THE AWKWARD MOM

because uncomfortable conversations are the ones worth having

Tag: humility (page 1 of 3)

Humility: The Emotionally-Healthy Kids Series

Reading Time: 6 minutes

humility

Note from Janel: I’m trying this new series on for size–on raising emotionally-healthy kids. We’ll start with something that would make our nation look markedly different if it defined us, our leaders: Humility.

No, this is not because I actually think I have arrived or have everything you need to know. This site is about having the conversations we need to have. read more

Me, Overfunctioning: 3 Bad Things It’s Teaching My Kids

Reading Time: 5 minutes

overfunctioning

So over here, school has started again. I may have subconsciously avoided my boys’ room this morning, which at last sight looked like someone flipped it upside down and shook it. My daughter’s room was pretty similar as she rushed out the door. Hers just smells better.

What I want to do? Overfunction just a little. read more

Another Reason to Look Your Regrets in the Face

Reading Time: 4 minutes

It’s been almost twenty years, but I thought about it again this morning. I was unloading the dishwasher.

You need to know that if I tell you this, you may not like or respect me as much. So I guess I’m okay with that. (I’m trying to take this dead bishop’s advice about embracing my weaknesses, faults, and imperfections.)

What I should also tell you: In college, I was a bit of a manipulator. And I had absolutely no idea.

Blessed are the “Middle Class in Spirit”? An Infographic on Coming to God as a Child

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The other night after small group, I experienced the cutest thing all week: The daughter of one of our members—who, when she wears pigtails, reminds me of a blonde, blue-eyed version of Boo from Monsters Inc. Our host home had The Most Patient Cat in the World, who allowed Boo to exclaim in her sweet little voice over all of his main body parts, touching as she went: “TAIL!” “EYES!” “FACE!” about 546 times. We watched said cat for an entire half hour.

She was disarming, delightful, and chock-full of sheer happiness. She was adorably undignified, openly affectionate.

I’ve been thinking about how God wants us to come to him like Boo—no. Actually, requires we come somehow like her. read more

The Day I Found a Friend’s Flaw

Reading Time: 2 minutes

It was in a passing conversation, see. Finally all the dots were connected, and I knew. I realized what her pet sin was. It was probably one she didn’t even see as I saw, considering just how conniving and blinding these tend to be.

But what’s telling is this: For at least 24 hours, I did not feel compassion for her. I didn’t pray for her. I didn’t use it to understand her more. I didn’t use it to examine my life for my own corrosive habits.

Look What I Did! On an Illusion of Spiritual Achievement

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Okay, it’s weird to admit this. But there’s an element of living in Africa, being a missionary and all that (or “working in development,” depending on your angle), which if dropped casually in the right circles, instantly hands one to a crumb of celebrity status. And it was really a cool job, y’know? And it made me really…happy. But I did a lot of exceedingly normal things over there. I shopped for a lot of groceries. Disciplined/schooled a lot of kids (well. Mine, anyway). I slept for about one-third of the time.

But can I be honest for a minute?

The Pitfalls of Being a “Good Example”

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Squirreled away in my attic somewhere you’ll find a handful of my spiral notebooks from college. I covered them with brown paper back then; pasted colorful collages of magazine photos on the outside, sometimes with handwriting in black ink edging the photos. I was an assiduous note-taker during all those college chapels. Didn’t want to miss a thing. (Which has its advantages, though I could have stood to be a bit more discerning.) I still vaguely remember one of the lines my mind latched on to: something about letting our lives be an example for others.

And we see that all over in Scripture, right? The city on a hill. Paul’s words to be wise in the way you behave toward outsiders.

But the other day on a blog, I read a question parents were to pose to their kids in times of discipline: Are you being a good example? I gotta admit. I cringed at that one a little bit. Honestly, it’s probably a fine question. But my mind flew back to that line in my notebook. I remember reading it years later and thinking, I got that one wrong. 

Freebie Fridays: Practical Tips on Humility from a Dead Bishop [INFOGRAPHIC]

Reading Time: < 1 minute

This week, I’ve been thinking a lot about humility, as you can see in this post on staying humble when you shine.

I’ve gleaned a ton of great practical thoughts on this from Jeremy Taylor, a guy born over 400 years ago. This guy (1613-1667) was a chaplain to Charles I and a prolific, vivid author with keen insight into human behavior.

I’ve paraphrased some of his practical tips for all of us. (Believe it or not, you can read him on your Kindle for .99--but I like the abbreviated version in this devotional I love.) Check out his wisdom–and print it out if you want!
PRINT IT HERE!  read more

Shine: “What’s humility look like when I’m crushing it?”

Reading Time: 4 minutes

It’s a classic moment in our family lore, though I rightfully roll my eyes when it’s retold. (Again.)

Before my husband was even my boyfriend, there was this potentially lovely moment when he disclosed his intentions. That’s right. He was actually doing what we want young men to do: Speaking plainly (there is no other way for my husband). Not playing games.

So imagine a spring night in the South, us just having returned from coffee on campus. We’ve come to a stop at the door to my dorm. read more

Self-deprecation–and other “stupid” thoughts

Reading Time: 4 minutes

self-deprecation and other "stupid" thoughtsMy friend gazed at me through FaceTime, a kind smile on her face. “I just want to let you know that I just counted you saying the word ‘stupid’ six times when talking about yourself.”

Yikes.

She grinned. “I’m telling you this for your sanctification.” A little church-girl humor there. I thanked her. read more

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