kids

More Than a Need

| Laura Lee Bonde

A few weeks ago, I saw a post from a church collecting donations to help out needy families with their Thanksgiving dinner. My first thought…how do I get on that needy list, but I wasn’t sure about carrying out that thought, so I ignored it, but there was no way escaping it; the thought followed me wherever I went.

Eventually, I sent a message to my friend about it but couldn’t do it because of different thoughts: was it okay to ask; are we really that need; I “may” be able to afford the food by then; I know others are more needy then us; etc., but again, the thought wouldn’t leave me, so I finally asked. Continue reading →

Off the Roller Coaster…FINALLY

| Laura Lee Bonde

Okay, remember the other night, I was at Carolyn’s band performance? Well, that evening, I found myself totally content on where I was and haven’t differed since.

While I was watching Carolyn, I realized how nothing was distracting me; there was nothing in the way of me seeing her, watching her, taking every movement in, and then it dawned on me what a priceless gift it was to be a single mom. Continue reading →

All in One

| Laura Lee Bonde

I love the title God gave me for this because it’s not what you think it is, and that makes me smile.

Lately, grocery shopping has been a luxury…buying meat has been a splurge. It’s just the way it’s been. We do with what we have and buy only what we need. We haven’t been eating fruits and vegetables and stuff because those are “extras.” This isn’t a pitty-potty post. It’s reality sometimes for some people, but the other day, for a moment, all of that changed.

I was sitting with a friend, and she asked me if we had food, so I explained our situation, and to my surprise, she gave me $40.00 to buy something good to make for the kids for dinner. You have no idea what that did to a mommy who loves to cook for her kids.

It opened a door. Continue reading →

Dinner’s Done

| Laura Lee Bonde

In the beginning of my recovery through AA, I’d felt I’d finally made it “home.” Everyone accepted me, loved me, remembered my name. It was so good. I loved going to meetings and acted a certain way there, which the kids rarely saw at home.

I remember times when the kids would say, “You need a meeting,” and I’d usually leave to go to one. By the time I came back, I was in a good mood, ready to be a mom. That lasted for years, until I really surrendered to God. Continue reading →