The Final Countdown

Tomorrow is the big day!  Chasing Superwoman hits the market.   Above is a picture of me, holding my first copy.  It's a great feeling, and I can't thank you enough for sharing this journey with me.

Have a great Memorial Day!

Is Better Really The Enemy of Good?

Voltaire is well known for saying, “Better is the enemy of good.”

Lately, I’ll been wrestling with this concept. 

I’ve also thought the opposite.  In fact, when I was in college, someone told me a quote that really stuck with me.  “Good is the enemy of excellent.”

So who is right?

First, let me say that Voltaire certainly had a point.  We can kill ourselves over perfection.  Perfection is exhausting.  Perfection is mind numbing.  Perfection is even paralyzing.

I would fully agree with Voltaire had he said, “Perfection is the enemy of very good.”  But that wasn’t his point.  His point (I think) is that human nature is such that we always feel like we can make it better, and better often gets in the way of good. 

It’s a fair point.  But I still can’t agree.  Not completely.

Most of us will settle for something good and miss out on something great.  Why?  Well, it’s pretty scary to give up something good.  Greatness usually involves risk.  Greatness involves uncertainty.  Greatness involves stepping out on a limb.  You know the phrase, “No guts, no glory.”

As we head into Memorial Day weekend, it’s fitting to reflect on guts and sacrifice and courage.  Would we enjoy the same freedoms today if our founders simply said, “You know, I think things are good enough the way they are?”

Are Showers Overrated?

Last week, I unexpectedly went out of town on Monday evening.  On Tuesday, at 6:00 p.m., I was still wearing the same outfit.  And no, I hadn’t showered.

When I was driving home, I called my Blonde Sister, Janie.  I’ve told Janie before, “Showers are completely overrated.  When I’m pressed for time, the shower is the first to go.”

So when I told her I hadn’t showered (or hadn’t even changed my clothes) for 24 hours, she thought I was really gross.  Janie and her husband, George, are what you call hygiene fanatics.  She exclaimed to me over the phone, “Wait until I tell George.  He has already showered three times today!”

I wasn’t impressed.  Simply put, too many showers are overrated.  Why waste water, soap, resources, and time just so you can dry out your skin and smell like a bunch of chemicals?  50 years ago, no one would even think of showering three times a day.  And no one would think my hygiene is sub-standard, just because I might skip a day here and there.  After all, working moms are pressed for time.  Most of us don’t smell bad, and I’ve never been able to find the phrase “Cleanliness is next to Godliness” anywhere in the Bible.   Didn’t Jesus even say he was more concerned with the inside of the cup, not the outside?

What do you think?  Are showers over-rated?  I dare you to try to go one day without one!  Maybe we could even have a contest on the blog with prizes (just kidding, Janie).

Wednesday Woman: Mary

Mary is probably the best known mother in the Bible.  The Blessed Mother. The Madonna.

When we think of Mary, we think about all the fancy pictures of her holding Jesus as a baby.  She’s perfectly calm.  Perfectly serene.  Perfectly dressed.

Was Mary’s life perfect?

Far from it.

Many have written about Mary’s story as it relates to two events:  1)  the birth of Jesus; and 2)  the death of Jesus.  Indeed, we could write volumes and volumes of the anticipation, emotion, and miracle of Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection – from Mary’s perspective.

But I’ll save that for another day and another blog (maybe even another book).  Today, I’d like to focus on the middle.  Not the bookends.  What was Mary’s life like in the middle -- as a single mother whose oldest son left home to declare his divinity?

How do I know Mary was a single mother?  Well, I don’t.  But the absence of Joseph in the New Testament leads most scholars to believe he was out of the picture (likely deceased) long before Jesus launched his public ministry.  We also know that Jesus was Mary’s oldest son, and that Jesus had younger brothers and sisters.

In fact, early in Jesus’ ministry, his mother and siblings tried to get him to come back home and stop all the ruckus.  They thought he had flew the coop.  (Mark 3:20-21)  At one point Jesus even seems to desert his own family.  Rather than giving them special status, he announces, “Anyone who does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."  Mark 3:35 (emphasis mine)

From Mary’s perspective – as a single mother – her oldest son, Jesus, had left her alone.  She had already lost Joseph, and Jesus was the “man” of the house.  He probably supported the family working as a carpenter.  If she lost him too, how would she manage alone? 

