Take a time out!

Someone very dear to me reminded me today how important it is to refresh ourselves. As women we like to take all of the burden on ourselves. Whether we are a working or stay at home mommy. Whether we are single or married. Whether our children live at home or have already left the nest. We all have problems. We all have different stress so we all need to be rejuvenated by God. 

We have to take time out of our day to sit, relax and just do nothing sometimes. Or go get a pedicure. Or go to Starbucks with a new book. Or just go sit outside and look at the sky. Even if you only have 5 minutes. Remind yourself that you are fearfully and wonderfully made for God's purpose! He is the source of your strength!

We can only go go go so long without burning out. It's important to those we love that we refresh and come back to our life with a renewed sense of purpose and love. 

Take this following verse and write it down somewhere. Memorize it as I have and say it out loud whenever you feel yourself having a meltdown. I promise you, you will find rest in it. God's word never fails. 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." -Matthew 11:28 NIV

A painting of 2 pictures

Let me paint a picture for you. Imagine it is Christmas Eve. You and your family are sitting around the tree in your matching Christmas jammies, periodically gazing over at the fireplace to take in its’ beauty. You’re drinking hot chocolate with the little marshmallows floating on top. The “Christmas Story” movie is playing on the tv and you all laugh when Ralphie shoots his eye out with his Red Rider BB gun, just like everyone told him he would. Then you help your children bake sugar cookies and leave them out for Santa with a cold glass of milk. They include a note telling him how good they’ve been this year. You tuck them each into their own bed and read them “The Night Before Christmas” before kissing them goodnight and telling them you love them, and most importantly God loves them too. The next morning they wake up as soon as the sun is up, and run out of their room in their fuzzy reindeer slippers to see what Santa left under the tree. There is a massive mountain of presents wrapped in bows and ribbons. The rest of the morning is spent opening extravagant gifts and the latest toys, thanking and loving one another, and basking in the happiness of this wonderful holiday.

 

Now let me paint a different picture. It’s still Christmas Eve. A family bundles under as many old blankets as they can because they couldn’t afford to pay their electric bill, so there is no heat in their one bedroom apartment. They drink cold milk that their local church brought over for them. They can’t afford to leave anything out for Santa because unfortunately that would be wasting. They talk about past Christmas’s when times were better and both parents had jobs. They promise their children they will get back on their feet, it just takes time and God will take care of them. They tuck their 3 children into one bed together and all say a prayer that Santa won’t forget them this year. Mom and Dad go to bed on the couch together and cry themselves to sleep wishing they could give their children more. The kids wake up the next morning and walk out to the living room in their socks that have holes in each toe. There are a couple of gifts wrapped in paper grocery bags under a poinsettia plant because they couldn’t afford a tree. Although they have no idea that everything they got is used and from donations, they are just as happy as any other kid to realize that Santa did not forget them. God does take care of them just as their parents promised.

 

Which one of those pictures seems more familiar to you? I know for me, it’s the first one. I’m not painting these pictures to make you feel bad or guilty. Please don’t think that’s my intention. What I am hoping to do is inspire you. The reality is, families like this are all around our communities. They are in our backyard and we can help them. Now is the perfect time to teach your children what Christmas is all about.

 

Let’s have a Christmas cleaning! We all know what a Spring cleaning is. This is similar but much better! Those of us that are living in the first picture I painted and are able to buy our children Christmas gifts this year need to take the next week or two (we have plenty of time!) and clean out our children’s closets, toy boxes, and playrooms. Have your children help you! Tell them that everything they give up or have grown out of is going to go to another family in need for Christmas. If they protest, tell them Santa loves a cheerful giver (and so does God!) and that if they don’t make room for their new Christmas gifts, they may not get any. Hey, sometimes we have to resort to threats. There’s no judgement, it’s for a good cause in this case. 

 

Then take all of your old stuff down to the local shelter or church to give away. I can help you find somewhere to donate if you need. This doesn't just apply to children's toys. We adults need to clean out our stuff too! People ‘Tis the season! Let’s start a Christmas cleaning movement and help families everywhere enjoy their holiday a little bit more. Amen?

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” -Luke 6:38 NIV

When I'm feeling rather unkind

So as I was driving to work this morning and went through the toll, a gentleman in a huge truck cut me off. I was just driving along, speeding back up as everyone does, paying no mind, and he came out of nowhere, revved his engine up and cut me off. My first honest reaction was "Ok buddy!!!!" (I've been working on my language so buddy would have formerly been an a-hole). And then I stopped. And I gave him an excuse. 

My excuse for his cutting me off was "Well clearly his wife is in labor and he's rushing to get there so he doesn't miss his first baby boy being born!" 

And then he proceeded to throw McDonald's trash out of his window as we drove over the bridge and again, I had to dig deep and give him an excuse. For his littering I said "Well obviously he is eating his breakfast on the way to the hospital and the bag caught on fire and he had to get it out of the truck as quickly as possible!" 

More trash followed and I just repeated "it was a big fire, forming fast" 

Now here's the thing, and pay attention: we know his wife wasn't in labor. We know his trash and truck weren't catching fire. But after I made up these ridiculous scenarios I was able to continue my morning drive in peace and serenity. I actually had a few laughs. It wasn't about the truck driver anymore. Or his habit of littering. It was about me moving on and not letting other people affect my mood or day. The truth is, we don't ever know what people are going through or why they do the things they do. We can only control our own words and actions. So wouldn't you rather put a positive spin on something than drag bitterness around like an unwanted thorn? 

Just try it the next time someone makes you frustrated. Give them an excuse. Even if it doesn't take all the anger away, at least it's also engaging your creative side ;) 

"Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up" -Proverbs 12:25 NIV

It will work this time

As many times as I have started a blog, I have quit. The truth is I love to write! Sit me down with a pen and paper and I'll be good for hours. It's always been my "thing". And lately I feel as though I am really meant to be putting my thoughts out there for anyone who wants to read them. I intend to use this blog as a diary of sorts and be able to share any thoughts or adventures my family goes through. That's the first thing I should explain, the blog name "Famlee". No, I'm not illiterate. My last name is Lee so I've just kind of made a play on the word. I have been married for over 3 years to my husband Brian, and we have 2 boys who are currently 1 (Easton) and 3 (Nolan), I also have a 9yr old stepson (Asher) . Just the fact that I am surviving in my house surrounded by testosterone is blog-worthy enough. We are very involved in our church so you will find scripture, prayers and some devotionals on some days too. And I also love to read so you may hear me talking about books now and then. My hope is that some of my entries will make you laugh, think, cry, or just thank God for all of your blessings. So come along, stay a while, and always feel free to let me know what you think.