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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / inspiration / Faith / {ebb and flow}

{ebb and flow}

May 5, 2010 · 20 Comments
Filed Under: Faith, family, quitting my day job

Yesterday was a weird-ish day. Life at the day job continues to beat, but there is hardly any proofreading work and it makes me sad. I made it through the day, came home to start dinner and soon found out Zack wouldn’t be home until later. “Later” turned out to be 8:30. Dinner tasted horrible (warming it in the oven was a fail) and I was really disappointed. My assistant is off this week so after dinner I sewed a few Gussy items, then I packaged 12 orders… Something I haven’t done in over a month. Hah!

I’m very much looking forward to next Friday. Ahhh. I can smell it now :] Everyone keeps asking me, What are you going to do Monday morning {May 17}? and I keep thinking to myself, Why is everyone asking me this?! I’m going to sew. It’s like when I was younger and everyone kept asking me, Maggie, how old are you? And finally I asked my mom why everyone keeps asking me that — why doesn’t anyone know how old I am?

{As a sidenote, I wish there were years of my childhood on videotape. Like every hour of my life for a few years, taped. I can only imagine the little child my parents said I was: A little girl who loved her purse, chap stick and puppy dog stuffed animal. Blonde sidewinders, white Keds, and a little sassy look that found itself on my face every so often.}

Silly people, Gussy is going to sew, talk, and of course talk some more come May 17 {talk as in write blog posts, of course}.

I put my feet up a little bit tonight {when they weren’t up against the wall} and thought of some ideas. My goodness… I just can’t really comprehend what this means… so I feel like it’s hard to prepare? Yes, that is definitely how I feel.

How am I supposed to prepare for something that only God knew would happen?

That’s what I keep thinking to myself…

Then I think:

Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart, Psalm 37:4

I did and I do, so I think that’s why I’m laying low for now.

I was in the car recently, looked out the window and saw this {above}. CRAZEEEE. When did we move to Minneapolis? Oh, right. We moved here in one weekend last August. Craziest weekend of my life, if I may say so. But! {There is always a but, right?!} Moving here has always been a part of God’s plan, and like I mentioned above, God has always known this plan. So we must have faith. We do have faith. And some times that faith is a very big security blanket for me. I really miss our families. Like tears-in-the-eyes miss our families. But thinking about that too much isn’t healthy. I must focus on the new opportunities this state brings us, like having our families visit us, how we totally live the downtown city life, how moving here has allowed me to 100% concentrate on Gussy, etc.

And so I remember: this is all God’s plan, so this is good.

See, I told you yesterday was weird. Lots of contrasting thoughts, an ebb and flow of happiness and heartache. Of really exciting events yet also living for today.

What is on your mind today? I’d love if you shared…

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20 Comments
Filed Under: Faith, family, quitting my day job

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Comments

  1. Charity says

    May 5, 2010 at 10:13 am

    What has been on my mind? Loss. This week we lost one of our family dogs. My husband had her, a black lab, since before we were dating. She was almost 10 and developed liver issues. In just a week, she was sooo sick. So we are now explaining it to our 2 and 3 year old. Then last night a Michigan, Tigers Baseball legend, Ernie Harwell died. As a long-time Michigander, he is part of many of my memories of my great grandfather and Tigers in general. I think his death the day after our dog, has been an awful lot. But we are also looking eagerly toward August when our third child will arrive and spring and how important it is that the Lord’s mercies are new every morning.

    Reply
    • Devin Pringle says

      May 5, 2010 at 11:01 am

      Yeah, I know the feeling. It has just been one of those months. My close friend was shot and murdered last month, with no leads on a suspect, and to top it all off, the gloomy weather doesn’t help in trying to cope. I guess we’ll count on time to bring sunny days and optimism right?

      Reply
  2. Melissa Brotherton says

    May 5, 2010 at 10:25 am

    Great post! Praying for you as you step out in this new adventure.

    I started to write you the crazy that is my mind & it got horrendously long. Suffice to say life is full right now. :)

    Reply
    • Gussy says

      May 5, 2010 at 10:29 am

      girlfriend, come back here and share what is on your mind. I want to pray for you.

      Reply
  3. Kacia @ Coconut Robot says

    May 5, 2010 at 10:26 am

    What’s on my mind? how thankful I am for that reminder: This is all God’s plan, so this is good. It’s a tough thing to remember sometimes + I just always want to be right there in the sweet spot of his plan.

    SOOOOO excited for you – can’t wait to keep hearing more about the wild ride He’s taking you on!

    Reply
  4. hiyaluv says

    May 5, 2010 at 11:29 am

    oh Gussy-I love this post. I am trying really hard to have faith…thank you so much for the reminder. Still struggling with this J-O-B that I have. It was a passion of mine-working with students and for students and now there is something not right. I know what it is…I think…but God is taking his time to show me the way. Sometimes I wish I could just yell upstairs, “SPEED IT UP OLD MAN! TIMES AWASTIN’!” But that’s my impatience that he has been trying to teach me to let go of for years….

    *sigh*

    {hugs}, gina

    Reply
  5. meg says

    May 5, 2010 at 11:42 am

    So proud of you Maggie! Keep that great attitude and don’t let anybody stop ya! One step at a time. You are doing great my friend = )

    Reply
  6. dixie says

    May 5, 2010 at 12:10 pm

    Sorry you had a down day but we all need one once in awhile to make us appreciate the better ones and to take a moment to evaluate our lives. Tomorrow will be a good day.

    I really with I was in your position right now. Think about all the extra time you’re going to get to spend with the hubs ’cause now you can sew when he’s gone and you can have more time together in the evenings. No more wasted time commuting either. Pretty awesome! That’s my main downer right now – not having time to get everything done and still be able to have fun.

    Reply
    • Gussy says

      May 5, 2010 at 12:26 pm

      you are so right! thanks Dixie :]

      Reply
  7. Julia says

    May 5, 2010 at 12:12 pm

    i always feel weird when bloggers ask what’s going on in MY life. i feel like i could write a novel right now, but sometimes i wonder if they actually read what we (I) write. my kids have been a bit of a handful lately… for many reason. but i try to count my blessings in that they really are GOOD kids. and i love spending time with them. since i’m a working mom i try to appreciate every moment with them. but when things happen that cause me to get frustrated, I feel like screaming. I wish I could be the perfect mom, but I know that can never happen.

    I have been trying really hard to rely on God to give me patience and an over abundance of love for them. work is busy so i feel like I have to do more stuff for work which takes away from my time at home.

    ……. you asked…… i answered.

    Reply
    • Gussy says

      May 5, 2010 at 12:28 pm

      I always!!!!!!!! read my comments. And I always care. And don’t even try to be the perfect mom, because you will only let yourself down. We aren’t perfect and that is the beauty of life. We are “allowed” to make mistakes and we’re still loved. Mistakes are how you learn :]

      When things get tough I like to make little goals, tangible goals, that help me to see how I can get through it. And just remember all you have to focus on is today.

      Reply
      • Julia says

        May 5, 2010 at 12:45 pm

        thanks for your reply Maggie. It’s funny b/c somedays I tell myself how bad I want a third child. then other days, I’m like “Who let me me a mom in the first place? I’m horrible at this!!”
        i like the idea of daily tangible goals. i know when I do stuff like that, I always feel more productive. Thanks again for your comment.

        Reply
  8. Kelly O. says

    May 5, 2010 at 12:59 pm

    I think I feel like there’s so much I want to do, so much I need to do, and only so much of any of it ever gets done.
    I’m a stay at home mom and have “lots of time” to do stuff according to many, but somehow my days get swallowed up.
    I live in the balance somewhere.
    Looking towards the future of when I’ll have more ME time and yet revel in the specialness of my time with my kids.
    Sometimes I think I’m not able to achieve the Proverbs 31 woman and other days I totally rock it. I think I need to focus on more God time and then the me time and the them time will fall into the places He wants it to be.
    thanks for this post.
    Made me think.
    Outside the box.

    Reply
  9. the tiny twig says

    May 5, 2010 at 1:32 pm

    Dueteronomy 32:4
    He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
    and all his ways are just.
    A faithful God who does no wrong,
    upright and just is he.

    Thought this was juuuuust right for you today!

    Reply
  10. amy @ twirl bird's blog says

    May 5, 2010 at 3:43 pm

    This week I’ve found myself a little too consumed with anxiety. It’s part of my nature, unfortunately, and even though I know that it is irrational and downright WRONG to worry so much when I am so blessed, I still do.

    This is a challenge I find with working at home – I’m lucky enough to have those few hours of alone time to get work done, but sometimes being alone can also get lonely, and that’s when the fretting starts. The good news is that if I just step away from the sewing machine and take a walk or call a friend, even go to the grocery store, I feel 1000% better. Sometimes I have to force myself to do it, but it’s so very necessary. And the bonus is that I always feel more focused when I get back to work. So …

    {assumes mom voice }
    Once you are a full-time Gussy, be sure you still make a little time each day for Maggie.
    {/momvoice*}

    :)

    Reply
  11. Melissa says

    May 5, 2010 at 4:18 pm

    What a great post…I have been having that kind of week I feel like or few days…it all started with my sewing space…if you read my blog today, you will see why. I don’t have a ‘space’ that I like and it is really bothering me. I have a few ideas, but I just have to make it work for me in our cute house that I love.

    I think that when a big change comes in our life, we feel this way…I remember that same bitter-sweet feeling when I felt my job to stay at home with the girls…it was a dream come true, but what if I didn’t like it, what if we could not pay our bills with one income, all of the ‘what if’s’, but it is all part of the plan and makes us better people.

    Hope you are having a great day!

    Reply
  12. Jenni says

    May 5, 2010 at 10:32 pm

    Amen and amen, sistah.

    What’s on my mind…. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how I don’t like that I try to control my life. The more I try not to control, the more controlling I become. [if that makes any sense…] It’s so silly to even think that I’m in control in the first place. Or that I would even want to be in control when God absolutely knows best. My heart says let go, but my flesh says no thanks. Something I’ve been working on… Thank goodness it’s actually God doing the work! :)

    Also thinking about the fact that we only have 9 1/2 days of school left till this teacher gets a summer break!! Wahoooo.

    I loveloveLOVED reading this post. Great reminder of God’s blessings!! God indeed is so good.

    Reply
  13. Kate @ Songs Kate Sang says

    May 5, 2010 at 11:37 pm

    Great verse….. so true.

    Reply
  14. Heather G. says

    May 6, 2010 at 12:20 am

    I’m excited for you, Maggie!!! xoxo!

    Reply
  15. Tilly says

    May 6, 2010 at 10:55 am

    Love this post! — I love hearing about what is going on in your life. My life is a whirlwind of to-do lists that seem unconquerable. At this point, I haven’t admitted this to anyone, maybe not even myself, but I am overwhelmed. I think I feel a blog post coming on. Put it on my to-do list. *sigh.

    I also love this post because I think, *I think*, see in that picture? That bag of packaged goodies? Mine is in there. :) It is on it’s way to my MIL in Houston. And on May 21st it will be in my hot little hands. Can’t wait. Thanks! :)

    Reply

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
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JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

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“We are preparing to wind down for the school ye “We are preparing to wind down for the school year with just a few more weeks of intentional table lessons. We will then transition to a lighter learning schedule during the summer months. Today I am grateful for the books and resources I’ve read that have helped keep me in my own lane. (Visit my blog to see a personal favorite.)

Even now, three years in, I appreciate the reminder to stay on the path that was designed with intentional thought just for me.”

✨ see #maggiewhitleydotcom for the full post ✨
I took off my “comparison / contemplation” gla I took off my “comparison / contemplation” glasses last month and it’s been soooooo good. See also: sooooo hard (because life is never and/or). I’ve been writing more, reading more, spending more time outside. Talking to friends faces and smelling their detergent. My heart feels lighter. I’m sharing a few updates on my blog if you’d like to read? 🌾🤓blog reading & writing is a much better pace for me. You too? Link in profile.
Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect o Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect on the moments I’ve felt my mind spinning, my emotions swirly, it’s almost always when I’m not feasting on the word of God. Not that reading scripture is the cure for anxiety —no! Rather, it’s hard to worry when we’re worshipping.
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A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is hot, and the whisper of a page turning. ♨️☕️📖 // We are breaking from school this week, my plan is to read a lot, walk a lot, and rest a lot. How about you?

#mothersofinstagram #tea #winterreading #hygge
I fought every internal comment I could think of a I fought every internal comment I could think of and took my kiddos for a looooong walk today before dinner. ❄️✨ There’s just so much work required to raise children! I’m feeling like a tired lady. But sunshine & fresh air are good companions to keep around. 

We came home and I made “the best dinner ever”. Max specifically announced, “it’s so great you’re launching new meals to the world”. LOL— kids! 🤣👏🏻💓
How about a little Wednesday night introduction? 😘Social media sure has changed over the years and we don’t always SEE who we’re following or remember WHY we’re following certain accounts. 

So, hello! As you can gather, my name is Maggie ;) 

I started writing online (almost 13 years ago) to share the handmade products I was sewing. My shop was called Gussy Sews. ✂️👛I love the community that has grown from sewing & sharing online.

Let’s FFW to today: Zack and I live in Michigan and have four young children (2 boys & 2 girls). I slowly left the handmade industry and walked right into homemaking, homeschooling, and encouraging women through writing. 💕📝

Motherhood has been very hard on me. (And not just because of how close in age our four children are.) It’s been hard for me because I fought for years to accept that *it’s supposed to be hard*. 

I mean, how do you effectively teach another person to know and love the Lord? Bc that’s how I think of motherhood: a calling to nurture others by studying the One who nurtures me. So I gotta make the first move: study the Bible and seek Him first. As my friend Autumn reminded me, vulnerability births transformation. 

(I’ve had to be really vulnerable!)

So, yes motherhood has fully transformed me. But even more so, Christ has fully transformed me. My list of “all that He’s done for me” is off to a beautifully long start.

Something else I want you to know about me: I stalled for years before acknowledging I have anxiety and depression. It’s hard to talk about this because of course this isn’t forever “my hardship”, but rather because acknowledging this means to heal I have to work through some really difficult things. ✨

But my friend Jesus walks alongside me. He’s already done a mighty work in my heart, including helping me process my anger in healthier ways. I’ve also adopted a heart for sisterhood, mothering, and Titus 2 mentorship.

Sometimes our greatest losses are our greatest gains? That’s what I’m clinging to!

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