Delighted Motherhood

Contemporary motherhood narratives are all over the place. On the one hand, it is assumed that moms can't shower, do a serious Bible study, or go on a run and that it's normal to want to “escape” from our kids. On the other hand, the expectation to do it all can feel overwhelming.The internal pendulum of motherhood swings from striving to complaining and back again –sometimes in the course of an hour. How do we escape this cycle and reorient our parenting around Christ our Redeemer? 

According to the data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics only 4.1 percent of Americans attended or hosted social gatherings on a given weekend or holiday in 2023.On the one hand, the decline of parties may not seem like such a big deal. The majority of Americans feel too busy (60 percent of the general population and 74 percent of parents) –so why not just eliminate the party stress?But when we continually choose our cozy jammies over “putting ourselves out there” we suffer. God created us to thrive in communities. It isn't good for us to be alone –as research demonstrates. Social gatherings –which include more than one on one interactions – are key elements of human thriving and connection. Genesis to Revelation, God describes human flourishing as happening within a context of regular communal gatherings, celebrations, and parties.In this podcast we will explore why parties should be saved. See this previous podcast for a further discussion of HOW to throw parties:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-countercultural-throw-parties-regularly/id1655567906?i=1000700903181

A quick addition to the conversation with Katheryn Butler.Buster's Ears Trip Him Up Series: Good News for Little Hearts 

If you were to ask your child what gives him or her value, what would they say? The message that our kids hear from culture is that our accomplishments define our worth.Although this philosophy isn't new, thanks to information technology kids suffer mounting pressure to base their identity on their successes. “Students today are saturated with messages about performance in their classrooms, with their peers, teachers, colleges, social media, and the larger culture,” comments Jennifer Breheny Wallace, the author of Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic—and What We Can Do About It. “They are hearing messages day in and day out that they have to strive; they have to do better; and that they're only as good as their next accomplishment.”Many Christian parents hear this and are saddened, but are there ways that we may be feeding into this same narrative without realizing it?What is our drive to succeed based in? Is it always a bad thing? Don't we want our kids to succeed and to work hard? How do we balance between healthy expectations and crushing ones? Tune in for a thoughtful conversation with Kathryn Butler (MD, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons), trauma surgeon turned writer and homeschooling mom, about what is at the root of our drive for our kids to have their names on the wall. 

For many of us summertime is a blissful welcome. Schedules are relaxed, sports are mostly over, and there's a lot more free time. But sometimes that lack of structure can feel really daunting! “What exactly am I supposed to do with these wild little humans?”Listen in for encouragement from Meredith Hammer, mom of eight, to soak up this slow season of summer through thoughtful schedules, low-pressure adventures, and intentional family time. This episode covers:ChoresRoutines Kid dates Devotionals Air Travel Tips Including Daddy (even when he's busy)Prioritizing Marriage I think you'll come away encouraged to play in the sun, read good books, sleep well, roast marshmallows, catch crabs, have good conversations with friends and grow in our wonder of God. Note: I really love Meredith! She had a big impact on my early mothering journey!!

Here is a quick read through of Meredith's summer bucket list! 

In a world that prizes hustle and constant productivity, breaking the habit of hurrying can seem far-fetched, yet taking time for rest is far more productive than we may realize.Listen to a conversation with naturalist Eryn Lynum and the author of The Nature of Rest as we consider patterns of rest from Scripture and nature and share practices for these times of refreshment in our own lives. Eryn's new book launches today! Check it out on amazon 

What is the purpose of a home? Is it just a charging station for people to go home at night and then leave in the morning? Or ought it to be the center of life and activity? Why is a beautiful home more than design? How can the atmosphere of a home foster the living of life?  

Happy Holy Week!Everyone wants to enjoy parenting but so many of us are struggling. What's the key to delighting in this calling? Everyone wants to be a loving, joyful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled parent. But in this world marked by sin and decay, our efforts are never enough. Yet, through the power of the Holy Spirit living in me, more and more, God is working to make me holy.The key to enjoying parenting is resting in the power of the resurrection and submitting the authority of Jesus in my life. The more obsessed we are with the gospel of Jesus Christ and the glory of God the more we will thrive in the good work he has for us to do. Parenting ought not to consume or overwhelm me because I am consumed and overwhelmed by something far greater – Jesus Christ the Righteous (1 John 2:1). Elizabeth Eliot states, “God is my heavenly Father, and he loves me with an everlasting love, and the proof of this is the cross.”A delighted mother's joy doesn't come from what she does but who she is.