Mary probably didn’t understand when Jesus first left home.  And she probably felt completely and totally out of control. 

Forget the paintings of Mary as a serene and calm woman, holding Jesus without a care in the world.  She couldn’t hold a grown man in her arms.  How was she supposed to know that he needed to leave her so he could go and save the world?

I often wonder how Mary held it together during those difficult times.  Sometimes, we forget about the middle.

Tuesday Tip: Freaking Out Is Normal

I have to admit it, the last few weeks, I’ve hit the tipping point.   I’m overwhelmed.   To be perfectly honest, I’m completely and totally freaked out.

Why?

Well, to start.  I’m realizing my dream – and I don’t want to blow it.  I’ve wanted to publish a book since the third grade.  And, I’m doing it.  June 1 will be here in one short week.  I have this sick feeling in my stomach.  It’s like being 10 years old and having butterflies before my piano recital, only worse.

A year ago, I wondered when I would ever get a publishing date from Cook.  Six months ago, June 1 seemed like an eternity.  But not now.  Believe it or not, I want more time.  I’m just not ready.

There is so much more I need to do.  I had intended to visit more bookstores, join Twitter, write letters, and contact friends of friends and influencers of influencers.  Then I got busy.  Spring arrived.  The kids’ schedules got crazy.  I overcommitted and underestimated.  Things at work became more demanding than usual.

I said to Doug last week, “I just can’t do it all. There aren’t enough hours in a day.”

He replied, “I know. That’s what your book is about, remember?”

I really hate it when he's right. 

So I emailed my agent, Rachelle.  After all, she’s seen first-time authors in action before.  Maybe she could even give me some tips so I wouldn’t freak out.

Her response?  Freaking out is normal.  It’s even healthy.  In fact, she said she would be worried about me if I wasn’t freaking out.

Thank God it’s ok to freak out. 

When I look back over the important decisions in life – getting married, having kids, settling into a career – I’ve never been truly “ready.”  The unknown frankly scares me, and I freak out when I don’t have control.
Freaking out also has a way of bringing me to my knees.  After all, who needs God when you already have things under control?

Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.  2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)

Ten Ways To Help Promote Chasing Superwoman

I'm blessed with friends and family who want to help.  They don’t blog, and they know nothing about the publishing process.  But they really want to get involved in promoting Chasing Superwoman.  After all, they’ve lived this journey with me.  In addition, I’ve met lots of great bloggers and have even gotten emails from complete strangers who want to get involved.

First and foremost, you can’t believe how grateful I am for the support.  Thanks for asking.  I’m one of those people who is reluctant to ask for help, but the truth is, I really need all of you.

So, if you want to be involved, here are 10 things to consider (and please take all of this with a grain of salt – I’m a first-time author, remember?):

1.  Keep reading.  Thanks for reading.  I’ll try to put updates about my marketing activities, book signings, and other events right here on the blog. 

2.  Tell your friends.  Please tell your friends about Chasing Superwoman.  Send them a link to the blog, Amazon, or any other site (such as Scribd.com where they can read the first chapter online).

3.  Do a review on Amazon.  If you decide to buy the book on Amazon, please write a review.  Your words are powerful!

4.  Ask your local bookstore to order or stock.  Ask your local bookstore to order or stock Chasing Superwoman.   I’ll be circulating a list of stores who will carry copies, such as Borders and Family Christian Stores.  In fact, we’re doing a book-signing at Borders on July 11, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m..  Please join us! (Columbus, Ohio – Henderson Road location.)

5.  Send me a list of your friends and influencers.  If you don’t know what to say (or don’t have the time or energy), please send me a list of your friends and contacts who may be interested in hearing more about Chasing Superwoman.

6.  Give me feedback.  Please give me your feedback about the blog, the book, or anything else.  For example, I have a friend who reads the blog every morning to help me catch typos – and I buy him lunch for every typo he catches!

7.  Join the blog tour.  My publisher will be organizing a blog tour next month.  If you’re a blogger and you want to get involved, please let me know and I’ll send you the details. 

