Hello, friends. I have been a bit absent here, yes?
In November of 2013, I started yet another blog. I know. It seems a bit daft and severely detrimental to my blogging career, but I wanted to use the WordPress platform. I have finally imported all of the posts I wrote here to my other blog! Yay!!
I don't know what the future of blogging holds for me. I'm not sure if I'll ever write frequently enough or well enough to garner much attention, but I'm learning that it's okay. I'm learning to let go of my ideals for God's. And I'm learning just how deeply that can cut.
If you'd like to stop by, my new-ish blog is http://smithjeniffer.wordpress.com. Thank you, you lovely people you!
Jan 14, 2015
Jun 3, 2013
Becoming...
This post has been coming for a while now. I hate that it's been so long since I posted here, but with all of my intentions and meaning to's, I just haven't. And that's okay.
I didn't mean to drop this blog for my other one. Really, I didn't. I thought I would keep on posting here throughout the week and just post on there when I was scheduled to. But then life happened, and my "meaning to" never came about. Maybe once or twice in almost two years, but that's a far cry from anywhere near "regular."
And, really? I haven't been posting on Sisters 'N Cloth much either. Again, life happened. The life outside of the blogosphere happened. It's really been too much to keep up with.
So why now? Why start over again in this seemingly empty space? Nearly two years later?
The reason why I started Sisters 'N Cloth with my sister-in-law (yes, that was supposed to be a pun) was really because I realized that if I were to have a larger blog following, I needed someone else with me. If I were to host giveaways and blog consistently and have people interested in what I was saying, I would need support and encouragement and someone who would set goals and make me keep them. I love my sister-in-law, and she was the perfect candidate.
But in sharing my space online, I also realized that I was sharing my goals, my vision, my dreams, and that they would never fully align with hers. That's not a problem. It was a wonderful learning experience (and still is). Working on Sisters 'N Cloth has helped me to learn how to share my vision, how to lovingly correct, and how to move forward with someone by my side. In other words, I wouldn't change the past two years for anything.
Here's the thing, though: it was our baby. No matter what, it will always be our baby. We fought together, we failed together, and we triumphed together.
This space here? It's totally mine.
It's easier in some ways because it's mine. I decide how it goes (to a certain extent). I make the first and final call. But it's harder. Because I can't bounce ideas off of someone else. There is no safety net here.
And yet there is. Because ultimately, it's what God decides to do with it. It's not my space, it's His. There may not be a safety net, but there is the shelter of His wings and the promise of His love.
And just for a reminder to myself and what I'm doing by being here...
It's not about me. It's not about my dreams, my goals, or my hopes. It's not about being a big blogger or striving to tread water with the big fishes. This place is about Him, about how He is showing Himself to me and the many ways He does so. Sometimes it will be about my life, about the hard days and about the gifts that He has given. But always, always about Him first.
I didn't mean to drop this blog for my other one. Really, I didn't. I thought I would keep on posting here throughout the week and just post on there when I was scheduled to. But then life happened, and my "meaning to" never came about. Maybe once or twice in almost two years, but that's a far cry from anywhere near "regular."
And, really? I haven't been posting on Sisters 'N Cloth much either. Again, life happened. The life outside of the blogosphere happened. It's really been too much to keep up with.
So why now? Why start over again in this seemingly empty space? Nearly two years later?
The reason why I started Sisters 'N Cloth with my sister-in-law (yes, that was supposed to be a pun) was really because I realized that if I were to have a larger blog following, I needed someone else with me. If I were to host giveaways and blog consistently and have people interested in what I was saying, I would need support and encouragement and someone who would set goals and make me keep them. I love my sister-in-law, and she was the perfect candidate.
But in sharing my space online, I also realized that I was sharing my goals, my vision, my dreams, and that they would never fully align with hers. That's not a problem. It was a wonderful learning experience (and still is). Working on Sisters 'N Cloth has helped me to learn how to share my vision, how to lovingly correct, and how to move forward with someone by my side. In other words, I wouldn't change the past two years for anything.
Here's the thing, though: it was our baby. No matter what, it will always be our baby. We fought together, we failed together, and we triumphed together.
This space here? It's totally mine.
It's easier in some ways because it's mine. I decide how it goes (to a certain extent). I make the first and final call. But it's harder. Because I can't bounce ideas off of someone else. There is no safety net here.
