There are certain phrases I never expected to hear myself say. Things like:
No, you may not color on the wall with chalk, but thank you for asking first.
You went potty? Where did it go?
You can’t have a marshmallow peep until you finish your cinnamon roll.
If you slam that door one more time I will remove it.
There comes a certain point in every woman’s life where her need for a sisterhood is stronger than ever. It’s not always motherhood, though that was the first season in my life where I found myself craving a community who understood what I was going through. I wanted another woman who could walk into my crazy chaotic house and not expect me to be a hostess. I needed those women in my life who knew where I kept my coffee cups, would be willing to walk over the piles of laundry in the floor to get to the coffee maker that was probably out of water, dig in my cabinets for everything they needed, then barely glance awkwardly as the dust bunnies threatened to swarm around their feet like little fuzzy tumbleweeds.
We want those friends in our lives, the ones who visit us in our mess but refuse to leave us there. The ones who keep calling, emailing, checking in long after they’ve realized that we’re possibly the worst ever at returning a message. But sometimes we get stuck in our rut of the day-to-day ordinary and it feels like we never have time to do anything but the wake up – drop off – clean up – go to work – pick up – put to bed cycle. And maybe somewhere in there we start to take life a little too seriously, as the dust bunnies form an attack squad and you forget how to laugh because “laughing” didn’t make it on to our to-do list for the day.
Let’s add some new items to our “to do” lists this year. Let’s search for joy in the midst of the day-to-day, and when we need girlfriends and community that will hug us and love us straight out of that pit, let’s be the women who gather our tribes together. Laughter and joy are good for our hearts.
Proverbs 17:22 says “A joyful heart is good medicine”
Zephaniah 3:17 says “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.”
Joy is good. Laughter is healing. And there is always, hidden down under the mess – something beautiful.
Let’s be women who seek joy, who face the day with laughter, and who find purpose in gathering together in real life with other women to share life.
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In case you need a reason to get together with some girlfriends and laugh, we just love Moms’ Night Out. Hilarious, heartwarming, and a great reason to gather with your new (in)RL friends for a girls’ night!
About Moms’ Night Out: All Allyson (a blogger who happens to write for a website near & dear to our own hearts!) and her friends want is a peaceful, grown-up evening of dinner and conversation . . . a long-needed moms’ night out. But in order to enjoy high heels, adult conversation and food not served in a paper bag, they need their husbands to watch the kids for three hours—what could go wrong? MOMS’ NIGHT OUT is an endearing true-to-life family comedy that celebrates the beautiful mess called parenting.
Yup. I used to not have any real girlfriends and I prayed and prayed until the Lord sent me one. Now I think she and the other girls He has brought me since are the best thing ever! I’m so grateful for them!
I just love that – we pray for so many things but I get stuck thinking I should be able to make friends all on my own. What a blessing to have God answer that prayer in such a beautiful way for you!
I just love that – we pray for so many things but I get stuck thinking I should be able to make friends all on my own. What a blessing to have God answer that prayer in such a beautiful way for you!
I believe God is answering my prayer for relationships in this new place and (in)RL was a great part of that! I showed the trailer for Mom’s Night Out at our gathering and we are planning an outing as soon as it comes to our small town. Can’t wait!! Laughter really is the best medicine sometimes.
I already have a date circled on the calendar to go see it with a friend 🙂 We’ll make a “mom’s day” of it instead of night since our kiddos will already be in school!
I already have a date circled on the calendar to go see it with a friend 🙂 We’ll make a “mom’s day” of it instead of night since our kiddos will already be in school!
Crystal,
I could use a good laugh…I’ll have to check this movie out! Thanks for reminding us how important and necessary it is to add a good dose of levity to our lives! And what better way than to do it with a friend 🙂
Blessings,
Bev
Crystal,
I could use a good laugh…I’ll have to check this movie out! Thanks for reminding us how important and necessary it is to add a good dose of levity to our lives! And what better way than to do it with a friend 🙂
Blessings,
Bev
Oh yes, laughter is healing medicine. I remind myself not to take life too seriously when I get into a rut. Laughter adds joy, fun, and perspective to life. Thanks.
I am going to see it with a group of ladies from our local Christian radio station. My friend also wrote the devotional book that goes along with the movie. I am so excited and happy for her and can’t wait to see how God uses this to encourage moms.
Hi! I am a stay-at-home mom with little ones, and I don’t really have many opportunities to make friendships. I am not saying that I don’t have friends, but my best friends are girls I went to college with and we all now live in different states. I need to pray that God gives me opportunity for community. Thank you for sharing your heart Crystal.
Laughter is important in any stage of life! I guess lately I’ve taken life to seriously with my aging dad in hospital, rehab, etc. He has finally settled back down at his assisted living.
Now my sisters and I can get back to our day to day lives of working, & running households. I need laughter desperately as I seem to have lost my joy & zest for life. My job is something I don’t care for anymore, but it is a good job. In this economy I can’t look a gift horse in the mouth!
Perhaps in a few weeks when women from my church and other churches around the country gather in Sevierville, TN at Johnson Bible University for a Women’s retreat. I look forward to this every year. It is my time to be with women, talk with and really get to know the women of my church intimately.
Blessings 🙂
Laughter is important in any stage of life! I guess lately I’ve taken life to seriously with my aging dad in hospital, rehab, etc. He has finally settled back down at his assisted living.
Now my sisters and I can get back to our day to day lives of working, & running households. I need laughter desperately as I seem to have lost my joy & zest for life. My job is something I don’t care for anymore, but it is a good job. In this economy I can’t look a gift horse in the mouth!
Perhaps in a few weeks when women from my church and other churches around the country gather in Sevierville, TN at Johnson Bible University for a Women’s retreat. I look forward to this every year. It is my time to be with women, talk with and really get to know the women of my church intimately.
Blessings 🙂
Cant wait to see it.