Jill Pearson: Blog

I've started a new blog over at www.deeplydrawn.blogsite.com.  I wanted to easily incorporate photos, videos, and links, and this sight works better.  I write about everything from spiritual revelations and new songs to parenting, marriage, homeschooling, and the beauty that draws me deeply.  Please check it out!

I think since I was a little kid, I have found creative ways to boast about myself without sounding too self-indulgent. It has something to do with liking attention. I cringe when God calls me on it, like this Sunday, when the sermon was on boasting and Pastor Nate unwittingly used me as an example. Thank goodness he didn't come right out and say my name. My cheeks were burning enough as it was.
 
My husband is naturally humble. He doesn't even think of promoting himself. I have one daughter who takes after him. She spurns attention and is just quietly amazing in her little pursuits. My other daughter is happy to have the spotlight and point out her many attributes. She'll tell me what she plans to report to her friends upon their next meeting, and I often say, “Be careful, that sounds like bragging.” Perhaps I am saying, “Figure out how to say the same thing more creatively so it doesn't SOUND like bragging.”
 
I find myself caring all too much about what [...]

 
One of my 3 guiding words for this year is inheritance. It is so much easier to discern what I have inherited (brown eyes, Oma's red ruby dishes, a musical bent, German thighs- not from my mom!) than to know for sure what I will be passing on to my children. Yet I care far more about the future than the past. I don't have control, but I do have influence, and what I can be is intentional with what I pass on to my little heirs.
 
The power of positive parenting overwhelmed me tonight as I watched the son of one of my friends earn his Eagle Scout award at a moving and inspiring ceremony. This was their 3rd son to earn this honor. As his friends and leaders spoke about him, they pointed out his kindness, respectfulness, organized nature, determination, and deep faith. A child does not accidentally learn these things. It is the inheritance of loving, faithful parents. Well done, Scott and Diane!
 
My favorite quote of the evening was this:
 
There are no traffic jams on [...]

 
Last December as I took some time to reflect on goals for 2010, my friend suggested choosing 3 words that would represent my earnest desires without being too specific. Instead of lose weight, I chose the word portion, which could be applied to many areas of my life. The bonus was I lost 15 pounds this year! Instead of songwriting, I chose the word chronicle, which led to a diverse effort of songwriting, blogging, and letter and journal writing. My final word was respond, and God gave me many opportunities to respond to needs around me, including hosting a Haiti Relief concert in March, all because a friend said, “You should think about this” and I said, “Yes.”
 
The new year is upon us, and fresh words have been swirling in my head. They seem important, akin to naming a child. I've looked up synonyms, refined and expanded definitions, done biblegateway.com searches to see how the words are used in the Bible, and even prayed for confirmation. It was [...]

 
Most early mornings, I hop in the car, ride to the athletic club, and run on the treadmill as I watch the morning news. Yesterday, two articles, broadcast side by side, gripped me and planted a seed of a new song in my head.
 
Elizabeth Smart, a beautiful 22-year-old, was abducted by the creepiest guy imaginable when she was 14, forced to serve as his wife for 9 months, and by God's grace, was rescued. It is clear that in these past 8 years, much deprogramming and healing has occurred in her life. Yesterday, in the company of her fiercely loving, God-fearing family, she watched the despicable man be convicted to prison. Here is what her eloquent father said, “Elizabeth was so impressed with the prosecuting team, that she wants to go on to law school and be a voice for the victims.” This girl has been restored!
 
 Then came the article on Bernie Madoff, the Ponzie scheme crook, who is sitting in prison. He has a new burden to bear. In the wake of lawsuits [...]