And yet there is. Because ultimately, it's what God decides to do with it. It's not my space, it's His. There may not be a safety net, but there is the shelter of His wings and the promise of His love.
And just for a reminder to myself and what I'm doing by being here...
It's not about me. It's not about my dreams, my goals, or my hopes. It's not about being a big blogger or striving to tread water with the big fishes. This place is about Him, about how He is showing Himself to me and the many ways He does so. Sometimes it will be about my life, about the hard days and about the gifts that He has given. But always, always about Him first.
Apr 20, 2012
Five Minute Friday: Together
I haven't written here in many months. Mostly because the writer in me was covered up and hidden for a while with stress and hurt and pain...with too-long days and worries over having enough giveaways on Sisters 'N Cloth...things that don't matter.
I've learned, thanks to my Father, that I do need rest. I need peace. Not a hectic, out of control life. Time with my girlie while she's still my only, time to read stories over and over, and time to just sit and rest in the beauty of creation.
And so, to slowly, gradually enter back into this place of praise and creativity, I'm joining Lisa-Jo and her Five-Minute Friday crowd. Because I do have five minutes to write what's on my heart. I do have five minutes to just let it flow out of me and onto this page.
Five minutes to:
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.
Start:
She and I sit, side by side. Not often enough...but often enough. Swinging on the porch and laying in bed together. Reading a book at times or watching VeggieTales for a bit. Playing on the floor (as long as I can still get up!) and just snuggling at night when she's still too awake to sleep but too tired to do anything else.
But she doesn't know, yet, that when she's side-by-side with me, she's also side-by-side with her sister. The one who, I hope, she spends more hours than I can count reading together, baking together, learning and doing life together. That she will learn what this word "sister" means early on, and while there may be mean girls out there, her sister won't be one of them. Not intentionally, anyway.
I see them together in my mind, these two girls several years from now. And I pray that it's so. That neither will learn that life is better alone. That neither will learn that women can build walls so high that not even sisters can bridge them. Gaps so wide that no one can scale them.
Stop!
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I've learned, thanks to my Father, that I do need rest. I need peace. Not a hectic, out of control life. Time with my girlie while she's still my only, time to read stories over and over, and time to just sit and rest in the beauty of creation.
And so, to slowly, gradually enter back into this place of praise and creativity, I'm joining Lisa-Jo and her Five-Minute Friday crowd. Because I do have five minutes to write what's on my heart. I do have five minutes to just let it flow out of me and onto this page.
Five minutes to:
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.
Start:
She and I sit, side by side. Not often enough...but often enough. Swinging on the porch and laying in bed together. Reading a book at times or watching VeggieTales for a bit. Playing on the floor (as long as I can still get up!) and just snuggling at night when she's still too awake to sleep but too tired to do anything else.
But she doesn't know, yet, that when she's side-by-side with me, she's also side-by-side with her sister. The one who, I hope, she spends more hours than I can count reading together, baking together, learning and doing life together. That she will learn what this word "sister" means early on, and while there may be mean girls out there, her sister won't be one of them. Not intentionally, anyway.
I see them together in my mind, these two girls several years from now. And I pray that it's so. That neither will learn that life is better alone. That neither will learn that women can build walls so high that not even sisters can bridge them. Gaps so wide that no one can scale them.
Stop!
.JPG)
Nov 16, 2011
The Greatest of These is Love
My husband has this specific message that he's believed in ever since we met. (In fact, hearing him talk about it at the Baptist Student Union devotion time was what first drew me to him!) It's a simple message that has such a profound impact: love.
It's a message that he was blessed to share with about 30 youth last Friday evening at a lock-in (hosted by our friends, Brian and Laura Leigh). How if you say you love God but hate your brother, you're a liar. If you don't love according to 1 Corinthians 13, you don't really love. (And, yes, we all fail in that area because we aren't perfect, but this is our standard.) And this love is not just found in 1 John or 1 Corinthians but throughout the Bible. In fact, my husband firmly believes that the Bible is nothing but God saying He loves us and wants a relationship with us. And I can't help but see the same theme.