It seems, if you want to be countercultural, throw parties and do it regularly. According to the Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics only 4.1 percent of Americans attended or hosted social gatherings on a given weekend or holiday in 2023. When Christians choose to foster community –both within the church and with unbelieving neighbors –we push back the darkness. In a partyless culture, Christians have a strategic opportunity to invite our neighbors to become friends. As author Rosaria Butterfield exhorts, radically ordinary hospitality can allow “strangers to become neighbors, and, by God's power, those neighbors can become part of God's family.” But sometimes getting people through your front door can feel impossible. After all, Americans as a whole aren't accustomed to invites. Hitting roadblocks can be discouraging.Even though it is hard (like really hard), with lots of prayer and creativity, it can be done in many contexts. Listen in for five encouragements for making it happen.

Across the western world, women are saying no to kids. According to the Annual 2024 State of Motherhood Report compiled by Motherly, a secular motherhood website that reaches 20 million women a month, only 25 percent of Gen Z and Millennial moms surveyed said they planned to have or adopt more children while 55 percent said no to more kids, and 20 percent said they were unsure. According to Pew Research two thirds of moms say parenting is harder than they thought it was going to be. The New York Times reports that “Today's parents are exhausted, burnt out and perpetually behind.” Who wants to sign up for that?Instead of looking to the secular world for answers as to why motherhood is worth the sacrifice, let's turn our gaze upon Scripture and try to understand from God's word why he created motherhood and why it is ultimately for our good – not for our destruction. 

When it comes around to late February and early March we are desperate for some tulips to start blooming. But alas! It still isn't time to start planting. What do we do with these gloomy months of waiting? And how does the waiting help prepare us for the glories of Spring? ****Christie Purifoy is a writer and gardener who loves to grow flowers and community. Most of all, she is a placemaker, and the place she is making with her family is a red brick Victorian farmhouse in Pennsylvania called Maplehurst.She's the author of numerous books including Seedtime and Harvest: How Gardens Grow Roots, Connection, Wholeness and Hope which was released by Harvest House Publishers in March 2024, which completes her trilogy of gardening gift books that began with Garden Maker (2022) and A Home in Bloom (2023).

As a Christian mom, I should know better than anyone that nothing I do is invisible. Everything I do—or neglect to do—is fully and completely known to God.There's no such thing as an invisible mom or a supermom. But there are moms who are fully known, fully forgiven, and fully loved in Christ. He has called us to live in the light as he is in the light. And as we abide in him, we need not fear our labor is in vain.

Sometimes it feels like the world depends on us and yet amidst our worry and wrestling, the Lord reminds us to call him “Abba, Father.” When we anchor ourselves to God through prayer, we free ourselves from the myth of our own sovereignty and trade anxiety for joy. 

If I'm totally honest, the idea of talking to my kids about sex isn't the most appealing. But as a Christian parent, it is important that my kids are blessed with  a biblical vision for sex and sexuality. If I neglect this responsibility it may be the case that their thinking is informed by the world.Today we are going to be talking with Garrett Kell, father of seven, pastor of Del Ray Baptist Church and author of the book Pure in Heart about how to talk to our kids about these sensitive subjects. We are going to talk through three general areas: how to first introduce the concept of human sexuality and baby making with elementary age kids, how to shepherd kids in purity as they reach puberty and how to help kids think biblically about the sexual confusion they might encounter among kids of their own ages. Below are some books for kids that Garrett recommends:God Made Me SeriesThe Story of MeThe Talk: 7 Lessons to Introduce Your Child to Biblical SexualityGood Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today's Young Kids

