Some thoughts...

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Last night I stayed up late(r) after watching 20/20's episode, "Mother's Little Helper".  The show featured moms that drink to get through the day.  These were mothers with young children, who saw nap time as "happy hour".  I was especially intrigued by how these women did not look the typical "drunk" on the street, at the bar, or parties.  These were once-career professionals, suburban & urban women.  The show went through what their typical day would look like, and eventually their decision to go toa 30-day Detox facility in Palm Beach, Florida. 

Being a chemical dependence counselor, I was fascinated by the topic.  I work with young people struggling to find hope for their addictions weekly.  But being a mother myself, I was sad and angry by these women's habits.  I remember drinking when I was in college.  I remember drinking post-college.  And I remember drinking WITH friends who are now parents as well.  It made me wonder... how many of them are still drinking AND parenting?  How many of my old friends are choosing to endanger their children by driving their children/babies after an afternoon at the park or a family gathering... or a party?  I haven't had a drink since the day I met my husband.  And the desire isn't even there (praise the Lord).  But my heart still aches for the children I saw on the show last night... and for the children of old friends who still choose to keep their habit. 

And then I think of our current lives now.  Are we people who might look at women (and men) and judge their drinking/drugging habit, but forsake the call to look into our own lives?  What am I spending my time and energy on?  Lord help me!  Lord help us to dig deep into our own habits... TV, the internet, shopping, hobbies, beauty, too much of anything? 

As I ponder at what my role as a mother, wife, friend, counselor, and neighbor is, I continue to trust that God has a specific task for me.  Lately I've been thinking A LOT about what brings me PASSION.  Is it counseling?  Is it crafting?  Is it parenting?  Is it sharing with other women?  Is it mentoring young women?  Could I bring all of those things together? 

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."  Ephesians 3:17b-19