This morning, for example, I read the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew. From chapter 5 to chapter 7, there's a theme that I noticed. Can you guess what it is? Yep...love! "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also...If you remember that your brother has a complaint against you, go make it right...Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy...Blessed are you when men persecute you and spitefully revile against you for My sake...Judge not that you be not judged, for in the manner that you judge you yourself shall be judged..."
In this, Jesus' first message to, well, anyone (as far as we know), He makes it clear that the difference between the Judaic law and the Christian "law" is love. Love is what makes Jesus the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. I have heard and even said many times that the difference between the two is the heart in which something is done...but if it isn't done in love, is it really done with the right heart?
I think that's what the real difference between the Pharisees and Jesus was. They were doing lists of things because they looked right, but Jesus did all of His actions out of love.
The lists of things to do, items to check off, they're nothing without love. Isn't that what Paul was saying?
Yes, it looks good on paper. It looks great to everyone at church and in the community. But to God? Paul once again says it best.
And when we don't do them out. of. love, they are worthless.
It boils down to this: if we love God, we will love our brothers (and sisters). And if we love God, we will serve Him out of love, not fear or duty.
Sharing my heart this morning over at Ann's.
It's a message that he was blessed to share with about 30 youth last Friday evening at a lock-in (hosted by our friends, Brian and Laura Leigh). How if you say you love God but hate your brother, you're a liar. If you don't love according to 1 Corinthians 13, you don't really love. (And, yes, we all fail in that area because we aren't perfect, but this is our standard.) And this love is not just found in 1 John or 1 Corinthians but throughout the Bible. In fact, my husband firmly believes that the Bible is nothing but God saying He loves us and wants a relationship with us. And I can't help but see the same theme.
This morning, for example, I read the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew. From chapter 5 to chapter 7, there's a theme that I noticed. Can you guess what it is? Yep...love! "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also...If you remember that your brother has a complaint against you, go make it right...Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy...Blessed are you when men persecute you and spitefully revile against you for My sake...Judge not that you be not judged, for in the manner that you judge you yourself shall be judged..."
In this, Jesus' first message to, well, anyone (as far as we know), He makes it clear that the difference between the Judaic law and the Christian "law" is love. Love is what makes Jesus the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. I have heard and even said many times that the difference between the two is the heart in which something is done...but if it isn't done in love, is it really done with the right heart?
I think that's what the real difference between the Pharisees and Jesus was. They were doing lists of things because they looked right, but Jesus did all of His actions out of love.
The lists of things to do, items to check off, they're nothing without love. Isn't that what Paul was saying?
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3We could easily say, "If I read my Bible, pray for others, go to church and Sunday School, if I lead the women's ministry and volunteer to lead every youth event, if I visit the homeless and the shut-ins and give half of my salary to the church but have not love, I am nothing."
Yes, it looks good on paper. It looks great to everyone at church and in the community. But to God? Paul once again says it best.
"...If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ..." (Philippians 3:4-8).When Paul says that he counts these great things that he has done as rubbish, he means the very lowest form of crap. (Sorry to be crass, but the actual word used here in the Greek? Well, it's the most vulgar form of the word "poo" you can get...) These things that we do, that we strive for? Compared to knowing Christ, they are rubbish.
And when we don't do them out. of. love, they are worthless.
It boils down to this: if we love God, we will love our brothers (and sisters). And if we love God, we will serve Him out of love, not fear or duty.
How are you showing love today?
Sharing my heart this morning over at Ann's.
Nov 10, 2011
The Gracious Struggle
I've been getting blessed out of my socks for the past 2 days from reading the Compassion bloggers in Ecuador. (Twitter hashtag #cbec) If you haven't checked them out, I suggest you do. And be prepared. Tissues, your Bible, a journal to write down thoughts...
It's life-changing, heart-wrenching, and eye-opening. All of it. From reading about God's great grace He gives to a pig farmer from Canada to the grace He gives to an Ole Miss fan from Alabama. And every picture, every thought in between.
Still I'm caught in the struggle between, "We don't have the money," and, "We have so much stuff." Most of it was accumulated over time or given to us by many generous people at Abby's baby showers. (She has several outfits that she never wore. I kid you not.) What do we need? What can we sell? Send? Give?
I'm still not sure. And this has been mulling through my mind for over a year. Maybe I'm a slow learner, but I do know this: God is calling me to something beyond this American mindset. To something more than over-indulgence. As Ann pointed out this morning, “Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.” Ezekiel 16:49 (emphasis Ann's)
I don't want to be guilty of not helping the poor and needy.
