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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / lifestyle / marriage / Living with joy and refreshment

Living with joy and refreshment

April 9, 2020 · 8 Comments
Filed Under: marriage

Once upon a time there was a man who wanted to bring his wife a little joy and refreshment. He knew they were due for some time alone together, out of the house. As this man and woman were getting ready for their Saturday morning date, their children were playing underfoot. Little bottoms were bouncing on their bed, the girls were asking for a swipe of blush on their cheeks, and the dog was giving them his most dreadful stare. Surely you’re familiar with the scene?

Now, aside from all of this happening, the man made sure to mention to his wife, “For our date, please bring your book, your journal, and your favorite writing pen.” Then he gathered their brood and left the room, leaving her alone to finish getting ready.

Soon the babysitter arrived. Cheeks were kissed and the front door was closed. The couple left their vibrantly loud home in exchange for the quiet of their local library. It felt almost, odd? While he studied and wrote notes, she read words and journaled heart promptings. Together they settled into a new rhythm, just the two of them.

What was it about a quiet atmosphere that made reading so enjoyable? Well, let me describe it. It’s the opportunity for new, healthy thoughts to enter their minds. When people fill their minds with truth, goodness & beauty, it’s easier for life to be enjoyed. For what we fill our hearts and minds with is surely what comes out.

Over time, the man brought his wife on more quiet reading dates. Not always to the library, sometimes they arrived at a tiny restaurant and read over a meal prepared by other hands. Sometimes they walked outside and shared the inspirations blooming from their reading.

Now, it’s important to mention their reading dates weren’t always easy to come by. Some times they really fought for them. They fought for the time to meet and for the tiny walls built between to come down. They pushed through the irritating comments and the tiredness that seemed to linger incessantly. But like the spring season, sure to come after the dormancy of winter, their quiet reading time together yielded much growth.

Life-giving thoughts returned. Joy lingered longer.  Refreshment was easier to enter into.

A new leaf unfurled. Wholeness re-occurred. And once again, they lived “ever after” with joy.

 

xx, Maggie

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8 Comments
Filed Under: marriage

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Comments

  1. Cindy says

    April 9, 2020 at 1:26 pm

    Oh my heart! This writing blesses my momma heart like you wouldn’t believe. I am forever grateful you two were hand picked by our creator to complete each other so wonderfully. I am also incredibly grateful that the mommy and daddy to the grandest Grand babies in the world have parents who love them and each other this way. Your writing is a gift, and to share it so beautifully with a lonely hurting world is truly a blessing to us all. Thank you Mom W.

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      April 10, 2020 at 1:26 pm

      Mom,
      Thank you for sharing these things.

      Reply
  2. Joseph O'Bryan says

    April 9, 2020 at 3:49 pm

    Janis and I never went on reading dates but we have a lot of wonderful dates and quited times together in our 54 years together. They sure are missed.
    Joe

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      April 10, 2020 at 1:28 pm

      Pastor Joe, I’m can only imagine the precious dates you shared with Janis during your 54 years together. I bet they’re nestled deep in your heart and you visit with them often.

      Reply
  3. michiganmakeupartist says

    April 9, 2020 at 8:35 pm

    Awww! What a beautiful entry, and a very enjoyable read! <3

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      April 10, 2020 at 1:29 pm

      Thank you, Megan! xx

      Reply
  4. Hubbs says

    April 10, 2020 at 10:06 am

    Girl you make me happy. What a warming post.

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      April 10, 2020 at 1:29 pm

      Boyyyyyy, thanks! xx

      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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#womenintheword #wearethehomemakers #scripture #dailyintheword #titus2woman #healthylifestyle #mentalhealth #anxiety #anxietyawareness
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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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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. 

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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
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