5 Friday Favorites: June 13, 2025

 It's time for my Friday link up with  A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals. 

On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick.  

Hey! Happy Friday! I know I've been yapping about my new website and it's soooooo close to being ready. I can't wait to share it, but we still need to tweak some things and next week it'll be ready. At that time I'll be doing some super awkward self-promotion to get some email subscribers. That will most certainly give me an eye-twitch and make me feel nauseous so stay tuned. It might be fairly entertaining to witness. Here are some favorite things from this week.

1. Nonnas

I watched this movie this week on Netflix. It's a little corny at times, but it was sweet. I love Vince Vaughn and this might be the most G-rated thing he has done. Worth a watch if you need something comforting and easy in the midst of the world news that is exactly the opposite.

2. Trader Joe's Hand Cream

I love this stuff. It has a clean, fresh smell that isn't overwhelming and is really thick and moisturizing. You can find it here on Amazon if you don't have a Trader Joe's near you, but it's twice as much. 

3. Striped Mini Dress

Due to my new "No Buttons Unless Absolutely Necessary" policy, I'm all about dresses for the summer. This striped mini dress is adorable. I love the banded bottom hem and the zippered collar. It comes in several color options and is 28% off today.

4. The  National Champion University of Texas Longhorns Softball Team

We were completely locked in to the Women's College World Series last weekend when my Texas Longhorns played a three game series against the Texas Tech Red Raiders for the championship. Had I watched softball at all this season? Shamefully and stupidly, I had not. But when I tell you that I was all about Mia and Teagan and Reese and Joley and Kayden, et al, I'm telling you the whole truth. Jumping, screaming, clapping, panicking . . . it all went down in my family room.  And there was much celebration along with a bunch of boasting when the ladies picked up the first National Championship for a Texas Softball team ever.

The day after the championship, I wore my Texas tshirt when Steve and I went to work out and as we were going in I said, "Gosh, it feels so good to be walking around today as a National Champion." My husband is a smart man, so he didn't say anything, but I believe the following is an accurate description of the look he gave me:

Which was an expression that clearly said, "Ma'am. You started watching softball exactly three days ago. Get all the way outta here."

And to that I would reply: "INCONSEQUENTIAL DETAIL, SIR."

I would also like to point out that if anyone of those girls would like to put out a make-up tutorial online, I will sign up immediately. The highlighter/contour/eyelash game was almost as good as the ridiculous athleticism. Nicely done, ladies. So proud.

5. Some Words on the Humanity of Jesus 

Image: The Chosen

We've been studying the Gospel of Matthew in our Wednesday Bible study this year and what has struck me the most during the last few months is how often I recognize the humanity of Jesus in Matthew's words. I've studied Matthew numerous times. This week I was wondering why these qualities of Him are standing out so often to me this time around. I suppose it's because I've been feeling exceptionally "human" in the past six months. And, well, Duh. This God of mine. He always is able to meet me where I am - whether in my fear or pain or frustration or loneliness. In other words: He knows what's up. 

It is always comforting to me to remember how Jesus exhibited human emotions, but didn't stop to wallow in them as we often do. Instead, He shows us a way through: to recognize our weakness and still trust the unending goodness, love and compassion of the Father. I was digging more into that this week and found a devotional I wrote on this exact subject a few years ago: 

Often, in discussions regarding the humanity and divinity of Jesus, I find that Christians can become a little anxious. I've noticed an almost apologetic tone that comes in conversations about the human emotions we see in Jesus. I suppose we have some fear that in recognizing these qualities we might appear to lack the appropriate reverence for His holiness. We are quick to follow any acknowledgement of Jesus as a man with the declarative reminders that He was also sinless, powerful, righteous, and perfect.

Absolutely appropriate to remember, of course, because all of those things are true. However, I think if we neglect to dig into the human qualities that our Lord displays, we will miss out on the fullest joy and hope that a relationship with Christ can provide.

Some of the most meaningful lessons and most comforting aspects of any relationship come from sharing vulnerabilities. Aren't our most warm and trusting relationships with those friends who are able to meet us where we are? We have the closet connections with those who can share their own stories of struggle, of pain, of fear, and of temptation. We aren't drawn to those who meet us in our weakness with moral superiority and judgment. Friendships thrive when one can say to another, "Me, too, sister."  and then help point us to the hope of Christ.

This is why I find it so comforting to see Jesus's humanity play out in the Scriptures. I see Him weep when he hears that Lazarus has died. (John 11:35) I see Him show anger at the temple - even flipping the tables of the money changers. (Matthew 21:12-13) I see Him frustrated with the disciples when they fall asleep when He needs them to keep watch and pray. (Mark 14:37-38) I see him so anguished and distraught at the prospect of going to the cross that his tears become blood as he begs the Father to take the burden from Him. And then I see His humble surrender to the ultimate will of God. And I pray that I might have the courage and faith to follow God's will in my own life as well.

These examples do not dismiss the perfect holiness of Jesus. They, in fact, show us that even in His perfection He humbled Himself to love us and serve us more than we could ever have deserved. He showed us that no matter how difficult the struggle we face, no matter how ugly the sin we've committed, no matter how hopeless the situation appears to us, we can come to Him with no shame and no regret and trust that He can make us well.

Hebrews 4:15 tells us that "we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way and did not sin." 

Our Jesus was "despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief." (Isaiah 53:3) There is nothing we could face that He would not understand. He is most divine authority and the very best companion a guy or girl could ever have. What a friend we have in Jesus. Indeed.

Have a great weekend, Friends. 

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