Tag: faith

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While: Five Minute Friday

The Ameri Brit Mom6 Comments

It’s been a while since I last joined my Five Minute Friday community. The fall is such a busy time for our family and so each moment to pause and write seems like a fleck of gold in a sea of rushing waters. This week our prompt is While.

While I have been away my heart has grown and stretched.

I’ve opened up to new ideas and experienced some rest.

I wrestled with God and like Jacob left injured and blessed-

All because I listened and took the time to invest.

While I’ve been away I embraced the beauty of the fall.

Like the gorgeous leaves now dropping, I learned the beauty in the raw.

I let my heart bleed on the pages as my pen moved with each scrawl.

With tears down my cheek, I learned to live by following the call.

While I’ve been away family has been my priority.

The time we have together is the most precious thing to me.

On this journey together, I hope to never miss a scene.

Because their hearts are golden like the flecks in a rushing sea.

While I’ve been away I’ve listened, fasted, and prayed.

I’ve let the Lord direct my steps and not always known the way.

Through faith I’m learning that tough questions are always okay.

My God can handle the wrestling match in order to build my faith.

The Ameri Brit Mom

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Remember God: A Book Review

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photo credit: Amazon

Title: Remember God

Author: Annie F. Downs

Publisher: B & H Books

Copyright: 2018

Author Annie F. Downs is raw and witty in this retelling of a year in her journey to discover the answer to the question: Is God kind?

Beginning with her initial disappointment of being single in her mid-thirties, Annie sets out to embrace her friend’s prophetic word-of-the-year: Love. Over the course of the next twelve months, Annie grows closer to the God who provides for his sheep. She leans into her friend’s prayer and begins the year ready to close this chapter of singlehood.

As the year passes and Annie’s prospects are unchanging she wrestles with God and whether or not he is kind. How could a God who knows the desires of our hearts keep us in a state of wanting for so long? Can he possibly be kind?

Annie brings her readers on a journey of fasting, prayer, heartache, excitement, disappointment, and healing as she seeks out God in the process. This isn’t a book with a nice tidy ending (or overall structure for that matter), but it is one that reminds us that God is in control of the details and our understanding of kindness is so limited by a world that defines it by standards that don’t align to God’s.

In these pages I wrestled with what kindness means and how I react to God not providing in the ways I expect. As Annie lamented over her unfulfilled wishes I walked alongside her and spoke my own disappointments to God. I was also reminded that He shows up in the unexpected, and so I began to search for God everywhere. When life changes, so do our relationships with God. And each of us should remember to celebrate what we have instead of mourning what we do not.

And above all else…we remember God even when the end of the story (or year) doesn’t have the neat and tidy ending.

This was my first time reading anything by Annie F. Downs (although my husband enjoys her books a lot.) I picked this book up while walking through my own season of disappointment, and through the reading I felt as though this journey was not something I was on alone. In my most vulnerable moments I felt a connection to the honest words of the author that reminded me that what I see as the resolution to the story may not be God’s and I have to learn to accept that. What I see as provision may not be God’s plan and I need to trust Him.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a memoir like this. How refreshing it is to join in another’s human experience and to realize I’m not the only one who wrestles with these thoughts and disappointments. And at the end of it all–God is kind.

Check out my Goodreads account to see what else I’m reading!

The Ameri Brit Mom

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Become: Five Minute Friday

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It’s been a busy week in our household. Parent-Teacher conferences, field trips, sickness, and family commitments have made us into some busy people. I am so happy to be sitting down to write with my Five Minute Friday community this morning before kicking off a weekend that is equally as busy as my week. As I pour my coffee and settle into my favorite writing spot, I am excited to share with you about this week’s topic: become.

I struggled this summer. Mentally I wasn’t always in a great place and I found it difficult to cope with some things going on in my personal life (and in the lives of those close to me.) I felt off-balance and did not take enough time to cultivate ME. Reminders of aging plagued me and left me wishing to rewind the clock. All along, my faith took a backseat ride and some days lost its spot in the car altogether.

I am trying to pick up the pieces, but I also must remember that I cannot become some past version of myself. Today, I am different than I was yesterday and as a healthy adult I should be evolving in this way. Some days I find myself trying to reclaim the faith of a twenty-something, but I must remember that with age and experience come new beliefs and challenges.

The Lauren of my twenties is gone. I must stop mourning her. I am older, wiser, more confident, and self aware. Lately, I am much better at articulating my opinions. I am close to a few, but friendly to just about anyone. I am obsessed with family. My friends are important, but we are busy and respect that we are traveling our own paths that intersect from time to time. My faith is evolving alongside my personal growth to reflect all I have learned over time.

