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Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

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…And, Don’t Eat the Birdseed

 

Happens at your house too, I bet.  You know those words that spill out of your mouth; words that you never thought you’d say.

I’m learning this boy-life as I go, and I can’t say that I understand yet, what exactly makes them tick.  The one thing that I have learned for sure is that — I have a lot yet to learn.

The things that come out of my mouth these days surprise, even, me.  Especially me.

Don’t lick your toes.

Don’t pee on your brother.

Don’t eat the cat’s food.

Where are your underpants?

Don’t chase the ice cream truck.

What is this, and why is it on my table?

Don’t step on your brother’s head.

Do you have a death wish?

Yes, that is a beautiful rock, sweetie.

Spaghetti for breakfast?

What would possess you to drink vinegar?

No, there’s never a dull moment in my home.  Being the only female in a house full of menfolk makes for one very eventful life.  One crazy, chaotic, beautiful, blessed life.

I suppose you know you’re a parent when your day starts with: “Good morning son…did you know that your shirt is on backward?”  flower

(Originally published as the winning article in the “Real Moms, Real Jesus” contest held by Hearts at Home in 2009.)   

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The neon numbers on my nightstand clock insisted i The neon numbers on my nightstand clock insisted it was midnight, yet it may as well have been midday as far as my active mind was concerned.
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Weariness swept my spirit as the enemy nagged notions of angst. 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥, 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘶𝘱 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵? I begged softly into the night.
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Turns out, trying to fill every moment of opportunity can leave you feeling empty of rest.
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Dear friend, can you relate to being in that place of striving to do it all, lest you miss out on something meaningful, while quietly feeling weary and worn?
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We often hear the acronym FOMO—the “fear of missing out.” But what a lullaby it would sing to our weary spirits, if instead we embraced a different kind of FOMO—the “freedom of missing out.” 🙌
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Dear Lord of the sunrise: Thank You! 🙌 💗 . . . #su Dear Lord of the sunrise: Thank You! 🙌 💗
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Hey, friend. 💗 How is your 2025 going? Whether car Hey, friend. 💗 How is your 2025 going? Whether carefree & calm, or perhaps like mine, it's been a whirlwind of extra, I pray the Lord has met you in the midst with all of Himself. 💗 ...
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