Could we just speak truth for a moment? It does not matter if you work outside of the home or inside of the home. You might be a single mom/dad or a two person team. You might have babes that grew in your womb or grew in your heart. Maybe you are a boy mama knee deep in army toys and dirt. Or, like me, maybe you’re a girl mama that has more Barbies in your house than the law should allow. Then again, bless your sweet heart, maybe you have a foot in both gender worlds. If so, my friend, I salute you.

Working parent, I applaud you. I did it for years and it is not easy. Stay-at-home parent, yay you, I’m doing it now and it is not easy. That is what I want us all to realize. This parenting thing is dang hard – for everyone. There is no time for us to be dragging each other down. We have to quit shooting our own wounded. I, for one, do not want to be the reason another mom or dad feels beaten down at the end of the day.

You and I, we are the same. We love our little ones. We pray for their futures. We clip coupons, pinch pennies and, sometimes, forget to shower. We have all made that midnight run to Walmart for gas drops or cough medicine. Each of us has had that moment where we felt one mistake away from our kids ending up in therapy. Admit it, you have sniffed a pair of socks to see if they could be worn just one more time.

I have felt the sting of those claiming they would never send their child to daycare. My blood has boiled at those wondering what it is that I do all day now that I “no longer work.” Whatever your average day happens to look like, mom or dad,  I think you are a rock star. You are not the only one with a sink full of dirty dishes. You are not the first parent to call a peanut butter sandwich dinner because the thought of cooking was just. too. much.

I have worked full time. I have stayed home full time. I have worked part time from home. Whatever you do from nine to five, I am a huge fan of you.  I won’t judge you when I see you at the store in pajama pants. I won’t shake my head when your kid is screaming and you’re frazzled.

There is no condemnation for those up to their necks in parenthood. Deal?

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Stacy Edwards (@sjedwards) is a trucker’s daughter and a pastor’s wife. She is a freelance writer and a homeschooling mom to four fabulous little girls. Stacy blogs at Servant’s Life where she uses her words to point others to the hope and encouragement found in Christ. If you need her, she’s probably hiding in the bathroom.

I am in a horrible slump when it comes to meal planning. Can I be honest and tell you that I really do not enjoy cooking? The thing is – I live among a people intent on eating. Anyone else? So, last week, I tried something new. I thought I would make meals that started with the same letter as the day of the week. Taco Tuesday. Sloppy Joe Saturday. Hump Day Ham. Today, however, we are probably having chicken. Yeah, Hump Day chicken – hmm.

The meal name game lasted about a week because I’m consistent like that.  My best friend, Robin, is totally nodding her head in agreement right now. She knows that I change my mind more often than I change my clothes. That is not an exaggeration either because I have not gotten out of my pajamas in two days. Don’t judge me.

Also, my oldest daughter leaves tomorrow for her very first church camp. She has never been away from home except for the occasional sleepover at grandma’s house. She is going to be fine, but I need someone to hold me. I’m a mess.

I hope you have a fabulous day, my friends!

• If These Crib Rails Could Talk at Pink Dryer Lint (As I am very close to dismantling the crib that ALL FOUR of my babies have slept in – I totally get this.)
• Just Be…Normal at (in)courage (For every person who has ever tried to be someone they’re not.)
• When Life Seems Too Messy at Only a Breath (Sometimes, we just need to take a deep breath until the paint dries.)
• You Can Bring Your Lonely Here at Servant’s Life (Just in case you think no one cares – I care.)

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Stacy Edwards (@sjedwards) is a trucker’s daughter and a pastor’s wife. She is a freelance writer and a homeschooling mom to four fabulous little girls. Stacy blogs at Servant’s Life where she uses her words to point others to the hope and encouragement found in Christ. If you need her, she’s probably hiding in the bathroom.

God, what do I say to her?  Nothing.  There is nothing to say.

So, when she stood and turned around, we made eye contact and I just hugged her.  I squeezed her and I rubbed the back of her head.

She whispered into my neck, “You never expect to bury your children.  You’re not supposed to bury your children.”

Even though… – Psalm 23:4

I love those words.  Even though I feel like the pain will overwhelm me, I know He is near.   Even though I can’t see beyond the trial that looms, I will listen for His voice.  Even though the disappointment is great, He is greater.  Those are good words – even though.

Even though I walk through the valley... – Psalm 23:4

Another good word?  Through.  Our trials, though painful and heart-wrenching, are but temporary.  We are moving. on. through.  God will redeem everything.  He will restore.  This thing does not end here.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death... – Psalm 23:4

When I tuck my girls in bed at night I leave their door cracked.  I also leave the light on in the closet so that it’s not so dark in their room.  A couple weeks ago, I was called into their room.  I found them in the same bed staring at a shadow on the bedroom wall.  They wanted to know what it was because it looked like it could be a monster.

I explained to them that, although it did look scary, they did not have to be afraid because it was just a shadow. The truth, however, is that it can be scary in the shadows.  I take comfort in knowing that the shadow of death is all that we face.  He has delivered us so that we never face the real thing.  Death has been swallowed.  God has taken away the sting.

This thing called life is hard. It’s dang hard. Just remember that we are only passing through. Pain is real and there is no denying the hurt and heartbreak. But, we’re just living in the shadows.

Soon, we will see Him face to face.

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Stacy Edwards (@sjedwards) is a trucker’s daughter and a pastor’s wife. She is a freelance writer and a homeschooling mom to four fabulous little girls. Stacy blogs at Servant’s Life where she uses her words to point others to the hope and encouragement found in Christ. If you need her, she’s probably hiding in the bathroom.

