Dedra Johnson

Never miss a thing!

Encouragement in your inbox!

motherhood

breathing, praising and watching the chicks fly…

by 10 Comments

I’m sitting here forcing myself to write.

God and I have this conversation going on. (indulge me.. this is what it sounds like in my spirit)

 

“I need you to open yourself up and share and encourage other mommas.” – God

“I want to honor you and encourage others, but this is stinkin’ hard. I feel like stomping my feet and saying no.” – Dedra

“I need you to open yourself up and share and encourage other mommas.” – God

“Seriously?  I’m just a chick… I want to honor you, but this is really, stinkin’ hard.  Especially right now.” – Dedra

“I need you to open yourself up, share and encourage other mommas and let MY Glory be revealed.” – God

“(Bows head and shakes head) Yes sir, I want to do that too.  Is it okay to do it through these tears and mourning?” – Dedra

“I need you to open yourself up and reveal that I AM the ONLY WAY.” – God

 

It’s been two and three weeks since I have gotten these three settled and on their way.

The transition into empty nesting needs to take its time.

But, it doesn’t.

It comes fast and furious and the feathers fly around as the dust settles.  I’m chirping and singing as I watch them fly out and settle, but the nest seems so empty and quiet and dusty..

I am finding the need to just simply sit and breathe and watch.  He’s directing me to look back on the 21+ years of parenting these sweet chicks and give Him all the glory.  He’s asking me to take all of it, good and bad, easy and hard and share His glory with others.

Because it’s true, He is the only Way.  He’s been the ONLY ONE that has never left….  These sweet chicks.. they are just borrowed and my job now is to watch and sing and let them fly.

So that’s what I am doing during this transition of life called empty nesting, watching, praising and surrendering… What’s He asking you to surrender today?

“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6

if you are a mom.. any season of life… well.. what are you waiting for?

by 9 Comments

Update:  The winner of the two dotMom tickets is Beth Pearson!!  More details for you via email!  Congratulations!

 

I really can not wait.   Really.   A new conference from LifeWay women is coming to Birmingham, AL the 23rd – 24th of September.  It’s for moms!!!

Whatever season you are currently in.. matters not, there is something God is going to bless you with at .mom.

Guest speakers are: Priscilla Shirer, Vicki Courtney, Angela Thomas, Angie Smith, Melissa Greene.. AND Sophie and Melanie are hosting.

I KNOW, RIGHT?

I love them both to pieces and it’s not just cause they are HilArioUS.. they happen to be some kind of precious…not to mention a plethora of wise moms leading breakout sessions galore and a wonderful batch of women serving on the Mom Squad. I can’t wait to soak up all the love, encouragement, laughter and mentoring!

LifeWay Women Presents: .mom Women’s Event from LifeWay Women on Vimeo.

“Because there’s strength in numbers and wisdom in community. Have you ever thought, I wonder if other moms feel …? However you finish that sentence, the answer is yes. The journey of motherhood is exciting, scary, lovely, and challenging. Which is why we’ve created .mom—a weekend that will encourage and refresh you, connect you with other moms, celebrate motherhood, and draw you closer to Christ.”

I’m blessed with moderating a panel – Moms of Teens and up with Esther Burroughs (I am officially adopted..no really. ) Vicki Courtney and Catherine Hickem on Friday afternoon as well as leading a workshop called Walking with Joy and Courage (parenting special needs kiddos) on Saturday afternoon.

I would love to hug your neck and encourage you. So..surprise!

If you would be so kind as to do two out of the following things for me.. you will be entered to win two tickets to .mom!!  Just leave me a comment below letting me know which two you’ve done and you’ll be entered!  I will use a random generator to choose the winner on Friday, August 26th at 7:00 p.m. CST.

Here’s the deal:

  1. Hop over to Facebook and like the DotMom event page.
  2. Follow .MOM event on Twitter.
  3. Share this post via your own Facebook page or Twitter account and encourage other moms to check it out!
  4. Leave me a comment below and tell me one area of mothering you struggle with the most and hope to be encouraged in.

That’s it! Easy, isn’t it?  I really can’t wait to be encouraged and mentored by wiser mommas than me.  Hope to see you there… so hurry on up!

letting go…

by 8 Comments

I’ve been thinking a lot about it lately.  I’ve been praying about how to send off my three kiddos well.

Within the next two weeks, I am moving my son back to Auburn for his sophomore year in college and my twin daughters to Union University for their freshman year.  I am so excited for them.  I am incredibly proud of them.

I’m excited about what the future holds for them.  I’m excited about the opportunity they will have to spread their wings and have their own “home away from home”.  I’m excited about opportunities they will have to make lasting and wonderful relationships.  I get excited to watch them think, ponder and dream about their future.

I am proud of their desire to learn more, become more, reach out more.  I am proud of the way they are handling their emotions (albeit difficult to watch).  I am proud of the way they are stumbling and struggling.

As a momma, my job is to send them off well.  I need to pray, encourage, support, counsel and scoot them out of the nest gently.  I need to NOT send them mixed messages. (Trust me.. jokingly, I started trying to bribe my youngest two to stay home… and realized how bad it was for them.  I stopped.  Thanks UU! )  I need to make sure they understand that mom and dad are going to be just fine.

More than fine.  We are going to be wonderful. 

Mom is going to cry and be sad.  THAT IS NORMAL.  There is no guilt in crying and grieving over a season of parenting that changes.  After being a hands on mom for over 20 years , it’s hard to change roles but it’s not bad.  It’s surreal, it’s exhilirating, it’s daunting, it’s sad but it is really, really good.  You know why?

Because we have completed the job set before us.  I’m standing firm on the promises that He has given me.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

– Proverbs 22:6 ESV

We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. – Psalm 78:4 ESV

For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him. – Genesis 18:19 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

–  2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

Rebecca, Griffin & Lisa - Christmas 2010

God has blessed me with three very different and amazing children to raise and after all these years, I am blessed to watch them fly.

How do you let go and send off well?  I’d love to hear your encouragement!

some cliche’s are true…

by 22 Comments

Today my youngest children turn 18.  In a week they graduate from high school.  In a month, they register for college.  It’s a whole new ballgame.  Even though I experienced this season last year, it’s a whole new ballgame because they are my youngest.  They are my girls.  My DH (dear husband) and I are so proud of them.  They are sweet and kind and full of joy and LOVE big.  It’s been an honor and privilege to be their Mom and to be able to pour into their lives daily.  In a few more months, they will be standing on their own two feet and making their way at Union University.  Grateful, honored, proud, thankful, blessed… all these things I am.  But above any of those things.. I am in awe of how they love Jesus and how they are following hard after Him.  Has nothing to do with DH or I, but everything to do with how BIG our God is.  He gets all the glory.  DH and I just tried really hard every day.. and He did it in spite of ourselves.

SO… grab a tissue and rejoice with me…

Iggy & Sissy.. Dad & I love you to the moon, beyond and back. We are so incredibly proud of the women you are becoming and so excited about your futures. We are celebrating with you, praying for you and cheering you on. Our hearts are full and time went by way too quickly…