That's what I keep coming back to. That and the fact that even with a very low salary, even with our missing bills left and right, we're still richer than most people in the world today. We have so much, so much. And why can't we give?
I'm ashamed to admit that we could sponsor a child. If we got rid of the Internet and Netflix. And when I look at the faces of the hurting and the poor, that's all I want to do. But I also know this: sponsoring a child, for us, is something that we have to commit to. There's no turning back. And some months, we can't pay our Internet or Netflix bill on time.
So I pray. I wait. And I'm yearning for the day when God opens up a way for us to sponsor a child. Or two. Or ten. When He allows for us to help in a tangible way. And, oh, I hope it comes soon!
If you would like to sponsor a child through Compassion, you can click here for more info.
It's life-changing, heart-wrenching, and eye-opening. All of it. From reading about God's great grace He gives to a pig farmer from Canada to the grace He gives to an Ole Miss fan from Alabama. And every picture, every thought in between.
Still I'm caught in the struggle between, "We don't have the money," and, "We have so much stuff." Most of it was accumulated over time or given to us by many generous people at Abby's baby showers. (She has several outfits that she never wore. I kid you not.) What do we need? What can we sell? Send? Give?
I'm still not sure. And this has been mulling through my mind for over a year. Maybe I'm a slow learner, but I do know this: God is calling me to something beyond this American mindset. To something more than over-indulgence. As Ann pointed out this morning, “Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.” Ezekiel 16:49 (emphasis Ann's)
I don't want to be guilty of not helping the poor and needy.
That's what I keep coming back to. That and the fact that even with a very low salary, even with our missing bills left and right, we're still richer than most people in the world today. We have so much, so much. And why can't we give?
I'm ashamed to admit that we could sponsor a child. If we got rid of the Internet and Netflix. And when I look at the faces of the hurting and the poor, that's all I want to do. But I also know this: sponsoring a child, for us, is something that we have to commit to. There's no turning back. And some months, we can't pay our Internet or Netflix bill on time.
So I pray. I wait. And I'm yearning for the day when God opens up a way for us to sponsor a child. Or two. Or ten. When He allows for us to help in a tangible way. And, oh, I hope it comes soon!
If you would like to sponsor a child through Compassion, you can click here for more info.
Nov 7, 2011
Counting Gifts Today...Because I Need the Reminder...
Today? Ugh...I'd rather not talk about today.
I had another meltdown. (Let's see...that makes at least one every day for the past week...) I think it might be stressed-induced. Because I've been stretched thin. Because I've been concerned about our financial state. I know the verses, and I can sing the songs, but it. is. hard.
It's hard when your ideas of how things should be come crashing down. Again. It's hard when things seem to be falling apart. For real. Even our hot water heater leaked last Monday...and it went into Abby's room. Our landlord had it repaired that day, but there's still damage to the room. (It stinks...and the carpet is somewhat stained.)
But I know that God is faithful, even when we don't feel like it. He is there, leading us and guiding us, even when we hurt. Even when we don't see it, He is there. And He is waiting to comfort us.
I spent some time with Him this afternoon. Some self-induced Mommy "Quiet Time Out" time. It was good. So very good. And I felt a huge sense of peace wash over me. I gave God all of the things I felt I needed or wanted to accomplish. And guess what? Some things got done. Others didn't. And we're okay. It's such a relief to type those words and to know they are true.
He is faithful. He has given us so very much. All I need to do is look...
Counting the gifts today...
long walks in the woods behind our house
seeing the pond my husband mentioned before
new car seat bought mostly with gift cards!
moist pumpkin spice muffins from The Pioneer Woman YUM!
sweet smiles and kisses from Abby
hearing her belly laugh as she plays with her daddy
watching her grow up so quickly...waving bye bye, saying words like blue and book, trying to talk and walk already...
chatting with my #clothdiaper friends on Twitter
Drew taking care of me in just the right way when I need it most
Him taking Abby for me in the mornings/evenings so that I can relax
being in the top 5...and praying for God's will to be done
learning to praise Him "Even if..." (Dan. 3:16-18)
the hours and days that I feel aren't worth it...and the sweet look of total trust that says it is
figuring out that the striving isn't worth it...now if only I could live it!
coming back to this place. right here. and feeling at home. :)
I had another meltdown. (Let's see...that makes at least one every day for the past week...) I think it might be stressed-induced. Because I've been stretched thin. Because I've been concerned about our financial state. I know the verses, and I can sing the songs, but it. is. hard.