8.  Become a Facebook Fan or a Blog Follower.  You can become a Fan right on Facebook.  And I just added a “Follower” button to my blog last week, so you can publically support and flow the blog.

9.  Suggest new material.  I’m going to keep writing.  So if you have ideas for new material, let me know.  My post later this week Are Showers Overrated? is actually at the request of my sister!

10.  Pray.  Please don’t feel like you have to do anything to support me.  But if I can ask for one thing (pretty please), I’d really appreciate your prayers.  The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16 (NLT)

Thanks for everything.  June 1 is next week!

Dangerous Women

This Friday, I’m praying the Dangerous Women Creed, from Lynne Hybels:

Dear God, please make us dangerous women.
May we be women who acknowledge our power to change, and grow,
     and be radically alive for God.
May we be healers of wounds and righters of wrongs.
May we weep with those who weep and speak for those who cannot
    speak for themselves.
May we cherish children, embrace the elderly, and empower the poor.
May we pray deeply and teach wisely.
May we be strong and gentle leaders.
May we sing songs of joy and talk down fear.
May we never hesitate to let passion push us, conviction compel us,
     and righteous anger energize us.
May we strike fear into all that is unjust and evil in the world.
May we dismantle abusive systems and silence lies with truth.
May we shine like stars in a darkened generation.
May we overflow with goodness in the name of God and by the power of Jesus.
And in that name and by that power, may we change the world.
Dear God, please make us dangerous women. Amen.


Will you join me in praying this prayer?  Any other Dangerous Women out there?

Visit Me Today At Graceful!

Today I’m guest blogging at one of my favorite blog sites, Graceful.  I was thrilled when Michelle DeRusha asked me to write about two of my favorite topics:  writing and faith.

Although Michelle lives in Nebraska (and we’ve never met in person), she’s a kindred spirit.  She’s a working mom, and she loves to write.  Like many of us, she wears many hats – mother, wife, writer, fundraiser for NPR, member of Southwood Lutheran Church.  Like many of us, she’s discovered (and writes about) the amazing grace in the experiences of everyday life. 

In addition to her daily blog, check out Michelle’s newspaper column in the Lincoln Journal Star.  (I especially love her April article called, Don’t forget people on the fringe.)

Thanks for your voice Michelle, and thanks for Graceful!

Wednesday Woman: Lydia

Some women are born with their own style. Lydia of Philippi was such a woman.

Lydia is often called the first European convert to Christianity.  And there are many reasons she deserves our admiration.  To start, Lydia was wildly successful in business. She undoubtedly represented the “new” modern woman of her day -- a business woman who enjoyed profitable trading throughout the Graeco-Roman world. Lydia was a dealer in purple cloth -- and purple dye was the most expensive and sought after dye in the Roman world. Which means Lydia had plenty of capital. As a seller of purple, expensive and even royal textiles, she was probably one of the richest and most influential women in her region.

Importantly, Lydia used her power and influence when it counted.  As a homeowner, she used her home as a refuge for the Apostles – her home was even the meeting place for the first church in Philippi. 

One of the reasons I admire Lydia is she was both cool and spiritual. And she didn’t apologize for either.

I’m not sure if Lydia was anyone’s biological mother.  But I do know that she was a spiritual mother to many.  She goes on in the book of Acts to risk her reputation (maybe even her life) for her faith.  And she did so being First-Century power woman. Not a shrinking violent!

Tuesday Tip: Buy Ready-Made Pizza Dough

Most moms can’t say no.  Given this fact, we need to to cut corners.

Have you ever signed up for something (aka you can’t say no), and the night before, you realize you’re in over your head?

I feel your pain.

Last Friday, Nick’s third grade class had a multi-cultural celebration at lunch.  Each child was asked to bring a food, to celebrate his or her heritage.  Nick wanted me to make spaghetti and meatballs, but even I thought this sounded a bit much.  So I agreed to make homemade pizza instead.

How hard could it be?  I would make the dough the night before in the bread machine, and I could bake the pizza in the morning before school.  Sounds easy.  Right?

On Thursday night at 7:30 p.m., I decided to get started.  Then, one of my neighbors came over and we started talking.  Before I knew it, I had lost track of how much flour I had put in the dough.  Oh well, I thought to myself.  No one will know the difference.

