Tiny Paragraphs

Cupcake Roadkill

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 03:35:00 +0000

When I was in kindergarten, my mom made pink frosted cupcakes, for me to bring to school on my birthday. I couldn't wait to carry them in to my classroom. Those cupcakes would make me the immediate star of the day; everyone's best friend.

But when we got to school, the cupcakes were not in the back seat. Mom remembered putting them on the roof of the car, back in the driveway...

I'll never forget that sight, when we rounded the corner. There were all of my pink cupcakes, dotting the street in front of our house, where cars had been running over them. It was the most tragic thing my five-year-old self had ever laid eyes on.

Cupcake roadkill.

Come read the rest on my new blog, and sign up for either email or feed updates!

(In case you missed it, I moved a while ago... but don't feel badly. My husband missed it, too! Honey, if that's you reading... come on over. You'll like the new blog. :))

Tiny Paragraphs is MOVING!

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 01:43:00 +0000

Dear Tiny Paragraph Readers,

I'm kind of nostalgic. I've been a Blogger Girl for about 4 years now. But sadly, it's time to move.

Everytime I ask someone, "Why can't people post a comment from their phone?" or "Why don't my pictures load properly onto facebook?" or "Why can't I get the 'like button' onto my blog?".... the response is always the same:

"Oh... you're using Blogger? That might be the problem."

Well, fiddlesticks.

So, I've set up my blog www.shannonpopkin.com--and I'm excited to take advantage of Wordpress.com's features for non-technical people, like moi!

I hope you'll come join me there! It wouldn't be the same without you. :(

I want you to know that I tried reaaaaaally hard to move my feed so that you, dear reader, wouldn't have to do a thing. But, alas, life is complicated.

BIG FIDDLESTICKS.

So, if you're a subscriber, here's what to do to RE-subscribe (and keep the tiny paragraphs comin'!):

If you're on a PC, go to www.shannonpopkin.com and look for the email subscription or RSS feed subscription in the TOP RIGHT CORNER. Email subscribers will get a confirmation email, which allows you to manage your subscription (bonus!).

If you're on your phone, go to www.shannonpopkin.com and scroll to the BOTTOM of the page, and look for the email subscription or RSS feed button, there.

If you just find me on facebook or pinterest, you won't have to do a thing!)

Please let me know if you have trouble. I'd hate to leave you behind!

On a serious note, THANK YOU so much for reading. You make writing worth it! Some of you have let me fill your inbox, your feed reader, and your heart with my tiny paragraphs for over SIX YEARS! That's amazing. I'm truly honored.

I'm excited to use my new blog platform to expand the ministry of Tiny Paragraphs even further. Would you help me do that by inviting a friend to visit? I'll be sure to make them feel welcome. :)

Warmly,

Shannon

The Un-plowed Driveway

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 23:07:00 +0000

We don't have a snow-blower.

My husband says, "Why would we have a snow-blower, when we have three healthy kids who need to learn to work?" So while other kids are inside sipping hot chocolate to get out of the cold, my husband is sending our kids out.

Once, when Lindsay was about seven, she came in from shoveling snow, with a burst of enthusiasm. She said, "Mom! There's this snowplow on our street right now, and it's going to all of the driveways,
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Which Control Girl Should be Chopped: Miriam, Delilah, or Naomi?

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 03:36:00 +0000

Hi friends! I'm looking for a little input.

I've been holed up, working on my book Control Girl. I'm so excited about all the things God is showing me, but as my wordcount climbs, there is one chapter that needs to be CHOPPED!

I'd like you to help me choose which one.

I have three chapters yet to write, and I would love to study each of these Control Girls! But only two will make it into the book. Here are the three options, listed in chronological order.

Miriam: I Could do a Better Job than Him

From her small beginning as a slave girl to the day she led the dance on the Red Sea banks, God gifted and positioned Miriam to serve him. But like many gifted women in leadership, she felt slighted and overlooked. Using the powerful weapon of words, she tried to undermine her baby brother, but God used her skin—the very thing she had criticized about Moses’ wife—to remind her that freedom only comes from following His lead.