In order to lead well, it helps to plan.Nine times out of ten, days that I tumble into without intentionality, prayer, and planning feel more like chaotic, cranky, messy disaster zones I am desperate to get out of rather than orderly, productive, creative days filled with adventures and joyful memories.The natural bent of this sinful world is towards destruction and decay. If I'm not proactive about it, my days are not going to bend that way too.D.A. Carson stated, “we don't drift towards holiness.” Delighting in the Lord, enjoying our kids, and creating an atmosphere of belonging and becoming doesn't just happen.Listen in for thoughts on priority setting, long term goals and daily habits and for a look at the mom chart.If you'd like a hard copy of the mom chart email me at delightedmotherhood@gmail.com

In God's economy, joy and sorrow are often handmaidens. Christmas is a time of gladness –but often sorrow and joy go hand in hand. You can't have the miracle of the resurrection without the cross. The birth stories of Jesus and his Eljah like cousin, John the Baptist, are no exception.“Some longings have a season, but the nature of longings itself is universal. God has written everlastingness into our DNA; these time-bound hearts of ours were made to live forever, and when we cease to yearn and dream and ache and aspire, we cease to catch that soft sweet song haunting the borders of life, subtly, persistently, ardently calling us home.” -Lainer Ivester

Advent is a tradition that has been celebrated by Christians around the world since the 5th century. Rightly understood, Advent is a time for Christians to look back at God's work in bringing the infant Savior into the world and look forward to when Christ will return as the glorious King to judge the living and dead and make all things new, right, and beautiful. Listen in for the how and why of our family Advent practices as well as fun creative ideas to celebrate during December.*****Mark your calendar for December 6th -- St. Nicolas Day!And! December 13th! St. Lucia Day! Jesse Tree Ornaments 

Welcome to Part 2!Listen in as Amanda Balikian and Laura Hughes discuss how a grateful heart is the what enables us to serve with a grateful and generous heart. ****https://thesaltymarshmallow.com/easy-dill-dip/https://lilluna.com/turkey-veggie-tray/

Happy Thanksgiving week!Thanksgiving began as a time to celebrate God's provision in the lives of a small group of Christians. But a thanksgiving feast wasn't their idea! From the beginning, God has been telling his people to feast and that feasting can actually be a form of worship. All feasting should point us to a time when we will feast in total comfort and security away from sin and distress in the presence of God.The fall feasts of Israel were a little different than our Thanksgiving celebrations, but they too were times when families traveled from long distances to gather together and eat specific traditional foods. Today I am joined by two of my closest friends and fellow Bible teachers Laura Balikian and Amanda Hughes and we are going to spend a few minutes chatting through the ancient fall feasts of the Israelites, seeing how those feasts ultimately find their fulfillment in Christ and finally reflecting on how we can serve up our families a picture of the gospel through the way that we set our tables and prepare our food.*****Bible Talk Podcast by IX https://www.9marks.org/episode/leviticus-16-on-the-pinnacle-of-the-pentateuch-bible-talk-ep-39/

In Galatians Paul urges us to each carry our own load. But sometimes as a young mom it can feel like  I am doing everything. But oftentimes when I am feeling bitter at my husband it may be that I am not seeing the load he carries –especially given the pressures he is dealing with outside of our family.And the cultural narrative that each spouse should be doing 50/50 doesn't help. How does anyone figure out what 50/50 is anyway? But on the other hand, a girl can't do everything! How do we ask for help? How do we bring to light the “hidden” aspects of mothering and homemaking that are too much or too burdensome for us? In seasons when a husband might be traveling a good deal, how can we prioritize intimacy in marriage? (physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual)?Listen in to a vulnerable conversation with writer and mom to four Moriah Lovett.

“Don't blink! You might miss it!”If there's one thing I desperately don't want to miss, it's their childhood. And I often stress out that I am! Their childhood and my life are very fleeting. The kid stage is here today and gone tomorrow. The phrase #babiesdontkeep is a hashtag for a reason.But should the brevity of childhood cause us anxiety? Chelsea Boes, senior writer at WORLD Magazine, the editor of WORLDkids Magazine and mom of two weighs in. 

