Gibee made an excellent point in the Comments section, echoed by Mandy. Gibee said, "Can I just say ... it bothers me every time I see the following on your title bar... 'sorta shallow Christian mom.' I don't think you're shallow at all, and I don't think you're giving yourself enough credit! I love coming to your blog, and I love your writing style -- it's awesome. And shallow? Naaahhh. I think you get pretty deep!"
I've been meaning to explain that little tag line: True confessions from the everyday life of a sorta shallow Christian mom. So why not now, since y'all brought it up?
That simply means that I know Who and what is important in this life, and that's not the stuff i'm usually talking about here. I fully believe we have a God whose Son died on a cross for my sins, then rose three days later. I know what it is like to experience a personal relationship with Christ Himself, and to be a friend and daughter of the King of Kings. But do I talk about that very much? Not really. It's just who I am. I am truly a Holy Mama, and I have it in writing! Look right here.
Here is where I'm usually talking about shoes reunions and poop. Here is where I expound upon the joys of chocolate and shopping. Here is where I come and talk about the silly and the shallow and the amusing and the frustrating. Are any of these things 'deep,' when you consider the important, good, and holy things in life? Of course not!
And yet here I am. 'Sorta shallow' to go on and on about the nonsense I find amusing, but I'm kinda good at it. And it's fun. (I'd really stink at writing a blog on the 'deep stuff', even though I love those blogs.) This is where one redeemed, holy mama of 4 comes and writes about the trivial. I'm sorta shallow, because I know what's really important, and don't let me confuse you - this isn't it! This is just a laugh for you to take with you. One for the road.
And as long as I'm claiming to be funny, here goes. A couple of hours ago, I'm in the car with the three boys, and we're doing an errand. Okay, FINE. We're going through a drive through. NO, NOT MCDONALD'S. (It was Wendy's.)
I'm driving with my purse in my lap, wondering if I actually have any cash on me, so I dig though it at red lights. And find that not only do I not have any cash, it appears I also do not have my wallet at all. Panic. I think of getting pulled over again, and not having my driver's license. I think of all the credit cards (that we never ever use and just have in order to 'build' credit - blah blah blah, but it's true) that would have to be cancelled. I get to the window and realize I have no cash and no card to offer in payment, and no driver's license to accompany a check, should Wendy's even take a check.
The lady is VERY nice, which is greatly appreciated by me, since she makes ZERO comments regarding my non-pregnant status, and that is very welcomed. I ask if they take checks, she says yes, and to put a phone number on it. YEA! I do the check, she never asks for my license, and I call Mike to ask if he took my wallet. (No, this makes no sense. He hasn't ever before, but I was FREAKING out a little, ok?) He said no, and I could hear his little financial genius brain calculating all the inconvenience that lay ahead, should I have really lost it. He says nothing, though, and ends the call rather than be tacky. (I read all of that into his silence, but trust me, it was accurate.)
We're driving away, and Ethan-5yr says, "Mom. You need to have a place for everything, and just PUT IT THERE."
(Ethan-5yr's room looks like a bomb exploded in there, may i just point that out?)
Me: "Oh, thanks honey."
Ethan-5yr: "You need a purse light. I saw a commercial. You turn it on and then you can see everything in your purse. It's not available in stores so you should act now."
Me: "Uh huh. I dont' think the problem is lack of light."
Ethan-5yr: "Oh, I know. But you didn't listen when I said you should have a place for everything and then PUT IT THERE, so then I went on to my next suggestion. The purse light."
I grit my teeth, rearrange sprite cups and Wendy's bags, and get my purse off my lap, moving it to the passenger's seat. And underneath my purse? My wallet. The stupid thing was IN MY LAP, under my purse the whole time I freaked, called Mike and worried him, and listened to an organizational speech/sales pitch from my five year old. I had a place for my wallet (no, a lap is not the best place, albeit) and guess what? I PUT IT THERE. Yeah. Yea, me.