Delilah: I’ve Got the Power

Samson thought that the only way to be powerful was with muscles, but Delilah knew differently. Using her body and words, she pressed Samson to his breaking point, proving that she was stronger—but only because the true source of Samson’s strength had left him. Delilah is the perfect contrast to the godly wife who resourcefully uses the power of her body and words to do her husband good, not harm, all the days of his life.

Naomi: When Dreams Die

Naomi lost everything—her husband, her sons, and any sense of control over her future. In deep anxiety and desperation, she returned to her forsaken land with the daughter-in-law who refused to forsake her. Through beautiful, ripening providence, God demonstrated that he does not leave us empty-handed, but redeems our pasts, restores our dreams, and fills our laps with hope.

So, which of these sounds most interesting? Which would you most like to study? Which one most correlates with your life? Which chapter would be most equip you for handling your own life struggles? Which do you think a friend would really enjoy? Which do you think you most need to study?

Now, which one didn't you name, just now? She's the one that should be chopped. Don't worry--each of these gals has gotten a lot of press. She won't be offended... because she's not a Control Girl anymore!

Please feel free to put your 'chop choice' in a comment here, or on facebook. Or email me at shanpopkin@gmail.com. Text is 616-450-1528.

Thanks so much for your help!

Recommended: The Hundred-Foot Journey

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 02:50:00 +0000

I love movies with redemptive underlying messages. I've talked before about evaluating books or movies, based on whether they celebrate good or evil. As you watch or read, do you want the characters to do what is right or what is wrong? Does the movie make you want to root for the same thing God does?

Though The Hundred-Foot Journey never mentions faith in God or living according to His ways, it does celebrate what God says is good and right. It's a movie seasoned, not just with interesting characters and beautiful footage, but bursting with redemptive flavor!

Here are a few of my favorite things. These would be great to discuss with your kids after watching together. (Warning: spoilers abound!)

I wanna be a nothin'.

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 16:26:00 +0000

I laughed as I read my friend Jocelyn's Christmas letter. She described how her 8-year-old, Elsa, has solidified her life plans--where she'll attend college, her field of study, and her career objectives after graduation.

Life is quite tidy for Elsa. Turning to her six-year-old brother, Elsa asks, "What do you want to be when you grow up, Ethan?"

"I wanna be a nothin'," Ethan says in a grumbly voice.
Read more »

My Husband Went Running in the Dark, Scary Woods

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 15:08:00 +0000

When we lived in Lake Orion, our house backed up to a wooded state park. So Ken would get up very early and go running on the trails in the woods.

To me, this seemed very scary. From our back deck, those woods seemed so thick and ominous. And on winter mornings, it was so dark! So I said, "I don't think you should run back there! What if there was someone out there, in the woods? What if they attacked you?:

He laughed at me.

I said, "I'm serious! You should at least take a cell phone."

He laughed again. He said, "What should I do--call 911 and say, 'A big scary guy is attacking me somewhere in the woods'?"

I didn't think it was funny. Day after day, I told him how worried I was. I begged him to run on the well lit sidewalks of our neighborhood. Or at least wait till daylight. Finally, he said, "Look, Shannon. If anybody is in those woods, I think they should be scared of me."

He had a point. My husband is big and strong and he runs with his hood up. I suppose he would look pretty scary, coming through the woods in the dark. Since I'm his wife, I'm not used to picturing him as a threat. But someone trying to attack him would!

When I obsessed about my husband's safety, without realizing it, I was making a statement about him. I was communicating the level of confidence I had in his ability to handle himself.

Similarly, when I worry and obsess about what's 'out there' in the future, I'm making a statement about God. If I'm wringing my hands and fretting about this dark world that I, and my loved ones live in, I'm not exactly expressing supreme confidence in the exalted name of Jesus.

If I persist in my fear and worry, God says, "Look, Shannon. If any force is out there lurking in the darkness, I think they should be worried about Me."

