You say you want a Revolution?

No more sitting on the sidelines!

You say you want a revolution?  

BE THE REVOLUTION!

This has been on my mind A LOT!  

{There is so much going through my thoughts right now that I hope this doesn't come out disjointed.}

I know this is heavy on my heart for a reason.

Maybe it is due to the fact that we have an over abundance of access to news updates so our awareness of the bleakness is heightened! 

 Maybe these things have been going on all along.  

Maybe, as adults, we simply see things with a new set of eyes than we did as teenagers.

My eyes were wide open, my attention perked and my heart was happy!

My 6 year old brought up Martin Luther King Jr. a few times this week {Thank you K teachers at Manchester Elementary for presenting our country's history in a way that is not only understandable but exciting to our little ones!} but on this day there was a different sense of curiosity in his voice about the topic.  He presented to me what he had learned with intensity and I morphed into "teachable-moment-mommy" in the blink of an eye.

We spoke of details of MLK's life, but the best part was that it lead to a great talk between he and I, along with my 12 year old.  

We talked about the importance of taking a stand for what you know to be right.

We talked about other historical figures and how it only takes one person to move things in the right direction.

I love talks like this!

It really got me thinking... I don't want to generalize, because there are some really amazing teens out there with a heart for the good and a passion to make a positive difference, but I also see the disturbing mindset of our next generation... one of discontent, disrespect, disregard and disengagement.  

We can all theorize the "why", and some of these answers are necessary, but I want to focus on the "how can we make it better"

Sometimes it's really hard to see the big picture...

Sometimes issues seem so overwhelming that we don't even know where to begin.

How about starting with some good 'ole fashion kindness?  

Seek it out! 

Someone around you needs to know that they are valued!

So here is the challenge...  

I have created a sheet that can be printed out and cut into strips for you {and your children}to hand out. 

at school... at the mall... at church...anywhere!

AND, I want to hear all about your experience!  

Shoot me an email or leave your comments below and I would love to share your experience with other readers on my blog.

Pass this along to your friends... get anyone and everyone involved!

It's a small step in the right direction!

*This is the beginning of a new blog series... "You say you want a Revolution"

Check back for a new challenge each week.

 

God is Working

It has been over two weeks since my last post.  Dog gone it, I was finally on a consistent schedule and then was completely blind sided!  

However painful, sometimes these detours are necessary. 

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds" James 1:2. 

Not because it is enjoyable or easy, but because of the person you will become for having gone through it.  

I am in a better place today than I was a few weeks ago.  It is amazing the amount of emotions that our hearts and minds can accommodate!  One thing is for certain, I love my life and I trust my God!  There is a common theme that has been present over these past several weeks... GOD IS WORKING. 

 Even when I don't see it in my time.  Even when I don't "feel" like he is.  Even when the world views a situation as hopeless, GOD IS WORKING. 

I didn't have a lot to say today, but some times less is more.  I know there is someone that needed to be reminded of this today!  You are so loved and so amazing and there is no one quite like you.  Give yourself some grace because you get up each morning with breath in your body and recognize that today is a brand new day!

 {as always, please feel free to use my design for yourself!}

Other Mothers

I debated whether or not to even write this post but I needed somewhere to share.

I'm sorry in advance if my thoughts are scattered and jumbled.

Right now, we are going through something hard.  Painful.  Heartbreaking. Confusing.

I want to talk about it, but I don't want to talk about it.

With the few people I've shared with, I can't seem to speak without completely breaking down.  

If we are close and you're not sure what's going on, please don't feel like you aren't important in my life, I just need some time to be able to sort through and make sense of some things. 

I know with God, our pain is never wasted.  He will use this season to strengthen us and make us more compassionate towards others. One day, he will place others in our lives that we can help.

The few people I have spoken to have been mothers themselves.  No one understands a mother like another mother.  As mothers, we are used to holding things together.  But what happens when we fall apart?

These mothers have weeped with me and offered words of hope and encouragement.  

It's amazing how, as mothers we don't even have to be going through the same thing or even have experienced the same thing, but as soon as we hear what is going on and put ourselves in that situation as a mother, our hearts are broken just the same. 

I'm so thankful for the few that have been brave enough to share with me their own similar struggles.  

I know that these conversations are not random.  They are intentional and on purpose.

I went to the hospital yesterday.  Not to visit but to drop something off.  I wanted to be invisible.  I wanted to be in and out without having to speak with anyone.  I had been alone all day and just wanted to continue to keep it together.  As long as I didn't open my mouth I could do it.  God had other plans.  As I was walking in, I ran into a couple that used to attend church with us.  I hadn't seen them in a while, but they are a couple that my husband and I loved dearly.  My heart began to race as we approached.  I didn't want to tell them why I was there.  After just a minute of small talk, it came out.  As soon as I opened up, she and I were embraced in a hug and crying together for what seemed like 20 minutes.  That hug meant the world to me in that moment.  I think we all just need to be heard and desire to know that we are not alone.

{Please feel free to print my image for your own use}

{created in PSE using elements from the Lori Whitlock Fresh Air Collection from Jessica Sprague.com}

Motivation Monday... Because you can!

It has been just over a week since my last run!

It only takes 2 or 3 days, not only to see the physical decline but to really feel the mental and emotional impact of not running.

I WILL NOT go that long again!

Just after I got all of my babes out the door this morning, I took off for a run.  

Here in Northern Illinois, it was a beautiful and perfect 50 degrees {where was this weather on 10/10/10 for the Chicago Marathon!!?}  

Life happens, we get busy and let's face it, there is always an excuse, but there is this sweet subtle voice that I'll often hear when I'm a little off track with my workouts... 

Run because you can!

I received a text from a sweet friend a while back that will forever resound in my heart... 

"Please tell me that when we get to heaven we will run a marathon together"

Cait is the sweetest, most determined and most amazing teenage girl you will ever meet!  Because she was born with CP, her body physically will not allow her, right now, to run.  

Her goal... to walk across the stage at graduation in May, 2013!  

She is giving every bit of strength, energy and will in therapy to achieve this goal.  There is not even an ounce of doubt in my mind that she will walk across that stage!  She is fierce like that and she is confident in the source of her strength.  Her life verse is the same as mine:} 

I can do ALL things through Christ who Strengthens me. ~ Phil. 4:13

So I have to choose... daily...to honor her, and for those battling similar restrictions, 

I will run because I can.

{I created this poster in an 8x10, please feel free to print this for your own personal use!}

Linking up today:
Making the world cuter 
Skip to my Lou
Creating my way to success
KDBuggie Boutique
Six Sister's Stuff

Lots of Love, Lis