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Thankful for my messy, non-Pinworthy life

November 8, 2016 By Christine Field

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I dearly love Pinterest.  It is a great place for idea-hunting and dreaming.  The creativity of many is on display in one convenient place – a place where I can spend hours.

But what if you live a life that is not pin-worthy?

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That’s my life.  Photos of my pantry or cabinet organization would make the viewer shudder, not squeal with delight.

My kids are mostly grown so we don’t do the cute artsy stuff we once did.

Even my cats are mostly geriatric and a lot less cute than frisky kittens.

My attempts at crafting are pretty pathetic.  I have crocheted lopsided dishcloths and sewn misshapen quilts. Definitely not Pin-worthy!

Yet, I can enjoy looking at the beauty and aspirations of others because I am at peace.

I have what I have and I am what I am and I am grateful for this.

The Lord has taught me so many lessons about contentment over the years.

Mothers can kill so much joy in their lives by comparing themselves and their lives to others.

Someone always has a nicer house, smarter kids and better stuff than you have.  Their curriculum is always perfectly planned and their kids are well behaved.

But can you be grateful for what you HAVE?

Many years ago, we lived in a tiny house.  It had one bathroom, two small bedrooms, a combined living room and dining area, a galley kitchen, and a converted attached garage that served as a third bedroom.  These were close quarters!

We moved there with two children.  We then adopted two more.  Four kids and two adults were jammed into this little house.

I prayed and fought with God.  “Why would you bless us with these children, and then allow us to live in such cramped quarters?” I asked.  He didn’t respond, leaving me to work out my issues of discontentment on my own.

I studied the Bible about contentment and joy. I sorted junk and rearranged things so it all fit.  I came to a place of peace about our cramped life and indeed became grateful for the provision – a small house, a small mortgage, a manageable but cramped life.  It was OK.

Then one day, one of the kids had to go to the bathroom desperately so we took a different route home to accomplish this.  We passed a rambling, quirky house a few blocks away with a for-sale-by-owner sign.  I made a mental note and got the child to the bathroom.

The house (although did I say it was quirky?) was perfect for us!  With 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a large finished room on the lower level, it was like it was made for us.  Each kid could have their own room and we would have a separate area for homeschooling – complete with built-in bookshelves!

We’re still here.  These rooms have been well used.  We’ve had foster kids, lots of guests, and boomerang kids who we have been able to cheerfully accommodate.

When I ceased my whining and discontentedness, the Lord met my needs abundantly.

Where are you at this Thanksgiving?  Are you grateful for what you have, or are you lost in jealous striving?

Look around your table this year, whether it’s a vast dining table or a folding card table, and count your blessings.

The Lord has blessed you with children.

You have the energy and the ability to homeschool them.

You maintain the freedom to instruct them in your faith.

You are doing life together.

Your life may not be Pin-worthy, but it’s blessed.

Filed Under: Adventure, Gratitude, Holidays, Holidays, Home and finances, Purpose and Passion Tagged With: contentment, Pinworthy, Thanksgiving gratitude

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Hi, I’m Christine

Have you been a wholehearted mother, but time, toddlers and teenagers have moved on? If you are wondering what comes next for you, you’ll feel right at home here.

Or, are you a mom for whom family life has been non-Pinworthy and parenting has been downright painful? I hear ya. There are many of us around.

Are you looking for a life full of exploration and adventure after the nest empties, but maybe you have no idea how to go about doing that? Stick around! We’ll explore adventures together to help you gain more clarity for your own path.

After a couple decades of writing books and articles about parenting, homeschooling and adoption, speaking to homeschoolers and other parent groups, and reaching out to the mom in the trenches who was trying to make the best of it - my kids grew up. Some grew up and grew away. I was determined to find a way out of the pain, emptiness and lack of direction.

For many of us, the journey starts with something we moms are not accustomed to. After years of caring for and serving others, sometimes we forget the beauty and wonder of US. We need to spend some time getting to know the parts of ourselves that have lain dormant, and take the time to explore interests and passions that we set aside.

I’d like to invite you to get the “What’s Next for Mom” workbook and jump into this growing tribe of Moms who are emptying the nest and filling the life! Let’s reignite your Mojo after Mothering!
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About Christine

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At Real Mom Life, my passion is to provide resources and reassurances for moms facing the surprising challenges of family life. In my writing and speaking, I explore solutions to unexpected issues in adoption, homeschooling, special needs, and more while encouraging moms to extract the maximum joy out of each day. Read More…

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