And He's got a point. My God is powerful enough to vanquish any enemy. I suppose He would look pretty scary, coming at you in a fury of wrath! Since I belong to Him, I'm not used to picturing Him this way. But His enemies should!

We needn't worry about the ominous threats lurking in the darkness of the unknown. When we feel the worry creeping in, we must remind ourselves that God--who is our protector--can handle himself against any enemy. They need to worry about Him.

Their Jesus Stocking would be emptier this year.

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 14:19:00 +0000

Each year, our friends, the Gebhards, put up a ‘Jesus Stocking’ at their house in December. All month, they collect money, and then use the funds to buy a gift for someone in need. All month, they thumb through the Samaritan’s purse catalog, hoping to be able purchase a dairy goat, stock a fish pond, or give toward a fresh water well.

Often when people come to their home, the Gebhards get to explain what the stocking is for, and sometimes their friends and family even throw a few dollars in because they think it’s a neat idea.

In all the years past, Kevin and Angela promised to match the girls’ gifts, along with what they had planned to give. But this year was different. Kevin had lost his job, and so while they would be giving a little bit, they told the girls it wouldn’t be as much as last year.

Kevin and Angela didn’t expect this to be as disappointing to their girls as it was. They had always totaled the gift at the end of the month and showed enthusiasm over how the number had grown compared to previous years, but that wasn’t really the point. The point was to give—which they still planned to do.

Together, the girls came up with a different plan. They told all of their grandparents, aunts and uncles—anyone who would have ordinarily given them a Christmas gift—that this year, in lieu of a gift, they would love for them to contribute to the Jesus stocking.

Their family members were incredibly touched by the tender hearts of these sweet girls. Not wanting a Christmas gift? Wanting to give instead of receive? That was the kind of Christmas spirit they wanted to endorse. So these family members gave to the Jesus stocking—and they probably gave more than they would have spent on gifts!

When the Gebhards totaled the amount, they were astounded. $1,005.00!! It was the biggest amount they had ever been blessed to give! And the joy they might have experienced by unwrapping gifts was far exceeded by emptying their Jesus stocking, and giving to others.

May God grant your family a season of great giving and great joy.

The Gebhards

"It's not a competition."

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 18:32:00 +0000

As I strolled through the room of tables, which were all decorated and ready for our ladies' Christmas event that evening, I heard someone say, "It's not a competition."

Of course we were all aware that no one was scoring or ranking the tables, but I knew what she meant. Nobody wants the be the table that everyone walks past, thinking silently, "That one isn't very pretty," or "... isn't very original," or "...didn't require a lot of creativity."
Read more »

He Asked if I was Affordable

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 20:07:00 +0000

Last week, Ken and I went out of town for a little getaway. While Ken was running an errand, a man knocked on the door of our hotel room. I looked through the peephole, and saw that he had a red sweater on, which to me, symbolized 'employee', so I turned the knob.

But the man was not a hotel employee. Through my cracked door, he asked cheerfully, "Are you affordable?"

Immediately appalled at what this implied, I gave him a disgusted, "No!" and slammed the door.
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Thanksgiving, When You're 12 and Have Cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 17:02:00 +0000

If you have heard me speak, over the past year, you may have heard me talk about my little friend, Becca, who has ovarian cancer.

Becca's faith is so beautiful. She sees life far more clearly, as a middle schooler, than most adults do. And I'm also so encouraged by the beautiful faith of my friend, Amy--Becca's mom. Amy closes her updates by listing out all the things she is grateful for.

Becca, with her big sister, Julia

Her latest update (below) is no exception. Please be encouraged as you peek into the Prange home and see what God is doing. Also please consider praying for Becca. We would love to see God show his great power over Becca's cancer.

Since it's Thanksgiving Day, I feel especially called to give thanks to the Lord for the great things He has done. Radiation has been going smoothly... Becca has only been throwing up a couple of times per week which is huge improvement! She has been sleeping long and hard at night and has more energy and motivation and joy during the days. She has been eating a bit more normal food and enjoyed her Thanksgiving meal and dessert today!

