30 Day Challenge - Day 12 & 13

I wrestled with how to make up for missing a day, but ultimately came to just smashing both days in to one extraordinarily long blog that will have you going blind from reading. I'm joking. I think. Maybe. Let's see where this day takes us.

So, as a recap, I was starting to feel sick Monday night before I went to bed. My throat was sore and felt swollen. When I woke up Tuesday, I felt terrible still. About midday I was feeling better, but was still tired. My husband and I commented on our sons runny nose before Dan left for work. Sure enough by the time it was bedtime, the little guy was pretty stuffy. I started on my devotional stuff, but had to stop and restart several times with running up to help my guy out. I did eventually get my reading, journaling and prayer time completed, but let me tell you, my mama heart felt terrible that my little man was suffering so. It wasn't like he was making it easy on me either. I kept trying to get him to drink fluids, but he'd just push them away and cry. I'd try to cuddle with him and he'd just push me away and cry. I'd try to wipe his nose and he'd just push me away and cry. Getting the drift of how my night was going? I know I can be strong-minded, but man that flair for dramatics when he doesn't feel well is 100% his dad.

I had to make the call to not blog last night because I had to spend a good portion comforting my son and helping him. When I did finally get him to go to sleep without waking up I was pretty worn out myself. So I went to bed. Though I want to stay on top of my challenge to myself, I also will never regret putting work aside for my family and for my own health.

Today, was kind of a lazy day. We did do some grocery shopping, which was sorely needed. Both my son and I were able to get in a nap and now he is in bed and I'm hoping to be there soon myself.

Action #1 - Be Thankful

Day #12 had me talking about friends that I am thankful for. I've never been a person to put emphasis on the age of my friends, but I know that is important to some people. When I was in school, one of my very first best friends was several years older than me and after she left for college I then became friends with another best friend who was nine years older than myself. It wasn't that I couldn't be friends with people my age or younger. I guess I just didn't understand that society has unspoken rules about maintaining friendships within your age group. I'm slow though. About a lot of things. And keeping up with societies ever changing rules is one of the things I am always especially slow about.

I say all of that to say this. Some of my tribe right now are considerably younger than myself. They are my tribe and community during this phase of my life because we all have kids (boys) around the same ages. I have to say I am continually grateful for these friends. They listen to me. They encourage me. They inspire me. Best of all, we are all the regular type moms. We make mistakes. We get frustrated. We fail. We all think we could do better and that is what I like about them. We are equal.

Day #13 (that's today) is all about being thankful for an experience. I love conferences. I love ladies conferences. I love inspirational meetings and messages. I love to sit and listen and learn and be inspired. The last two years I have attended the retreat the Executive Director of my team puts together with a friend of hers. It is at these retreats that I have been so inspired that I am able to pinpoint on what I want to focus on for the next year. In 2018, I found the word "freedom" for 2019. This year I was able to pinpoint the word I want to focus on for 2019. At these retreats, I am able to relax, rest, learn and most importantly I am able to network. I can force myself to get out of my comfort zone and meet new people or get to know people a little more. I'm so very thankful for these times.

Action #2 - Devotions, Journaling & Prayer

Have I yet emphasized enough how much I love this devotional by Lysa TerKeurst? Reading the devotionals every day in Embraced is like reading something I have written (or need to write) to myself. Yesterday, Lysa talked about not doing something God has prodded you to do. Not because you are outright rebellious or ignoring Him, but because we allow ourselves to be too busy to do what He has prompted us to do. 

How many times has this happened with me? In fact, I'll even make excuses to cover up for it. Was that really God prompting me? Or was that just my own flesh looking to somehow get some praise for doing something? 

Then today, she talks about how we all just ordinary people, living ordinary lives, but have the potential to do something extraordinary if we allow God to work through us. My favorite line from today's reading was "God's hand is never limited by what we have in ours". 

Friends, we may see ourselves as small and insignificant. We are just moms. We are just wives. We are just friends. We are just ordinary ladies. BUT if we are willing to let God work through us and we use what God has given us all while staying true to who we are, then God is going to do great things through us. 

But we have to start with willingness.

Yesterday and today's messages from Girl Be Brave are simple. Yesterday, a very familiar and recurring theme that keeps popping up as I read this month came back. "Bravery doesn't come from beautiful places. Bravery is birthed in darks days and uncertainty." I'm going to revisit this whole theme someday soon with a blog about it because their is a message that I think God is speaking to me this month. I want to make sure that all my thoughts are gathered together.

Today's message was just as simple. It's ok to say no. We too often overschedule, over volunteer ourselves. Whatever the reason it is that you always say yes. You're a people-pleaser. You feel obligated. You want to fit in. You just love helping others. Whatever it is. It's ok to say no once in awhile. Make time for your family. Make time for your dreams and goals. Make time for you. It's ok. I won't think your selfish.

Action #3 - Exercise

I'm not going to lie. Yesterday's work out was spontaneous and it was fun. I had turned some music on in my son's playroom. He was asking me to come in and play. As I walked into the room I did a silly little dance to the music and it started a little dance off. Admittedly, it was more just awkward jumping and some crazy moving, but it was fun. We both used some energy to move while we laughed and had a good time together.

Today, I had to break away for a few minutes and just did some time on the elliptical. I was able to listen to my book by Lara Casey and get in a quick workout that didn't require me to be too strenuous today. But now it's time to turn in. Cause I'm tired. Hopefully you didn't go blind. I do kind of feel like I was a little more chatty tonight.

Be blessed!

Note: Anything I have italicized is not my own words, but are either paraphrased or directly from a book. I try to make it clear from which book the writing is from, but if you are unsure, please ask. Also, if you click on any links that lead you to Amazon from this page and you then purchase the product that you clicked on I may or may not earn money from your purchase.