sorrow”

Even when hurt of recent days came into our lives, God proved himself faithful to bring peace and wisdom. He always brings what is needed, just in the right way at the right time. He sees and knows.

“this plenty”

He takes care of me. He gives me all I need and so many things I want. My family, my home, my life. I am blessed beyond measure.

I can give thanks. Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be good! I will give thinks at all times!

I hope you have a gratitude-filled life and holiday season. I hope it colors your days and covers your nights. Gratitude saved my life. It’s the best adjustment I could have ever made.

Blessings to you and your beautiful family—whatever or wherever that may be! May you always know of His nearness and love for you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Withering Cherry Trees!

November 4, 2015November 5, 2015 / morgancreynolds / 3 Comments

Sometimes I look around and become, well, unhappy. Dissatisfied. Discontented. Ungrateful.

Do you ever do this?

I see the laundry still hanging out long after its dry. I see the messy rooms just begging for me to put some order back to them. I look at my vehicle. It’s not the newest or shiniest—it has driven my family a lot of miles. It has some scuffs and little scratches and even a dent someone put in it and didn’t bother to leave a note. I have some drawers that are sticking and not closing right. And, gosh, the to do list. It could use some whittling down. Due to all of those many miles I taxi, and my own responsibilities, I can’t seem to figure out how to cook healthful meals as much as I want. And let’s not mention, a few pounds may have been added. I have a pile, or maybe a couple, that house several “to handle later” items. I hate those.

You get the picture. Life. It is going mighty fast. Some days stuff just falls through the cracks. Maybe it’s just us. But, I’m not thinking so. My husband has a favorite saying. I have to admit, it can drive me crazy. God love the man. He’s right. We don’t always want to hear it. But, he’s right.

Here it is. “You are going to have to reframe.”

God bless this man of mine. Yes, sometimes, I think if I have to hear that again, I may fall over dead. Right there, right then. One time I told him I already knew that. I knew all of his tips and tricks, but I just needed a good cry. Dr. Husband let me have that good cry. All of that minutia and wounded-ness from self-criticism had taken its toll. I had hit the tipping point and had NO interest in reframing ANYTHING!! (It may not have been said in an inside voice.)

Well, he’s right. In life, we are faced with stuff. The detritus of this crazy life. In the natural life, too much stuff, too many cracks for things to fall through, it all piles up. In the emotional life, we are faced with the constant refrain of “not good enough.” And it all seems to add up to “NEVER good enough.”

I have a passage of Scripture that I love. I think you will, too. Habakkuk 3:17-19:

Though the cherry trees don’t blossom and the strawberries don’t ripen, Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted. Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty. I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God. Counting on God’s Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I’m king of the mountain!

I know this passage is talking about seasons of life when provision is low and they are depending on God to save the day. But, it sure seems to fit life when things are not as we would like them and we just desperately need His help to reframe.

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So, look at the line where the focus changes.

It says, “I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.“ And from there to the end of the passage, the writer has done some major reframing. Dr. Husband is right. Imagine that! It’s true, you know.

Reframing is the key to taking the ugly and untidy, worn and used and shining them up to beauty.

I can look at any given situation—whether it’s the ginormous mess or the task overlooked, again and again or the critics who are unkind and careless—and look at it in ugly, harsh tones. Or, I can do some editing and enhancing, shifting the shading, perhaps zoom in or zoom out. It’s my choice. I can put the frame around it in a new and pardigm-shifting perspective.

We can look at the mess OR we can look at the blessing that caused the mess.

Our choice.

I’m choosing to look at the blessing that caused the inconvenience or mess or extra work or busy-ness. It’s amazing how my heart takes strength and God gives me just what I need to keep going. Many people don’t have the blessings I do and would appreciate a little inconvenience. I’m afraid the things I complain about, someone else may be praying for. Reframe.

We are going into the beautiful holiday season. My very favorites of the year! Many are clued into the “30 days of Thanksgiving”. I’m all for it. It’s important. But, honestly, gratitude and joy are the gifts of reframing any time of the year. God has these beautiful gifts waiting for us and we bypass them every time we choose the lifeless, flat perspective of not reframing.

I’ll repeat Dr. Husband, “You are going to have to reframe.”

Ugly shifts. Hard softens. And gratitude and joy slip in and sidle up next to you.

It really is all in the reframing.

Check Out The View From Here!

