by Karen Jordan | Sep 7, 2012 | Blog, Family, Stories
Happy birthday, Tara! I hope you enjoy this great guest post by my daughter, Tara Ross. I wanted to offer this birthday tribute to my daughter Tara, a hard-working, stay-at-home mom with five children. Tara wrote this inspiring article last year, but she’s faced many changes in her life since then. Of course, her kids are all one year older, and she’s also recently moved from Central Arkansas back to her Texas roots. But you can still
find Tara online writing her humorous antics about her kids on Facebook. Plus, we’re working on a book together that I hope to be telling you about soon. Right now, I hope you will enjoy her story, “Listening To Their Hearts.”
When I found out that Bloom at my church would be studying the book, Parenting is Heart Work by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller last spring, I immediately ordered it online because parenting has been hard work for me, and I need all the help I can get!
I have five very different children in five different stages of development, all with different abilities, struggles, and very different personalities.
Anyway, I tend to have a few things on my mind at any given moment, and here are just a few of them.
I want to know why Ben, who is 11 months old, gives death pinches to whoever is holding him, which is usually me (and I have the bruises to prove it). Why does he do that?
I want to know why Julia, 3½ , wakes up in a mood that occasionally evolves into a full-blown, hysterical fit that can make the dog howl, over something as simple as wanting me to lift the toilet seat for her–which I totally don’t mind doing, IF I can understand what she is screaming at me!
I want to know why Ethan, who is almost 7, just last week, knocked over a lamp with a soccer ball, taught his sister how to jump from the coffee table to the couch, and put a hole through our window playing catch in the front yard. I have to admit, though, that I couldn’t be mad, when I saw his face streaming with tears.
I want to know why Aidan, 8½, doesn’t want to pray or talk about God, or talk about anything that he’s not already an expert on–like legos, or kickball, or history’s mysteries, or something random, just for shock value, that involves a toilet, a captive grasshopper, or perhaps the water balloon hidden in his pocket.
I want to know why Miles, a college freshman, is making these huge decisions for his life, and I have absolutely no control over his future. And why didn’t I know then what I know now, so I could’ve been a better mom … and it went by so fast … and now he’s ALL … GROWN … UP.
God has been giving me little windows into each of their hearts. So when I find myself worrying about them, I can almost hear their voices saying …
Ben: “Please forgive me, Mommy. I have no idea my pinches hurt. I just like the way your skin feels between my fingers, and it makes me feel secure.”
Julia: “Please be patient with me, Mama. I am female. I don’t know why I feel so grumpy sometimes. I’m probably just hungry, tired, or just need you to be gentle with me and hold me for a minute.”
Ethan: “Please try to understand me, Mom. I’m a BOY. I’ve got all this energy, and sometimes I don’t even know my own strength. I’m strong, and I’m tough. But please be careful with your words, your tone of voice, and the way you look at me, because I have a tender heart.”
Aidan: “Please keep pursuing me, Mom. I know lots of things, and I like to tell you about them. But I get uncomfortable when you want me to talk about things I don’t really understand, like my relationship with God. I might change the subject, or I might act silly, impatient, or bored. But don’t give up. Keep asking me questions and really listen to what I say. God wants you to teach me about Him, even if I think I already know everything.”
Miles: “Mom, please pray for me. I am legally an adult, but you’ll always be my mom. I need you in a different way now. I need you to give me space to grow. But to be ready to listen to me, when I need to talk. I need you to encourage me. Most of all, I need you to pray for me. My story isn’t over yet, I just started a new chapter.”
So, what is God doing in my life to make me “Bloom”? He’s giving me discernment, as I need it, to see beyond my children’s actions and into their hearts.
Tara Jordan Ross holds a masters in gifted education and degrees in early childhood and special education. She lives in Texarkana, Texas, with her husband Jonathan; they have five children. Tara was a special education teacher for several years before deciding to stay home with her children. Besides managing a busy household, she enjoys writing about her experiences as a mother and teacher.
