also, the curls also, the curls
her joy is the best her joy is the best
Happily blaming @laurenpapa3 for telling me about Happily blaming @laurenpapa3 for telling me about this series. Rabbits. Royalty. Battles. Family. Hope. SO GOOD, @sdsmithereens.

I apologize in advance if your kids stay up until midnight like I did to finish a book. 😬
We’re at the park, and she’s happily bouncing, We’re at the park, and she’s happily bouncing, amazed by the big trucks driving by, never wanting to stop going down the slide, smiling constantly — and I’m laughing with her, amazed at her joy and think — Is this what God feels like with me as His child? 

Delight. Lightness. Wonder. Love.

I was filled to the brim with it, covering every crack and reaching every corner. And then I realized — this. is. it. 

This is how I operate in the world. 

I felt so... whole... not because of my efforts at wholeness but because I have God and He has me. (Psalm 23 rings loud: with Him as my Shepherd, I lack nothing.) 

The best I can do for myself is accept and live in His love, especially when mistakes and lack and circumstances scream reasons I can’t. And the best I can do for others, those under my roof and those on this platform, is to extend invitations of His love through my own and through His Word. 

If your life has told you He doesn’t want to love you or know you, I’m here to tell that He does. It’s waiting for you, probably even pursuing you... it just takes a Yes of faith. 

Message me if you want to talk about it; I would LOVE to hear your story, no matter how different we are. 

You're not forsaken,
You're not alone
His love is unending
So know it well
Remind your soul,
remind your spirit,
remind your heart
The love of the Father
Know it well
—Kari Jobe
Bless you and thank you for your heart and work, @ Bless you and thank you for your heart and work, @morganharpernichols.
“I told you about my life, and you answered me; “I told you about my life, and you answered me; teach me your statutes. Help me understand the meaning of your precepts so that I can meditate on your wonders. I am weary from grief; strengthen me through your word. Keep me from the way of deceit and graciously give me your instruction. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set your ordinances before me. I cling to your decrees; Lord, do not put me to shame. I pursue the way of your commands, for you broaden my understanding.” Psalms‬ ‭119:26-32 CSB‬‬
18 months old and she’s joined the ‘lover of t 18 months old and she’s joined the ‘lover of the slide’ club
“We must reflect that, when we reach the end of “We must reflect that, when we reach the end of our days, our life experience will equal what we have paid attention to, whether by choice or default. We are at risk, without quite fully realizing it, of living lives that are less our own than we imagine.” William James

With the help of God, may we strive to become abiding and attentive people instead of distracted and defeated people.
The entire thing is He loved me first. And even wh The entire thing is He loved me first. And even when our surroundings are burning or when all we see is rubble, there is an unseen Kingdom to serve, a Family to be part of, and a powerful Love to give and receive. 

Every week it seems I’m inspired by a comment a friend and pastor made years ago — “Don’t be afraid to talk to someone about the truth of Jesus. Think of it as joining a conversation God might already be having with that person.” 

May we be conduits of that strong, courageous, welcoming, comforting, healing, transforming, sustaining, peacemaking, eternal Love. Or as Bernice King said, “Love puts in work.”
  • faith
  • marriage
  • motherhood
  • lifestyle
  • creative
  • books
  • home
  • beautycounter
  • Join Our Team
  • Posts
    • Clothe Yourself With
    • Joy Triggers
    • Perspectives
    • Truth To Consider
    • Reading and Listening
  • about
  • Favorites
  • contact

chelsea eubank

refreshment for the journey

  • Posts
    • Clothe Yourself With
    • Joy Triggers
    • Perspectives
    • Truth To Consider
    • Reading and Listening
  • about
  • Favorites
  • contact

motherhood · 07/20/2020

“the best days”

A few months into Anna’s life, I had a mom say, with a little bit of cynicism:

“These are the absolute best days. Hang on to them.”

A nice phrase I had heard many times before. One I’ve probably said to a friend. But now the phrase referred to my own daughter, and it made me panic a little. If these are the BEST days, then the reality of them passing quickly is like a big gray cloud hovering over me. If these are the BEST days, I’m tempted to white-knuckle-cling to them and be consumed with sadness (or anxiety) by my inability to slow them down.

I brought this pressure and tightness around my heart before God and honestly, asked for a better perspective.

He eventually brought me to this:

Yes, I’m (God) giving you gifts today, baby snuggles, first smiles, intimate hours with Anna. But don’t think I don’t have gifts for every stage, every season, every week of her life for you all. 

Basically: Open the gift of today, the goodness in it. Receive it, enjoy it, see the grace. But don’t cling to it and be too sad when it passes because you think the joy you feel is going away with it.

I think I’ve said Thank You to Him more times since Anna arrived than I ever have. Something about the wonder and weight of her, the joy she brings us, His presence in the uncertainty of the future, the wisdom desired to make decisions. I feel like I breathe it almost constantly.

So maybe that’s the better way, Mamas.

