11th Grade Soccer Awards Banquet for Spring Lake High School (11/5/26)
I wanted to have a pity party for myself the other day, I really did. It was while I was out trying to fit in a quick walk before heading out to one of our sons’ athletic awards ceremonies.
All was going as planned until it wasn’t. Our other sons’ practice was supposed to let out at a certain time but was now running over which threw things out of whack with our schedule for the night. Now, instead of getting to the awards ceremony on time (finally), more than likely, we’d be getting there a few minutes late (again) and I just wanted to feel sorry for myself about it.
I know it seems silly but to me it was a real emotion.
We celebrated our oldest boys 30th birthday with a dinner out. (11/3/96)
While I quickly sped-walked around the farm trying to focus on some self-care, all I could think about was how hard it’s been to manage the load we’re carrying.
Even us going to the sports award ceremony meant that we’d be letting our daughter down because we’d be missing her indoor soccer game.
My thoughts quickly focused on how unfair it is that our kids don’t go to the school district we live in and how challenging that has been for us as a blended family. Not only do they not go to school where we live, heck, they don’t even go to the same school or play for the same sports leagues either.
Sunday Afternoon MFA Soccer Game (11/8/26)
Two days later, I was on the phone with a dear friend who also has a blended family. She was sharing her heart and pains with me and while I listened, I could so relate.
Isn’t it just like the enemy to make you feel sorry for yourself and the hard things you travel through. Isn’t it just like him to make you feel like you’re the only one who is experiencing the things you are.
She didn’t need advice.
She just needed a friend who could listen to her share her understandable pain.
I heard her question what she’d done wrong to have to feel the pain she feels and walk the road she’s walking, and the truth is, she’s done nothing wrong. Her pain is just an indication of how real her love for her family is.
Choosing to love means you run the risk of being hurt repeatedly.
A beautiful fall day at the DeBrot farm in Hesperia with David and Andrew (10/28/26)
As I’ve sat with my emotions and contemplated the conversation I had with my friend, I felt God whisper to me this scripture:
“When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required”
Instead of focusing on how often I’m letting someone down or how unfair it is that I’m having to walk this painful journey as a blended family, I could jeopardize what more God may have in store down the road.
The truth is, the Lord has entrusted me (us) with so much. So many hearts to nurture and love. So many opportunities to be present in the place and position He’s put me in for those moments that I’m there.
Jude’s First Basketball Game with Spring Lake Middle School (11/4/26). He made the first basket, and a 3 pointer at that.
If I’m constantly living with regret and giving into the feelings of defeat, I will never be able to be all that our family needs for me to be for them. They will always be getting only a fraction of who I’m really capable of being for them.
Because here’s the deal. My plate is only going to be enlarging. There will be more babies in our family to love, neighbors and coworkers to get to know, strangers to smile at, responsibilities around the farm that will need my attention. And somehow God has been and will continue to go before me to prepare me for every seat I’ll sit in when I’m there.
I want to show up fully present every time even if that means that Even More Will Be Required of Me.
Celebrating milestones together. (11/7/26)
Oh Lord, teach me how to sit with you more often in the stillness to know and understand all You have created for me to be.