“The global anti-aging market was valued at around 62 billion U.S. dollars in 2021 and is expected to increase to some 93 billion by 2027.” In the midst of all that angst over preventing physical aging could we be neglecting a far more important consideration in aging beautifully –the state of our hearts? From a physical perspective, what's okay and what's not? Should we be doing all the latest treatments? Are we allowed? Listen in for a vulnerable conversation with Ashley Keller, a Prenatal and Postnatal exercise specialist and the founder of GlowBodyPT, on aging gracefully from a Biblical perspective.

Nothing screams cozy quite like fresh baked bread. And with a quality sourdough starter bread baking is actually super easy. That's because a mature starter is "alive" and will work its way into all of the dough in comes in contact with. Which is why in Scripture leaven to likened to sin.Listen in for a quick look at the Feast of Unleavened Bread in Leviticus 23 and a tutorial on no frills baking with sourdough. ****Kira's super basic sourdough recipe:Pull your recently fed starter out of the fridge (as long as mine has been fed within a week its good to go!)Add 3-3.5 cups of King Arthur bread flour, half a cup of starter, a teaspoon of salt, and a cup of warm water to your Kitchen Aid with the bread hook attached. Feed your remaining starter equal parts flour and water (usually a cup to half a cup of each. Make sure to either weigh or pack your flour down). Leave on your counter until doubled in size. Then pop back in the fridge for next time.)For the bread, turn the Kitchen Aid on to medium speed for about 5 minutes until everything is combined and your dough is somewhat soft.Cover bread for between 5-9 hours.Place in a dutch oven on parchment paper and bake in oven at 425 for about 25-30 minutes with lid on.Take lid off and bake until golden brown and delicious (20-25 minutes)Let rest for a bit and serve! Magic!Kira's Italian Inspired Coconut Soup (Gluten and Dairy Free!)Mild Italian sausage Carrots Onions Garlic Potatoes Can of coconut soup Can of tomatoes Peas MushroomsSimmer the above ingredients on medium heat in the order listed until delicious. 

It's Fall time! The majority of us love it. And really what's not to like. It's a time for lots of good food, reading, campfires, leaf piles, and delicious smells.But in Scripture there is much deeper significance to the season of harvest. Harvest is a time when God gathers in his peoples and completes his work in this present age.It many ways, harvest is a time for celebration and sober reflection.Listen in as our guest Laura Good (Behind Our Farm) describes life on a farm during Harvest, how God walked her through one of the most painful trials a momma can face, and tips for cultivating life giving spaces during the Autumn seasons. "Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” - Matthew 9:37-38****Note: Midway through the podcast Laura references references a passage in Isaiah. That passage can be found in Isaiah 24:4-5.

The U.S. Surgeon General just released an advisory warning that parental stress is a significant public health concern. Reporting on the advisory, the Wall Street Journal ran a headline stating that, “Parenting is Hazardous to Your Health.”According to the advisory, four in 10 parents report feeling so stressed they can't function. What is it about our current cultural moment that makes parents so prone to severe mental health challenges? 

“Samwise Gamgee, my dear hobbit –indeed, Sam my dearest hobbit, friend of friends.” There's something spectacularly lovely about a true friend.A friend who loves what you love, who understands your deep longings, and who helps you see the things that are truly beautiful --even in the midst of brokenness.  A friendship like that is a gift from God. Since the dawn of sin, friendships have been broken. All relationships are fraught and sometimes the obstacles to meaningful friendships can feel insurmountable. Tune in as we think through a Biblical definition for friendship, consider how we are designed for friendship, and then chat through a few practicalities. 

As parents we all long for our kids to “turn out right.” We want them to grow up to be kind, thoughtful, well adjusted and successful adults. And most of us, as Christians, are desperate for our kids to know the Lord.But how does the sovereignty of God factor into all of that? Does my parenting even matter?The biblical view of God's sovereignty and man's responsibility in parenting –as in the rest of life –is freeing, empowering, encouraging, and glorious. Tune in as Jason Seville, pastor at Del Ray Baptist Church and father to five, helps us to unpack the paradox of sovereignty and human agency. We can be encouraged that when we are faithful to parent our children according to Scripture, that directly brings a blessing upon our children in ways we may not even fully understand because God is sovereign and he gave us Scripture for our good. 

