Yesterday I wrote my monthly love note to my family.
The last day of each month, or soon there after, I write a blog post to my husband and two children, and I share my heart through my words. I enjoy writing these monthly posts. My only regret is not starting it sooner.
Even though our kids are grown, I still believe it’s important to let them know in this tangible way how much their momma loves them. It’s also a way I can bless my husband and show him appreciation and love. God has knit us four together in a very special way, and my desire is to do all I can to support that strong bond. My monthly love note is one way I do that.
One might think our lives are perfect in reading these notes. It may appear as if we have the ideal family. One who has everything going for them. Who is happy all the time. Who is gliding along in life with no hiccups, bumps in the road, or detours. The smiles in the photos I include may make others think everything is just fine. Perfectly fine. Well, friend, allow me set the record straight.
Life isn’t perfect over here.
Our home was built by Bill’s family, and maybe that’s why it’s felt like home since the first day we moved in thirteen years ago. It’s a perfect-sized house in “the country,” and it’s peaceful here. We can see for miles in most every direction.
Inside, we don’t have the newest furniture, appliances, or gadgets. We’ve never had cable t.v. (I know, crazy, right!?), and you won’t find a t.v. in any of our bedrooms. We’ve chosen our bedrooms to be places of rest, free from television’s influence.
You might find a basket-full of ready-to-fold laundry where it doesn’t belong, or six pairs of shoes on the rug inside the front door. There could be hand prints on the inside of the windows, and paw prints from the farm cats on the outside.
Our son’s bathroom might be a mess (I have stories!!), and if you’d walk into our bedroom right now, you’d find a couple piles of clothes needing to find their home in drawers.
No, life isn’t perfect.
I can get critical and grumpy. I can bury myself easily in my work and writing. I’m not a great cook. I can be over-protective of my adult children, and can drive them crazy in my mothering ways.
My husband and I don’t always see eye-to-eye. We might disagree in front of the kids. We might take picking on each other one step too far. We’ve even been known to go a day without speaking to each other.
Our children aren’t angels. They’ve messed up like the rest of us. They’ve struggled in their faith. They’ve made poor choices. They’ve hurt each other, and have disappointed themselves and their parents.
We irritate each other. We’ve rolled our eyes at each other. We’ve been selfish and prideful.
Even if photos may display it, life isn’t perfect.
But we take God at His word over here. We read it. Pray it. Stand by it. Trust it. We love each other unconditionally. We give second (and third and fourth and….) chances. We apologize. We forgive. We encourage. We support. We show up. We laugh together. We cry together. We spend time doing life together.
And we try to keep God in the center.
Life isn’t perfect, but God Who’s in the center of it all is.
So, friend, may you be encouraged today if your life isn’t perfect either. You’re in good company.
We’ll keep living this imperfect life. We’ll continue to trust God as we do. We’ll smile for the camera, even if life isn’t perfect. And we’ll love each other along the way.
We’ll continue doing life together. That’s family. That’s us. And, I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Much love,
Julie
Linking this post with Crystal for #IntentionalTuesday, Holly for #TestimonyTuesday, and Kelly for #RaRaLinkup.
Julie, I’m over here waving my hand high. No perfection going on over here. But yes, we take God at His Word and we put our trust in it, rely on it and do what we can to honor Him amidst the imperfection of who we are. So thankful for Jesus! Beautiful post, Julie!
You said it (or wrote it), Micah… So thankful for Jesus! Thanks for being here and for sharing your thoughts. Glad we get to do life together! Blessings, friend.
Life is indeed not perfect. Love this friend!
Thanks, friend! Glad we can live imperfect lives together. Blessings!
Julie, we don’t have cable tv either! Crazy is right! Thanks for the encouragement, friend. It’s easy to get caught up thinking everyone but me has a perfect life. But we do stand by God’s word!
There’s two of us in the world without cable! I pray I never “appear” to have a perfect life. May we keep pointing to Him, my friend. You are a gift!! Much love to you today.
Julie, It has not crossed my thoughts that you or your family are perfect. You are so real, honest, vulnerable, in most, if not all, of your posts. Your family write-ups are love being poured from your heart to them. Every time. Those posts make me smile and remind me to not take my loved ones for granted.
Oh, Kim. Thank you. You are so sweet. I pray one of these days we’ll meet in real life! Hope you are doing well, and are enjoying the season. Bless you, wonderful friend.
Thank you…..this is so true of our family. Your blog was so encouraging. I love the idea o writing encouraging and loving
notes to your adult children.
Just writing a letter to my 3 grown, married,now young parents……..entitled ” Why we are not Perfect Parent’s”
Ending is………if we were , they would not seek the perfect parent which is God.
Teresa, you have the answer to all of our imperfections. Thank you for that! Seeking God today with you. Thanks so much for being here! Bless you.