walk in her shoes

Driving home yesterday, something caught my eye on the other side of the road. A woman was walking with two little ones. In one arm, she was carrying a red bag and a big yellow blanket. Her other side was leaning and holding the hand of a little boy who looked about the height of my little Garrett, who is 1 1/2 yrs old. And the other little boy, holding his little brothers hand, looked to be the height of my little Carley, who is 5 yrs old.

It was chilly and windy yesterday. I was glad to be in my warm car with my baby asleep in his carseat. Garrett had been nonstop all morning and my body was tired. I kept looking in my rearview at her...my body got tired for her.

andrea, walk in her shoes.

Her body already has to be exhausted from having two little boys running around when they are home. There is no stroller. She is not casually taking a walk. She is struggling to hold the blanket. Her tall body is leaning over to hold the hand of her tiny tot. I should turn around and see if she needs a ride.

Then my excuses came.

There's stuff on my passenger seat. Garrett just fell asleep. I have things to do. What if she says no? What if she has lice?

So lame. So petty. So selfish.

I turned around and drove up beside her. "Would you like a ride?" There was so much relief in her 'yes'. They piled in. Her and the baby sat in front. She had on a lightweight coat and was red in the face from the cold wind. The baby, who she said just turned 2, had on a rainjacket, light pj's and slippers. They had walked...I don't know, my guess would be 2 miles or more, one way and were walking back home when I stopped to pick them up.

I don't really know what to blog from here. Should I tell you what her needs are? Should I tell you where she was coming from? Should I tell you from the little bit of information she gave me about herself that now, without her knowing, so many people are going to be able to help her? God is beyond words! To say He is amazing is an understatement. All I had to do was say 'Yes Lord' and I get to be a part of His work beginning in this difference being made!

What is He asking you to say 'yes' to? What small step of obedience is He asking you to take?

embrace your life

Saturday night I was reminded...

Embrace your life.

I have been in a poopy, super exhausted mode lately. It is football season, but that gives me no excuse.

I am a football coach's wife. Or some call us coaches' wives...football widows. I miss my babe. I'm overwhelmed at home. I'm mad at my babe because I miss him. I can't get caught up on life. Our team is losing week after week. Our football boys are getting hurt left and right. Some are serving jailtime for poor choices. There's drama in the stands. The list can go on and on. That is...if I let it.

I can choose to focus differently.
I can choose to have a different perspective.
I can choose to see what IS done around the house as opposed to what is NOT done.
I can choose to see my mess of a house as a home filled to the brim with blessings!
I can choose to cherish the time that I have with my babe as opposed to all the time I don't get to see him.
I can choose to see what he IS doing for me as opposed to what he is NOT doing for me.
I can choose to pray for our coaches, our football boys and our community with words of life, inspiration and power as opposed to scripting in my head what could happen in the future.

I am a football wife. I love my life. I love it with all its heartaches and joys. with all its lessons and chaos. with all its loneliness and fulfillment. I will embrace my life. I will embrace all the good things.

Do you do this? Do you embrace the good things in your husband, your kids, your friends, your family, yourself, God? Do you choose to see what they ARE as opposed to what they are not?

It is so hard sometimes. And it is so tiring sometimes. But the rewards of a healthy you with a healthy, uplifting environment around you is like no other!

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9