Maybe we soak up the current moment, feeling all the happiness and gratitude we can bear over it, rejoicing in God, instead of fearing and despising its fleeting nature. Not because it isn’t bittersweet. But because God designed time to work this way, always changing, never stopping, and His nature is purely good and infinitely wise. We doubt His kindness and ability when we think He can’t provide contentment and joy tomorrow, or next year, like He does today. Or that He isn’t with us to help us through all the emotions we venture through.

Right?

I can’t say I don’t look back at photos of Anna at 3 months and marvel at how life was then, how she was then. But I also can honestly say I wouldn’t want to go back, because I love the way life is now, where she is today. And I’m excited for growth to come. (Although she isn’t a snuggler so I sort of miss her falling asleep in my arms, haha.)

Let’s not make a habit of fearing the fleeting nature of time, but embrace all the good, joy and purpose He’s gracing us with in this moment, give thanks, and look excitedly to all God might have in the next one.

It’s certainly a practice, but one I think would give way to [my desired] peace and perspective.

In: motherhood · Tagged: motherhood

receive posts to your inbox

You’ll Also Love

motherhood: when I realized my view of God was a little small
the future is God’s territory, not mine
peace like manna from our tireless Father

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

Thoughts on 9 Beautycounter Products (and one collection)

I'm Chelsea... a wife, mom and friend who enjoys all things peanut butter, clean beauty, the written word, and a good sports movie. This is my place to share real life and Biblical encouragement to draw us all to deeper joy in God. Pull up your favorite internet browser and stay awhile!

Search

Time Machine

Series

  • Clothe Yourself With
  • Joy Triggers
  • Perspectives
  • Truth To Consider
  • Current Read
  • Reading and Listening
also, the curls also, the curls
her joy is the best her joy is the best
Happily blaming @laurenpapa3 for telling me about Happily blaming @laurenpapa3 for telling me about this series. Rabbits. Royalty. Battles. Family. Hope. SO GOOD, @sdsmithereens.

I apologize in advance if your kids stay up until midnight like I did to finish a book. 😬
We’re at the park, and she’s happily bouncing, We’re at the park, and she’s happily bouncing, amazed by the big trucks driving by, never wanting to stop going down the slide, smiling constantly — and I’m laughing with her, amazed at her joy and think — Is this what God feels like with me as His child? 

Delight. Lightness. Wonder. Love.

I was filled to the brim with it, covering every crack and reaching every corner. And then I realized — this. is. it. 

This is how I operate in the world. 

I felt so... whole... not because of my efforts at wholeness but because I have God and He has me. (Psalm 23 rings loud: with Him as my Shepherd, I lack nothing.) 

The best I can do for myself is accept and live in His love, especially when mistakes and lack and circumstances scream reasons I can’t. And the best I can do for others, those under my roof and those on this platform, is to extend invitations of His love through my own and through His Word. 

If your life has told you He doesn’t want to love you or know you, I’m here to tell that He does. It’s waiting for you, probably even pursuing you... it just takes a Yes of faith. 

Message me if you want to talk about it; I would LOVE to hear your story, no matter how different we are. 

You're not forsaken,
You're not alone
His love is unending
So know it well
Remind your soul,
remind your spirit,
remind your heart
The love of the Father
Know it well
—Kari Jobe
Bless you and thank you for your heart and work, @ Bless you and thank you for your heart and work, @morganharpernichols.
“I told you about my life, and you answered me; “I told you about my life, and you answered me; teach me your statutes. Help me understand the meaning of your precepts so that I can meditate on your wonders. I am weary from grief; strengthen me through your word. Keep me from the way of deceit and graciously give me your instruction. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set your ordinances before me. I cling to your decrees; Lord, do not put me to shame. I pursue the way of your commands, for you broaden my understanding.” Psalms‬ ‭119:26-32 CSB‬‬
18 months old and she’s joined the ‘lover of t 18 months old and she’s joined the ‘lover of the slide’ club
“We must reflect that, when we reach the end of “We must reflect that, when we reach the end of our days, our life experience will equal what we have paid attention to, whether by choice or default. We are at risk, without quite fully realizing it, of living lives that are less our own than we imagine.” William James

With the help of God, may we strive to become abiding and attentive people instead of distracted and defeated people.
The entire thing is He loved me first. And even wh The entire thing is He loved me first. And even when our surroundings are burning or when all we see is rubble, there is an unseen Kingdom to serve, a Family to be part of, and a powerful Love to give and receive. 

Every week it seems I’m inspired by a comment a friend and pastor made years ago — “Don’t be afraid to talk to someone about the truth of Jesus. Think of it as joining a conversation God might already be having with that person.” 

May we be conduits of that strong, courageous, welcoming, comforting, healing, transforming, sustaining, peacemaking, eternal Love. Or as Bernice King said, “Love puts in work.”
Call it ‘a Sunday stroll in Appling.’ Call it ‘a Sunday stroll in Appling.’

Listening

  • Knowing Faith
  • Home Fires
  • Gospel In Life
  • Be The Bridge

Your skin is your body's largest organ. How are you caring for it?

Let's talk clean beauty.

Reading

  • Isabel Wilkerson
  • Adam Alter
  • Elisabeth Elliot
  • Justin McRoberts & Scott Erickson

Copyright © 2021 chelsea eubank · Theme by 17th Avenue