I value comfort over fashion. Books are my favorite escape. Nothing beats a chat, a couple of glasses of wine, and a patio watching a sunset. Coffee will always be my beverage of choice (it must be hot and black before noon-then I might consider an iced coffee.) Candles and yoga keep me grounded and I’ve developed a bit of ADD which leaves me notoriously forgetful.

This is the Lauren I have become.

The Ameri Brit Mom

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View: Five Minute Friday

The Ameri Brit Mom7 Comments

I made it to the end of my first week of school! It’s been exhausting, but so rewarding. I can already tell this year’s students are going to be a lot of fun. So far, 100% of them have participated and that type of engagement is hard to come by in a high school classroom. I’m counting that as a win!

This week, I am joining the Five Minute Friday link-up and our prompt is View.

A sunset view out of a window. The colors are vibrant and beautiful.

I have a dear friend who is suffering. Watching her wrestle with ailments and health issues at such a young age is breaking my heart. My view of the impact this is having on her reveals only a fraction of what it is like to live with these symptoms. She is living with the cloud of a diagnosis weighing on every thought and decision. I cannot imagine how that kind of weight feels.

But for me…

Fear is a very tangible feeling right now. It is heavy. It is thick. It is in my mind constantly no matter how much I try to ignore it. I try to change my point of view, but the shadow of fear is still there.

This week is crucial. And as we wait for a diagnosis and we pray for the best, I have faith that whatever is ahead can be conquered. I’m choosing to have hope despite all odds. That doesn’t mean that fear is absent, but it does mean that I choose to view this journey as just a detour.

The road is still in view ahead and there is much to still be traveled.

*Please join me this week in sending thoughts and prayers to my amazing friend!

The Ameri Brit Mom

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Deserve: Five Minute Friday

The Ameri Brit Mom4 Comments

Happy Friday!

Today, I am joining writers from all over the world for a Five Minute Friday link-up. For today’s link-up we are all writing on the common theme: Deserve.

We are still in England today and finally out of our required quarantine!

Since we were locked down on Father’s Day, we decided to treat my husband to a day out today because he deserves more than a day locked indoors to celebrate his paternal skills and dedication.

I took the girls into town early this morning and we purchased my husband a nice Parker pen (the quintessential writing utensil for all posh Englishmen). Next, we caught a train all together to Southampton. While in the city, we treated my husband to a cream tea lunch at a very nice tea room.

Lastly, we walked around West Quay, the city center and shopping area for Southampton. Overall, it was a fun day out as a family celebrating a man who deserves the world for all of the love and sacrifices he makes for us!

The Ameri Brit Mom

Faith · Family · Uncategorized

Where: Five Minute Friday

The Ameri Brit Mom5 Comments

I’m snowed in for another day in Ohio. I would be going stir crazy if it wasn’t for the week I’ve had. Today I am thankful for more time at home.

On Tuesday I awoke to my 11 month old having a seizure.

SCARIEST FIVE MINUTES OF MY LIFE!

The moments that followed her seizure were even scarier than the event itself. She laid unresponsive on the floor and police officers, paramedics, and firemen paraded into my home. Nothing can prepare you for moments like this.

God was with us that day. She spent most of the day resting in the hospital and slowly coming back around. She was diagnosed with febrile seizures which were caused by the onset of a fever. We didn’t even know she was sick! The thing with these seizures is that oftentimes the episode is the first indication that something is wrong.

So, yes, I am counting my blessings on snow day #6. I’m happy to be home with my babies and to have my baby girl back to herself.

For my Five Minute Friday post I am writing a poem of thankfulness for God’s peace through all that I experienced this week. To join the FMF community or to check out their posts be sure to check out the site. This week the prompt is Where.

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In the middle of the battle you were there

Wrapping me in your arms of care.

Time stood still and I was scared,

But You were everywhere.

You brought peace and healing

In Moments when my heart was reeling.

 Hopelessness was all I was feeling.

Thank you, Lord, for intervening.

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The Ameri Brit Mom

 

 

 

Faith · Family

Cookies for Kairos

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Serving alongside my family is one of my favorite things to do. Over the past week I’ve had several opportunities to work in the kitchen with both my true family and church family.

Since last Sunday I’ve been blessed to be a part of the process of baking close to 200 dozen cookies for the Kairos Prison Ministry. Our church is sending several representatives to a local prison where the gospel will be shared with inmates. That program involves sharing homemade cookies with those they visit. In the process of baking I learned so much about the Kairos ministry.