And this thing? Oh, no. Never, Ethan-5yr. Never will your holymama put function THAT far above fashion. Ew.
http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/677099/4461158
Your Comments
This is exactly why I started the funny thoughts blog. It's a place I can put the funny little things that happen in daily life that make me smile. But hey, don't discount it, it's a ministry in and of itself to make people smile. Especially those who are hurting! I've got the devo site thing too, but I agree, you can't really do both on the same site effectively! Thanks for making me smile everyday!!
And BTW, I lose my wallet a lot too, and yes, I ALWAYS find it in the most obvious place!!
"It's not available in stores so you should act now -- LOL!"
Thanks for explaining your tagline -- it makes a lot of sense. I guess to me my blog's the same way: I do occasionally discuss serious topics, but it's mostly to talk about the day-to-day diversions in life. (But I don't think you are shallow, based on what I've read...) :-)
My blog is like yours in that I rarely write about my feelings for my Saviour unless something is really on my mind. Usually I write about the trials of being a Mommy and attempting to write fiction that brings Glory to God in an industry that pays THROUGH THE NOSE to every writer out there who wants to glorify unmarried sex in graphic terms!!
Whoops, sorry. I stepped on that soapbox without even realizing it.
I should put that darned thing away...But I don't have a Place for It, Ethan!
I completely get you on the 'shallow mom' thing. I feel that way with my blog. I'm not saying anything profound when I describe a conversation I had with my 5 year old about her boogies. However, I'm writing it so years down the road she will have it to read and get a laugh from it.
Also, I can use it to embarass her in front of her first boyfriend.
Just kidding. ;)
Personally, I enjoy your balance of spirituality and "real life" stuff. My spirituality (and yes I have one!) has always been really personal for me, and I cannot imagine blogging about it. I read some blogs that are spiritual in nature, however not many. Your approach is refreshing and not "in your face".
I have so lost my wallet on my lap before so no worries!!
chelle
Hi HM, I have been lurking for awhile and after reading the info at Rocks In My Dryer, decided to delurk. I enjoy your blog and see we both are on the list for the Beth Moore study.
I use my blog the same way. A place to share the reality of staying at home with 4 little ones. Not much theological talk going on at my place, just real life. The good, the bad and the ugly!
Personally, I enjoy your balance of spirituality and "real life" stuff. My spirituality (and yes I have one!) has always been really personal for me, and I cannot imagine blogging about it. I read some blogs that are spiritual in nature, however not many. Your approach is refreshing and not "in your face".
I have so lost my wallet on my lap before so no worries!!
chelle
You are so funny. I totally don't think you're shallow but know what you mean about the posts. You do a great job and always have me coming back for more!
The purse light thing is funny. My Mom and a friend of mine both had purses with lights in them. They were way cuter than that one on your post though. I think they both really liked them.
Your son is quite the little salesman already!!
Oh no, am I totally out of style!? I did in fact order a purse organizer complete with light--but it is not a purse, it is a gadget that holds all my stuff (a place for *everything*, Ethan! and when I change purses, I just lift it out of one and into another. It's like a strip of little pockets. By the way, I read in the paper yesterday that *big* purse are back--oooops, I never knew they were out. ;)
Your five year old is just way too smart and way too funny. (Hmmm. Wonder where he gets that from, huh?)
I completely understand the shallow thing. Sometimes I think I should write more about my faith, but when I do it usually feels forced and I'm rarely happy with the results. The casual, "shallow" stuff comes more naturally to me in this particular forum.
Ooooh my. This is such a mom story!I have done this so many times! I have "lost" my glasses for hours while they were on my head and my keys while they were IN MY HAND. Luckily, our kids are old enough now to point out our shortcomings, yes? LOL
I totally understand your tagline. I too am a FIRM believer in my faith and in God and His Son.
But, my blog's purpose is not for that. You will rarely hear me talk about my beliefs in detail or my religion. Not because it lacks importance - there's nothing MORE important - but because I wouldn't feel comfortable opening MY little blog up to such an uncontrolled discussion with so many people with so many different and passionate viewpoints on the subject. I suspect you feel similar?
