moms

The Release

/ LaShona Sellers / 1 Comment

Last summer I released my first book Barnabas Blessings. It was a major accomplishment and still feels a bit surreal.

This summer I’m working on another major release…my first born into adulthood. There are documents and releases to sign declaring his new legal status. There are checklists and deadlines preparing to send him off to college. There’s the shift of authority as he asserts his independence.

There are other releases too. There’s the pruning necessary to remain, fruitful and connected to the Vine (John 15:5). There’s the shedding of weights that bound and distract (Hebrews 12:1). There are trust falls into the arms of Jesus instead of my limited understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

This is a season of joy and the bittersweet, fear and courage, hope and tinges of regret, answered prayers and not yets, hard questions and some hard answers. This season testifies to the power of Christ at work to sustain, transform and renew.

I’m reminded that a hand and heart open to release are also open to receive. As I release, I’m receiving the blessings of a present Father who proves Himself faithful over and over again.

What are you releasing and receiving today?

“I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].” – Philippians 1:6 AMP

Daily Thanks #9

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Grateful for…

“A praying mom’s love and covering”

Awakened
Ears attuned
To the soothing cadence
Of a language
Only heaven understands
Praises and petitions
Worship and warring
Utterances from a heart
Surrendered and seeking
Sacred moments of His glory
Resting and refreshing
Wrapped in the peace of His presence
When Mom prays
-LAS

Letting Them See Me Cry

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2020! What a year…and it’s not done yet. The highs, the lows and so many firsts, including the first (and probably now second, third….) time my kids have really seen me cry.

I’m the mom with the schedule and lists, always with a plan. I’m the mom that hovers, hugs and holds hands. I’m also the mom that yells, lectures and opens doors without knocking (hey, it’s all about balance). But I’ve never been the mom to openly cry. “Not in front of the children,” “Suck it up, can’t let them think mom doesn’t have everything under control.” But you know, all of that has gone out the window in this age of Covid. John 11:35 says “Jesus wept,” the shortest and probably one of the most transparent verses in the Bible. In other words, Jesus grieved and felt deeply the loss of his friend. Over the past few months I’ve grieved deeply the loss of my grandmother, the loss of time, the loss of connections and the loss of some of life as it was. And my kids have silently watched my tears…it’s been weird, it’s been awkward, they’ve asked questions, we talk, we process and life keeps moving.

But the tears I shed are not without hope. Hope for the seeds I see sprouting to life. Seeds of renewed connection and relationship. Seeds of clarity and purpose. Seeds of assurance and unwavering peace. My tears are shed trusting in the One who is Hope.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.” -Jeremiah 17:7

So, yes, I cry but I have hope and I keep going. Let’s keep hope alive, friends.

“As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more.”- Psalm 71:14

(Quote photo from www.askideas.com; Scripture photo from Kendrick Home)

You Learn Something New Everyday: Quarantine Edition #3

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Folks are definitely not getting the social distancing memo and cabin fever is real to a lot of people right now. My family took a Sunday drive and circled some regional parks. We thought we might get out to walk some trails but there were way too many people, way too close. *Danger flashers* And back to the homestead we went.

Food vector created by vectorpocket – www.freepik.com

My kids are having takeout withdrawals (even though I’ve bought many of their takeout favorites to cook at home) which tells me 1) we were probably eating out too much and 2) they are way too comfortable spending our money. Here’s to saving a dollar.

Virtual dance classes are being offered everywhere right now including from The Ailey School. Here’s to keeping it moving!

Happy Color™ – Color by Number

My daughter’s newest pastime is color by numbers. She says, “Coloring soothes me.” I say “Color to your heart’s content, my child.”

K.C. Undercover is one show on which the whole family agrees. We’re currently on Season 2. Getting every bit of our money’s worth from Disney+.

https://bestmattress.reviews/how-much-sleep-do-i-need/

My kids have probably been sleep deprived. Between this article and the way they’ve been sleeping and waking with sunnier dispositions, I’m more convinced than ever that adequate sleep is the cure to some of what ails us.

You Learn Something New Everyday: Quarantine Edition #2

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Learned my 13 year old son has become a news connoisseur and pretty astute on current events. Thank you 8th grade Social Studies!

