What I'm Pursuing {& giving up} this Lenten Season

I'm chasing four feet this winter.

I'm mothering two boys with traveling shoes. One toddles away from me, brother, and camera flash. The other kicks a ball, jumps, and runs. Every new sunrise, I follow my boys' feet upstairs, downstairs, inside, outside, to forbidden corners and daily dwellings.

And sometimes in chasing little feet, my dream lags behind. 

I'm rewriting my first novel at the same pace as the tortoise in the race against the hare. And even if the Hare wins, it's okay. I'm loving the process more than the prize, realizing the joy of discovery, the luxury of experimentation, the wisdom in waiting, and the truth of scripture: 

"...Those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." {Isaiah 40:31, NKJV} 

For when I follow child steps, I learn to put just one.foot.in.front.of.the.other. Instead of skipping ahead of God's timing, I engage my senses in the here and now. I hear pure joy, taste true luxury, and drink from the fount of my mama's wisdom.

"Only stretch your feet as far as your blanket goes." Mama always said.

As I watch my boys explore, discover, play, and laugh, I understand why it's best to live within the beauty of my means. To fully live within each moment. Doesn't a writer find words in observing the world around her?

So as I chase socked feet and amble toward my dream, I realize a thousand summers could never replace this season, nor a thousand stories replace the one I'm living now.

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• I'm taking time to pursue my Savior, family, and writing this Lenten season {begins February 23}, which means I need to give up my Monday posts. Monday Meditation will resume again in April.

• I'm giving up sugar for lent {I'm a little addicted--okay--I'm totally addicted to sugar}. I sensed the Lord asking me to let go of my emotional attachment to eating something sweet everyday. Who knows, maybe His word will become sweeter than brownies? Will you join me in this sugar detox challenge? 

• Family Friday will continue as usual. We kick off March with a guest post by Anne Frank {a mom from my local moms' group & a mother of three boys}. She has a creative idea that your kids will love!  My sisters have some great topics lined up in keeping with March's theme: Spring Cleaning Inside and Out. We hope you'll join the Friday conversations.

#579 You, dear reader. I'm so grateful for you.
#580 The beautiful bloggers I've met on my journey

While I'm away, I would love to introduce you to some beautiful bloggers I've come to love. I'm sure you'll love their heart and words as much as I do! {These sites are updated frequently}

On Parenting, Life & Faith

A Holy Experience by Ann Voskamp {join the weekly gratitude community}

Whole Dei by Dea' Daniels {I love my childhood friend's wisdom & honesty} 

Imperfect Prose by Emily Wierenga {we went to Bible college together, and I've always been a HUGE fan of her words} 

13 Hours of Rain {Love my older sister's wisdom and insight, oh and it's her birthday today. :)}
Finding Heaven by Jennifer Ferguson {link up with the Soli Deo Gloria sisters every Monday}
Heavenly Glimpses by Theresa Miller {love her passion for her family} 

Taking It All In by Angie Dicken {I love how real she is about parenting}

Confessions of a Young Mama by Marissa {she has really cute craft ideas, and I love her thoughts}

Discovering God's World Together by Crystal Ridlon {beautiful, honest thoughts} 
Amy Sullivan {watch out, she'll challenge your status quo. I love her faith & action}
Better than Cupcakes by Abra Clampitt {beautiful pictures. beautiful heart}
The Adventures of B&K by Kandice {My sweet friend's faith will challenge you}

On Practical Tips & Green Living

Holistic Homemaking by April Emery {practical and helpful green living tips} 

Making Do with the Not So New by Melissa Jagears {she's the frugal queen}

Patti Lacy {I love her fiction, lifestyle, and healthy diet}

On Writing

Thoughts that Move by Wendy Paine Miller {she's a beautiful writer, and witty too}

Sarah Forgave {She introduces readers to a published author almost every Monday, and she writes the best top five lists:)}

Regina Jennings {she's just so funny and down-to-earth, Her debut novel released this month}

New England Inspiration by Heidi Chiavaroli {she's a marathon runner and a historical fiction writer. How cool is that?}

Susan J. Reinhardt {I love the way she connects readers and writers}

Jeanette Levellie {I just love her wisdom on writing and life}

There has to be a Beginning by Karin Beery {She has fun advice and tips for beginning writers}

Cindy R Wilson {I love her writing tips}
Rosslyn Elliot {I loved her debut novel, and her blog makes me think}
Julie Jarnagin {she has such a cute blog} 
Hope to Life by Sara Richardson {love how she's involving readers in the writing process}
Wordsmith Woman by Jude Urbanski {she's the sweetest soul}
Everyone's Story by Elaine Stock {she has a variety of authors and writers on her blog}
International Christian Fiction Writers {You'll meet authors and writers from all over the world, oh and I'm posting there on March 21st}
Between You, Me & the Gatepost by Loree Huebner {I love her perseverance in writing}


Devotional/Encouragement
Doorkeeper by Renee Smith {She writes romantic suspense and a beautiful devotional blog}
Anita Mellot {I just love her heart & faith, and she recently published a very sweet devotional} 
Ungrind, Editor Ashleigh Slater {Encouragement for women in their 20s and 30s}

International/Humorous/Other

An Everyday Thought by Annabel {My kiwi friend shares her funny experiences in America}
In search of Waterfalls by Rajdeep Paulus {she's my brown writing sista, and I love her humor}
Grato Animo by Joanna {a taste of life in Cyprus}

*I couldn't possibly list everyone. Please check out the blogroll link to meet other great bloggers! 

Articles about Lent:
The Challenge of the Lenten Season, Christianity Today
Let's Lengthen Lent, Christianity Today 
Stretching our Souls, Christianity Today
Following Christ: A Lenten Reader to Stretch Your Soul by Carmen Acevedo Butcher

Please consider praying for these girls this Lenten season
Please consider giving to this family in need {total money needed: $3000.00}

Friends, do you observe Lent? If so, what are you giving up or pursuing this season? Have you met a blogger that you just love? Please tell me about him/her in the comment section {it's always more joyful uplifting others}.