It is 2:22am on a Sunday morning, and I have decided to start a blog - sounds crazy, right? Let me first explain why I am awake. I took several naps today since I have been feeling pretty awful for the last 3 days with fever, chills, muscle aches, and a sore throat. About 8pm last night, I started feeling much better, and now I have so much energy that I cannot sleep. I'm sure I will regret not going to bed earlier in the morning. So on to why I am starting this blog. Well, if you know me well, then you know I am not very outspoken and I am a pretty private person in general. I have always considered myself to have pretty "deep thoughts," but I rarely share them, and I have not been able to successfully keep a physical journal (although I have tried numerous times). I have also been thinking a lot about how God can use my life and my experiences to help and inspire other people. Then it just occurred to me that I should start a blog that I can share my faith, my struggles, and my spiritual journey. I will also mix in some of my personal life, my favorite things, and just random thoughts that I think others might find interesting. The name of my blog pretty much speaks for itself. If I can inspire just one person out there or even cheer up someone's day, then my goal in writing this blog will be accomplished. I cannot promise to blog daily or even weekly, but I will try to blog at my own pace and see how things go.
Before I tried to go to bed (which was several hours ago), I was reading the book Grace Based Parenting by Dr. Tim Kimmell. I only read the first chapter, but it really blew my mind. I have only been a parent for a short 9 months, but I constantly feel like I am doing this parenting thing wrong. I ordered this book after recommendations from friends and my church, and I have already been inspired after reading the first chapter. Here's some things that stood out while I was reading.
- "You've been handed a piece of history in advance- a gracious gift you send to a time you will not see- and you play the biggest role in how that history will ultimately be recorded."
- "The real test of a parenting model is how well equipped the children are to move into adulthood as vital members of the human race."
- "The primary word that defines how God deals with His children is grace."
- The 3 driving inner needs a child is born with are a need for security, a need for significance, and a need for strength.
- The way to meet these needs is by giving your children 3 valuable gifts: love, purpose, and hope.
I can only pray that I parent my daughter with grace as she grows up. When I have a rough day or am having a hard time seeing past the present situation (which is more often than I'd like to admit), I just need to remember the word grace. God gave me this beautiful child as a gift, and I can raise her up to seek glory for herself or to bring glory to God. Of course, I hope for the latter.
Well, I am feeling tired now so I am heading to bed. My first blog post is finished!!!!