At 10:00 p.m. my dough was as hard as a rock.  It hadn’t risen.  So I freaked out and started complaining.  “I can’t do it all around here!  And I don’t have a spare moment to myself!”

Doug saw that I was about to crack.  So he ran to the store and bought more flour and yeast.  At 11:00 p.m. it was back to the drawing board.  I quickly whipped up a new batch of dough, but the bread machine started freaking out on me.  So I had to hold the pan in place –by hand -- while the dough mixed. 

The morning arrived sooner than usual.  Shelly and I met to run at 6:30 a.m., and by the time I got the kids ready for school it was time for my 8:00 a.m. conference call.  I still hadn’t showered, let alone rolled out the pizza dough.

So during, after, and in-between my next three conference calls, I made pizza.  One of my clients could hear the background noise and asked me, “What are you doing, Susan?”

“I’m making a pizza,”  I told her.  “It’s the third grade lunch multicultural celebration, and Nick needs to bring a homemade dish.”

She responded, “Haven’t you ever heard of the word no?  And if you can’t say no, just buy ready-made pizza dough.  That’s what the rest of us do.”

It’s a fair point.  I really should have bought the pizza dough.  Especially when I hit a brick wall with round two.  Sometimes, working moms just like to make life harder – and we forget to cut some obvious corners.  We want everything to be perfect, and we lose our sanity in the process!

So, my Tuesday Tip this week is simply this:  don’t try to do it all.  When in doubt, buy ready-made pizza dough!

My First Critic

Writers need to have tough skin.  After all, why write unless it’s going to spark some discussion.  Disagreement is a good thing.  Not everyone is going to like my book.  Right?

Of course.  I fully expect receiving my share of criticism.  After all, I’ve put myself out there.  I mean really out there.  But I’d be lying if I said I was fully prepared.  Rejection always hurts.

Last week, I receive the first copy of Chasing Superwoman.  No, it’s not for sale until June 1, but it’s customary to send the first copy to the author.  So when I got home from work last week and saw the package from Cook, I opened it with much anticipation and finally held the first copy in my hand.  As you know, I love firsts.

Nick immediately wanted to be the first to read it.  What a great idea, I thought to myself.  My son is going to be my first fan.  Even though Nick is only 9, he reads 3-4 books a week and keeps our local library in business. 

So Nick settled in and started to read, and I went upstairs to change my clothes.  I left Nick completely alone with the book, eager for his reaction.

About an hour later, I found Nick reading.  Another book.  So I asked him, “Nick, what did you think?”

He responded, “I didn’t really like it.”

“Did you make it past the first chapter,” I asked.

“Nope.”

“Are you going to trying reading it another time?”

“Nope.”

“Why not?”

“Mom, I’m 9 years old.  The book is for the average working mom.  I just don’t like it.”

Silence.

My first critic happens to be my own son.  Gee, I can’t wait to see who reads it next.  Yeah, I know he’s only 9, and I shouldn’t take it personally.  Plus, he’s just preparing me for the hard core critics.  Right?

Take Me Out To The Ballgame – But Don’t Throw Me Out!

It’s baseball season.  It’s that time of year when little league moms and dads start to get a little bit crazy.  I’m one of those moms, so I was sympathetic when my sister Janie told me about the recent drama at her son Joey’s high school baseball game.

Joey is in 11th grade.  Simply put, he’s a stud.  In fact, he’s such a stud that he’s on his way to breaking my husband’s high school baseball records.

(Yeah, Doug was really that good in his day.  I’m not allowed to embarrass him on the blog, but let’s just say he still holds several baseball records at our high school alma mater.)

Joey was getting ready to score, headed for home base.  The catcher was standing in the way, so Joey gave it his all and leaped over the catcher.  Unfortunately, the ump called him out.

But that’s not the end of the story.  Next, the opposing team’s parents started to go wild, complaining that Joey didn’t slide into home base.  (Apparently, it’s a high school rule that a player has to slide into home when the catcher is standing in play.)  The umpire caved under pressure and threw Joey out of the game!

Joey has never missed a game in his life.  He was blazing mad as he headed into the dugout.  Then my brother-in-law, George, started to spar with the first base coach.  Pretty soon, George had called the coach an “idiot” and dad and son were both thrown out of the game.  Together.

