Moments and Milestones

First off, today is Veteran's Day, and I want to acknowledge that and how very thankful I am for everyone who has served our country and defended our freedom! ❤

This post will be a few deeper thoughts followed by a mini-update on life. =)

I tend to skim through the Fixer Upper and home-related stuff, but I love when Joanna shares more of what's on her heart... including this part of her latest post:

"Who we become is shaped more in the mundane than by the milestones.  Rather than how their birthdays get celebrated, my kids are more likely to absorb the conversations we shared during car rides, the moments that I said yes to them and no to a distraction, how safe they felt when I tucked them into bed at night.  I was wrong to blame time for so many years, to call it a thief for moving too fast.  I've found that the real thieves are distractions and our willingness to give in to them... but time - the here and now - is our most precious gift...  These are the days.  These are the moments.  This season, let's look up and behold the beauty of the here and now."  ~Joanna Gaines

It's a great reminder to lean into relationships and make the most of seasons and days that feel mundane and ordinary to us... because those small moments shape our perspective and our future far more than the epic milestones in our lives! ❤

Next topic:  I have felt disheartened and upset lately as I've thought more about the glaring double standard in the way most churches treat men in leadership vs. women in leadership.  (Overlooking and quickly dismissing massive and destructive sins committed against women by fellow men in leadership while belittling, mistreating, and totally distancing themselves from Jesus-loving women in leadership because they don't see certain verses eye to eye.)  I know that is a broad generalization and there are several great church leaders who treat both genders with love and respect, but anyone who looks closely at what's happening with John Crist, John MacArthur, Paige Patterson, Beth Moore, my experience with Battle Creek, or the many rape victims who have been further victimized by certain toxic men in power within the church knows this is a severe and ongoing problem.  The power dynamic in play there does NOT reflect the heart of God toward women... and it bothers me when church people get it deeply wrong in a way that pushes people away from the church craziness rather than pulling them toward the love and hope found in Christ!

Honestly, thinking about all of that makes me feel overwhelmed and small and powerless, and I have to remind myself that I have a voice.  My words matter, and I can use them to bring light where there is darkness and hope where there is despair!  (Starting with my own heart and soul, which spirals toward sleepy depression when I find myself feeling so unsupported and out of place in this world.)  My default mode is often mistrust that leads to isolation, and I have to keep working on that... wisdom/discernment are good; cynicism/suspicion are not.  My place of belonging is always secure with God, and I have friends and family who love ME even when our conversations about theology and politics make it clear that we see the world very differently.  I'm going to hold on to that truth, and I'm going to work on having more face-to-face conversations when it comes to 'theolitics' because there is FAR more kindness, civility, and common ground to be found there than in the rampant, soul-crushing dehumanization we see in political conversations and memes online. #makeAmericakindagain #bealight #speaktruthinlove #begentle #humanizeeveryone

And now, a mini-update... the Fultons invited us over for a tasty dinner and chatting about how to decorate their new place!  (Karli being a floating head in this pic makes me laugh... I was between her and Sarah, then she moved forward to make sure we all could fit into the selfie. lol)

The new BJ's restaurant is now open in Tulsa, so me and Laura and Tiffany decided to try it this weekend!  We were not the only ones with that idea - they had a 2-hour wait time, so we sat outside where we could be seated immediately.  In spite of the heat lamps above us, it was chilly (I picked the wrong night to come in flip-flops with wet hair). lol  But we had fun, and we each got a free pizookie (their best dessert) for signing up for BJ's rewards program, so that was awesome and made it all worth it!!

In other news, today is Bill and Jill's anniversary... they've been such awesome friends to our family, and I'm feeling super thankful for all the great memories with them!  I still have my chip from their wedding, which was a fantastic day all around! 

That's all I've got for now, friends.  Be kind to one another. =)