Liturgies for Parents

Everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom.Galatians 5:14 (msg) That’s the anchor verse for July 4 in my upcoming new release, Our Daily Breath: 365 Prayers and Practices that Whisper Peace in a Shouting World. But before we get to that
 The printers sent over an official sample copy of the hardcover to my publisher, and my editor just sent it to me, and wow.

God knows what you’re carrying right now. God knows the pain you hold deep in your heart, the pain you dare not name aloud. Every tear that’s slipped down your cheek, every time you’ve stared at the ceiling in the dark, every ache you thought was invisible: God knows. Our Daily Breath Devotional: 365 Prayers and Practices that Whisper Peace in a Shouting World has a breath prayer and short reflection for every day of the year.

Fluorescent lights flicker overhead as kids tumble into the room. Sweaty from kickball and sticky from pudding cups, they sit criss-cross-applesauce in a large circle. The room air conditioner buzzes to life as I welcome them into the room. I tell them I’m glad to see them because I genuinely am. I ask them to raise one hand if they’ve ever fallen asleep somewhere embarrassing. I ask them to raise two hands if they want to share with the group.

a brand-new excerpt from my upcoming book Our Daily Breath Devotional: 365 Prayers and Practices that Whisper Peace in a Shouting World: Your truest self is a beloved child of God. Not the biggest mistake you’ve ever made. Not your career title. Not your personality type or your relationship status. Not your follower count on social media. Not your political affiliation or your church denomination. Not your popularity or where you live or what you wear. Your truest self is God’s own.

If your start to summer seems less like a gentle entry into a relaxing season and more like a deep dive into full life schedules, you’re not alone. What might it look like to let go of your tight grip on expectations and let yourself exhale, trusting that God will meet you here in this season of sun-stretched days and bonfire nights? My husband and I celebrate our 18th anniversary this weekend.

But why is that so easy to forget? Invitations for connection and a prayer for kicking off summer break. As a newsletter subscriber, you’re the first to read sneak peeks of my new daily devotional, Our Daily Breath: 365 Prayers and Practices that Whisper Peace in a Shouting World. If you’re able, will you pop over and preorder it now? It’s a beautiful hardcover collection of daily breath prayers and short readings (all on one page!) that offer an exhale in our overwhelming world.

Exhales to borrow for beginnings and endings. Prayers to make your own for Pentecost, Memorial Day, graduations, and more. In the beginning, God breathed. And God has been breathing new life into us ever since. I’m so excited to get Our Daily Breath Devotional: 365 Prayers & Practices That Whisper Peace in a Shouting World into your hands. It officially launches this fall, but going ahead and placing your order now makes a huge difference to the book's success.

Plastic boats float on a sea of bubbles. My son splashes, creating a tsunami right here in our little house. I fill a cup with warm water. “Look up and then close your eyes,” I tell him as I rinse his conditioner. A yellow terrycloth towel with a hood that looks like a duck hangs on the door. I glance at my watch. Bedtime can’t come soon enough. I fight a yawn and give my son a two-minute warning, reminding him that we like him as a little boy and don’t want him to turn into a prune.

However Mother’s Day finds you, I’m glad you’re here. Whether you’re reflecting on your mothering journey, the mothering you received (or didn’t), the mothers you miss, the mothers you love, or the longing you feel when your journey of mothering hasn’t been linear...your emotions are not too much. You’re allowed to feel grief. You’re allowed to feel gratitude. You’re allowed to feel a swirl of those emotions or none at all. If today is hard (or even just…weird), be gentle with yourself.

I don’t know who first coined the term Maycember, but it’s painfully real for all of us caring for children in any capacity this month. No matter how much my husband and I try not to overschedule our kids, with four school-age children, late spring is just a lot. (It’s already a lot, every day, without all the extras.) If you’re feeling the pressure of parenting this month, you’re not alone. Let this care package of prayers offer an exhale. Make the lunch. Sign the permission slip.