Last Saturday she was afraid of the size of the tumor (she could see it and feel it), and of the process of dying and being apart from her family. We had a great talk and a big cry, and that helped.

I was encouraged by her faith, because some of her main concerns during that conversation were very sweet. She told me she feels guilty because most of her prayers are requests instead of thanksgivings.

She also told me that she knows God is using cancer to teach her things, and that she is trying to learn quickly and do everything well; but she feels badly that her motive for doing good is wanting Him to make her well, rather than just being good because He is worthy of her obedience.

Becca's next biggest concern is for James (her younger brother). She wants us to focus on teaching him all about Jesus so that he will love Him!

So, even though it was a sad conversation, it was encouraging to see she cares very much about the condition of her heart and the hearts of others.

And then, just four days later (exactly one year after her diagnosis), Dr. Chen said that he can already tell that Becca's tumors are smaller and softer, just by feeling with his bare hands!! So, it is easy to be thankful today! We are celebrating!

We hope that you are having a wonderful day, basking in God's care for you!

Amy's sweet update reminds me of something I heard Tim Keller say in a sermon. If you are God's child, there is nothing inside you that can keep Him from loving you, and nothing outside you that can possibly disprove His love for you.

There may be times that you are so sad and ashamed of your selfishness, or so shocked at the sin you are capable of, that you are tempted to say, "How can God love someone like me?" But then you rejoice because there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus! (Romans 8:1)

There may be other times that you are so dismayed or troubled or burdened by things in life that you're tempted to wonder if God truly does love you. But then you remind yourself that no height or depth or anything in creation that can separate you from the love of God! (Romans 8:39).

My little sister in Christ, Becca, has such beautiful clarity on this. She is so sure of God's love and care for her that even cancer cannot shake her. Praise be to the Lord Jesus! May His name be lifted high through Becca's life, and through each of ours, as well.

When the Coach is Yelling Your Name

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 19:25:00 +0000

During one particular sports season, my son Cole complained that his coach screamed more at him than anyone else on the team. And from what I was hearing on the sidelines, I decided he might be right! I constantly heard my son's name being screamed across the field, followed with comments like, "What are you doing??!"

Once, the coach even screamed, "Cole, where are you??!" when Cole was behind him on the bench. No wonder he hadn't been in position, right?

Stressed Out DIL's and Daughters at Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 00:27:00 +0000

A repost from 2012.

I'd like to call for a huddle before we kick off the holiday season. Calling all the women in the family, please. Can we huddle up for a moment?

Now, please don't call me coach. I'm really not in a position to be coaching anyone on these matters. So far, I only have experience in telling my children exactly what is expected of them on holidays. I don't know what it's like to have empty seats at my Thanksgiving table. And I haven't experienced Christmas morning with one of my children missing.

But here's what I do know. There are some ladies out there who are feeling very frustrated, hurt, or exasperated because of the pressure they feel from their, or their husband's, mom. In the last few weeks, I've had coffee or lunch or casual conversations with no less than seven women who are STRESSED OUT--not because of the extra tasks they will need to accomplish over the next six weeks, but because of the churning emotions associated with the matriarch of the family, and her rule over those calendar days marked in red. I can't help but think these ladies represent a large percentage of daughters and daughter-in-laws.

Now, at age 43, I'm not a grandma yet. If I were, I'll bet I'd be having coffee with other STRESSED OUT grandmas, who have a whole other set of complaints and struggles that I know nothing about. I know, I know... there are always two sides to a story.

