The Christmas Story isn’t about twinkly lights or making merry. And though the promises are everywhere, it’s not about making it ‘simple’ either. Not really.
Hey there! I’m Mikala—a wife, mother of 5, family doctor, well-being advocate, and the author of Ordinary on Purpose. Each month, my writing reaches millions of women, but I am thrilled to be connecting with YOU. I’m truly grateful to have you here!
All in Life
The Christmas Story isn’t about twinkly lights or making merry. And though the promises are everywhere, it’s not about making it ‘simple’ either. Not really.
Homes are not meant for tricking people into believing you have money or have it all together or you’re perfect, somehow, by being big and fabulous and stylish and organized and well-decorated.
I’m giving myself the time and grace and space to wonder. I’m giving myself some time to just…BE. And I’m calling it my Grace Period.
In tiny glimpses, it ALL feels like enough. My life. This hard, broken world. My family. Me, even.
It’s the first time in my life I’ve done something just for me. Just...because. It’s the first time in my life I’ve done something not because I should do it, but because I want to.
Today I feel sad. Maybe it’s because I took my youngest to kindergarten round-up and there are only a few more months until ALL my kids will be in school.
There is so much to do, yes. I know so often I’m moving too fast. But I don’t ever want to be too busy or stressed or distracted or overwhelmed that I forget to notice it all as it passes.
But that doesn’t mean we’re doing it wrong, it just means we are living.
Won’t you grab my hand? Let’s decide to live and breathe and work and love wherever God has placed us. And let’s share our one precious, beautiful, ordinary life . . . together. I’ll be me. You be you.
When the marriage ends, when the child dies, when the terminal diagnosis comes, when war is declared—what people long for is ordinary.
I turn to the pile of backpacks on the floor. Markers and artwork scattered across the counter. Cartoons calling from the other room. Another stack of dishes piled up in the sink.
But sometimes in the middle of pain and sadness and anger and fear and devastation and despair, there is beauty and laughter and joy and love and warmth and hope.
I can’t believe this is my life. It’s messy. And hard. And ordinary. And unplanned. And so ridiculously beautiful.
I may occasionally wish for a moment or two that I could step into those seemingly picture-perfect lives that surround me. But the truth is, I love this life. THIS one.
Somehow, when I stopped striving and pretending, a beautiful life of connection and love and faith had room to emerge. And now I know.: “Perfect” is pretend.
Yep, I think this is the year to grow a little closer to the best version of ME I can be. And LOVE me.
It’s not about being the BEST parent ever and creating perfect holiday memories, but about showing up for our kids the best way we know how.