More bad news.  Joey’s team lost in 10 innings (Joey was the relief pitcher and third man in in the batting order).  But he had to stand out, unable to help his team escape defeat.

Sometimes life isn’t fair.  Which means that baseball isn’t fair.  I’m still routing for Joey to beat Doug’s record.  You can do it Joey!

For all you baseball fans out there, have a great weekend!

Why I Love Firsts

There’s something special about firsts.

I’ll never forget my first teacher.  My first piano recital.  My first date.  My first boyfriend.  My first kiss.  My first job.  My first car.  The first semester of college.  My first apartment.  My first husband (just kidding).

With kids, those memorable “firsts” more than multiply.  I can still remember vividly the first time we found out I was pregnant with Nick.  The first time I gave birth.  The first time he slept through the night.  The first steps.  The first words.  The first babysitter.  The first day of school.

One of the reasons I’ve loved writing a book is because I’ve been able to capture – and relive -- so many firsts.  Through writing, it’s like recreating certain moments for the first time.  Again and again.  And the moments I wish I could freeze in time – I simply put them on paper instead.  Someday, when I’m long gone, my children and grandchildren can read about these moments.  They too can relive each first. 

The other thing I’ve loved about writing is this:  it’s opened the door to more firsts.  I remember when I first decided to write a book.  I confided in a few friends and colleagues.  I remember sitting in an airport and writing the first chapter.  I’ll never forget the first time I heard back from my agent.  The first time we sent my book proposal to publishers.  The first time I heard that a publisher was interested.  And the first time I heard the good news – that Chasing Superwoman would be published.

I’m preparing myself for yet another first.  On June 1, my first book will hit the market.  The great thing about firsts?  You never know what to expect – you prepare as best you can, pray like mad, and (last but not least) ride the wave and have fun. 

Has it been a long time since you’ve had a first?  If so, it may be time to take action.  Sure, it takes some guts to take that first step, but I’ll take fear over regret any day!

This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9 (NLT)

Wednesday Woman: Eve

This week, I’d like to focus on the first mother of all:  Eve.

Eve is known most for being the first woman to sin.  Would any of us have done any better?  After all, nobody’s perfect.  Besides, I can’t imagine the pressure of going first.

Eve was the first woman to live with a man. Forget courting. The first arranged marriage was by necessity -- Adam was the only game in town. Sure, it was probably pure bliss at first, even love at first sight. But after the Fall, the honeymoon was over. I mean really over. Who knows if she was still in love with him. The habits she previously found endearing -- like the way he talked in his sleep or cracked his knuckles -- probably became nasty and annoying. Talk about being out of options. Like it or not, it was time for her and Adam to populate the earth. Together.

Eve was likewise the first woman to give birth. The first to experience the excruciating pains of childbirth. Without drugs. The first to nurse a baby. The first to hold twin boys in her arms. The first to beg God that they’d sleep through the night.

Can you imagine being the first mother?  No one to call for help, no one to show you the ropes, no one to babysit or tell you, “Don’t worry, he’ll outgrow this stage.”

So, before we throw Eve under the bus, let’s give her some credit for going first!  After all, the women who went before us paved the way for generations to come.

Tuesday Tip: Family Meeting Worth The Effort

I've never been very good at discipline.  And I’ve never been a big fan of too many rules.  But lately, the kids have been especially unruly.  Call it Spring Fever, but sometimes I feel like I’m talking to the wall.  Are my kids even listening?  Something had to be done, so Doug called a family meeting.

At first I was skeptical.  Would the kids even take us seriously?  As parents, we’ve been guilty of not following through with chores, charts, and consequences.  Would this be any different?

To start, the kids were stone quiet.  Their eyes were wide open as we started the meeting, and you could hear a pin drop as everyone took turns talking.  By the end of the meeting, Abby was giving everyone orders and repeating the messages loud and clear.  No more trash on the floor.  Don’t forget to brush your teeth.  Make your bed.  Don’t scream Mom’s name at the top of your lungs.  Clean your plate.  Say thank you and please.