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What is God doing in YOUR life to make you “Bloom”?
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by Karen Jordan | Mar 22, 2017 | Blog, Faith, Stories
Sometimes God leads us to do the impossible.
As I waited for the sunrise to go for my walk, it started raining. I thought, Oh, no! If I don’t go for a walk now, I won’t get to go at all today!
Simple problems. Sometimes even the simplest challenge can seem impossible at the moment. I also realize that my emotions can cause me to exaggerate my problems at times. (more…)
by Karen Jordan | Oct 6, 2015 | Blog, Faith, Family
Many of you may have wondered, “What happened to Karen? I guess she’s unplugged for awhile.”
Then again, you may not have even noticed.
Either way, here’s the deal—we’ve entered into a new season of life at our house.
EVERY DAY IS SATURDAY!
Gray Zone. Maybe you’ve noticed my gray hair and tennis shoes. If you happen to drop by our house, you’ll also see some subtle changes in the décor—like the two new recliners in front of our big-screen TV.
You’re laughing? What’s the big deal? Every day is Saturday!
Several of Dan’s friends have asked him, “How’s retirement?”
Saturday Fever. If you know Dan, you won’t be surprised at his quick humor and pithy comebacks. So, don’t say I didn’t warn you. But if you dare to ask him that question, he’ll just smile and repeat his canned response, “Every day is Saturday.”
The first time I heard Dan reply to questions about retirement from one of his friends I thought, Maybe for YOU every day is Saturday. But I haven’t retired yet!
Writer’s Life. Do you know how hard it is to focus on a writing project when “every day is Saturday”?
Yet, the first eight weeks of Dan’s retirement, that is exactly what I needed to do. Why? I had a deadline to meet to turn in my first book manuscript.
Yes, I am a late bloomer. Just when my ‘baby boomer” decides to wind up his career, I’m stepping into a new role as a book author.
How on earth can I do that? Good question. I’ll keep you posted on how it turns out.
In fact, I can’t wait to tell you all about my debut nonfiction book, Words That Change Everything, scheduled for release in Spring 2016. But I’ll save that news flash for later. But considerer yourself warned—I’ve waited a LONG time for this moment.
First Lesson. Back to Dan’s retirement—I know what you’re thinking, “What a great time for a writer to sit down and write her memoirs!”
NOT! Remember, EVERY DAY IS SATURDAY!
I’m hoping this first lesson from the gray zone will help you understand a little bit more about this new season of my life. I never expected some of the blessings I’ve discovered with my husband’s retirement.
In fact, when one of my Texas friends found out Dan retired, she said, “Bless your heart!”
Now, if you’re from the South like me, you know what she meant. And I don’t think it was about counting my blessings.
So, I’m glad Dan didn’t hear her. He’s a native Texan, too.
I do plan to write more about the tribulations and celebrations of retirement—or my lessons from the gray zone. But at this point, I’m not making a lot of commitments. Remember–EVERY DAY IS SATURDAY. Right?
Hope to see you again next week—”If the good Lord’s willing and the (saints) don’t rise”!
GrayZone Q & A: Do YOU have any helpful tips or warnings about retirement? Bring ’em on!
by Karen Jordan | Oct 8, 2014 | Blog, Faith
Does unity and reconciliation seem impossible in your family?
My family is separated by distance, and we have often also been divided by some of our differences—interests, opinions, lifestyles, ages, economy, and some pretty serious disagreements.
My mother longed for unity in our family, and she always grieved over our physical separation. Now that my children are grown with families of their own, I understand Mother’s concern. But I also understand the need for my children to find their own paths, which often includes some difficult times of being apart.
With each family member going their own way, I will admit that I’ve often lost hope for unity and reconciliation. And I’ve wondered if I would even recognize when the answer to this particular prayer comes.
What does unity and reconciliation even look like?
(more…)
