Christian Hippie Foster Momma

“If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.” I recently read one of those “40 things you should know to improve your life” or some other ridiculousness and this quote was on the list.  I usually dismiss most of what those things say, but that one really struck me.  I am a competitive person and I come from an intellectual family, so you can imagine that being the “smartest person in the room” has always been an aspiration for me.  I don’t think I ever have actually been the smartest person, per se, aside from times I have been the only adult in a room of toddlers. As I tend to always relate things to faith, Christianity, church, etc. I immediately thought of the goal that many of us (especially the competitive types) have to be the most biblically knowledgeable person in the room, or in our circle, or on the internet, etc.  Maybe biblically knowledgeable isn’t always the goal.  Maybe we want people to see us as the most godly, ...

Last week, my best cousin, Rachel, asked me if I would be off work on Wednesday and if I would like to hang out with her.  It was kind of random, but we were way overdue for some one-on-one girl time.  She said that her mother-in-law would have the kids for a couple hours and we could hang out.  I made sure my schedule was clear and penned her in.  She said to be at her house around 9 a.m.  Wow, does she know me?  Why would I want to get up in time to be across town that early on a day off!?!  I asked her if she had something in mind, or were we just gonna veg out at her house, or what?  She said she had something in mind, but it was a surprise.  And she knows we're on a budget, so she assured me it wouldn't cost me a dime. A surprise for me?  It's not even my birthday!?  We used to celebrate Valentine's Day together, so I thought maybe this would be our Valentine's "date."  My mind starting wondering what in the world she...