GinaMcClain.com

Sometimes I’m slow on the uptake.  It takes me longer to figure things out about myself.

A few years ago I shared lunch with a friend.  I distinctly remember the conversation on the return trip to the office.  She said,

God speaks to me in the wind.

Though I’m not a fan of wind… I found that statement intriguing.

She went on to describe how she loved the wind.  One of her favorite things is when a random breezes rushed past her.  She learned to recognize that every time she sought out the Lord asking Him to reveal Himself… the wind blew.  As she sees it… this is His way of reminding her of His presence and provision.

Not long after that another friend referenced a similar reminder, yet with birds.

I’ve always found that interesting.  Mostly because I love the idea that one could recognize how God specifically connects through something so common as nature.

Yet scripture clearly states that God reveals Himself over and over through His creation.  Romans 1:20 So, I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that He could be so intentionally specific.

Recently I realized that my piece of nature is trees.

I love trees.  I love the idea that a tree can have a root system as deep as the branches are high.  In fact, a sturdy, healthy tree has more to do with what’s happening underground than what we see above ground.

Psalm 1:3 is my favorite scripture.  Always drawn to the concept that if I am that tree sitting by the stream then my leaves will always be green and I will bear fruit in the proper seasons.  It’s a perfect picture of what my life with Jesus can look like.  How health and fruit can be the tone of my life… yet all of it dependent on rooting myself deeply into the soil by that stream.

He speaks to me in the trees.  Something I see everyday.  Yet no matter how often… they have yet to be common.  Every sighting reminds me of His presence and provision in my life alone.

I love that He works that way.

I hate public meltdowns.

In the two weeks we’ve lived in Knoxville two of my three kids have suffered from chronic morning meltdowns.  It seems no matter the routine, something provokes a complete loss of sanity.  Anything from sock seams to pigtails to cereal… these kids are easily provoked.

Though I know much of it is stress from our recent move, it’s still not. fun.

It’s one thing for the meltdown to take place inside my home.  It’s a “whole-nutha’ Oprah” when it takes place in the parking of our apartment…. or the school drop-off lane… or Wal-Mart.

It seems the public meltdown is far more stressful.  It’s all the stress of a meltdown… with an audience to boot.

For those that think me the perfect mom, all I have to say is, “Whatev!”  So. not. perfect.

Maybe perfectly broken.

I hate the meltdowns.  but I work through them.

I hate the audience.  but I can’t help that.

I love the brokenness.  only b/c I know that within that is a God with Strength greater than my own.

Give a parent some grace… public meltdowns are a reality.  Share the love, not the judgment.

The past 3 weeks I’ve been living as a single mom.

It’s a new experience.  And I have a fresh appreciation for those that raise kids on their own.

Hats off to you.

Tomorrow night Kyle arrives in Knoxville.  praiseJesusthanktheLordcanIgetawitness

But as I scan the bedroom tonight I realize that I need to make room for my hubs.

Over the past few weeks I’ve grown used to having the master bedroom to myself.  From the bathroom counters to the dresser top to the desk… it seems I’ve consumed this living space without struggle.

I may need to open some space for the hubs to live here too… seeing as how he’s on his way.

And I’m excited about that.