Browsing Tag

Hannah Colley

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

A Few, Very Biased Thoughts…

Posted on March 14, 2025

She just keeps pushing them, putting in the effort to keep them going, switching hands every now and then, breathing deep and pushing them again. This morning Hannah  woke up with an achy throat and body and she asked herself if she could really adult today. Then she put in a day of school, took them to piano and karate and gave the meds to the one who is getting past strep. She talked with their doctor and she postponed her own doctor appointment to keep their “swing” going. I asked her last night about doing something fun with a friend. She said “What would that even look like right now?’ She spoke twice last weekend at a ladies day and is gearing up to go speak four times at a retreat where we both will speak (and Colleyanna will, too.) Somehow she got one ready for a 59/60 on the Bible bowl test and she has three who are, altogether, doing 13 events at Lads to Leaders. Her house sometimes looks like a tornado has hit (like mine) and, on most weeks, a big colony of ants could probably live a long time in her van. She had to go around the outside of her house for one of the kids and make sure every window was locked last night before bed. Tonight she is vigilant with one who is afraid of the storms outside. If they only knew how big are the storms from which she daily protects them. (All good parents do this!) She travels four-plus hours (in a day) every other week to get the kids to an important appointment. She stays an extra 45 minutes or an hour after worship services so her kids can play foursquare and Frozen with the children of other faithful people. She has struggled through some hard things to keep them in the best academic and social place. Most of all, she is doggedly determined to give them the best spiritual place. She holds them up before God every day and night and she holds it together when I think I would buckle under the weight. She is thankful when I might be bitter; hopeful when I might surrender. I do not tell her enough, so Hannah Colley, I’m telling you: You are pretty amazing and amazingly pretty to the biased ones down the street. Papa and I are utterly exhausted trying to keep up with your crew and we cannot imagine how you must feel when your head hits the pillow for a precious few hours at night. I know I am biased in the biggest maternal way, but sometimes I have to express the big bias. I also know that your  job could not be done without the children of God who rally around you in a myriad of ways  (but especially in prayer) every single week. We are so proud of the amazing work you are doing, with His  blessings, in the kingdom,  through the three little people we love so much.

There are three more little people we love just as much in Jackson, Tennessee.  It’s these further-away little people who give us joy just as BIG, without quite so much of  the BIG-tired.  We are infinitely and daily grateful for the parents God has given Maggie and Ellis and Lily. We love them deeply, and we are so thankful they are so sufficient in Him and in each other in their Jackson home. The bias, again,  is self-evident, but we cannot thank Him enough for the kind of man Caleb Colley is; for the depth of his spiritual focus, the selflessness that characterizes his leadership and for the loving way He proclaims the precious gospel. We love what he writes, the great logician that he is, and the way he does it all with humility.  We thank God every day for Rebekah, who walks faithfully beside him and is the embodiment of faithful motherhood to Maggie and Ellis and Lily. We are amazed at the Bible knowledge she has put in the two little souls she’s already been teaching. She is the best disciplinarian mom we have ever seen and she does all this while organizing the women’s lectureship at North Jackson and writing books that are valuable to the sisterhood and putting together curriculum for children all over the kingdom, and speaking to ladies groups on a regular basis.  (As an aside, we are equally amazed at the artistic talent that she has given the kids, because we KNOW it did not come through any Colley genes.) 

I know it may sound self-serving to reflect and write about the spiritual qualities of these children I love so much. But, just because they are mine, should I fail to thank and encourage?  Anyway, if that’s the case, I don’t see why, so there…I said it. I’m so thankful that He has given me the inestimably joyful gift of children who walk in truth.  I did not do anything to deserve this gift. It is HIS blessing and the product of HIS truth and the influence of HIS people, but there is no greater joy ( 3 John 1: 4).

We can’t wait to make a trip to meet Lily. Did you enter your guess about her weight and birth time? https://thecolleyhouse.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=19056&action=edit The time is soon and this mammy has a place reserved in her arms, lap and heart already. 

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

What are the Chances?…or… Who is My God?