Are Patriotism and Christianity Compatible? Is it okay to say "I'm proud to be an American?" How about politics? What does it look like to engage advocacy and activism as Christians?The presidential election in the United States is in full swing and it's an interesting election for sure. But as Christians, we must be careful to rightly order our allegiance and our passions without being cynical. Listen in for a conversation with James Nelson (J.D. Harvard Law 2016) about how to care for the good of our country, government, and neighbors while keeping our ultimate allegiance to the glory of God and advance of his kingdom front and center.

To be a mom is often to feel guilt. Often we feel overwhelmed by everything we aren't doing that we “should” be doing and we can worry that we are messing up our kids. Our friends, often out of love, tell us we have nothing to worry about. We've done nothing wrong and we are perfect mothers. But in our gut we know we aren't perfect mothers and we know we have failed our kids at times.How do we discern between conviction over areas where we have sinned versus shame over things the Lord has already forgiven us for or things that we have no power to control? How do we sort out which things we “need to do” as opposed to things our culture says we need to do? What are some techniques for dealing with overwhelming feelings of shame in the moment?Listen in for a Biblical consideration of "mom guilt" with Melissa Falcone --staff counselor at Del Ray Baptist Church, Westminster Seminary grad, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation instructor, and mom to four.Resource Mentioned:Ask Pastor John, “How Do I Forget My Sinful Past?”

Summer is a time for playing in the sun, splashing around, sleeping in, roasting marshmallows and all around soaking up a season of chillaxin. But it can also be a season of planning.Before we know it the chaos of the school year will descend upon us. And if we don't plan thoughtfully, we may end up overwhelmed when our fall schedules start to pick up.How can we prepare at a high level now so that we don't lose sight of our top priorities when daily pressures begin to pile up? Why is it important to think through our priorities and values before planning our schedules and routines? What are your family priorities and values?What are some of the most important things to keep top of mind when deciding which activities to say yes to and which to say no to?“Time cannot be used over again. Time cannot be taken to the cleaners and brought back as good as new, to be used another way. Childhood cannot be used over again for another set of preparations nor a different set of memories.” –Edith Schaeffer, Common Sense Christian Living. Listen in for a conversation with Lyndsey Mimnagh, homeschool mama of four and the founder of Treehouse Schoolhouse on how to schedule our priorities rather than prioritize our schedules.Check out Treehouse Schoolhouse for loads of beautiful and inspiring resources including nature study, book lists, and family-centered devotionals.Enjoy 20 percent off digital products now through July 28th! And check out dozens of free downloads and inspiring books.Use the code delightedmotherhood15 for 15% off any purchase. 

Summer is upon us! Which means pool days, vacations, VBS, and lots of ice cream. It also means lots of our schedule and routines are all out of wack. And that's slightly delightful. But in the midst of all this disruption, one practice we should safeguard is spending time daily in the Bible and in prayer. Why is a daily practice (of any length) so important for our lives? How can neglecting our spiritual formation actually be harmful to our families? And does a personal devotional practice have to be long? (No!)In this episode we'll talk about strategies for easy 5-15 minute "bite sized" quiet times and be encouraged that pursuing the Lord is always worth fighting for.“And because love is a habit, our hearts are calibrated through imitating exemplars and being immersed to practices that, over time, index our hearts to a certain end.”  -- James K. A. Smith

Do you ever feel that your house is nothing but bad diaper smells, legos under the table and clutter? Is it even possible to have a "pretty house" during the season of motherhood? Or is it just frivolous to desire?And if not, how does one decorate sensibly without breaking the bank?Join me for a two part series with Rebecca Gallop, the creator of A Daily Something and a homeschool mom to five living in West Virginia, about seeking out loveliness from a gospel perspective.In this episode we cover inexpensive ways to make homes beautiful from foraging to thrifting. We'll chat about why it's important to fill our homes with lovely things that are intended to be used everyday and can be broken.  And finally, we'll talk about strategies for maintaining order while hosting huge crowds and the power of setting boundaries.If you love homemaking, this episode is for you! Enjoy!!

