sunshine + my summertime reading list

Hello my friends!! I seem to be having a hard time keeping up with life at this moment. It’s summertime. We try to keep our kids as active as possible which helps keep my house clean #nojoke. And, while running the roads with the kiddos, I love to wear  lightweight but cute tops. This yellow cold shoulder top from ASOS adds the perfect pop of color to my #ootd and screams summer. Here is a few more fun tops that are perfect for summertime.

 “The soul, like the body, lives by what it feeds on.”

Meanwhile, if we are not careful in the busyness of mom life, we will neglect ourselves both physically and spiritually from what is good for the soul… And, hello, I don’t know about you, but I feel more alive when I frequently get that vitamin D and some Jesus.

So, yesterday,  I was driving along Country Club drive and had a life changing moment. Y’all, I have to regretfully confess that I murdered a squirrel for the first time. He was second guessing his choice to cross the road. Fear gripped him as he saw my monster suburban approaching…. he froze and the rest is history. My six year old asked me “Was he hungry?? Did he have some nuts in his hand?? Why did he let your tire kill him??”. I responded, “He panicked and lost focus of his purpose for crossing the road.”. THEN, It HIT me. This squirrel has been me throughout life. In the busyness, I forget my purpose and get distracted.. insecurity and unworthiness take over. I start listening to the wrong voice. Next thing that I know, I am hating that I just face planted on that darn concrete.

I love to discover the life stories of other women {and men} who share in the same struggles and victories that I experience. It’s inspiring and encouraging . So, I felt compelled to share  a few authors who have impacted my life.

summertime reading:

1)Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst: I am almost finished with this book. Gosh, this book is MUST, must read…

“At the core of who we are, we crave the acceptance that comes from BEING LOVED. To satisfy this longing we will either be graspers of God’s love or grabbers for people’s love. If we grasp the FULL love of Christ, we won’t grab at other things to fill us. Acceptance {of God’s love} is like an antibiotic that prevents past rejections from turning into present-day infections… The more fully we invite God in, the less that we feel uninvited by others.” #livingloved

2)Without Rival by Lisa Bevere: I just started this book. It’s already ministering goodness to my heart…

“When I disconnect from my true identity, I still can struggle with the cruelty of comparison. When we look to others for our affirmation, we will always feel as though we are on the outside looking in. No single person can completely fill the void of affirmation in your life {Sorry- even if your husband were perfect, it is not going to happen.}. There is no lifetime achievement, list or award that can ever write with assurance the words God alone can inscribe on your heart: Loved, beautiful, valued, intimately known…. Mine.“

3)The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller: I have skimmed through this book until my husband completes it. My heart exploded.. it’s packed with wisdom. If you are married, do yourself a favor and buy it now.

“Being created in God’s image means that we were designed for relationships. Marriage is for helping each other become our glory-selves….. {In marriage, we need to communicate} I see your flaws, imperfections, weaknesses, dependencies. But underneath them all I see the growing person God wants you to be.  The experience of marriage will unveil the beauty and depths of the gospel to you. It will drive you further into reliance on it. On the other hand, a greater understanding of the gospel will help you experience a deeper union with each other as the years go on. Its painful and wonderful.”

“Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.” -Proverbs 31:25

Let me close with this:

1) I can’t face tomorrow with a smile and confidence unless I feed my soul rightly.

2)I won’t confidently know my purpose and my value unless I feed my soul rightly.

Photos by Sandra Morlet