• Start Here
  • Blog
  • Books
  • Table
    • Together at the Table
    • Food and Such
      • Beverages
      • Bread
      • Breakfast
      • Main Dishes
      • Vegetables & Sides
      • Soups
      • Desserts
  • Writing
    • On Family
  • Happy Designs
  • Connect
    • For You
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Happy Go Stuckey

Tethering Grace & Togetherness

Release. (FMF)

June 19, 2014 by HappyGoStuckey 11 Comments

I have this little 2 year old. She has shining blue eyes and a little bob that bounces into ringlets in the back.

She loves cheese sticks and blueberries… and drinking out of a cup that is not her own.

She loves life. She’s passionate. She’s the one with a belly-laugh that she cannot control if you tickle her underarms.

But when you want (or need) something she has… she’s not having it. Her sweet little hands go 100% white-knuckled if you try to get her to relinquish something she wants. She holds on with all her might. She gets down on the ground and hides whatever it is in both her arms and shakes her head fiercely. You might say she has a little stubborn streak. Some days the streak is broad like paint on the side of a barn.

After parenting her older sister, I am often completely bewildered at how to handle Stuckey Girl #2. I often find myself taking time outs and praying for something, anything, a little shred of wisdom at how to encourage her passion for life without her wholehearted disobedience. But I find myself falling even more in love with being her mother with every mini-meltdown. Because she is me. 

I hold on to my dreams. I tight-fistedly grasp for my ideals of what my future holds. I get down on the floor of my heart and (gulp.) sometimes refuse to step out in complete freeing obedience.  I choose fear and the mental fetal position and sleepless nights wrought with stress over the future that I just. cannot. fathom.

But God is gracious. And when I release those things I THINK I MUST hold on to– He gives the gift of His will and His best, played out in a way I never could orchestrate.

His story for me is the only story I ever want.  The only story I ever want to tell. His plans are higher. He is El-Roi. The God who sees. And HE SEES ME in my smallness. In my fear. And He LOVES me enough to  NOT let me wallow. He loves me enough not to leave me on the floor with arms wrapped tightly around fear, insecurity, anxiety. And I will choose to release whatever I’m holding on to every day if I have to.

For it is with EMPTY hands that we are OPEN and AVAILABLE and ready to be used. 

 

 

Linking up for Five Minute Friday! 

A little bit of Happy for your Wednesday
It matters.

Comments

  1. Linda@Creekside says

    June 19, 2014 at 10:42 pm

    Don’t you love our mini-me -s! We see so much of ourselves, the good, the bad, the ugly. And we know, without a doubt that there is hope!

    ;=}

    Reply
  2. stoopingformanna says

    June 19, 2014 at 10:43 pm

    You so beautifully put to words the struggle that we all feel when we must step off the throne of our kingdom. I love the way you said this: “I choose fear and the mental fetal position and sleepless nights wrought with stress over the future that I just. cannot. fathom.” I’ve been there and am so grateful for HIs Grace when I won’t let go. Great job with this post! #fmf

    Reply
  3. Rachel Quigley says

    June 19, 2014 at 10:52 pm

    I have some mini-me’s in each of my kids and it makes me love my mom even more for all she put up with! 🙂 Thanks for sharing…I love this story!

    Reply
  4. Courtney says

    June 19, 2014 at 11:25 pm

    Hi Cynthia! I’m so glad to discover you and your blog– I find myself wishing we could have a park date and chat while our crazy two-year-olds took over the playground. Thanks so much for sharing so honestly tonight.

    Reply
  5. jenpcv says

    June 20, 2014 at 6:57 am

    I love the description of your little one…and how well it parallels with how we (both you and I!) tend to hold onto OUR dreams, rather than fully embracing HIS dreams. I pray we can both release ourselves and embrace Him more and more.

