A Journey through Summer

I handed over my mom hat this evening, resigning my position as mom. I no longer felt qualified for the position.  Simple tasks had been failed.  Errors made. I gave up. And then I took it back again and got some dinner and left to pick up a child from his activity.  My husband offered to do it, but I needed to make it right. While fuming at myself earlier in the car , I realized I was the only one there judging me.  I tried to take a look at the big picture.  Some good did happen today. Some grace had been offered and received. Take another breath. Sigh. The car in front of me has a sticker of the Cross by it's license plate. Suddenly the lyrics of an old hymn come to mind. "Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to the place where Christ had died.  Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord to His precious bleeding side." God's grace was biggest in His worst moments of death.  I need to remember that it's also true that in my worst moments, His grace is e

There are still about a dozen days of summer before autumn makes its official appearance.   Even so, there has already been a chill in the air during these last few days of summer. One could blame the recent hurricanes for the chill in the weather, but there is another kind of chill creeping in. My daughter sought warmth this morning with her winter coat.   Not until she actually tested the temperature herself, did she believe that a light jacket will suffice.   My body felt tinged with cold yesterday and today.   A battle of the air conditioner against the cold temperatures outside; the house just could not feel warm.   But there was another kind of coldness as well. The summer warmth of time spent together at a relaxed paced has crept away as the busy schedules of school, homework, interviews, and appointments crowded in over the past month. I find myself drawn into the role of student.   I am reading three books at once, with two others calling for my