4tunate

Life has been coasting along like a kiddy coaster – a few bumps, some small hills, but mostly just coasting. Just when we least expected, it dropped us last night. Instinct told us to scream, to cringe in fear, to close our eyes and hold on with white knuckles. Faith told us to lift our hands up in the air, to be joyful, to trust.

There’s a climb ahead of us, but we are once again choosing to trust in God’s faithfulness, provision, and security. There are no surprises or unexpected turns with Christ.

Jeremiah 17: 7,8 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

We look back through the ways He has shined His faithfulness into our lives in the past few years, and know that we can have confidence in Him again. He will direct our paths as we chose to trust Him with all our hearts, and not by our own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5,6)

Oh for grace to trust Him more!

(Note: We are all fine, healthy, safe, and smiling – just another financial hurdle.)

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The internet has been good to me.  It’s given me some incredible, lovely relationships. Online relationships have come a long way – haven’t they? You can connect, build friendships, support one another, and engage in heartfelt conversations.

But you know what’s golden? Those in real life friendships that have stood the test of time. The ones who love you through the thick and thin. The ones you can share a baked good, a favorite beverage, and a sincere conversation. The ones who love you with no makeup and a messy kitchen floor.

I’ve been blessed to have some of my online relationships grow into real life friendships. {In fact, one of those friends is spending the night as I type this!} Thankfully there is a {un}conference that some of my dear friends online at (in)courage have cooked up that has a heart for cultivating these friendships.

“A God-sized dream to connect women beyond the blog posts.”

The Tiny Twig {Hayley} and I will be hosting our own (in)RL (“in real life”) meet-up {more details to come}. Hundreds of women around the globe in over cities will be coming together, over the weekend of April 27 & 28. {More details to follow!}

Are you looking for in real life friendships? Are you craving community? Would you love some casual girl time? 

If you’re local, please join us.  If you aren’t you can find one near you on this map or get some girlfriends together to host your own!  Don’t miss an opportunity to build community in your own community!

For some reason, there is a misconception that birthing multiples gives you super powers.  Although I think there’s so much that mothers do that is heroic in nature, I’m far from super hero status. I certainly am not superior to any of you. {This includes mother’s of one child, mother of multiples, mothers of a special needs child, mothers of children the “traditional” way, adoption moms, step moms, single moms, cancer moms, moms of grown children, expecting moms, want to be moms…did I miss anyone?}

I often get the comment, “You’re brave”, when we are out and about, and I’m not really sure how to take that. 

Am I brave because I’m bringing four children into a public place? 

Am I brave just for being their mother?

Am I brave because you think I’m doing something you don’t think you would have the ability (or desire) to do?

I certainly don’t feel “brave” a lot of the time. I have the same struggles that I think many of you do. I have fears. I worry too much. I don’t often rise to a challenge with confidence.  I get overwhelmed when things get hairy.

I like to feel safe.

Heroism doesn’t come naturally. The only superpowers I possess come from above. Any courage, confidence, boldness, and power over fears I might display comes from my Heavenly Father.  {Philipians 4:11-13} It’s His strength that I have to clothe myself in everyday (not the  knee-high red boots) , because without Him I would crumble. His power is made perfect in my weakest hour. {2 Corinthians 12: 8-10}

If I was left on my own to face infertility, a quad pregnancy, the NICU, parenting 4 at a time, a job loss, or an intense physical struggle, I’m not sure where I would be. But I know that where I am now is because of His sovereign grace.

How often I forget, and try to carry the load on my own.  I wrestle. I struggle. I fight. I fall.

My security and confidence should come from knowing that I don’t have to face each day on my own. No matter what challenges lie ahead in this journey – it’s not my own battle.

And that, my Friends, is where my super power strength comes from.

{Thanks to my friend, Jill, who gave me the Wonder Woman card. Right back at ya! I admire you so much!}