October 28, 2015October 27, 2015 / morgancreynolds / Leave a comment

I’m a crazy walker. When I go out for a walk, or even when I add in a run, I always look down. What am I looking at? I don’t get it. Am I afraid if I don’t look at my feet they won’t move right? Or is the sidewalk just so beautiful I need to keep my eye on it?

It’s weird.

I tell myself, “Pick your head up! You look goofy. Look up and see the beauty around you. You’re missing out!” Yeah. I will pick my head up…my thoughts center on the beauty in the sky and trees. I get lost in thought—maybe even whisper a little prayer. And, then, “Look at those feet walking. Look at that sidewalk. Yep, they’re still there.”

For goodness sake! I just don’t get it. This is a problem, I do believe. I’m missing out. Even when I have a walking buddy I do it. Before I know it, I’m focusing on the road right in front of me, instead of seeing all that is around me. They have been kind enough to just ignore it!

This has gotten me to thinking.

In life, what am I focusing on?

Am I focusing on the challenges and tough-going I have experienced? Am I looking at the past and wishing circumstances had been different or I had been dealt a better hand?

Where is my focus?

Perhaps I am focusing on how I wish I was different. Different gifting, different temperment, different anything.

Maybe I look at the ways I could have made different choices and would then be on a different and seemingly better path.

Focus.

What is my focus?

Too much introspection can lead to too much self-focusing. Sometimes I just have to get out of my head. It’s good to remember our past and what we have come through. It’s important to remember what we have learned. Gratitude is born out of remembering with grace our journey.

But, we can’t afford to get stuck.

A couple years ago I realized all my conversations were about all the negative things going on in my world. It was my habit. I was good at rehashing the injustices and idiocy I was enduring. My friends were so gracious. They commiserated with me. Even though it had to be like nails on a chalkboard, they loved on me and listened—and endured it!

I finally got tired of hearing myself talk about it. It was getting old. And, I knew it was a problem when I couldn’t think of other things to talk about. It kind of felt like a loser sort of life!

It’s amazing when God starts nudging you in a new direction.

I’m guessing He was tired of hearing all about it too—over and over and over and over—if you get my drift.

I was missing out on all the goodness He was giving. I was missing out on all the beauty and grace He so lavishly supplied. He was fully aware of all the injustice and rejection and hurt. He got it. He saw it and knew how it hurt. The Beautiful One was trying to give me beauty for my ashes. But, it wasn’t going to happen if all I kept focusing on was the pitiful parts. I was going to miss it all. What a tragedy—and He knew it.

I had to quit wallowing around in the ashes!

He spoke to my heart. He opened my eyes to the reality of what I was becoming. It wasn’t the image I wanted. I purposed in my heart I was done reliving it all and talking about it. I was done dwelling on the negative and the pain.

Oh, I remember. I have the scars to show for it. But, I was done allowing it to become my focus and driving force. I was done talking about and rehashing every gory detail of every injustice. I determined that chapter was done. I was moving forward.

You know, it made all the difference in the world in my heart and life.

It wasn’t easy. I had to think of new topics of conversation. I had to live purposefully in the here and now. Yes, I remember. And, at times there is still pain in those scars. But, it doesn’t drive me any longer. I no longer look down and behind but look up and ahead. This new way of thinking and being set me on a new trajectory. It is so much more beautiful here!

Psalm 103 is really great right about now.

It’s too long to post here, but I encourage you to take a couple minutes to read it. It helps in the refocusing.

What do I choose to focus on? Where am I looking?

Am I remembering all of His blessings?

Do I remember that He has healed my family and me and has raised us from our ashes?

Do I recall that He has redeemed me—that He has wrapped me in goodness?

That He makes everything come out right and puts victims back on their feet?

Do I focus on His grace and mercy and keep in mind He doesn’t give us what we deserve, but gives us what we don’t deserve?

Do I relish in His fierce love and His total awareness of me?

How about remembering His love is eternal–forever and always?

It brings into proper perspective the flaws of this world. No scheme of man will ever take me from His hand. I am His. Why so downcast oh, dear soul? Look up to the hills from which comes your help!

Change your focus! It’s beautiful up here!

Turning 40 Something

October 21, 2015October 20, 2015 / morgancreynolds / Leave a comment

My goodness. Well, here it is again. I have revolved around once again and I’m just a couple days away from the 23rd. That’s my big day. Thanks, Mom, for having me!

Life has a way of rolling by.

