It’s been awhile since we’ve chatted, hasn’t it?
This summer, I planned to get back into blogging but the summer just slipped away from me and I almost can’t believe that Labor Day is next week!
I also planned to finish my Homemaking Series before I ever posted again, but I have decided to give up that dream. I will continue posting in that series as I can and someday there will be a total of 30 posts. And then I will breathe a big sigh of relief. Because for the last year and few months, I have thought many times about that dang series and how it is just hanging in space… unfinished.
It’s been a year and 8 months since my last post and I absolutely needed that break. I’ve kept up with some of you, on Facebook and the occasional Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest post, proving that I can still waste time with the best of them.
During my little break, I have learned to enjoy writing again, without being consumed by it. To love my family while also taking care of myself. To ease up on the expectations I have placed on myself for no good reason.
I’ve learned to relax. Without guilt. Crazy, right?
When I walked away from my blog, I needed to let go of everything I’d spent time building in order to be there for my family. It was a dark time for us and I didn’t feel like I could divide my attentions. Something kind of shattered my world for a little bit and I had to devote every ounce of myself to just getting through. Have you ever had a season like that?
I know I am being super vague, but it needs to be this way for now, in order to protect my family’s privacy. Maybe someday, this story will be told, but it isn’t really my story to tell.
I’m happy to report that things are so, so much better now.
There’s been a lot of working through. A lot of pouring my heart out to God. A lot of long showers when I just let the tears fall. And fall. Because when else can a mom let go and have a good cry?
And then, somehow, we started to have fun. We laughed. We had crazy long talks about absolutely nothing. We were starting to look like ourselves again. And that, friends, was my miracle. Even now, we still have work to do and repercussions to deal with, but somewhere along the line, that just became part of life.
We found a way to live with joy, in spite of the pain. And, no, this wasn’t immediate, or even soon. It took a few months. And no, it’s not happy, happy, all day every day. I still have the occasional meltdown. But through all of that, I can honestly say that this last year has been one of the best for our family. We are closer than ever and it just keeps getting better.
And there is no explanation for that, other than Jesus.
There’s no way we could have walked through this valley and not only made it out sane, but experienced joy, growth, directions, and countless blessings if it weren’t for Jesus.
Life with Jesus is so, so worth it.
It is so good to be back. What’s new in your life?
Mamala says
Welcome back. No one writes like you.
Homegrown Mom says
Thank you <3
Paula says
Yeah! Glad to have you back and looking forward to reading your posts again. Jesus is good and I’m so glad He has revived you and your family.
Homegrown Mom says
Thank you, Paula!
Linda says
Welcome back! Thank you for coming to tell us honestly where you’ve been, and that you are finding joy on the other side. I look forward to new posts!
I had been following your homemaking series – and have sinced moved my own blog to self-hosting. It’s a crazy adventure, especially now that we are beginning a new school year.
Have a blessed day – hope to ‘see’ you again soon!
Homegrown Mom says
I remember moving my blog to self-hosting, it is so exciting! Congrats 🙂