A couple of years ago, I was in a car accident. I rear ended a Gutter Guard truck. In my defense, I was trying to put my drink from McDonald’s into my cup holder. I missed the cup holder and the cup began to fall so, without thinking, I reached with both hands to grab it. The next thing I knew I had airbag burn on my face. As they loaded my car onto the tow truck, all I could think of was that some poor mechanic was going to open the door and be buried alive in half eaten cheerios. I called my dad, who knowing very well the state of my vehicle, met me at the garage with a roll of big black trash bags. You know – the ones normally reserved for yard work and hauling dead bodies.

So, all of that to say, I didn’t have Internet so I now have a clean car. I know that story was positively riveting and you are now sitting on the edge of your seat awaiting my next tale. Yeah.

Sadly, I missed posting Mid-Week Links. I hate for y’all to miss out on the Internety goodness from this week. So, we will just have a little linky fun today. Shall we?

• Wednesday Brought The Thunder by Boo Mama (Oh my goodness, y’all! Sophie’s book is out!)
• You can take this to the bank by Big Mama (You’re gonna laugh. Seriously.)
• Worst End of School Year Mom Ever by Jen Hatmaker (I know this has been all over the Internet, but so, so funny.)
• How to feel at home in your house and your skin at A Holy Experience (This is a guest post by the fabulous Lisa-Jo Baker.)

Don’t let the linky post fool you! It’s not Wednesday – it’s Friday!

You are loved! Have a great weekend!

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Stacy Edwards (@sjedwards) is a trucker’s daughter and a pastor’s wife. She is a freelance writer and a homeschooling mom to four fabulous little girls. Stacy blogs at Servant’s Life where she uses her words to point others to the hope and encouragement found in Christ. If you need her, she’s probably hiding in the bathroom.

June 2013 Family Time Calendar

Proverbs 12:14 PDF

Joshua 1:9 PDF

Proverbs 14:26 PDF

I desperately wanted to be home with my babies. It was a desire that consumed most of my thoughts. I was convinced that everything would be better if I could just have that one thing. And that one thing? It became an idol in my heart.

Imagine my absolute delight when, after a decade of prayer, God opened a door for me to stay home. Suddenly, I was doing carpool and having play dates. I was baking cookies and staying in my pajamas on rainy mornings. I had my heart’s desire.

There is something about an idol, though. An idol lies and it never satisfies. I had focused on this one desire for so long. So, now what?

My life became comfy clothes and cartoons. My work peeps were gathering around coffee pots without me. I no longer was watching Survivor and no one was really interested in the latest adventures of Dora the Explorer. I had what I wanted and life was good. Yet, I was not satisfied.

I found myself holding the golden calf only to discover that it was a lie.

Anxiety began to set in. I couldn’t admit to anyone that I was not content. As much as I had cried over my desire to stay home, anything less than over the moon giddiness would make me look foolish.

There was a time in my life when I would sleep with my Bible under my pillow. I was so in love with Jesus and I just could not get enough. Sometimes, I would wake up in the middle of the night just to read a verse or two. I would write my own Bible studies and was constantly memorizing Scripture.

Christ was all I wanted and I was satisfied.

Somewhere along the way, however, “all I wanted” became Christ AND…

All I want is Christ and a boyfriend.

All I want is Christ and a good job.

All I want is Christ and an engagement ring.

All I want is Christ and a baby.

All I want is Christ and to be a stay-at-home mom.

All I want…

But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. - Revelation 2:4

I didn’t realize it but I was slowly abandoning my first love. An idol doesn’t kidnap you and drag you away. It lures, little by little. Before I knew it, I was a million miles away from the college girl with the Bible under her pillow.

Here’s the good news, though. Christ never abandons us. We can stop chasing the idols. We can return to our first love. He always wants us back.

 Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. – Revelation 2:5

• We must realize that we have strayed.
• We must repent of our infidelity.
• We must return to the lover of our soul.

Whatever it is that your heart longs for, if it isn’t Christ, it isn’t enough. An idol will promise satisfaction that it can not deliver. An idol will lure you away one lie at time.

He forgives all your sin;
He heals all your diseases.
He redeems your life from the Pit;
He crowns you with faithful love and compassion.
He satisfies you with goodness – Psalm 103:3-5

If you are struggling to find contentment and satisfaction, maybe you have been looking in the wrong places.

 (A few weeks ago, I posted this on my personal blog and it became the most shared post in my four years of blogging. Turns out, I’m not the only one who knows a little something about idols. Maybe you can relate, too?)

Whatever else this day brings your way, I pray you get a chance to see the Son.

• An Opportunity to See More Clearly at We are THAT family (“We can change someone else’s world…” I just love this post. That’s all I can say about it.)
• A Mile From Our Church at hope & a future (“The most dangerous place to be is nestled inside the cheap security of our own making.” That will preach, y’all.)
• The Loneliness of Transition at The High Calling (Because relationships don’t just happen.)
• Layers of Pain Require Levels of Healing by Jennifer Rothschild (We all know a little something about pain, don’t we?)

You are loved by the King!

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Stacy Edwards (@sjedwards) is a trucker’s daughter and a pastor’s wife. She is a freelance writer and a homeschooling mom to four fabulous little girls. Stacy blogs at Servant’s Life where she uses her words to point others to the hope and encouragement found in Christ. If you need her, she’s probably hiding in the bathroom.