November + Thankfulness = Grace

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(Each month for the past 6 years I have written a letter to the members of the MOPS@2BC group… my sweet husband thought maybe more people would like to read this note. Hope it sparks something in you!)

Yep that sums it up for me. (see the title again)  Sure time with family, pumpkin pie, and Black Friday shopping with my sister-in-law also stand out. I feel November prepares my heart with thankfulness. It is the ground work of grace by accepting it, giving it and projecting it.

Grace is ever-present and available to each of us. We all can tap into receiving and giving it. I can honestly say that I wasn’t always the best at grace… the giving or the receiving. Grace to me was one of two things: 1) a prayer before a meal 2) a smooth movement or style.

I will admit it I was a “tracker”. What was said to me, about me, or my perception of both those things including I assumed were tracked. (Yes, I needed a different kind of hobby at the time) I was wrapped up in the minor issues, flaws and comments. Grace only played a role in my relationship with my 5 close girlfriends in high school. There was a solid foundation of understanding, acceptance and respect. But that came from time hanging out and sharing our lives. College opened up my receptors some, but I felt challenged to fill my resume up and do. Do LOTS. Leadership, internships, and work. Amon is probably still surprised I made time for our relationship.

So when did I really start living with thankfulness and grace? It might sound cliché but motherhood brought me to a new primal belief that motherhood is a blessing but unbelievably hard. I have grown in my faith and in grace in countless ways in the past 9 years of mothering. Now I want to understand, so that I can be understood. Now I want to support, so that I can be supported. I want to let others know that we should be in community with one another and not in judgment of how we choose to parent, live, or give. My hope is that by giving grace it extends through the recipient and goes on.

I mean it when I say, I am thankful for each of you. I don’t know why each of us are part of MOPS@2BC but I believe that if we give each other the permission to increase our capacity for grace that we can do anything. And probably raise amazing children full of grace.

Be Blessed,
Kristin Wooldridge
http://www.boldlyblessed.com

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About Kristin

I started this blog thing years ago in August 2011. I have made attempts to blog over the past three years of seminary, but it was like writing when drowning. But I have completed the bulk of my course work, so I know there is a God. I am currently in my capstone creation phase this fall. This allows me time to unravel a little and renew my passion for writing my ramblings. If you like what you read, share what it stirs in you or even share it with others. I write for you from me. A little about me... I have celebrated 16 years of wedded bliss and reality with my best friend for over 17 years. We have 3 wonderful kids that are all unique, amazing and different in their own way. Our first born is nearly a teenager. He loves talking, Scouts, reading, camping and science experiments. Our daughter is a decade old. She is our creative soul and a planner! She loves to spend time dancing, singing and nurturing/teaching her babydolls and us. She is very sweet to her brothers. Last but not least is our daring 6 year old red head boy. He broke the "Wooldridge Mold". He is the fastest runner, our busiest explorer, our deep philosopher and biggest joker, oh and he gives the best hugs. You know the long lingering kind that truly fuel your soul to sing. I have been a stay at home mom for nearly 13 years and I have found a groove that works for our family. (That grove doesn't mean I have it figured out. It just means I am good with asking for help and having my family help us survive.) Twelve years ago, I joined a local MOPS group and I have been the Coordinator for 1o years. This group has given me a chance to lead without working full time, support other women in my community and help refine my walk with God. I also attend Central Baptist Theological Seminary. I am pursuing a Masters of Divinity and loving every minute of it. I am currently working on my capstone project, which a ministry guide for the MOPS group I have lead for a decade. It will serve as a touchpoint for those in leadership and also as a sweet offering as my goodbye to meaningful work that touched every part of my life and taught me that I am called to pastor. My life isn't perfect as the paragraph above makes it seem. But I have traveled through those harder times and found strength and support through them. Hoping to use this blog as a spot to write my thoughts, feelings and stories as I keep on living life! God Bless you and keep you. We each need to remember the Divine is within each of us. Be kind to yourself and to others.

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