I can’t wait for the beauty and adventure of this new year in my life to unfold.

But, first, I have a few thoughts about this past year. Here they are.

I am grateful for my family. We have faced some challenges head on. Things unforeseen and scary. Things exciting, new and stretching. Challenges—some good, some tough. Mountains you weren’t sure how to climb. They haven’t stopped us and we just keep moving forward. We stay together and love each other. My children have grown and discovered new things about life and God. He loves them, even more than we do. God is there and walking with us every day.

I have taken on new adventures. During our crisis and its aftermath, I really had to unload my plate. My family and my emotional and spiritual well being were far more important than a loaded plate. God drew especially near and taught me wonderful truths. We are at the four year anniversary of learning of our child’s abuse. I have been in a healing cocoon since that time. But, this past year has been one of opening up and breaking out of my cocoon. It was necessary to step aside for a while, but now I’m ready to fly. God never leaves you—especially when we are hidden away with Him.

I have opened my heart to some wonderful people. I’ve expanded my circle and it has been worth it. Sometimes, after pain, it’s easier to shield your heart. It can be so hard to trust. But, a vulnerable heart grows more beautiful. You can learn so much from others when you just open up, look around and see. God brings special people into your life—you just have to look for them.

I have some friends who are my ride or die. They are deep water travelers. They don’t scare easily. They have lived my messiness and encouraged me to dream again. It’s a blessing if you have these sorts in your life.

I often felt lost, but my friends knew I really wasn’t . They knew I just needed a little push and I could soar. I’m not sure I believed in myself as much as they believed in me. I know I didn’t. It’s crazy how that is. But, I sure am grateful for their friendly shoves, reminders and words of encouragement which held me to the ledge!

They’ve made me laugh until I cry! They loved the confidence right back into my heart. God knows we need cheerleaders. He gives us just the right ones for our journey.

I have stepped WAY out of my comfort zone many times this year. Soaring requires a “look, ma! no hands!” lifestyle. I’ve tried my hand at several new things. I’ve done them scared. Sometimes, really scared. Most of the time, I wasn’t even sure what I was doing. But, I have enjoyed them all. God knows what we need, when we need it. We just have to cooperate with Him. It’s been the best adventure!

I am thankful for the growth and stretching I have done this past year. It hasn’t always looked pretty or perfect. Sometimes I felt like I was coming undone! But, God is faithful to complete the work He starts in our lives.

Life is a journey. Joy is an attainable goal. Healing is a choice and peace can come. There will always be questions without answers. But, even if there were answers for some things, they probably wouldn’t be good enough anyway. God is my leader. I just want to follow as close to His side as I can. Everything else will fall into place, just as He intends.

Turning 20

October 7, 2015October 6, 2015 / morgancreynolds / Leave a comment

He just turned 20. How do these things happen? He was 2, I blinked, and now he is 20. Good grief.

I think I should receive gifts on my kids’ birthdays! I think you should, too! Why not, I ask? We’ve done all the work. Kids…they just live. We keep them alive. We work hard to keep them from bodily harm and get them to adulthood! There’s teaching and training and sleepless nights. There is sacrifice and tears.

Think of the embarrassment. Just when they are supposed to mind their manners they bust out some tightly lipped family secret. Some folks know just the right questions to ask and these kids fold!

Oh, the rigors of mothering!

We’ve been pooped on and thrown up on. If you’re like me, you got really good at catching vomit. Yep, right here in these two hands. We’ve been stretched—figuratively and literally. For many of us, our bodies will NEVER be the same. Let’s not even talk about the checkbook.

But, oh, the joys of mothering!

The sloppy, jelly kisses. The tiny hugs as powerful as any bear hug. The “I love you’s” and “thank you, mommy’s.” Or maybe the snuggles and warm bodies tucked up next to you during a midnight storm. Perhaps it’s the saving of the day or heroic chocolate chip cookies after a wrecked bike or hurt heart. The paper hearts and handmade gifts. These are the treasures of motherhood. I have crates full of my children’s childhoods.

So many snapshots and memories rest in my heart. My heart is intrinsically intertwined with my children’s hearts. How can a mother’s heart be anything but? Our happiness is hopelessly linked with our children’s happiness. We are only as happy as our saddest child. We long for their joy and peace in this life. We see in them what they sometimes can’t see in themselves. We believe the world is at their hands.