Posted on July 16, 2024

My OBGYN physician is the number one in the field in Huntsville, Alabama. What are the chances that my daughter and I would have appointments for check-ups on the very same day, let alone back to back (one hour apart), without one of us ever knowing that the other had made an appointment. What in the world? 

So, I told Glenn that she would be back to our neighborhood a few minutes after I had to leave home, since my appointment was one hour later than hers and he was happy to keep the kids till she could get back—just a few minutes. By the time I got to the doctor’s office, I was pretty sure Hannah was on her way home to the children. I ran into that office. It had been a hectic day. The evening before, at VBS, I had left my phone on a charger in the auditorium of the church building. On top of that, I had gotten locked out of the registration process for my doctor’s appointment, because I couldn’t find my password. On top of that, my husband had gotten me a temporary healthcare plan for a short time until all the benefits of old age kick in (I’m willing to wait for those.) I do not have an insurance card yet, but I had even left the policy info at home. And did I mention I had no phone?!

Realizing that I was likely not even going to get to see this doctor today, I frantically began trying to contact Glenn using my laptop. I hoped he would check facebook or that my SMS text would make it to him. 

While I was sitting on the edge of my seat doing this seemingly fruitless exercise, I ran across a group text message that included my husband. And the last entry in this group was from my daughter, Hannah. It said something to this effect: “I’m just sitting here in this waiting room just across from Mom. I wonder how long it is going to take her to realize I am here. This is entertaining.”

I lifted my head a little and turned it slightly to the left and there she was, shaking with laughter; her poor mother over there losing her mind (not to mention phone, insurance card and place in line at the doctor.) By now it had been so long that Glenn was wanting to know what else, besides that one lone can of Beef-a-Roni, was for lunch for the four of them. But his wonderings were not being transmitted to me.) She’d been laughing for ten minutes. 

“You get over here with that phone. What are you doing over there laughing at me?” 

And so she did. I guess our top-notch OBGYN had some deliveries to make this morning, because, Hannah and I got called in, both very late, but almost exactly at the same time. She left the phone with me and we came out at the same time, so I could easily return it. 

I believe in Providence. I know I cannot ascertain  exactly when and how He is providentially working in my life. But I do know that, for the past ten years, it has been an extremely rare occurrence that this daughter and I have had any opportunity to do lunch (or any meal or even any snack) by ourselves…just the two of us. SO I asked her, just off the cuff, if she could go to lunch with me. “Well, I think that’d be up to Dad.” 

I called Glenn and I must admit, he said “Ummm….let’s see…” He asked a few logistical questions about nap time and then readily agreed. I can tell you….Never have we needed to have a quiet conversation more than we did today at lunch. 

Providence even in the little things? We had doctor appointments on the same day and they ended up being at the same time, facilitated by the timely births of babies. The phone I desperately needed was, embarrassingly enough, right there in the room with me. It was nap time for the younger children.  And we got to go to lunch! It was such a quiet and peaceful chicken salad. (I didn’t even get any phone calls and Hannah only got one. Some things are great about not having a phone!) We didn’t solve the problems of the world, but we did pray about them. I don’t know, but I think God provided this desperately needed little solace for us. He is good, even in the little details!

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Matt. 10:29–30)

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. (Prov. 16:33)

The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. (Prov. 16:9)

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

Parenting is not for Sissies; It’s for Mommies.

Posted on May 13, 2024

 

I ran across this letter to my daughter when she was expecting her first child and several moms around her must have been going through PPD. They were less than encouraging to her about life after giving birth.

She already knew all of these things I wrote to her. You do, too. But, every mama needs a reminder now and then. One day, soon, you will peer into a quiet dark room and remember the days you looked at the mess in that room,  considered the immaturity, the childish tantrum or the poor grade and said “Why don’t you grow up and take responsibility?”

And you will hear the soft whisper echoing back: “I did.”