    Reply
  6. Meredith Bernard says

    June 20, 2014 at 8:21 am

    I’m certain we are raising similar little fierce souled girls…and no doubt, mine is a complete “mini-me.” What a blessing…and what a challenge. 😉 This one thing you said speaks loudly to me, “His story for me is the only story I ever want.” That is my hearts cry, too, Cynthia. Blessings to you today…we will mother these little fireballs on together. 😉 xoxo

    Reply
  7. our3strandcord says

    June 20, 2014 at 8:26 am

    Beautifully said… And a powerful analogy. Love to see how God uses the everyday day to reveal Himself to us. I am benefitting today from your honesty and humility. God is working through you, my Friend! Don’t lose heart… Go on with His peace and joy wrapping you in a hug. You are right where He wants you to be.

    Reply
  8. Jolene Underwood (@Faith_Eyes) says

    June 20, 2014 at 2:00 pm

    Amen! Beautiful Cynthia. I know this – “I hold on to my dreams. I tight-fistedly grasp for my ideals of what my future holds.” well.

    Reply
  9. shortybear says

    June 20, 2014 at 7:08 pm

    Amen, amen.

    Reply
  10. passagethroughgrace says

    June 20, 2014 at 9:11 pm

    I totally understand the white-knuckled grip on my dreams, my way, my plans. I love that God takes our fingers and pries them apart one by one to hold onto Him instead. It is so beautiful when we relinquish the control to Him because He knows every little part of our story and He still wants to be in our lives. Blessings and happy weekend! Mary

    Reply
  11. Crystal Twaddell says

    June 21, 2014 at 11:20 pm

    We always get a mini-me…and I agree this is a challenge. I love your picture of release with hands empty! I think it is when God can do his greatest work in us. Dropping in from FMF and wishing you a wonderful day!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe and receive a Free copy of “Simmer: Six soup recipes and the Stories that Inspired Them.”

Your personal information is safe and will never be shared.

Hey There!

I'm Cynthia and I'm so glad you're here. I am an introvert with an extrovert's love of gathering people together. I love good books and capturing moments. Whether you visit me here or on my own front porch, I'll be the one holding the Iced Coffee for us both.

Instagram

happygostuckey

Truth: I am not the best cookie baker in our house Truth: I am not the best cookie baker in our house. It is hands down @friar_stuck — Today he added a pinch of fresh orange zest to Oatmeal Scotchies and they taste just like childhood.

My grandma used to make these and serve them to me on a pink plate with a small glass of sprite with ice. At 39, I now realize two things— 1. She would have adored my husband and 2. these cookies go best with coffee or tea.

What cookie makes you feel eight years old again?
There’s something unusually long about the winte There’s something unusually long about the winter months when we’re in a season of slow growth and imperceptible change.

The landscape outside your window TODAY can feel like it’s your landscape forever but it’s actually not.

If the view from where you stand looks rather bleak and not at all how you hoped, can I remind you to look up? 

These trees in my own backyard, captured this morning, last March, and last August, will continue changing in their own rhythmic way whether I’m watching them or not. There’s a comfort in that for me today— and perhaps for you.

Whatever looks slow and unmoving, with change almost too gradual to detect— is still very much in a pattern of forward transformation.

And these quiet days in the midst of our January-ness— we can be reminded that growth never really stops, especially in the hidden places.

#wonderfortheweary #feastingandforaging #bluehousebackyard
Not moving from this spot, except to boil the kett Not moving from this spot, except to boil the kettle for more tea.

This is the first complete weekend that we’ve been home since Thanksgiving. 😳 It sounds awful, especially for this homebody, but really what it means is, we’ve celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas with family, attended one beautiful family wedding (Hey, Shelby! 👋🏻❤️) one 90th Birthday party for our beloved Granny, and had a family trip. They were all such sparkly gifts. Ones I don’t take for granted and so very different from last year.