They look to us to guide them and see them through. They need us to ride the waves with them and stay steady. Ready to call them down from the edge. They want us to be there and hear their hearts. So many late night chats when hearts are open and walls are down. So much 24 hours a day being on the ready…on call.

Here are some things I’ve learned with 20 years of parenting on the books:

This is a tough job with wonderful rewards.
Of all the things I do, almost nothing is more important than mothering.
I am investing in the future as I mother. I am lengthening my life through their’s.
It matters how I parent when they are little. It matters how I parent when they are bigger.
They are important, but my marriage and relationship with their Dad is even more important.
I may not be able to do everything I want to do right now, but this is a season. Someday, I will.
After they have grown, they need a coach. I am still making an impact.
As the parent of a Big, it’s my responsibility to keep the relationship open, alive and healthy.

He is my firstborn. He was the guinea pig.

He deserves a gold star for surviving the young, inexperienced, often irrational parenting skills I was working with. I apologized for said craziness as he graduated from high school. He laughed. He has great memories. He doesn’t remember all the mistakes I have cataloged in my brain. He knows I’m human and make mistakes.

He laughs as he clearly remembers the crossing over to this realization moment all too well. The one where our kids realize we are not Perfect. We laugh. Apologies and “I love you” go a long way to righting the mistakes and healing the hurts. We work hard to do the best we can with what we have at the time. Life together is a beautiful ride.

If there is one thing I can look back and see, it is this.

As we take the imperfectness of our human parenting and pair it with the perfectness of God, we can lay our children in His hands and trust for the very best outcome. No, it won’t always look clean and pretty. And, there will probably even be some stink. But inviting God into our parenting journey ensures spiritual consequences we could never create on our own.

Further, not being a perfect parent, requires our full trust in God. I’m not sure how parents do this thing without God. I have to rely on Him to lead the way with each beautifully unique child. There is no other way to go. That’s a risk I’m not willing to take. My shortcomings are miraculously shored up by the One who leads the way.

So, maybe you are still on the upswing with Littles hanging on to your legs. The days are too long and your energy is running short. A break would be good right about now. I hear ya!

Just know, it matters. It matters a lot. And, when you get 20 years out from now, your heart will know it for sure, too. It’s amazing what being on the flip side, at least with one child, will do for perspective. And, thankfully, I can say I don’t really have too many regrets….other than the insanity that may have taken over from time to time. But, hey, none of us is perfect….right? As my father used to say, “It builds character!”

Where Are You?

September 30, 2015September 29, 2015 / morgancreynolds / 1 Comment

Esther.

Queen Esther.

Before she was queen, she was a humble and exquisitely beautiful woman plucked from a nondescript life. A woman minding her own business…an orphan raised by an uncle. In that part of the world, in that day and age, women were not destined to really be anything of consequence. They were property at best.

Maybe you are familiar with this story from the Bible. She was plucked from her home and taken to the king’s palace with hundreds of other women to win the contest of the most beautiful, most alluring and charming female. The king was done with the current queen and was ready for the newer and more malleable model. Queen Vashti was on the outs.

Esther was vetted and prepped and sent before the king. To make a long story short, he picked her. He was smitten. God was at work to preserve His people…her people. God is always at work. Even if we don’t see it and aren’t picking up on it. He often works below our radar. He has a plan.

There was one man in the kingdom who despised the Jewish people and Esther’s uncle in particular. His goal was to annihilate them. But, due to Esther’s great courage and God’s favor, she prevented this atrocity and saved her people. And, as a twist of fate, this vindictive man was put to death with the same gallows he had planned for Esther’s uncle, Mordecai. Talk about irony.

God doesn’t play. He had redemptive plans far bigger than man could see.

The amazing point of the story is this: Esther was willing to be used and stepped up to the plate. She prepared herself physically, intellectually and spiritually to carry out this audacious responsibility. She knew the risk involved. Death was a high possibility. God knew he could count on this one humble, Jewish woman.

What does this story have to do with my blog post this week?

obedience and risk

As we journey through this life, we enter different seasons. Regardless of the season, we have choices to make. Will we be obedient to what God is calling us to do? Are we willing to take the risks this might require? What is God calling us to do that is risky? Perhaps it doesn’t look as glamorous as the potential of becoming queen. But, you know there is a cost.

Submission isn’t really submission until you have to obey in something you don’t want to obey. Life is a series of choices. Each choice to obey Christ and his invitation makes us stronger. It becomes easier with each choice. Esther willingingly stepped up to be used for a greater cause.