You get to know people even better when you are rubbing elbows with them in the kitchen. But even all those cookies later I am convinced that God is blessing our congregation with amazing people at Village Chapel.

The first 70 dozen I helped with was alongside the youth group. Watching a group of high schoolers sacrificing their time moved me. They worked together better than most adults and they kept themselves motivated with mini competitions and games.

I was able to witness God’s love being spread through the simple act of cookie baking. What may seem like a small luxury to us can make a lifelong impact in the life of someone else. I will be in prayer over the next few weeks for those participating in this ministry opportunity.

Be sure to check out more about Kairos Prison Ministry

The Ameri Brit Mom

Faith · Uncategorized

Influence: Five Minute Friday

The Ameri Brit Mom1 Comment

I’m joining the weekly link-up at Five Minute Friday today. Each week we respond to a common prompt and encourage one another as writers who share our words with the world. This week our prompt is Influence.

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This year I’ve been working to refocus my writing goals. I’ve been influenced by bloggers I follow, authors I love, and programs like the DIY MFA. All of these things mixed with my passion for the written word have culminated in my plans for writing in 2019. I want to write boldly and with a confidence that is unshakable. After all, writing for me has never been about receiving anything, but rather it is about giving what is inside me life on the page (or screen.)

I have started working through the starter kit from DIY MFA which is a FREE program designed to provide subscribers with opportunities which mimic an MFA program. One quote that they sent me which has inspired me to focus my writing is…

“If there is a book you want to read but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” -Toni Morrison

I am praying that this year I will grow as a writer and be able to influence others in a positive way. I am praying that the book lurking in some corner of my mind will gain wings and soar. I am praying for a community of readers who will encourage me in this quest. Lastly, I am praying for God’s influence to be evident in every word, post, and book that is crafted by my hands. To Him be the glory!

The Ameri Brit Mom

Faith · Uncategorized

Balance: Five Minute Friday

The Ameri Brit Mom1 Comment

It’s a chilly Friday night in Ohio and I’m bundled up in my fluffy robe, fuzzy socks, and fleece blanket. This was one of those weeks that lingered beyond its welcome. Tuesday felt like Friday and each day thereafter was salt in the wound. I’m so glad to jump in on this Five Minute Friday because I’m in need of my community of writers tonight. I love plugging in and spending time in this group of encouragers. This week our prompt is Balance (how ironic!).

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Balance is one of those myths that we tell ourselves so that we believe that we will conquer chaos. Maybe I’m wrong and true balance does exist, but I feel like every time I take a step toward finding that perfect equation I get knocked off course. Part of me wants to believe that at some point I will realize that balance was there all along waiting for me to grasp. Another part of me is skeptical to its existence.

The problem is that I’m trying to balance way too many things.

Faith.

Family.

Friends.

Work.

Exercise.

Writing.

Etc…

The truth is that I cannot balance it all on my own. I go through seasons where I spend more energy in one area of my life than another. That’s the reality of balance. It’s an ever-changing concept. It’s a sliding scale. And the zen version of balance I’ve created in my mind is a pipe dream.

Balance is living each moment according to God’s plan. It’s listening to his direction and following his instruction.

Balance is saying “no” to myself and letting God take the lead. I’ll never achieve balance apart from Christ. Only He is both the Alpha and Omega.

He alone can make it work.

So for now I will rest in the knowledge that my life is in His hands. It isn’t up to me to find that balance. The only way I can overcome the chaos is through surrendering to God.

The Ameri Brit Mom

 

Faith · Family · Uncategorized

The Faith of a Child

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Last Sunday as we were headed home from church my oldest daughter and I somehow landed on the topic of baptism. On a few occasions she witnessed others within our church as they declared to the congregation their new life in Christ. Her curious mind probed my husband and I, but before long she lit up and said, “I want to be baptized.”

I was so proud of her decision. The fact that she could articulate the purpose of baptism at six years old is unfathomable to me. She’s a girl on fire for Jesus!

Yesterday our church celebrated her baptism along with several friends and family. The entire children’s program also came in so they could support her. After she came out of the water she was all smiles and shivers.

I’m so proud of the way she has chased after Jesus.

On October 3rd she prayed and accepted Jesus, but he was active in her life long before that. Her heart is evidence of that. She has a beautiful soul and is kind to everyone.

God has big plans for her.

The Ameri Brit Mom