Four Girls Later

If I’m honest, the previous month, was as my 7 year old would say, “a real stinker”. We’ve had sickness during more time than not. 2 wrist injuries resulting in 2 separate X-ray visits. House closing problems. Emotions running high during military child appreciation. A dental problem. A sick dog. A demeaning softball coach. A broken garage door. And yet another batch of slime ruining the couch. This new month isn’t off to the best start either. Why you ask?

As I type this, I’m sitting in a waiting room with my sweet lethargic preschooler. She has had some reoccurring fever/sickness and we are trying to get to the bottom of it. This mama needs answers.

Why am I sharing my laundry list (maybe I should have added the NEVER-ENDING pile of laundry to the list) of the challenge that has been life recently?

Because I want to encourage anyone, who is like me, to not wait until it’s all cleaned up to let people in.

You see, I’m an outcome kind of gal. The kind of person that waits to share news until I have the story in its entirety. The one who waits until she knows the gender before sharing the news of the baby. One that says , “oh my husbands been deployed” AFTER he’s gotten back. The one who only lets you in when the counters are clean, floors been mopped, and a candles burning. You get the point.

Except I’m not actually that.

Not anymore.

Which is a huge win in my life. One of the single greatest sources of joy in this season of life has been a friend that I can pick the phone up, no matter what, and ask for help. A friend that I know will care and love my kids. A friend that brings flowers by when the days are long. One that I can share how hard things are and know that she’s using my vulnerability to pray for me, not judge me.

Another friend when I reached out for help once said, “I know you want to “repay” any favor I offer. Just know – even if you aren’t, somewhere, someone else is.” So when it’s your time to help someone, just know YOU are a part of a bigger – some mom – some where – group, helping make it happen. And when you reach out to others, you allow them to get to be that very thing in your life!

If you find yourself more of a wait until it’s polished than a team work makes the dream work (even in a messy car) person, start small. I’m not saying go ask for help… but let someone in. Share the story before you have the finished answer. Tell someone, “this is hard right now”. Open the door of your home and let your friend in, even if it’s not perfect.

Allow your children to see you weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. I for one want my four girls to be women that weep with those who weep and women that rejoice with those who rejoice.

More often than not, your vulnerability will be inspiring to others and that relationship will deepen.

You can do it. One step at a time. One “yes” at a time. One authentic conversation at a time. One open door at a time.

Shine your light.

Xoxo,

Sara