Or, it could be, right now you are in a waiting season. Maybe He isn’t asking you to be in the business of doing a particular assignment at this moment. Then your time is now! There are some tasks at hand. This is your time to prepare. Like Esther, there is much you can do to prepare for the assignments in the future. Take a look:

Be patient. It’s hard sometimes in the waiting. It often feels like being stuck. It isn’t glamorous and isn’t always easy. You may have dreams, but God isn’t bringing them to fruition until you are truly ready. It won’t happen until His good time. Now is the time to get ready.

Learn. This is the perfect time to learn and grow. Find a mentor. Read and study. When God is ready is ready to send you out, you need to have grown deeper and wider.
Listen. What does He want to say to you? What treasures in the secret place does He want to reveal. There are things you need to know. Choose quiet instead of complaint.
Praise. Gratitude is the key to growing deep in the waiting. It makes the waiting a lot more enjoyable as well! It opens our hearts to His possibilities.
Keep the heart right. This is probably one of the hardest tasks in the waiting. It’s easy to doubt, get anxious, become frustrated, or maybe even turn bitter. Just don’t go there. Rest in the knowledge that no season devoted to God is ever wasted. Realize the beauty that will come if you allow it.

I’ve lived through many seasons of preparation and waiting.

At first glance, these seasons seem mundane, trivial and unproductive. But, if they are devoted to Christ, they are anything but wasted. The depth and strength developed through those times grew me to the level I needed, in order to properly handle the next task and season. Never despise the seemingly insignificant and ordinary days. The world calls for “doing” and “busy-ness”. In that paradigm, doing and busyness is the sign of importance and accomplishment. Not so in the paradigm of Christ.

Just like Esther, be ready! When the season of waiting and preparation is done, God has an assignment for you to join. He will call to you. Be watching and waiting. Keep your ears close to the heart of God. He will call. After all, isn’t this what you have been preparing for?

It’s Fall Y’all!

September 9, 2015September 8, 2015 / morgancreynolds / 1 Comment

What a fabulous summer! Summer rolled in like the tide. Its ebbs and flows played a beautiful rhythm. In fact, this summer led us to places, in ways, we didn’t plan or predict.

I enjoy summer. It gives me a much needed mental break from the everyday, nonstop hustle of the school year. Being a homeschool mom certainly has its own challenges as well as joys. I enjoy the relaxed, easy going, lazier days of summertime. I’m just always happy to see summer rolling up!

Now, we are sitting at the door of a new school year. New books, new folders, pens and paper. A refreshed and renewed attitude. Students are actually ready to take on the adventure of the new school year. We attend a homeschool co-op, so everyone is excited to see old friends and make new ones. It promises to be a great school year.

As fall is right here at our front door, I can’t help but think of new beginnings. Where summer chills me out and rigid schedules and patterns relax, the onset of fall calls for renewed energy and the starting of new disciplines.

One of the disciplines that took a hit was my regular time of personal devotion and spiritual reflection. It was too easy to wake up, roll over and check out social media or the morning news. What I began to notice was the negativity that awaits you each morning! Not the shot of grace and hope you actually need to help you start the day effectively. Whew! Habits can be hard to break!

I have the dearest of friends who has impacted me. I have great respect and admiration for her for so many reasons. One reason being, she has taken an indefinite break from Facebook because she saw the negative impact it had on her parenting and her relating to her kids. Her life had become an interruption to the steady stream of Facebook. She did what she knew she needed to do. She is a good and wise momma.

I find myself longing for a mind break. I realize the constant stream of social media is exhausting me. I end up being unable to even slow down mentally. Any free moment is spent scrolling and perusing and comparing and tuning out the world around me. The constant onslaught of information makes it really difficult to adequately and appropriately process the world.

Anyway, I see moments of these distractions becoming far too central to my time.

I’m not ready to shut it all off completely. However, I do need to bring it back to its proper place. So, the fall is a great time to adjust course. I have a few apps I will be using to aid me in my spiritual devotion. I highly recommend them for your own daily encouragement.