"You must do something to make the world more beautiful." -- Miss RumphiusGod, the ultimate designer and cultivator, created the world with unmistakable beauty. Everywhere we look we see evidence of God's glory in what he has formed.  “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." Psalm 19:1-2  As moms who are made in the image of God, how can we bring beauty and creativity into our domains and spheres of influence?   At at the core, what makes a home lovely? What makes a mother beautiful and lovely?  If we want to create life giving spaces, where should our focus be?In what ways is homemaking a "hidden art" and why is that a good thing? Join me for a two part series with Rebecca Gallop, the creator of A Daily Something and a homeschool mom to five living in West Virginia, about seeking out loveliness from a gospel perspective.

What is it about green growing things that is so appealing? Why do we tend to feel so alive and at peace in a beautifully cared for garden? What deep eternal truths does God have to teach us through the process of tending the ground? In the midst of plant decapitating toddlers, is their hope for our plants? Listen in for loads of gardening tips with kids of all ages and reflections on the God who has given it to us all with the dearest Chelsea Svendsen. 

It's growing season! The weather is turning warming and it is time to get out into the dirt with out kids.During this two part conversation, I chat with Chelsea Svendsen -- homeschool mom to four, almost five kids, a student of horticulture, greenhouse gardener,  manger of the account, Life In the Yellow House -- all about Gardening.In the first half of our conversation (posted today) we discuss various methods for preparing our soil and easy, non intimidating ways to get started with gardening.  More than discussing plants, however, we will be reflecting on how the Master Gardener has revealed Himself to us all the more through green, growing things.Check back later for the second half of this conversation! (Which I love even more than the first!)

If there's one thing that drives me to prayer, it's my kids! It can be so hard to know how best to love and to parent them! Especially in the area of discipline. Join for part three of our conversation with Kim Seville on discipline. Today Kim goes through and addresses a number of frequently asked questions --what if we are running late? What if my child "doesn't hear" me? Are timeouts effective? Should I give my kids a countdown?And finally, we'll briefly consider a bad example of discipline in the cultural narrative and discuss ways to safeguard our thinking. Kim Seville –counseling lead for Frontlines Ministries, Dallas Theological Seminary grad, a former missionary in Asia, mom to five kids, and wife to Pastor Jason at Del Ray Baptist.

Some cultural streams seem to suggest that children may not need discipline, but just redirection. Redirection can be a glorious and wonderful thing. But are there times that a child needs to be corrected in his or her ways?When do you know if a child needs correction? How exactly does a parent discipline in a loving and effective way? What are the various stages of development? When should a parent discipline? When should a parent let some things slip?Join for part two of a three part conversation with Kim Seville on discipline. Kim Seville –counseling lead for Frontlines Ministries, Dallas Theological Seminary grad, a former missionary in Asia, mom to five kids, and wife to Pastor Jason at Del Ray Baptist.Today, Kim shares her three expectations for her children and her three expectations for herself.

What is corrective discipline and why do kids need it? What's the difference between formative and corrective training?Why is it harmful to our kids and to our own hearts to withhold training? How does training our kids also train us to see God's authority rightly?How is neglecting discipline an act of sin on our part? Is there any encouragement for the mom who feels like all she does all day is correct sinful behavior?Tune in for this encouraging conversation with Kim Seville –counseling lead for Frontlines Ministries, Dallas Theological Seminary grad, a former missionary in Asia, mom to five kids, and wife to Pastor Jason at Del Ray Baptist.

Did you know that the paschal, or Easter Greeting, "Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed," likely dates back to the earliest days of the Christian church? The marvel of the resurrection of Christ has been capturing the hearts and minds of Christians since the first disciples discovered in wonder that the stone had been rolled away.Holy Week, or Great Week as it is known in some traditions, is worth celebrating and observing! On the episode today we will discuss the history of Holy Week observance in the church, learn about Easter traditions around the globe, walk through what Jesus did each day of Passion Week, and chat through some fun activities and traditions to celebrate the Resurrection between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.May we never stop marveling at what Christ has done.Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!!If you'd like to see my Holy Week Party outline just email delightedmotherhood@gmail.comLinks: Easter Week in Real TimeRick Steve's Easter in Europe Resurrection Eggs Hosanna --Steve Green