But regardless of where your branch is on the family tree, I'd like to offer some gentle suggestions. These are for women of ALL generations to consider, as we step into the 'most wonderful time of the year' with our families. You don't need to bristle. Nobody's judging you. Everybody wants peace. Just skim them and see if any are helpful:

It can be perfect without being perfect. I think women allow their expectations to get way out of hand in regard to the food, the table, the decorations, and gifts. Ask yourself: What is the goal? To be a blessing or to be a smashing, photo-op success? The two might just be mutually exclusive.
Be flexible. The people who share your genes or your last name are not your property. True hospitality considers the needs and preferences of others. Ask what dinner time will work best in the baby's schedule. Or ask if they'd rather come over on the weekend, since they'll be with your daughter-in-law's family most of the day on Thanksgiving. Turkey tastes just as good on Saturday as it does on Thursday--seriously!! Don't expect your parents to make a ten hour trip (which takes fifteen in Thanksgiving traffic). Be delighted if they do, but not offended if they don't. Stop making demands or assumptions. It's rude.
Traditions are not obligations. Sometimes, the most gracious, sensitive thing to do is to break a tradition. Or at least set it aside for a while. Maybe this year your son will want his kids to wake up in their own house on Christmas morning. Or maybe this is the year that Christmas brunch becomes Christmas munch... on leftovers. Every year, your family changes a little bit. Ask whether you're holding more tightly to your traditions or your loved ones.
For goodness' sake, remember to help. Holidays are a lot of work, and one person shouldn't do it all. Share the planning, the cost, the kitchen prep, and cleanup. And then, gratefully accept the help that others give! If your daughter-in-law shows up with a dish, take a generous helping and compliment her culinary efforts! If your mom is kind enough to clean her house from top to bottom so that your kids can reverse her efforts in a matter of minutes, the least you can do is give her a hug and say, 'Thanks, Mom." Bottom line: "Be ye kind, one to another"--especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas!
... You better not cry. You better not pout; I'm telling you why: Because you are the mom or the grandma now, and you are too old to be doing that. Ask yourself why you're sulking or complaining or being sullen. Is it because you're not getting what you want? If so, you are welcome to borrow the following slogan from the preschoolers: "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit." (It works just as well for grown-ups.) If you'll choose to focus on serving others instead of yourself, you'll have your frown turned upside down in no time.

Ladies, if we're going to make this the 'most wonderful time of the year' for our family, we're going to have to make some sacrifices--not expect it to be the other way around. But isn't that what Christmas is all about? Jesus laid aside his glory so that he could come to earth and sacrifice himself for us! And the first Thanksgiving was a celebration of the harvest that came after periods of great struggle and sacrifice!

Let's be like Jesus to our family this season. Let's allow his Spirit fill our hearts and our homes with love, hope, and peace.

Go team!

update 11/17: I should have mentioned that my mom is one of the most gracious, servant-hearted hostesses I know. You won't find any suggestions for her on my list--but there are quite a few for me! And my mother-in-law is struggling so with cancer, weakened lungs and heart--it's hard to see her unable to do what she once loved to. A reminder for all of us to redeem the fleeting moments we have to serve our families--they truly are a blessing.

Her Turkey Got Poor Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 20:46:00 +0000

She had decided that a 20 pound turkey wouldn't do. She needed at least a 23-pounder. And after searching for days, she finally found a big 'ol 24 pound bird. It had a freezer all to itself. It was the largest, hormone-injected, can't-walk-on-its-own-legs, butterball turkey in the whole city. And it was hers.

She had to borrow freezer space from a friend; it wouldn't fit in hers. And then it took two full days to thaw. She spent a large part of those days figuring out how to make this the best tasting turkey that had ever graced a Thanksgiving table. She researched tips and tricks and recipes. She watched youtube videos on how to make gravy. (Gravy was very important; she knew this full well.)

So now the day had come. The family was gathered. The feast was prepared. And she shared her prized turkey with the people she loves most upon the face of this earth.

As forks were raised, she watched and waited. She measured expressions. She listened for clues. Would she receive the blessing? Or would she be passed over?
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Letting him Lead: Did you ask Daddy?

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 14:45:00 +0000

Back in early parenting, I would have told you that my husband was the leader. I knew that God says husbands are to lead their families. But my kids may have been getting a different message, as was indicated by a certain phone call I received from my son.

He was three and I had left him home with my husband while I went grocery shopping.