The first one is “She Reads Truth”. Besides being inspirational, this app is beautiful! Here is the link for you to check it out.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/she-reads-truth-bible-+-devotional/id892128363?mt=8

The second one is “First 5” by Proverbs 31 Ministries. This program has additional resources you can purchase to go along with the study on the app. This one is pretty cool! You can use this app as an alarm; it will wake you with the new devotional for the day. Here is the link:

http://proverbs31.org/devotions/devo/make-your-first-5-count/

The third one I use occasionally is “Jesus Calling.” I have used this in book form, but use the app more frequently as of late. Here is the link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/jesus-calling/id607521654?mt=11

A fourth resource I am going to use for devotional time with the kids is https://instagram.com/100dayswithjesus/. This is a study focusing on the 100 names of God. It isn’t geared just to children, but they do have a portion that can help relate it to children. I am excited for this!

It seems to help me to have these devotionals to turn to each day. I am all for whatever can challenge and meet me where I am. Different seasons call for different resources. During this renewed season, I am also purposing to pray for my kids more. This is not a safe world; what greater thing can a mother do than pray for her children? At this moment I am praying for wisdom, protection and favor with God and man.

I am excited for this fresh fall season. It’s time to reign in my crew and provide more structure and order to our days. The lazy days of summer are much needed, but now it’s time for the focus that fall brings.

What are you looking forward to about this new season? What resources do you utilize to guide your meditation and reflection? I would love to hear what inspires you and draws your closer to God. I think it is exciting to see the way different personalities connect with God. We don’t all do it the same way. And isn’t that great? What disciplines work well for you? I want to hear about it!

I would love to have you join me on this journey of hope and grace! Sign up with your email address to receive a weekly blog post delivered straight to your inbox. Here’s to grace and hope and future days!

Sweet, Simple Life

August 5, 2015August 1, 2015 / morgancreynolds / Leave a comment

I am thankful for the small graces in my every day.

Sometimes, it seems as if a whole host of things can go wrong at the same time. You know, you’ve had it happen to you. You’re busy running around marking off your to-do list, trying to go out of town and the lawnmower and trimmer break down and the yard police are watching. The equipment is new, mind you! Or maybe your child (or as they blame the sibling) has lost their phone. Thorough searching has gone on without success, but it is imperative for the child to have one, since they are going on a trip without you. So, the race is on to find a replacement that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. (Because, of course, the child is not due for an upgrade.)

Sometimes, there is just so much to do. Just do the normal day to day responsibilities, but throw in some hiccups and you feel up to your eyeballs trying to squeeze it all in. But, I’m thankful.

I’ll be candid with you. I deal with some anxiety issues. I’m well aware of what it feels like for me and some of my triggers. So, today, amid all the running and preparing for the five of us to travel, and make sure our four-legged fur baby is taken care of, I was feeling the effects of anxiety. I usually call my husband and clue him in on my anxiety. Instead of trying to ignore it, hoping it will go away, I recognize it at the start and have learned to handle it head on, right at the beginning. I knew he would pray for me.

I also had to remind myself that this life is beautiful. While the responsibilities sometimes feel overwhelming, compared to what others are facing, this is simply life. One important lesson I learned in counseling is to learn the difference between a crisis and everyday glitches in life.

Broken lawnmowers and lost phones aren’t crises, just life to be managed. I’m blessed to have a family of my own to care for and nurture. I remind myself these days are truly short. While I taxi and run errands, I am caring for my family. All of this is life. Beautiful life.

It takes careful mindfulness to control our thoughts and harness them for power. I’m learning to not spin into sidewise energy, by not focusing on the glitches and hiccups along the way. Yikes! I am not always so good, so I am talking to me today, too. But, amid the shopping and working through my list of to-do’s, my anxiety disappeared. (I also think my Honey’s prayers made a difference, too.) About an hour later, my husband called to check in on me, and I realized my anxiety was gone. I didn’t let it derail me or steal my joy.

Here are a few ideas for dealing with anxiety:

Stop and look for the source of the anxiety. See if there is any merit to it.
Invite someone you trust into your moment.
Pray.
Remind yourself to slow down and enjoy the process.
Be mindful of your thoughts and words.

Life runs at breakneck speeds and sometimes we just need to remind ourselves that all is well. Remember what is truly a crisis and what is an annoyance or mere, every day stuff. This is what life is about. It isn’t all the big, splashy moments. Most of our days are made up of ordinary life stuff.

I am learning to appreciate the simpleness of everyday living. At this point in my life, I am thankful to just live normal, everyday life. It is beautiful–complete with bumps and hiccups. Finding beauty in the simple, and even in the middle of challenging annoyances, is the key to living more fully and peacefully in the everyday.

Amberly reynolds

sweet sage lane

gratitude