A LITTLE ABOUT ME
Family
I have to believe at least part of my conviction to live mindfully stems from my cancer diagnosis at age 20. My budding worldview was irreparably shaped by an uncertain future, and the reality of a healthy, thriving life still feels like a ridiculous and unmerited gift. On my best days I parent with intention and stay married on purpose. Both are uphill tasks which is why not every day is a good one.
Still, I aim to make the most of my one shot in life to love my husband well and steward, to the best of my ability, the children God has given me. That usually means cooperating with God: being quick to forgive, slow to let go of another person’s embrace. Slow also to speak, faithful to open God’s word, and humble when working those words out in our gritty, complex world. It means going against my every natural inclination to accumulate more for myself: more knowledge, money, status, accomplishments, and instead leaving space and margin for whomever God might bring my way. This is my great challenge.
As much as I believe parents are the first and best spiritual teachers to their children, it is my children who have taught me the most poignant spiritual lessons about service, hospitality, worship and living a life of presence. And if it’s true that we are a conglomeration of the 5 people we spend the most time with, I’m the luckiest gal in the room.
Community
My husband and I are committed to our part in God’s Kingdom work here on earth, and we believe that starts with the people right in front of us, and the space between our own two feet. We are passionate disciples of Jesus, equally passionate about our role in the Kingdom as disciple-makers. We co-founded GreenLeaf, a non-profit aimed at unifying the churches of our city around the needs of the community. We helped launch and provide mentorship through Imagine Whittier, a program aimed at mentoring families out of homelessness. We serve a God who believes deeply in the power of proximity, and even if we don’t do it perfectly, we keep showing up for the job.
Faith
I hold titles like mother, cancer survivor, former missionary, psychotherapist, writer, speaker, and bible teacher, but the title I like best is: child. I’m God’s child and that’s the most important thing anyone needs to know about me. My identity, formed and molded by that reality, informs everything else I do.
I just ran into you via Jedediah’s insta feed….I too was blessed with five children! The youngest is now 27!!! Your writing takes me back to those days….they were tough and seemingly never ending….tons of unfolded laundry, crazy homework nights, second guessing my ability to be the mom my kids needed, listening to the Lotd telling me I was exactly who they needed even if I didn’t think so!!!
But….they flew by! Those days are a whisper of a memory….but what I know for certain is that every ounce of the effort I put into motherhood had been returned 100 fold by the love, compassion, and loveliness of my five adult children show me daily, show each other, share with their spouses, and the parenting they are doing on their own children!!!
Enjoy the season, do your best, acknowledge God’s plan….you will surely reap the rewards!!
Much love!
That’s a good word Maria! Thank you!