Writing

For the Days You Think You’re the Only One Not in the Club

Sometimes, the more your dream is woven into your deep places, the more you see it out in the world.

When I ached to be a mama but couldn’t get pregnant, I saw pregnant women everywhere. No matter where my feet traveled – grocery stores, movies, church – there they were, members of an exclusive club where everyone knew the password but me.

Of course, this wasn’t true at all. But tender things longed for and not held distorted my vision.

As my thirtysomething self looks around the dining room table at three shrinky dink versions of my husband and me, I see plain evidence that God says yes to desires, even if differently than I planned.

But what about those times when the evidence hides and you’re convinced your desires are the exception? You are the exception?

Do you ever feel that way? Read here and share your story, too?

April 13, 2013 7 Comments Filed Under: (In)Courage, Being a Woman, Confidence, Writing

A Project, Military Spouses, and Housekeeping

By Kristen

Spring break is just around the corner here…and so is snow.

Thank you very much, Colorado.

{And Colorado answers, “Hey, we’re 7,000 feet up and it’s only March. So simmer down, Sweet Cheeks.”}

Also around the corner is the birth of a little project, and I need a bit of help with it. So I wondered if I might call upon my fellow military spouses (past and present) for a little assistance in answering the following questions?

1. When you think about your life as a military spouse, what are some words or short phrases that immediately come to mind?

2. What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of the military lifestyle?

3. During difficult seasons – deployment or otherwise – when the fears pressed in, how do you press on?

Feel free to answer any or all of the questions in the comments section *or* via email to kristen@chasingblueskies.net. Thank you in advance for any insight you are able to share. Let me hand you a steamy cup of coffee and some warm chocolate chip cookies for your trouble! {Unless you live where spring actually feels like spring rather than winter the sequel. Then I’d be happy to send you sweet tea with your cookies.}

I also wanted to mention a little housekeeping business:

If you have been reading Chasing Blue Skies via your Google Reader, my posts will be disappearing into the wild blue yonder as Google Reader is being phased out {or whatever the techie term is for going bye-bye}. If you are reading this blog and others via Google Reader, you may want to save your file and switch to something else. I’ve heard feedly is a great option because it integrates Google Reader so well. Otherwise, you’re always welcome to subscribe to our mailing list and receive free post updates via email. I only post two to three times per week, so I promise not to overwhelm your inbox!

Have a wonderful weekend, friends. I love you.

March 22, 2013 6 Comments Filed Under: Military, Writing

Because There’s Nothing Wimpy About Being an Encourager :: at (in)courage

By Kristen

I’ve heard it whispered and seen it written in more than one place:

Some encouragers are soft cliché whipper-outers with faith deep as a kiddie pool. Sure, they’re nice and all, but they lack thoughtful opinions, creative ideas, and savvy smarts. Their words aren’t all that courageous or brave.

I can’t deny this has been a fear of mine {says the girl whose blog is named Chasing Blue Skies }. But when push comes to shove, I always revisit the same word to describe this line of thinking:

Hogwash.

Yes ma’am.

As an encourager, there is nothing namby-pamby about you. Ready why over here? And if you like the above graphic, you can download a free printable of it here. Other color options available here and here.

And speaking of encouragement, I wanted to encourage you to link up an old or new post for Out of the Blue Thursdays. Around here on Thursdays, we open our eyes to amazing surprises God tailor-designs just for you and me. Tomorrow’s prompt: share about a mistake you made – even a crazy ‘oops’ moment – and how your lesson learned or God’s grace in the mistake surprised you. I’m super excited about this one because I cannot tell a lie: I have a whole lotta material to choose from.

Your post can lean towards poignant or funny~whatever the Lord puts on your heart. I look forward to laughing and crying with you.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, dearies, and thank you for being the gloriously breathtaking, ever encouraging community you are. I couldn’t love you more.

March 13, 2013 6 Comments Filed Under: (In)Courage, Confidence, Encouragement, Writing

One Thing that Happens Every Time You’re Brave

By Kristen

“We have to be braver than we think we can be, because God is constantly calling us to be more than we are, to see through plastic sham to living, breathing reality, and to break down our defenses of self-protection in order to be free to receive and give love.”

Walking on Water, Madeleine L’Engle

My backyard fence hems in our yard with side-by-side wood slats. The wood slats stand together close, but not so close you can’t see between them. And oh, the things you could see if you peeked through them. You might see me chase the dog or fuss at her. Play with the kids or yell at them. You might see me fix a persistent wedgie. To really live means I must be okay with you glimpsing both smile-and-wince-worthy snippets of my life. It makes me nervous, yes, but not enough to hide inside. Oh sure, I could only wander outside when my mood and clothes speak lovely things. But real life mixes in unlovely too, and trying to hide it pretty much ensures it’ll come out twice as strong.

Writing about it all feels like living life twice, like giving you a second chance to see what you missed the first time. A lit bit trippy, a whole lot scary.

When I’m tempted to just up and dive under my bed, I remember Bravery doesn’t always ask us to charge a field running full tilt. Sometimes, He asks us to just quietly take it one slow step at a time in the right direction. Doxologies sing in grand choruses and soft solos.

Either way, there is freedom in sharing the glorious and the messy. When those “defenses of self-protection” tumble down, pride often tumbles along with it. I care more about the hearts of others than how I come across, so love has room to stretch.

How have you felt love stretching lately?