Hey, I'm a fallen back Christian who's searching, trying to find my way back to God. I used to do hours-long Bible study with every reference on hand, but now I feel like such a beginner, again. I can easily feel overwhelmed and inadequate when reading some blogs, but yours makes me feel welcome. Comfortable to search. And most of the folk you link to have been awesome, too. I haven't checked them all out, but I'm working on it. ;)
That's not shallow - that's self defense. We need to touch base with our lighter sides everyday. We need to laugh so we can appreciate the "deep" stuff, you know?
Oh, and Sweet Girl (my five year old) also gives me commercials. Lately it's the little giant ladder - you know it's 277 ladders in one, don't you?
that is TOO, too funny. Thanks for the laugh. Great post...clears that Right up..hehe I LOVE your blog. Ethan sounds so bright.
I just have to say thank you for the links and resources your site has given me. I have enjoyed SO much discovering these wonderful, godly women. Thanks Kelsey!
I don't believe an explanation was in order...you can blog, type, post, rant, list, ramble any darn thing you wish girl! And, apparently your stuff is hot!! Just look at all the comments you get plus all the ones you don't see!! Keep em' coming.
Did we set a date yet of when Ethan and Victoria are going to meet?? Just checkin' LOL
I'm throwing in my vote pro purse light. There comes a time when practical outweighs everything else and I see myself quickly approaching the day. One problem, however: how's the light going to shine through all the junk? I mean, my purse is so packed, I can barely slip my hand in there. How's the light supposed to shine though a couple dozen receipts, a cell phone, a wallet, two check books, miscellaneous notes from school, a reminder book that I forget I have and a package of tee tree toothpicks?
I guess I'll save my money for something cute.
I tend to agree with most of the other posts. It's your blog, and you can write whatever you want to write about.
Life is not all humor, sadness, mystery or our faith. All those and so much more make up our lives, and you just write about life, as it happens.
I am pretty much the same. I may write about 2 or 3 subjects in one post, or make a marathon out of something that I am struggling with or feel strongly about.
Bottom line, your blog, your rules, your subjects.
I love it just as it is, and I visit several times a day, to be sure I don't miss anything.
The "sorta shallow" thing is what keeps me coming back. I think it shows that although you believe in Christ with all your heart, you are still human and make mistakes, just like everyone else. It's that honesty that makes you so appreciated. (I'd take a "sorta shallow" Christian friend who is firm in Christ and in grace than an "act-like-I've-got-my-life-together-and-aren't-I-the-best-Christian-ever?" friend any day!)
I meant to comment on the shallow thing last night, and life happened...BUT...I totally understand the shallow christian thing, I'm the same way.
My blog is about the mundane, silly, horrific things in my life, and I just don't fell right including my spiritually based posts on the same page, so I write them on a seperate blog. Every once in a while, I will write something that is just pressing hard on my mind so much I have to get it off, but usually, I'm just shallow old me.
I just started reading your blog, because of your comments you have left on couple of blogs and I like your style.:)
Although I am pretty much done raising our son - I enjoy reading the fun stuff about your family. I think you had a very good point - that this is a fun and light hearted blog and I totally get your quote.
I think that is why I started my second blog - My Lighter Side. My friends don't understand why I have to have too, but I think I like to not right about my fun side on my 'Christian' blog...Not sure why not, other blogger seem to do it well, but for some reason I can't...- I know , I am strange - lol..
Okay, I don't think I've ever commented on your blog--even though it's in my bloglines and I read it and laugh every day. But THAT was hysterical! I know, 45 other people have also realized it, but I just had to point it out once again. I bet you could get a book deal out of all of this one day.
I guess this makes me sort of shallow too. I know what is important in life but I don't blog about it. It is hard to be a serious, spiritual blogger when each paragraph of my blog is in reality a run-on sentence. Running my kid through the car wash is much easier to write about.
Yay for Wendy's and their check-accepting ways. And do you not agree that their chicken nuggets are 3000 times better?
Sorry that you lost your wallet and had to endure the disappointment from your husband and son. That's never fun.