In James 1:27  we read:"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. "But the reality is that adoption usually doesn't involve “Annie” style storylines. All kids will struggle at points during their development, but children who have been through the foster care system often have nuanced challenges.In light of this, how can the church better come alongside and care for adoptive families? Most of us as moms are already pretty overwhelmed and sometimes the suggestions for how to assist adoptive families sounds even more overwhelming.Adoptive mom Christine Gordon  encourages us to "think smaller." Christine shares encouragement and practical suggestions for little ways we can come alongside one another regardless of our parenting situation. Christine is a wife to Michael and mother of three, co-founder of At His Feet Studies and a visiting instructor at Covenant Theological Seminary.  This is a longer podcast, but absolutely worth your time.

Winter months can be a little dark, and “blah.” Most of us love Christmas, but when it comes around to late February and early March we are desperate for some tulips to start blooming. What do we do with these gloomy months of waiting? And how does the waiting help prepare us for the glories of Spring? What is the connection between waiting and rejoicing? Why is waiting such a big part of the individual Christian's life and the life of the church across the ages?In particular, how can we use this time to cultivate wonder at the miracle of the resurrection?Listen in for a thoughtful conversation with Kelly Havens to hear lots of practical ideas for getting our hands dirty and our hearts engaged during the third month of the year. Kelly is a mom to two little boys and is expecting a little girl on May 19th! She seeks to open our eyes to both how personal and how powerful God is through her photography, devotional writing on Instagram, and her spiritually challenging podcast (The Eternal Perspective). She also has an Etsy sewing shop where she sells timeless country styles.Check out Kelly's amazing Instagram HERE!

All moms want to show love and affection to their families.But sometimes, it can feel super hard to do so!Even though it seems like loving our families should be natural, it isn't. We are sinners and our families are made up of sinners. Which means love can be downright challenging.What are some ways we can combat the negativity spiral and move closer to our families --rather than further apart --even when we don't always feel like it? Tune in. for a discussion about reframing our mindset and cultivating affectionate habits.****PS! My sweet toddler Johnny is a bit distracting in the first 5 minutes of this chat --stick with me or feel free to skip ahead! #momlife made recording a challenge this time.

And Happy Valentine's Day – A Day of love! But beyond a day filled with cute cards, I love any reminder –in my calendar or otherwise, to show tenderness and affection to the people that I love most. Today we are going to start a three part series on creating an atmosphere of affection within our homes.We will consider how to daily choose to practice love, recognize that we are always either moving closer to one another or further apart, and think through some simple rhythms to show tenderness and care to those we love the most.Routines, rhythms and practices are always informed by what we most deeply believe. We cannot foster an environment of love and affection within our homes until we behold the Love of God and commit to walk as he walked. It is Christ in us, and our daily decision to follow him, the ultimately empowers us to practice daily love.Also! Happy 70th Birthday to my incredible dad, Del Clark who has modeled daily love to his family for decades. I am eternally thankful to be your daughter.

Welcome to the month of love! A full episode on cultivating an atmosphere of affection is coming next week.But, today in preparation for Valentine's Day next week tune into this short bonus! We'll talk briefly about the history of Valentine's Day as well as chatting through a couple of easy ways to celebrate the day with small people."The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. " (History Channel)My Very Gentle Valentine by Charles d'Orleans (c. 1394-1465) loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch  My very gentle Valentine, Alas, for me you were born too soon, As I was born too late for you! May God forgive my jailer Who has kept me from you this entire year. I am sick without your love, my dear, My very gentle Valentine.

Attending church with little kids can feel a little bit like wrangling monkeys. But in the long view, faithful church participation is always worth it.The best way for us to find joy and contentment in our calling as moms --or any calling for that matter --is to grow in our fear of the Lord. And one of the primary tools God uses to build up his saints is the local church.As Eugene Peterson has argued, corporate worship “gives us our frame for life – it grounds us, centers us, and unifies us.”Or put in Kira words, church participation provides us a structure of growth for our vertical relationship with God and structure of our growth in horizontal relationship with one another.Listen in as we chat through some basic benefits of church attendance, the Biblical directives to gather, and a peek into what Nelson Sunday mornings look like.