But I do love home— and am happy to spend the second half of the day right here with this book which I’m truly enjoying. 📚❤️
The inhabitants of the Dickens Village wanted me t The inhabitants of the Dickens Village wanted me to tell you three V. important things. 1. After years of having one pub and no church, they are *finally* getting a church tomorrow, thanks to FB marketplace. And all the people said, “Amen & Huzzah.” 2. We’re still keeping Christmas over here — Though we’re slowly bending towards back to normal. The tree still lives and we’re celebrating the tenth day of Christmas with a fire & coziness before we pull out the pencils tomorrow. And finally, 3. Everyday Affogato. You might need this tiny pick me-up in your life. One shot of hot espresso poured over a tiny serving of vanilla ice cream. Please and Thank you.✨ #merrymerrystuckeys
2021 was a year of change for nearly all of us. Mu 2021 was a year of change for nearly all of us. Much of which we are happily taking with us into 2022.🥂

Nine squares is not sufficient to reflect the ways we’ve grown and changed, but it is a glimpse of the graces of the year behind us.

Not pictured: waking up to find our children taller and suddenly at our eye level, new laugh lines on our faces, sweltering pool days, fireplace dinners, Marco Polo chats with friends, family weddings & visits, mountain air breathed, books read, new jobs begun, school days, approximately 52 pizza nights, new rhythms & schedules, house repairs, car issues, and God always before us, behind us and within us. Soli deo Gloria. #thebestisyettocome
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave t On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… 🍦Four Honeymoon milkshakes from the Dreamette. We’re going out with a bang, at the spot where their Grandparents grew up eating their ice cream. It’s absolutely the GOAT.
🎄✨Merry Christmas from Team Stuckey!✨🎄 🎄✨Merry Christmas from Team Stuckey!✨🎄

2021 has been full of new things— but I’m grateful we have walked through them together and in God’s sovereign hand. 

Pro (🤣) -Tip: if your Christmas cards say Happy New Year, you have longer to mail them… 📮🥂
Okayyyy @smittenkitchen ‘s Gingerbread Bûche de Okayyyy @smittenkitchen ‘s Gingerbread Bûche de Noël was fun and delicious. 4 out of 4 Stuckeys agree we have a new Christmas dessert! 🎄❤️

Happy Christmas Eve, friends— especially all you midnight merry makers! Hope you find all the stocking stuffers you hid.🙈
Do these Mince Pies make me look One-Quarter Briti Do these Mince Pies make me look One-Quarter British?

Truth be told, my grandma always used the jarred mincemeat and I wasn’t a fan as a child. Only last year did Lance and my Mom collaborate in the kitchen to try out homemade mincemeat filling and let me just say, we are never quitting these! 😍

The filling we use is from @bonappetitmag and it’s really good. It’s a gorgeous blend of apples, dried fruits (cherries, apricots, sultanas, figs, currants) with apple cider, spices, and a few other things. No meat, though.

Happy Christmas from the Jolly Old Stuckeys! 🇬🇧🎄❤️
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Categories

Featured Posts

Autumn Apple Dutch Baby

Saturday Breakfast is an important rhythm in the #BlueHouse-- my husband is an excellent breakfast … [ Read More ]

On Waiting & Moving

(And a Recipe for Italian Tortellini Soup) Later this month, our family will celebrate the 10th … [ Read More ]

Five Good Things

Hi. How are you, really? If you're anything like me-- you have moments of complete gratefulness for … [ Read More ]

Winter Favorites

(and why it matters to pay attention to the little things.) "For you are the sunshine-maker in … [ Read More ]

Loving Lately in November

"...all creation's revealing his majesty. We're invited to join with all nature in manifold witness … [ Read More ]

Miss Something?

Please be kind and give proper credit if you share! © Cynthia M. Stuckey. For personal use only, not to be copied, distributed, altered or sold.

Privacy Policy

Full privacy policy may be found HERE.

Want each post to magically appear in your email box?

Your personal information is safe and will never be shared.

Cynthia@happygostuckey.com
xo Cynthia
  • Start Here
  • Blog
  • Books
  • Table
  • Writing
  • Happy Designs
  • Connect

© 2023 · Pretty Creative WordPress Theme by, Pretty Darn Cute Design