"Mommy?" he said in his sweet raspy voice. "Can I go spwash in Jaden's pool?" It was a kiddie pool in our neighbor's driveway.

"Did you ask Daddy?" I asked, wondering why he was calling me about this.

"Daddy said yes," he replied in his raspy tone, "but I towd him we hadda call you, 'cause you're da contrower of us, right Mom?"
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Letting Him Lead: My 'Reasonable Doubt' about His Competency

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 16:55:00 +0000

Late one evening, I arrived home from a ladies event at church, and the moment I opened the door I heard both of my babies wailing. I dropped my purse and ran up to their bedrooms in a panic.

The poor little dears had been crying for quite some time! They were red faced, hot, and mad. I quickly picked them up, soothed them, got them their stuffed animals, pacifiers, and blankets, and laid them back down.

Within moments they drifted off to peaceful sleep--which is apparently what my husband had done hours ago on the couch.
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Paper or Plastic?

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 23:01:00 +0000

The day Ken and I got home from our honeymoon, we went grocery shopping together. When we got to the checkout, the bagger asked, "Paper or plastic?" (Back then, they used to ask you this.) We responded simultaneously.

"Paper," I said.

"Plastic," Ken said.
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"Your destination is on the right."

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 22:26:00 +0000

"It is?" I asked out loud. On my right was a John Deere store.

I was expecting a church. The church where I was supposed to be speaking in 10 minutes. Why did my GPS seem pleased about guiding me to a John Deere store?
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I Asked Him to Explain the 'Art' on Display

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 16:37:00 +0000

Every October, the downtown area of our city turns into a giant art exhibit, which we call "ArtPrize". For eighteen days, you can wander around and see art displayed everywhere you turn. The public gets to vote on their favorite pieces, and the winners get cash prizes. It's one of the many reasons I love living in Grand Rapids, MI.

On Sunday, my son and I ventured down to enjoy the festivities, and were pleasantly surprised by the opportunity we had to meet several artists. As we discussed their work, or listened to a representative give some background, it gave the art new dimension for us.

I began to get more comfortable with talking to the artists and hearing their stories. Perhaps I got a little too comfortable.

I should also mention that I am not an overly artsy person. Sometimes I look at 'art' and don't realize that it is art. I have to stare at it for a while, and get my bearings.

For these reasons, I asked a question that afternoon, which I ordinarily wouldn't have: I asked a random man on the side of the street to explain his art to me.

Now, in my defense, a little crowd had gathered, and the man was standing behind a road barricade, facing the crowd. So, using my deductive reasoning, I figured he must be displaying art of some sort. But all I saw were two cars with their hoods up, something hooked to their batteries, and a paint covered platform that seemed to be part of the display.

I cocked my head one way, then the other, then I said to the man on the other side of the roadblock, "Can you explain this to me?" He glanced at the display beside him and said, "Explain what?"

Feeling a bit uneasy, I pointed in the generic direction of the hood-lifted cars and the paint covered platform, and said, "Just help me understand what this is all about." He stabbed his finger in the direction of the paint dribbled wooden structure and said, "That? That's the artist's paint can." He made it sound like no one had ever asked him what a paint can was before.

As I panicked to try to find the 'art' before me, it dawned on me that the structure (which did indeed have a paint can) must be a lift. Perhaps it was powered by the car batteries? And that's when I noticed that I was the only one looking straight ahead. Everyone else was looking up!

About 10 feet up was a mural, being gradually painted (over the weeks of ArtPrize) onto the side of a building. It was a beautiful picture, bursting with color and expression. And it made me feel very foolish for focusing on the random drips of paint and generic cars on the ground below. The art was up!

On the edge of that cluster of people, I think I got a little taste of what it must feel like to be an outsider looking in on a Jesus community. The crowd has gathered, and you're trying to figure out what everyone is admiring and appreciating. Yet all you see is the rusted junky-ness of life, with all of its splattered randomness. You see no artist's expression or design.

