Maxed Out

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson   Dress from VICI

I love maxi dresses. This summer, I can promise you that you will see a lot more maxi dress looks on this blog. They are so easy to throw on, and they look good for any type of occasion, whether it be going to lunch, shopping, vineyarding, beaching, churching, attending a wedding (except not one in white), etc. This one from VICI caught my attention because it screams versatility. And, of course, it’s so pretty. 

With it being the LAST week of school, not only am I thinking about all the different summer events I can wear this dress to, I am also thinking about how MAXED out I feel energy wise. The month of May has already been chalked full of events, and there doesn’t seem to be any relief in sight!

Do you ever have moments where you just feel maxed out? Like you can’t make it through another task without falling over? Or, you can’t deal with one more negative email? Or, you can’t handle one more thing on the to-do list? You’re simply maxed out – emotionally, physically, mentally.

It happens. And when this happens to me, all I want to do is push the pause button on life… push all the busyness to the side and sit alone with my thoughts… and probably a glass of wine, an episode of the Real Housewives, and a bag of popcorn. But we can’t always do that. Because in life, we have deadlines, responsibilities, kids to feed, clothes to wash… the list goes on and on. We have to get up and keep going even if we are completely worn down. 

The only good thing about feeling maxed out is that it is totally normal. Sometimes life can get overwhelming. It can feel like you are taking one hit after another. But, we don’t always have to be happy or balanced to be okay. I was reminded of this point this past weekend during the first message of the “Life With” series at Cross Point Church. I can’t wait for this series to unfold, so I can share it with you all on the Sunday in the Shed page.

I listened to the message twice yesterday (I know, I know, 10 God points for me… just kidding). The part that stuck out to me the most was that we don’t have to be okay all the time. We can have moments where we feel out of sync – even if we don’t know what is causing it.

So, yes, while it is good for us to know that it’s okay for us to not be okay, we also need to remember that is is okay for the people around us to not be okay. It shouldn’t be a surprise that not everyone you encounter on a daily basis is going to be feeling their best. They may be showing you their A game on the outside, yet feeling like a total loser on the inside. It is so easy to get caught up in our own lives that we lose sight of how the people around us might be feeling – or even hurting.

My challenge to you is this: whether you are feeling invincible or defeated, remember that God is strengthening your heart and carrying you through the journey. Give a little grace to the people around you, and remind them that its okay to not be okay.

“But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me.” – 2 Timothy 4:17

Bring May Flowers

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson 

Jeans - Jcrew; Top - Fab'rik; Shoes - Target

We have all heard the saying time and time again: “April showers bring May flowers…and an excuse to wear white pants and bright colored tops.” Ok, ok.  So, maybe it doesn’t exactly go like that. However, I do feel like whenever May arrives I can officially pull out the white pants without anyone looking at me sideways.  Yes, I realize that I am stuck in my Southern ways with this fashion rule. Maybe one day I will embrace the fact that you can wear white all year long. No judgment from me if you already do. 

The month of May also means that summer is approaching. And for this teacher, that means that I am only days away from sitting by the pool, reading lots of books, and NOT having to set an alarm. This is a good situation.

But, the month of May also means having to say goodbye to 23 students who have become like family over the last year. This is a bittersweet situation.  It’s funny, the school year brings a range of emotions for me.  I go from February, when we are cooped up inside, driving each other crazy, cold, sick and counting down the days until spring break, to May, when I’m cherishing each day, shedding tears, and wanting to hug each amazing kid a little closer.

While saying goodbye to my students is tough, I realize that some of you are dealing with much more difficult situations right now.  I mean, I knew back in August that nine months later I would be saying farewell to yet another class.  It was expected.  Many of the difficult situations, however, are not expected.  And if I dove into all the different types of situations that we encounter on a day-to-day basis—from happy to sad and every stage in between—you would be reading this blog post for days. Nobody wants to do that, so I am keeping it simple.

The point of this post is to help you realize the good in your situation. No matter what it is. There are tiny little miracles happening all around you. Miracles that are sometimes too hard to see because the challenging parts can seem so overpowering. I am 100% guilty of letting the tough times completely get me down – I am human after all.

The amazing thing is that when we allow God to walk with us, we tend to find more of the good than the bad. Or, we look at the bad and can somehow find the good. Instead of dwelling on the hard times, we are able to trust and accept that God is going to show us the good. It doesn’t always happen right away; but, when it does, it is the most uplifting and peaceful feeling to experience.

“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord who has compassion on you.” – Isaiah 54:10

So, no matter what situations you face throughout your day today, I pray that you will let God walk with you through each one. Look at how God is working to shape and mold you into the person he wants you to become every step of the way. He’s got this. And so do you.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to give you a future and hope” – Jeremiah 29:11

Your Go-To

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson

We all have that go-to item hanging in our closet. It could be a shirt, a pair of jeans, or even a dress. Whatever it is, we pick it because we know it looks good and feels good.  But, most importantly, we pick it because we know we look good in it. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be our go-to.

These pieces of jewelry are my go-to for any occasion. Each piece has a story behind it and represents a time of celebration in my life.  It’s almost as if they provide a sense of comfort when I wear them.

At the end of the day, the “go-to” items in your closet or on your dresser are really just that… items. They hold sentimental value, which is special, but you can continue on without them. Another characteristic of our go-to items is that they tend to change with whatever season or period of life you are in. Something you wear over and over again in the summer isn’t going to be the same thing that you wear in the winter. Unless, of course, you live somewhere tropical. And, if that’s the case, aren’t you lucky! 

Just like the go-to items in our closet, our go-to people change, too. We all have that group or that clique that we know we can go to with anything: to celebrate, to cry, to laugh, or to grab a donut with (because who doesn’t want to do that?). There are members of this “go-to” group that you know will be with you for life. Each member holds a specific place in your heart and carries a special gift.

On the other hand, there are those go-to members of the group who enter your life for a season. During that time in your life, you are going to rely on them to walk with you down a specific path. 

No matter what, we all need a go-to. We are not built to take this journey by ourselves. Even Jesus walked the earth with a go-to group. He had people to pray with, eat with, celebrate with, and travel with.  He even had people to challenge Him. Doesn’t that sound very similar to your “go-to” people?

This week, I encourage you to recognize the gifts in each of your “go-to” people. Take a moment to realize what they offer you. Then, take a moment to think about what you can offer them. Check yourself! Have you been as much of a go-to to them as they have been to you? God has placed people in your life for a reason. So GO TO them!  

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirt, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:19-20