Dear Han,

IT IS SO WORTH IT! Every time that little boy brings you dandelions and kisses, it’s worth it. Every time you lie down with that little girl for nap and she falls asleep on your breast and drools on your shirt, it’s worth it. Every time she fills in the blanks when you tell her the story of Noah or David and the Giant, it’s worth it. And, especially, the first time you tell him about the cross and tiny tears roll down his cheeks, it’s worth it a thousand times-plus. Every time you blow bubbles and she chases them, every time you build towers and forts and tents under quilts pinned to chairs in the living room, it’s worth it. When you are drinking lemonade that you paid for at the grocery, made this morning and then carted out to the end of your driveway for that lemonade stand, and then you paid for it again (only it was more expensive the second time around), it’s still worth it. Every time you see tiny hands folded in prayer or hear that little shrill voice beside you in worship singing “He loves me, He loves me, He loves me, this I know,” it is worth it. And, oh, for that one moment…that moment when you take her in your arms when she’s fresh up from the waters of baptism…just that moment is worth it over and over and over again.

But you know what? You don’t even really start to understand how much it’s worth till the day she comes to you and says “You’re a grandmother.” See, Hannah, it’s something about knowing that you’re going to get to keep making investments in a little heart…investments that will not fully render their dividends till we’re with Jesus one day. Which missed naps? What pain in childbirth? Nursing soreness? Very short-lived. Scarcity of alone time with your dad? Okay, maybe a little scarce, but I barely remember. (We have wonderful catch-up time now.)

It’s that thing you said about crying together and still being able to laugh till you can’t catch your breath. It’s all the tears you invest in your kids that make them all the more valuable to you. There are plenty of biological moms out there who don’t really get much joy. See, when you don’t put in the time and tears and occasional missed naps (but, anyway, naps are more fun when they start with a fairy tale), you don’t get the return of two hearts bonded for life in a relationship that only moms and kids know. And you don’t generally get heaven together, either.

Somehow, I think there’s a sense in which I can’t even know how “worth it” motherhood is yet. But I think I will know when I’m sitting around the throne…with you and Caleb (and the little people who grow up for Him) and I hear all those voices (with a sweet familiar tone) blending together. “He loves me. He loves me. He loves me, this I know.”

Love,
Mom

Bless Your Heart by Cindy Colley

Guest Writer: Hannah Colley, On the Blessing of the Church in Hard Times

Posted on July 31, 2023

Life’s a flurry right now of Polishing the Pulpit prep. (https://polishingthepulpit.com/) If you’re reading and you are a regular, I can’t wait to hug your neck. If you are a digger, I can’t wait to wrap up the amazing (amazing, because it’s from Scripture) Comfort study and I’m way excited about kicking off our 2023-24 study from one of those large rooms at PTP on Saturday at 12:30. I mean I cannot wait! I’m working hard on the little things that make the study fun. If you have never been to PTP, remember there are a couple of “free” days when you can come try it on for size. But I can already tell you, it fits. You will never want to miss it again. It’s worth the wait, worth the money, worth the pretty big hassle of getting every child and aged person on board for as much of it as possible!

There are hugs to go around at PTP!

So today, in honor of PTP anticipation, here’s an excerpt from an upcoming lesson by Hannah Colley. It’a lesson about keeping our commitments to Jesus Christ. This part is so deeply in my heart as we finish up 2023 and, as we prayerfully move toward even more blessed times as a family, as a congregation, as a church–as we move toward heaven!

Hannah says this:

When you feel alone, remember Joseph. Remember to hold fast to what you know is true—That God is on his throne and He has a plan for your life, even if you can’t see it.

But also, find comfort in the fact that we as Christians have an incredible advantage that Joseph didn’t have, and that is His church. I mean this when I say that I truly do not know how I would have made it through the past couple of years without the encouragement and support of the Lord’s church. Many of you helped carry me through the darkest days of my life. To outsiders looking in, it is shocking to see how God’s people come together to help people that aren’t even blood relatives. But that’s because the blood of Christ has made us family. We were never meant to survive the trials of this life alone. God gave us this community, this family of disciples, to “bear one another’s burdens”—that’s how we fulfill the law of Christ.

I’m so thankful for those who “fulfill”…incredibly thankful. I cannot wait to see many of you at this grand reunion we call PTP. But, oh!… That other reunion! If you have to miss PTP it’s sad. But, if you have to miss that other reunion, it’s the ultimate eternal tragedy! Let’s help each other get there!