Maybe you're brave enough to ask a random Christian to explain it to you, but they say, "Explain what?" and act like you're silly for not seeing what seems so obvious to them. What you need is for someone to help you look up!

If you only look straight on, into the brokenness of cancer, divorce, alcoholism, and mental illness, you might wonder, "Where's the art? I see nothing beautiful here."

But if you do learn to look up, you'll find an Artist who is gradually, over the centuries, painting .a mural that is bursting with expression of Himself. If you lift your eyes to see beyond the physical, you'll find a God so merciful, just, powerful, and caring that He'll make you want to join the worshipers nearby, and revel in His displayed glory.

Do you know someone who is at the edge of your cluster of worshipers? Won't you graciously help them look up?

The Hazen Boys

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 23:30:00 +0000

Dedicated to my friends at Thornapple MOPS. :)

I'll never forget the Hazens. We knew their family when we had preschoolers and babies. They had big, burly boys, who absolutely loved my kids--especially our new baby, Cade. They would ask to hold him, and would make these cute little baby noises and try to get him to smile.

It was the most adorable thing ever.

It was obvious that the Hazens loved babies. The parents loved babies, and they had trained their kids--even the boys--to love babies. I think there's something something special about that.

Not every family loves babies.
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Circle Questions Resource

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 22:27:00 +0000

Women don't join a small group because they want to show off their new scarf or nail polish color. They come because they want to be part of something. They want to know and be known.

But as a leader (officially or not) in your group of friends, how do you make that happen? How do you help your group truly connect at the heart level?

The answer: questions. The kind of questions that sift down to the heart level and give your friends the opportunity to share who they really are. I call them Circle Questions because as you go around the circle answering questions, you’re synching a tighter circle of support around each woman.

These questions are designed for small groups of (4-12) women, who are open to God's involvement in their lives. The cards are color coded to represent the following categories:

Families of Origin
Marriage/Mothering
Spiritual Life
Personal Growth/Career

Here are some examples:

What do you see differently about your family of origin, now that you are an adult?

What do you love most about your husband's family?

What was your biggest career mistake? How has this helped you grow?

How do you best make up for any lack in your husband?

Which of your kids is most like you? How does this affect your parenting?

What major life event has taught you that God is trustworthy?

For more ideas on how to use these questions, go here. For mistakes to avoid, go here.

If you’d like to download a set to copy off for free, go here.

If you’d like to have me send you (or your small group leader) a set which has been kindly packaged by my three kids, please send me an email at shanpopkin@gmail.com Suggested donation of $5 each set via Paypal or check.

I'm Due on June 15!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 18:16:00 +0000

It's true! I'm expecting....

.... my first BOOK! (Sorry, no baby... But books are exciting, too, right?)

I'm very, VERY excited to announce that, just last night I signed a contract with Thomas Nelson for my first book, titled Control Girl. I couldn't be more thrilled!

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The Football Players' Girlfriends

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 12:38:00 +0000

"Do you want to go to the football game on Friday?" I asked my elementary school aged son. "It's the Homecoming game."

"Homecoming? Oh, yeah... Is that when they announce the football players' girlfriends?"

"The football players' girlfriends?" I asked.

"Yea," said my son. "I remember last year, they announced the girlfriends' names and had them come down in front for pictures."

She Put the Check by My Plate (Not my Husband's)

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 18:48:00 +0000

Trying to hide my surprise from the waitress, I glanced up at her and said, "Thank you."

But when she walked away, I looked across the table at my husband and let my astonishment seep into my expression.

There, on the white linen table cloth, was the black leather check presenter. And it was clearly pointed toward my plate.

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When a MOPS Speaker Gets Pulled Over

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Popkin) — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000

"You don't have time to worry about this," I reasoned with myself. Pulling my eyes from the flashing lights in my rear view mirror, I willed myself to focus on the notes in my lap.

Ten minutes later, the officer returned and asked where I was headed. "Uh..." I said, glancing at the post-it note stuck to the top of my notes, "First Baptist Church."

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