Last week I read One Light Still Shines, told by the woman known to most of the world as “the shooter’s wife” in the 2006 Amish schoolhouse shooting. It wouldn’t seem so, but hers is an encouraging story of hope. God sustained her and she felt him promise not to “fix” things but to redeem the situation; in the midst of the aftermath and subsequent healing, she often repeated this phrase to herself:

“Love the moment. Love my life.
Expect to see God at work.”

Yes.
My situation is far different from Marie’s, but that’s what I need to do, too.

I tend to be hard on myself, and that creates a spiral of negativity because I can’t be my best self while I’m beating myself up for not being my best self. It just doesn’t work. So I’m not creating a traditional to-do list (like I usually would) because then I’d kick into box-checking mode, which would divert me away from my bigger goals.

Over the past week, I’ve spent hours every day sitting on the porch enjoying the weather — rain or shine — with no iDevice of any sort. It’s been so good for my mental and emotional health. Yesterday I took a good old fashioned pad and pen out to the back porch and made a list of “summer plans” to help me achieve those big goals of loving the moment, loving my life, and looking for God at work.

This summer I will…

• step back a bit from online life.
• learn to enjoy my kids.
• make daily time to be alone with God.
• enjoy a vacation/adventure with my family.
• create good memories with and for my children.
• read, read, read.
• prioritize dates with Ken.
• be active.
• enjoy the outdoors.
• grow things.
• make an extensive reading list for next school year.
• plan a first-day-of-school year tradition.
• consider the purpose and direction of my blog.
• continue simplification of material things.
• be creative.
• unplug more.
• spend time thinking and dreaming.
• give more hugs.

Despite my more frequent unplugging, etc., I’ll still be blogging, instagramming, and sharing more as the summer goes on. Follow me on instagram, and if you don’t already subscribe to my blog, you can follow by email or try bloglovin (my fave app/site for following the blogs I love).

. . . . . .
I’m linking with my friends Kris and Angie for List It Tuesday.

Jamie

Wife, mom, J-ma. Introvert who enjoys good books, sunshine, and authentic conversation. Often seen with a steaming mug of tea in hand – unless it’s lost yet again in the microwave. Read more »