What Dream Have You Given Up On?

Is there something in your heart to do? Have you silenced that still, small voice that once upon a time pleaded; Just try. You can do this thing. Have you buried your calling, shoved aside a dream that begged to be lived out?

Three years ago, God gave me a promise. You are going to write a book for Me. It wasn't audible, but it was clear. God confirmed over and over and over again, using His word to tell me what I would do.

My heart is overflowing with a good theme;

I recite my composition concerning the King;

My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

Psalm 45:1 

I would write for Him. Once my writing was complete, I would share what I'd written publicly. Unfortunately, as is my nature, I ignored, argued and even questioned His promise.

Lord, forgive me, but do you realize who you're talking to? This is me, remember? I'm a wife and a mom,end of story. I'm too busy with that calling. I'm disorganized, forgetful, and don't even know where to start. I am not able. I don't have the credentials. I barely have time to clean the bathrooms. I don't know enough about grammar. I can't.

 Then came His answer. You're right. You can't, but I can.


Yesterday, one of God's most precious promises to me was released publicly. My book, Just Too Busy,  was launched into the world. When I checked the ranking last it was listed in the top 100 books for parenting today. (Never underestimate the power of family and friends to alter an Amazon ranking!) Thankful tears have come quite easy this week. Requests to speak publicly at women's events are making their way to me as well, just like He promised: I recite my composition concerning the King.

Friends, promises are God's specialty. Depending on who you talk to, there are between 3,000 and 8,000 promises in the Bible. No matter which camp you fall under, promises from God are reserved for His children.  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. John 1:12

What promise has He given you lately? What are you arguing and debating Him about? Stop making excuses. Did I just hear you say, I can't? You're exactly right, you can't.

You can't. But, I can.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13



Interested in seeing how this new-author celebrated her book release, head over to my author site.


joanne kraft, just too busy-taking your family on a radical sabbatical, busy mom, christian mom, faith, christian parenting, parenting

Guess What Arrived!

I am absolutely giddy. Something arrived on Friday. Something I've been waiting on for quite awhile.

Head over to my author-site and see what it is. Any guesses?

Mom Guilt Strikes a Fatal Blow

Mom-guilt. I hate it. The moment the nurse placed each of my four babies into my eager arms, I could physically feel a lump form in my throat, a lead brick settle in my stomach, and some type of hot, painful, guilt-hormone race through my veins.


He has ear infections because I didn't breastfeed long enough.

I should've put an extra blanket on her when she fell asleep.

I knew his friend was sick when he came over, why didn't I cancel their play date?

She wouldn't have stitches in her lip if I'd left her training wheels on.

So, this morning I'm sitting in an audience filled with camera-toting parents and grandparents. Samuel, my 4th grader, has made the cut. He's one of five top spellers in his grammar school's 3rd and 4th grade classes.

This means one thing...district championships. Nineteen schools participate from the county and only the best of the best spellers compete.

Driving there this morning my inner dialogue began:

Hmmmm, you know, come to think of it, I don't recall going over the spelling words with Samuel.

That's okay, he's in the gifted program, remember? I'm sure he's got this figured out. I mean , who can't spell "friend" or "flimsy"?

But, you went over spelling words with his sisters and brother when they were in spelling bee's. You took the time for them.

Yeah, but I'm not a "new" parent anymore. I am much more relaxed about Samuel.

Or, maybe "Just Too Busy" working on your book?

Mom-guilt struck its fatal blow.

*******************
Sitting through three hours of a spelling bee, on a multi-purpose room bench can be painful. But, do you know what is excruciatingly painful?

Seeing tears well up in my son's eyes and watching the anguished look on his face as he missed the only two words on his team - losing the district championship for his school.

ACCUSE and MEASLES will go down in infamy, right alongside a few Kraft family spelling bee favorites like NASAL and BALLOON.

With that said, I'm going to be absent for a week or two. I'll be back on June 1st when the book comes out. I need to be present for the ones who need me most. It's time to focus on my one true calling, and the sweetest, most rewarding ministry God could ever give me - my family.

(But, if I'm not back in two weeks, don't send flowers - send BALLOONS. And, don't ACCUSE me of having the MEASLES. It's probably just a NASAL infection.)