It's hard when your ideas of how things should be come crashing down. Again. It's hard when things seem to be falling apart. For real. Even our hot water heater leaked last Monday...and it went into Abby's room. Our landlord had it repaired that day, but there's still damage to the room. (It stinks...and the carpet is somewhat stained.)
But I know that God is faithful, even when we don't feel like it. He is there, leading us and guiding us, even when we hurt. Even when we don't see it, He is there. And He is waiting to comfort us.
I spent some time with Him this afternoon. Some self-induced Mommy "Quiet Time Out" time. It was good. So very good. And I felt a huge sense of peace wash over me. I gave God all of the things I felt I needed or wanted to accomplish. And guess what? Some things got done. Others didn't. And we're okay. It's such a relief to type those words and to know they are true.
He is faithful. He has given us so very much. All I need to do is look...
Counting the gifts today...
long walks in the woods behind our house
seeing the pond my husband mentioned before
new car seat bought mostly with gift cards!
moist pumpkin spice muffins from The Pioneer Woman YUM!
sweet smiles and kisses from Abby
hearing her belly laugh as she plays with her daddy
watching her grow up so quickly...waving bye bye, saying words like blue and book, trying to talk and walk already...
chatting with my #clothdiaper friends on Twitter
Drew taking care of me in just the right way when I need it most
Him taking Abby for me in the mornings/evenings so that I can relax
being in the top 5...and praying for God's will to be done
learning to praise Him "Even if..." (Dan. 3:16-18)
the hours and days that I feel aren't worth it...and the sweet look of total trust that says it is
figuring out that the striving isn't worth it...now if only I could live it!
coming back to this place. right here. and feeling at home. :)
Nov 4, 2011
Five Minute Friday: Remember
It's been a while since I stopped and wrote out a Five Minute Friday...but in the stillness of this minute (or five...) I'm going to once again join Lisa-Jo and a host of other bloggers as we Remember...
Start!
It's been nearly 9 months. 9 beautiful, life-changing, never-wanna-go-back months. She's starting to pull herself along the furniture...been pulling up for a while now. She's a mess, and she gets into everything, but I'm loving every second of it!
But before that? It had been almost 2 years. Since the heartache and the hurt and the anger and the pain. Since the first miscarriage that went on to two. Since God drew me close when I felt so far and allowed me a glimpse into the sufferings His Son went through...and that fellowship sustains me even now.
And today? Today, this week, I celebrate five wonderful years of getting to know the man I now call husband and who my daughter calls Daddy. Five years of hurt and anger at times and love and understanding, better-than-happily-ever-after at others. Five years of being goofy and turning right around and having a deep, theological discussion because that's how we roll, y'all. Five years of getting to know each other better...and I can't wait to see where this road takes us.
Life...good and bad. Life...worth remembering.
Stop!
And just because I feel like it (read: because I can and want to...) I'm going to leave you with a picture that I want to remember every year from now on...
Start!
It's been nearly 9 months. 9 beautiful, life-changing, never-wanna-go-back months. She's starting to pull herself along the furniture...been pulling up for a while now. She's a mess, and she gets into everything, but I'm loving every second of it!
But before that? It had been almost 2 years. Since the heartache and the hurt and the anger and the pain. Since the first miscarriage that went on to two. Since God drew me close when I felt so far and allowed me a glimpse into the sufferings His Son went through...and that fellowship sustains me even now.
And today? Today, this week, I celebrate five wonderful years of getting to know the man I now call husband and who my daughter calls Daddy. Five years of hurt and anger at times and love and understanding, better-than-happily-ever-after at others. Five years of being goofy and turning right around and having a deep, theological discussion because that's how we roll, y'all. Five years of getting to know each other better...and I can't wait to see where this road takes us.
Life...good and bad. Life...worth remembering.
Stop!
And just because I feel like it (read: because I can and want to...) I'm going to leave you with a picture that I want to remember every year from now on...
 |
| Abby, Daddy, Mommy, and Aunt Shea at the Pumpkin Patch |
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