Two weeks have since passed, and we probably need to have another family meeting.  But I’ll have to say, we’ve also seen improvement.  The kids have been much more intentional about doing their chores and homework.  Reminders have been less frequent.  Attitudes are more positive. 

Sometimes we all need to regroup, and I’ll have to say – the family meeting was worth the effort.  Have you tried a family meeting and, if so, has it worked?  How do you keep your kids’ attention and teach them to stay on course, especially when they have Spring Fever?

Can We Have It All?

For most women, by the time we complete our education and settle into a career, we’re smack dab in the middle of our childbearing years. Like it or not, our biological clocks are ticking. It’s been almost 10 years since I first became pregnant with Nick, but I vividly remember asking myself, can I be an excellent lawyer and an excellent mother?  After all, I had grown up in a traditional home where my devout Christian mother stayed at home. Could I work full time and show the same devotion to my own children?

Ten years later (and three children later), I’m still asking the same questions. Yes, I have a demanding career. And yes, I make sacrifices every day at home and at work. I’ve made mistakes along the way and don’t pretend to have a formula, but at the end of the day I’m completely and totally passionate about my children and my work.

People often ask me, “How do you do it?”

My response? I pray a lot and maintain a sense of humor. Some days, I either have to laugh or cry. Knowing that God is in control -- not me -- gives me the courage to laugh, even when my days don’t go as planned. Like when my cell phone rings in the pediatrician’s office. I forget when it’s my turn to bring preschool snacks. A client calls in the middle of my family dinner. I’m working late and I miss bedtime prayers. I’m up in the middle of the night with a sick kid, and the next day I can’t stay awake at my desk.

Most working mothers can relate -- which is why I decided to write a book about the difficult yet rewarding journey of being a working mother while striving to live a life of faith. Chasing Superwoman doesn’t give the answers -- in fact, it probably presents more questions than answers. But I’m privileged to wrestle with the tough issues, like can we really have it all?

Do you struggle with these same questions?  What does it really mean to have it all, anyway?

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. - Philippians 4:13

The Power Of A Mother

Do happy moms make happy kids? 

According to a recent report from the University of Bristol, happy mothers – regardless of financial status – make better parents and have happier children.  In other words, if Mom is happy, everyone’s happy.

Does this really surprise us?  After all, common sense tells us that the mother often sets the temperature for the rest of the family.  Mothers have a tremendous influence – and tremendous power that we shouldn’t take for granted.  Of course, this doesn’t mean that our kids don’t see us struggle.  And it doesn’t mean that life has to be perfect – that we have to be perfect -- for our children to be happy.  But it does mean that mothers (and fathers) have a huge responsibility in setting a positive environment for our children.

As a mother of three young children, I ask myself, Do my kids see me as happy and content?  Do they know how happy I am to be a mother – to be their mother?

Mother’s Day is a good time to remind our children how much we love them – and how happy we are to have them!

As you enjoy Mother’s Day this weekend, remember that you have an incredible, God-given power to influence your children.  Yes, motherhood is both a blessing and a responsibility.  Happy Mother's Day!

Her Own Style

My first-grader, Anna, has her own style.  Let’s just say she makes her own fashion choices (with little input from Mom).

Doug was picking Anna up at school, and one of the teachers – a teacher we had never met before -- stopped him.

“Hey, we were all talking about Anna the other day -- the way she dresses.  Anyway, we all decided that her mother must have been a big hippy or something.”

Doug just laughed and said, “Her mother is a lawyer.  She isn’t exactly the hippy type.”

I had a good laugh as well.  Anna went through a phase when she would only wear her headbands “bandana style” – the Cheech and Chong look, but on a first grader. One of my friends told me that Anna is just on the cutting edge of fashion, apparently Paris Hilton has also embraced bandana style.

I could stress out over it.  And I know people are talking about me behind my back -- What kind of mother would let her daughter dress like a hippy?  Doesn’t her mother ever wash her clothes?

But, frankly, I really don’t care.  On the list of things I have to worry about in life, this is close to dead last.  Besides, Anna’s style is growing on me.  I even have a few “hippy” shirts of my own.

Isn’t it better to be less focused on appearances and more focused on things like character and determination? 

There are some battles that just aren’t worth fighting!