Learned the same son was selected to attend the CollegeBound Foundation’s Success Seminar at Johns Hopkins. I’m sure Corona will cancel this event but so glad he’s being recognized for his hard work.

Not a new learning moment but a reminder that a phone call, even just to say a quick hello, is so invaluable. Spoke to family member who lives alone and she just wanted to “talk to someone to know I’m still in the land of the living.” Let’s continue to remember we’re in this together friends!

You Learn Something New Everyday: Quarantine Edition #1

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Let’s face it, at this point, many of us are on a somewhat steep learning curve. So I’ve decided to start recording the new things I learn over the next few weeks…from the deeply spiritual to the ridiculously funny and everything in between. Feel free to share your learning moments!

In 3rd grade science, I learned about producers, consumers and decomposers. Reaching into the recesses of my elementary school memory, I know I must have learned this at some point but today it was all new to me.

During a random dance break, I learned my 9 year old daughter knows the words to The Gap Band’s “Outstanding”🤔

I learned choreography with Debbie Allen! It was on IG Live but, hey I still got to live out my “Fame” dreams.

What’s on Your List?

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My “To Read” list for the next few weeks.

As an introvert, I must admit that the idea of being confined to my home is a little dreamy. It’s exciting to think of all the books I could read. Of course as a mom, who has to telework, the dream does a subtle face-plant into reality but a girl can still try! So with our local library closing for two weeks, my family and I hit the stacks one last time (at proper social distancing of course) and filled a huge tote to our hearts’ delight. Can’t wait to crack these open! What’s on your list?

P.S. For anyone feeling the anxiety of the times here are a couple of reminders that bolster my faith:

Jeremiah 17:7 But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.

Philippians 4:6-7 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Little Things

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It’s late and I hear the pitter patter of rain drops (at least that’s what I think it is or it could be my mind playing tricks on me). The hubby and kids are asleep and…uh…I need to be right along them. But it’s been a crazy week- full of pesky coughs, serious bronchitis, yucky mucus, yo-yoing fevers…you get my drift. This “nurse” needs some pampering and about 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep. But here I write, my kind of therapy, a way to organize my jumbled thoughts and peer through the fog. And because I think most parents and/or spouses can agree that sometimes being “nurse” is a thankless job, I end the night with a smile remembering my son’s python squeeze and sweet smile saying “I appreciate you taking care of me, Mommy.” *Tears* It’s the little things that make this tired Mommy’s heart glad. Happy writing, friends!

Love and Adoration

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Can I just gush a minute? About Jesus you ask? Well of course, He is absolutely the best thing that has ever happened to me. My life without Him, I don’t even want to imagine! About my hubby and kids? Well I love them madly, they are my motivation, my home team, we are the four musketeers, one for all and all for one. But right now I want to gush about the thesaurus! Yes, one of the greatest inventions of the English language. Can I just say how many times this little resource has unblocked this writer’s blockage. Looove it!


So to address my blogging absence…LIFE. Nothing major, just the day-to-day, rolling -with-the-punches life of a wife and mom, who also returned to work outside of the home (because what moms do inside the home is no less work, just a different motivation and rewards). I’m also back in the saddle over on my Barnabas Blessings blog so be sure to take a peek there for some encouragement. I’ve been waxing poetic more than usual since taking a Modern Poetry class on Cousera so I’m intrigued to see where it will take me. And although I’ve been absent here, I have been writing, I have a composition book full of “stuff,” now to figure out what’s fit for public consumption and what may be for my eyes only.

Lastly, I’ve been doing ALOT of reading! Yay! Reading is my ultimate relaxation, like Calgon take me away type relaxation. I’ve discovered so many great authors and books to share. The latest is Digging to America by Anne Tyler.

Apparently I’m really late to the game considering Anne Tyler’s  first novel was written in the 1960’s but I’m excited to catch up on what I’ve missed. Digging to America is one of her more recent offerings (2006) and I love the characters. There are interracial, intercultural and international relationships that make it an engaging read and even better, it’s set in my stomping ground, Baltimore. I’m two thirds of the way through and recommend it to anyone interested in issues of family, immigration, adoption, and love in the “twilight years.” Curious? Happy Reading!