Pregnancy tends to be a mixed bag for most of us.From extreme fatigue, vomiting, swelling in the most uncomfortable places, off the charts hormonal swings, to that unavoidable weight gain, pregnancy can be a physical, emotional, and spiritual challenge for the majority of us.During a time when so many things feel out of whack, how do we think well about maintaining fitness during and after pregnancy? Is my body a trophy for my own glory or a vessel for His use?If Christ has primary ownership over my body, how does that change the way I care for my body? And the way I see myself during weak, limited, and less than flattering seasons?Listen in for a helpful conversation with Ashley Keller, a Prenatal and Postnatal exercise specialist and the founder of GlowBodyPT, about prenatal fitness and biblical body image.

Welcome to 2024! The start of the new year is also a helpful time for considering our ways and specifically how we spend our time.Scripture teaches us that our lives are like a midst, we are here today and gone tomorrow. How are we spending our time? What do our days look like? In what ways may God be calling us to re-evaluate our schedules? What things are most important to us? In essence what are our priorities and how will it look like to accomplish our goals in the new year?As D.A. Carson has said, “we don't drift towards holiness.” Listen in as we discuss three biblical principles and two helpful tools for keeping our daily routines on track.

For many of us, motherhood is anything but easy. From blowouts, to tantrums, learning difficulties, health problems, constant noise, conflict inside and outside our homes --the possibilities for us to feel like we are in an impossible season are endless. Sometimes this feeling of “hard” can feel completely overwhelming.And the truth is that some of the demands of modern parenting that feel really hard are signs that something actually is wrong.  When things are hard and overwhelming it is a good idea to wisely evaluate what is causing the "hard." But is hard always a negative thing? Or could challenging circumstances actually be a gift in disguise? In what ways has worldly thinking colored the way Christians talk about the “hard” aspects of parenting? Listen in to a helpful conversation with Abbie Halberstadt, Bible believing mom to ten and author of M is for Mama and Hard is Not the Same Thing as Bad about evaluating hard situations and allowing the Lord to refresh our mindset.

Advent, which officially begins this Sunday, December 3rd  is a tradition that has been celebrated by Christians since the 5th century.Advent, understood rightly, is a time for Christians to look back at God's work in bringing the infant Savior into the world and look forward to when Christ will return as the glorious King to judge the living and dead and make all things new, right, and beautiful. There are many different, valid and good ways to celebrate advent. In this episode I'll what advent looks like at our house and why we do what we do.Resources:Unwrapping the Greatest Gift Jesse Tree Printable pages --small coloring ornaments, full size coloring pages, Night Before Advent Party Guide , lots of other great free printable pages here!

The Lord chose to reveal himself to us through a story --a story that actively shapes us the more we study and understand it. But it's not only the gospel narratives that we see in scripture that can shape us --all stories have a profound ability to cast us in their image. The question is, what kind of stories are we listening to? As moms, why should we be particularly thoughtful about the stories that are defining our family culture? Not in a way that is fearful, but in a way that helps us to glory in the best story ever told?As we head into the Christmas season, what are some particularly sweet stories and books we might share with our families? What traditions, old and new, might we enjoy together that will help us to reflect on the mystery of what God has done for us?Listen in for an uplifting conversation with Leah Nicklaus, a homeschooling mama of five sweet and wild boys. Her family lives in Iowa where they are involved in their local church and community. Leah is passionate about beautiful books that point us to the gospel message, nourish our minds, and reveal what is good, true, and beautiful. You can follow her on Instagram at @lovingleadinglittles.Check out Leah's top Christmas book recommendations here:Picture Books:The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria HoustonThe Christmas Promise by Alison MitchellRoom for a Little One by Martin WaddellThe Tale of Three Trees by Angela Elwell HuntMortimer's Christmas Manger by Karma WilsonChristmas books by Jan BrettChapter Books:A Tree for Peter by Kate SeredyThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis