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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / inspiration / Faith / Writing from a safe place.

Writing from a safe place.

September 14, 2016 · 9 Comments
Filed Under: Faith, family

family maggie whitley

[dusts off computer keyboard]

Hello there, stranger! ;) Let’s get right down to the nitty gritty of what I have to share today, yeah? I’ve been wanting to write here for a few weeks now, but something more important always comes up. In my head I’ve written a few posts since the end of July, but really I haven’t ;) And so quietly, internally, I talk to myself about what I want to share. You know, where it’s safe inside my own head.

So I begin to pretend to write to you something like, “Hey friends! Not too much has been happening here,” and then I begin to trail off with some random thoughts, because there isn’t too much happening in regards to what I used to write about. Right now I’m not selling a handmade product or scheduling mentorship calls or writing an ebook, so that must mean there isn’t anything going on in my life?

Time to cut myself off with a big fat, NO.

No, that is so not true. The truth is there has been so much happening here, and that’s exactly why I haven’t written in nearly seven weeks.

The truth is, there are a lot of lies that I allow to come my way as a stay at home mama, and thinking I don’t have much going on is one of the big lies. Can you relate?

My reality is I have a lot of internal struggles. I am overwhelmed with much (although many remind me is totally normal for this phase of life), especially with the insurance/paperwork details and medical updates on Marigold. She is thriving despite her echogenic kidneys, and it makes me grateful to have a God who hears my cries. It’s a lot, so my motto is “just do the next thing, and then do the next thing.” Repeat forever.

But back to what I was typing earlier — there really has been so much going on with our family, and it’s been a joy to watch! The kids are thriving and creating and acting exactly like the ages they are ;) We went on an amazing mini-road trip in August and drove through five states, visiting friends the entire time! Once home, we re-arranged nearly our entire home, and my adoration for plants has nearly doubled (snort) thanks to my friend Joanna.

Another lie I’ve been believing: kids are supposed to be quiet (aka: why is our home so loud, what am I doing wrong?). Again, NOPE. Their screeches and giggles and karate chops and wild animal growls and the sound of block towers tumbling over, these are all sounds that remind me there is a tribe of little people in our home. So, I must transform my mentality that our home needs to be quiet.

And the last internal lie I’ve been experiencing: the passing of time will heal a wound. It’s been almost four years, and there’s an event that still hurts me deep to my core. Much time has passed, but it hasn’t healed me. There hasn’t been a resolution, but this gap of time has kept me close to God since I have nearly begged Him for an answer for four years now. And as I type this last paragraph, I feel perhaps I’ve finally heard what God was wanting to share with me all along, that He is never far from me. For four years I’ve been running alongside God, waiting for an answer, which I believe is exactly what He wanted to happen. It’s not time though that healed this wound, but rather the discipline in remembering I’m not alone.

Well, how’s that for a personal blog post? ;D

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9 Comments
Filed Under: Faith, family

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Comments

  1. Heather says

    September 15, 2016 at 10:42 am

    So good! Thanks for this great post! I struggle with these same things. He is not far and He’s kind

    Reply
  2. Annette says

    September 15, 2016 at 12:26 pm

    yes! yes to just doing the next thing one moment at at time, to loud houses (and my messy one) yes to reminding me that God is walking with me in my own unresolved difficulties. thank you :).

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      September 16, 2016 at 11:24 am

      I’m glad we can be in this together :)

      Reply
  3. Kate says

    September 15, 2016 at 8:28 pm

    All of this is SO true. & so good… you ARE busy! I think the hardest struggle I’m dealing with are some heart-issues with family. Those who don’t understand (or remember) the busy stage with littles, & seem to think that all I do is stay at home & do nothing.

    You are an amazing Momma, & this life we lead is so, SO good! Thanks for the open-heartedness you share, & for all the encouragement knowing I’m not alone. <3

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      September 16, 2016 at 11:25 am

      Sounds like they need to visit for a few days ;D by the way, so glad you’re a part of this community, and thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!

      Reply
  4. Jordan says

    September 16, 2016 at 6:15 am

    Love it when you get personal :). Sigh….. LIES. Right there with you just in a different season. Yay for the light shining so brightly in these tiny dark spaces we keep so close. May these lies hold no more power. <3

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      September 16, 2016 at 11:26 am

      Jordan — I feel like I have SO MUCH to share, but it’s been so hard to get through the fogginess I’ve been feeling. So, thanks for the encouraging comment :)

      Reply
      • Jordan says

        September 19, 2016 at 1:42 am

        Can’t wait to read!! xo

        Reply
  5. Katie says

    September 16, 2016 at 10:49 pm

    This has been my favorite post. expecally the last paragraph ! Thanks for sharing .

    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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maggiewhitley

JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

maggiewhitley
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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#womenintheword #wearethehomemakers #scripture #dailyintheword #titus2woman #healthylifestyle #mentalhealth #anxiety #anxietyawareness
Current backyard status: stunning in wonder ❄️ Current backyard status: stunning in wonder ❄️✨
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!

How about you? Tell me something about yourself so I can get to know you on a deeper heart level. 🖤🖤
How do you play in the winter? // We had a really How do you play in the winter? // We had a really great time visiting family in northern Michigan. On my blog I share a few ways we played outside, plus I describe a memorable childhood game ❄️☃️. Did you play it as a kiddo?
We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens in the morning (HGTV), playtime before lessons, and not enough quiet time after lunch. This made for a really, ummm, unenjoyable learning experience. 

But today! Today we reset the rhythm, and we have had a much happier home & time learning together. 👏🏻
Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — t Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — think outside the box in terms of how you view the definition of “motherhood” 💓😘 (also: look at my little friend, she’s sooooo snuggly)
It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hop It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hope to bundle up for another family nature walk, knowing the fresh air sweeps out any & all frustration, inviting inspiration inside. ✨That’s something we all need more of.
seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming the Laundry Beast (as a family of 6). Who wants the inside scoop? ✔️🧺👏🏻
Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomo Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomorrow :) small celebrations like this are very life giving! PS. thinking of starting a zoom book club — I need more sisterhood in my life. 👏🏻📖
The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are turning. The tea is calm. 🖤☕️🧺📖
Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his ful Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his full costume and laser blaster and of course the Buzz action figure he flys around 🌟💚💙💨someone has discovered a superhero crush! #joyinmotherhood #slowmornings #surprisedbymotherhood // Landon @ 2.5yo
Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to read this year. Plus my reading goal for the year. And a few practicals ways I fit in reading as a mama of four young children & homeschooling them. Basically, all the good stuff ☺️💓📖 #maggiewhitleydotcom #readersofinstagram #read #readmorebooks
It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the fu It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the furniture as we took the tree down Tuesday midday. Def one of my fav things to do.🎄👋🏻 We made it through our first week back to school since mid-December! It was rough to begin but ended with high fives. ⭐️✏️This morning I zoomed with a mama friend and I’m impressed with the many topics we covered. Sisterhood is sooooo necessary! ☕️👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏼

Just a few cheery memories from my week! How about you?
Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activiti Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activities. I finished my last book moments before 2020 ended, which brought my started list to a close. Small joys add up to big joys ;)

What are you reading this year? Currently?

How many books are you planning to read? What’s your goal?

I’ll share what’s on my list for 2021 soon as I received some nice titles at Christmas. 📖✨🤍
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