John out of town for a few days, an air show, a road trip to Athens, family time and more.

After a rambling monologue (me), a good friend and mom stages ahead of me says, I think what you need to hear is that “it’s really hard but you can do it.“

I’m learning so much about myself lately, and hallelujah for a God who doesn’t deal with His kids harshly or confusingly. He is gracious and kind and close and it makes every difference.

“A mother’s profound influence on her children, then, comes not in spite of her seemingly small work in small places, but precisely because of it. Each jacket zipped with cheerfulness, each cracker or Cheerio served with love, each promise of God whispered over little beds adds another brick upon the wall of wisdom’s house, and gives children another reason to follow in her steps.” Scott Hubbard, via