7 Things I learned in February

Today I’m looking back to recount all that I’ve learned in the last 30ish days. I’m only two months into this new exercise of contemplation, and I’m really enjoying it. Again I’ll be linking up with Emily P. Freeman and many others as we all shared what we learned in February.

#1: The “AUDIBLE” app is a good way for me to get fiction in.

A friend introduced me to this app last month, and I’m a big fan. It’s an audio book app through Amazon. Since most of what I read is nonfiction, I decided that this would be a good way for me to get some fiction in without taking up my non-fiction reading time.

Guess what this means?!? More books!!

I’ve already listened to two books (from The Mark of the Lion series I told you about in my February favorites), and my list is growing.

At first listening to someone read to me was difficult. I didn’t like that I couldn’t control the pace (… which means I couldn’t fly through books like I usually do.) I’ve realized, however, that listening is a good exercise in the discipline of slowing down. Plus, it’s fun to have something to listen to while driving. Last week, in my frenzy to get to the end of my book, I happily cleaned my house for hours so I could finish. (I call that a win, win!) Click here for more info. on audible. 

#2: Small talk is not my favorite thing.

When my friend posted this on my Facebook wall and asked why this made her think of me, I was like huh? What? Me?  And then I laughed. Although small talk doesn’t really give me anxiety, it doesn’t do much for me either. I’d rather get straight to the vulnerable and weird. So thanks, Catrina, for acknowledging my weirdness and loving me anyway.

#3: February is a month that tells the truth.

Whereas January comes in with big eyes, big ideas and great expectations, February goes about the quiet work of telling the truth. It’s a month that speaks plainly about priorities, pace and projects.

I started this year with a project list a mile long. I had a plans in place to keep me productively moving forward, full steam ahead! But as January moved on and February strolled in, God has set a very different pace for me. All the hurry and hustle and produce of January has taken an indefinite back seat to slow down, pull back and listen. It’s a sweet new season of snuggling in and breathing deep. It’s purpose, although unknown, feels rich, so I’ll stay here until its quiet work is done.

#4: Husbands create 7 hours of extra housework for their wives.

I heard on the radio last week that having a husband creates an extra seven hours of housework a week for women. But a wife saves her husband from an hour of chores around the house each week.

Ha! Aren’t they lucky to have us?!? You can read about it here. 

#5: Hot oil treatments really do help to revive dry, damaged hair.

My sad, over-processed hair has been desperate for some TLC. After doing a little research on Pinterest, I decided one this recipe:

I mixed together all three ingredients in equal amounts (1 tablespoon each) in a small, glass bowl, heated it in the microwave and slathered it in my hair, focusing on my ends. After twisting my hair into a greasy bun, I left it for an hour or so. Afterwards, I showered like normal.

I’ve been doing this once a week for over a month and can really tell the difference. My fried, dried ends feel stronger and softer, and my hair looks more shiny and overall more healthy-ish.

#6: Only fruitful branches are pruned.

John 15 has been one of my favorites chapters in scripture for a long time, but for the first time ever verse two stuck out to me. It says,

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:2

So which branches get pruned? Which branches get cut back, cleaned out, and stripped down? Jesus teaches us that the Father prunes the branches that still have life. The good and healthy ones. The productive ones. The ones that are already bearing fruit. He doesn’t bother pruning fruitless branches.

And why does He do this pruning? So that we can be even more fruitful.

Have we ever considered that these seasons of pruning (call it a cutting back, a loss, a disappointment, waiting, quietness, etc.) may actually be the answer to our prayers for more growth and fruitfulness? Seems like all the more reason to trust the Father and lean in!! It is for His glory and our good.

#7: We’re entering our sweet spot of parenting.

As God has slowed my pace and stripped my calendar of many planned projects, I have had plenty of time and space to focus on and enjoy my people. You know what I’ve decided? I really like them! As much as I enjoyed {most of} the season of life with our littles, THIS is our sweet spot in parenting. By the end of this week, we will officially have one teenager, one pre-teen and one growing boy-child. How can this be???

This gig just keeps getting better, people. I couldn’t love these faces more.

So what have you learned in February???