Wednesday Woman: Hagar

When we hear about the Matriarchs of the Bible, no one ever talks about Hagar.  After all, she was single and homeless.  Not exactly the kind of woman society emulates.

But there was much more to Hagar.  She was a strong woman – even a strong mother.

So, what’s her story?

In short, she was a slave who got kicked out of Abraham’s house because her son, Ishmael, was illegitimate.  Even though Abraham was Ishmael’s biological father, Abraham couldn’t raise Ishmael under the same roof with his wife, Sarah, and his promised son Isaac.

Hagar – a mere maidservant -- wasn’t welcome anymore.

The only problem? She was a single mom, and she had a son to take care of.  And she had no where to go.  It’s not like she had her own income, her own resources, or her own property.  Hagar was truly alone.  She headed into the desert with no food or water.  Probably without hope.

Hagar might have died in the desert, along with her son.  But God saw her pain.  He reached down and sent an angel to comfort her, and miraculously provided a well.  He also gave her a promise:

Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad and hold him with your hand, for I will make him a great nation.” Genesis 21:17-18

Did Hagar mock God?  Did she tell him that he had already done enough damage?  Or, did she persevere and determine not to give up, even though life didn’t turn out as planned?

You guessed it, Hagar didn’t give up.  And her son went on to survive and build a strong nation.

Lots of mothers in our generation can relate to Hagar.  Mothers who feel like they’re in the middle of the desert.  Mothers who go to bed at night thinking, How am I going to survive, let alone support my children?  Does God even see my pain?

When the going gets tough, remember the story of Hagar.  Even though Hagar was ready to give up, she didn’t.  And, more importantly, God didn’t give up on Hagar.

Tuesday Tip – Green Shakes Give Energy!

Working moms need energy.  Which is why I recently added green shakes to my diet.

I learned a few things when I was laid up at the spa in Utah.  What did I learn?  To start, I learned how to make yummy green shakes.  And you can’t even taste the spinach.

My sisters, Mona and Janie, dragged me to a cooking class the morning after my tooth extraction.  I really wasn’t that excited – given that I was unable to chew or digest food, the last thing I wanted to do was go to a cooking class – but I was getting a little tired of the four walls of my hotel room.  When we arrived at the class, I was pleasantly surprised to see green shakes on the menu.  This is how I know God has a sense of humor.  He dragged me all the way to Utah, just to teach me how to make the perfect drink right when I needed it the most.

Needless to say, it hit the spot.  Never mind that I hadn’t eaten anything in 24 hours.  This was pure heaven (not to mention the secondary but equally fabulous health benefits).

Here’s the recipe, as best as I can remember (and, yes, I’ve been making them on a regular basis – even Abby thinks they are delicious).

• 1/3 spinach (as you get brave, you can more spinach as well as parsley, mint, or anything green and leafy)
• 2/3 frozen fruit (I’ve found that bananas, pineapple, and mango work best with spinach)
• apple cider (or apple juice)
• a dash of real vanilla extract (this is the secret ingredient)

Put the spinach in first and add the other ingredients in order.  Enjoy!

Are you brave enough to try a green shake?

May Is Mother’s Month

There are lots of reasons to be happy it’s May.  Spring is here.  The flowers are in bloom.  Nights are shorter.  Days are longer.  I can finally run outside without my jacket.  Swimming pools will soon open.  Camping season is around the corner.  School is almost out for the summer.

As important, May is mother’s month.  We celebrate Mother’s Day on May 9.  And whether you’re a mother or not, we all have women in our lives to celebrate.  Women who take care of us, encourage us, and need our support.  Especially our mothers.

This May, I’d like to write about some of the strong mothers in the Bible – mothers we often don’t hear about.  Mothers who made a difference in the lives of their children.  Some of them were single and homeless.  Many of them worked hard to provide for their families.  No, we won’t be able to talk about all of them in May, but we’ll at least get started.  May is a good time to pay respects to their legacy.

But before we turn to the mothers of the Bible, give some thought to the women you plan to honor this Mother’s Day.  What will you do to celebrate their legacy?  (You still have plenty of lead time – you have a whole week to get that card in the mail or buy that special gift!) 

Let’s face it, we wouldn’t be here but for the women who went before us.