I’m writing this today because I’m big into commitments. And I committed to 31 Days of Back to Basics Blogging. So I’m just going to keep blogging about our days.
And some days are just ugly.
All day I’ve felt like my spirit was under attack. From the moment I woke up this morning, our day was in a tail spin.
We had a real estate agent schedule a home showing, but a specific time wasn’t narrowed down. We were frantically cleaning this morning and trying to get everyone dressed and out the door.
The chaos of the morning made me late and I had to miss my community Bible study, which is one of the things I look most forward to every week. I love the fellowship and I love learning from the leaders and all the other ladies. I was really looking forward to diving more into Proverbs and learning more about humility.
But our plans changed.
And I snapped at Todd. And I unloaded on my mom, who is very often the person who gets to hear about what’s annoying me. I lost my patience with Hudson when he insisted on wearing what he wore yesterday.
I had my first big breakdown over the house selling process and what a burden and imposition it can be on all of us at times.
It’s a rainy, gloomy day. The house showing did eventually happen. I ended up being about 10 minutes late to pick up Hudson, because in the crazy parts of the morning I neglected to check my daily calendar. I thought he had lunch at school today, and he didn’t.
Needless to say, it was an ugly day. I don’t have any photos. I don’t have any funny stories.
But when I was driving home from getting Hudson from school, I just prayed out loud. I prayed that God would protect our family and guard my heart and just turn this day around. To remove the black cloud from over my head. To help me to slow down and gain some perspective. And maybe even find some joy.
And immediately I thought of James 1. I have read the book of James so many times, and now those verses are just in me. They’re there when I need to slow down and gain perspective. They’re hiding in my heart.
James 1:2-4
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
So maybe I could just consider today’s trial a joy. Maybe?
It was a rotten day. But I can consider it joy. Because I know that my faith was absolutely tested today. And it was a reminder to speak kindly, be patient, and remember that God’s plan is perfect.
I don’t have all the answers and I know we all have days where we want to scream, “What the heck?!”
But after a few hours, and a good phone call from a Soul Sister, I’m considering it joy. I’m learning.
*This is Day 4 of 31 Days of Back to Basics Blogging
I love that you write posts like this, as well as for your fun days. It reminds all of us that we are all human, and everybody experiences this. Thank you for being so real. 🙂
Oh Erin,
I have had the same kind of feeling today. I hate it and I tried to think about how God was testing my faith today in a situation we are facing. It was so good to read this. Thank you for your honesty! Funny little side note, I too am from Louisiana and am now living in north east Indiana raising a baby boy. I don’t get the dressing babies like grown men thing either! Thank goodness for Facebook auctions because my Christian will not be wearing ” Little Sluggar” shirts either. He is a baby after all. Haha! I enjoy reading your blog and thank you again for your honesty.
tears.
(hugs)
Erin, I’ve quietly enjoyed your blog since before your boys came into the world, but never really felt the need to comment.
But today is the day.
1. It takes great courage in this world to talk/blog about the not so pretty moments in our lives. I commend you, not just today, but for everyday…you talk about your reality. Glamorous or not. Love your honesty! (You are gently preparing me for motherhood….the highs and the not so highs of it)
2. You are a beautiful writer…what a gift!
Xo,
Maureen
Hey, Maureen. It’s good to hear from you. Thank you so much for your encouragement. And thank you for reading all this time! I truly appreciate it. 🙂
I loved this and it brought tears to my eyes. Today has been horrible,the whole week actually and this was EXACTLY what I needed to read. God is good 🙂
Erin
I agree with the ladies above – your honesty, and your courage in sharing your life on this blog is amazing.It helps so many of the people who read your blog to feel connected and not so alone – knowing someone else is facing the same or similar struggles can be a huge help.
I am not a mother myself, but I still love to read about the struggles you face, and more importantly, your determination and faith in viewing these struggles as an opportunity to seek joy, and strenghen your faith – it is truly inspiring. This is a lesson that we can all benefit from being reminded of.
I hope that by sharing your heart, both the good days and the bad days, that you also benefit from this, and that it makes your struggles and trials just that little bit easier to face. I hope also, that you feel all of us readers encouraging, praising and praying for you and your family along the way.
Kylie x
Erin
Thank you so much for once again showing such courage and honesty in your posts, particularly on what was clearly a rough day for you. It is so important to share not only the joys, and the funny stories, but also the trials and struggles we face each day.
As a reader of your blog, I know from reading comments that many of your readers frequently take heart and feel less alone, just knowing that someone else is facing similar trials and tests, and this alone is enough to help someone to get through the day – knowing that they are not on their own feeling that way.
Although I am not a mother myself, I know that I too benefit from you sharing your heart in these posts, because of the way that you face these trials and see them as an opportunity to seek joy and strengthen your faith – you are an inspiration and everyone can benefit from this lesson, simply living our lives day by day,trying to face what it brings the best way we can, always striving to see the positive, and take strength from our faith.
I look forward to continuing to read and share your journey, and wish you and your sweet family much joy.
Kylie x
Thank you being authentic! I love your honesty and I aspire to be so faithful. Now kick back and relax and know that your authentic words have inspired!
Thanks for the honesty in this post. You probably didn’t items for it to be, but it was an encouragement for me. So thank you for that.
Sorry for your stressful day….but…one of my favorite posts you have done in the entire time I have followed you. You are a beautiful lady, inside and out, and you are using your voice to bring glory to God. God bless you and your sweet family, Erin.
Had the same kind of day…thank you for the perspective:)
I needed this today. Thank you for sharing your heart.
Tomorrow is a new day! Reading your post about the showing breakdown seriously made me feel like I was going though it all again. The constant interruptions are trying and hard on everyone. I have been there! But, this too shall pass. Hang in there!
I am loving this 31 days! You are writing authentic, genuine posts that all moms can relate to their own lives.
friend! thank you for showing up here in the midst of some sharpening. it speaks more than you know.
Hugs my sweet friend. xoxo
Thank you for your honesty! We all have days like this. I don’t know if you’re like this or not, but when I have one of these days, I just feel so bad about it. I try to turn my attitude around, but it doesn’t always work. I’m so thankful we have a God who is constant even when our lives aren’t.
THANK YOU for such an honest post!! I follow a lot of moms and it always makes me wonder how they have it all together…then I stop and remember that they don’t; they have hard days, too!! I loved that you wrote “speak kindly, be patient, and remember that God’s plan is perfect.” This is a daily reminder for me!! Have a great weekend!
Erin, I love this. Thanks for speaking so honestly and for referencing James. We have been studying specific books of the Bible at our small group over the last few months, and I think I may need to suggest James as the next one! Hope you’re having a great Friday!
Erin I love that verse!! I shared it with my cousin who is going through a very rough season in life right now. I am so glad to see another mama out there who is so honest in your writing and you don’t try to make things pretty when they’re not. I love it. Sending you hugs and prayers!
I’m so sorry that you didn’t have a good day this say… I’ve been having a pretty rough few weeks over here, so reading you put feelings into words and posting that James verse made me finally boohoo about it and feel a bit better. I’m really enjoying your 31 day series! xoxo