Her Daily Drive

How often do you say "I'm just a mum"? In this episode Jo gently encourages us to remember how significant our role as a mum is and the power in praying for our children and teaching our children to pray. 

Joy is the fruit of Faith! May we be reminded that joy is not found in our circumstances but in our faith and hope in Jesus. 

In this episode Catherine shares learnings from her experience with infertility, "what I've learnt is that having children doesn't complete my family. Having children would add to my family. It's Christ who completes my family and that happened when we got married. Anything from then on is a bonus".

Sometimes as Christians we have this strange expectation that life won't hurt and when it does hurt we question why God and why me? This is not serving us well. If we aren't careful we can make an idol out of comfort and convenience and control. Is God who He says He is? Because if God is who He says He is than God is love and God is good, even in our seasons of pain.

In this episode, Savaen reminds us of the constant presence of God in our lives, urging us to create intentional moments to tune into His voice. Join us as Sav explores the beauty of embracing each season of life as a precious gift from God.

After years of both pastoring in local church and serving the worlds most vulnerable, Julia is more passionate than ever about local churches everywhere being God's answer and vehicle to serve the world around them. She is deeply fulfilled by cheering on those around her to soar and be everything they have been designed to be! She's a family gal who loves her adult children and adores her husband of 31 years. 

You can find Jodie's book here:https://youthworksmedia.net/products/bringing-forth-lifeIt is also available from major Christian bookstores (Koorong etc.) or as an ebook (Apple/Kindle).

@susannaapril for originals, prints, phone cases and art licensing

To purchase Socially Starting Out head to www.shininglifeskills.com.au

This season of Her Daily Drive, whilst inspired by Motherhood, is for everyone. Because we all have a mother, are a mother, know a mother or know someone who has a mother. My prayer is that the wisdom offered by a handful of prayerfully selected Mums can inspire and encourage us all on our daily drive with Jesus. 

“We all have moments of self deprecation… maybe it's Aussie humour, maybe it's social media's influence. Either way, it's so important that we remember to be kind to ourselves, just like we would a friend” Abigail Hogarth joins us to talk about being kind to ourselves! In Luke 10:27 Jesus tells two great commands, the second being, “Love your neighbour as yourself”. Perhaps you've become too familiar with loving others from an empty cup? Abigail encourages and gives some practical tips on being kind to yourself.

“For a lot of us when we think of leadership we think of CEOs… but we don't really recognise that we are all leaders, because leadership is influence” Stacey Tarrant joins us again on the podcast to talk about leadership in a really practical way that can be grasped by the single mum, the stay-at-home mum, the CEO, the university student, the teacher, the 18yr old or the 80yr old! Pillars of leadership:  Identify potential Give responsibility Provide feedbackCheck out @verv.leadership or vervleadership.com.au for more information about content, courses and coaching. VERV; shaping tomorrow's Christian leaders. 

We can become our own way makers in life. Life is busy and it is hectic and before we know it we have our one year plan and our five year plan, and we have decided everything and God has decided nothing. It's so important to, with the busyness of life, hold on a minute and ask ourselves: are we spending time with God? Are we stopping and giving Him space to become our way maker? - Sarah Hands

Reminding yourself that you do have a big plate and you do have a big capacity but that takes intentional growth, and intentional growth that takes intentionality in all that you do. We are not our own strength, but God is our strength. We are not our own portion, but God is out portion.

I’m not talking about filters on your phone, on instagram or on snapchat. I’m talking about filters that I use for my words, whether they be written or spoken. In society, our words can have real power or be really dangerous - so I always apply four filters … is it necessary, is it helpful, is it kind and is it true? - Katie B

It doesn’t matter what happens between now and two years time, five years time or ten years time. Nothing that happens in that season is ever going to seperate me from Him. He’s not going to leave me in that season. I love being able to write about that and be able to look back and know God was with me in that season, even if I didn’t feel it, I love that reminder — that’s who He is! Hannah S

What does it mean to be human? It’s so important to take a step back and ask this question, because our society today is so fast paced and image focused and productivity obsessed and success worshipping — that there is always going to be someone or something out there offering you an answer to this question, in a way that’s going to lead you away from life and flourishing. - Alex C.

We all need to make sure we are taking time to retreat from our busy lives. Jesus took time to retreat with God and so we also need to take time to retreat with Him. If you are someone who struggles to retreat you may benefit from a physical retreat (something we may all be in need of once we come out the other side of COVID-19), and Rise Retreats will be a great place to start if you live in Australia. But for now, in this season, let's make sure we are taking time to retreat, breath and refill our souls.

"If we can’t share with our brothers and sisters in Christ the realities of our life, then I feel like we are missing out on the power of the Gospel. Christ came to save us because we are broken, not because we have our shiz together." - Samantha Freestone

We can desire Jesus to be the main thing, and yet it's all too easy to let other things take priority. We need to start filling our lives with more of the main thing; more of Jesus! "You become what you behold, and you become like the things you set your gaze on, you become like the things that you fill your time with or your mind with or your ears with" and so if we want to become like Jesus, then we actually have to do something about our lives, to make sure He is the main thing!- Lauren A

We can be so blind-sided by what the world tells us our marriage should look like. You should never judge a marriage from what you can see on the outside. God has helped me see that my understanding, my mould of what my husband should be like or what our marriage should be like, wasn’t His understanding. - Fa Matangi

“Everyone feels terrified about something. But as I continue walking on this journey the Lord reminds me that he carries me through every challenge, again and again. And that although the world can be a terrifying place, his love never will be.”- Naomi@naomitallu_

“Recently God challenged me that I am on mission for Him every day of my life. At work, with my kids, at the park, at the shops, with my friends, at soccer… God has positioned me in all my different circles for a reason. That reason is so that people can hear about Jesus.”- Holly

“It is about the daily little pockets that make you smile and make the day beautiful rather than just crazy and busy… look for those little spots of sunlight!” - Samara

“If you, if we, if I don’t have a healthy worship relationship with God off stage, I will lead no one anywhere on stage… I hope my most intimate moments with God aren’t happening on stage but off stage.”- Meredith

“There are so many fake vines… we get so distracted in life and we try to fill any void we have with anything we can get our hands on. And everything is so inviting… but it’s like a bucket with holes in it. It’s not fulfilling. But with Jesus as the vine that bucket is full and you can live off it.”- Grace

“In this season I have never had so little and yet never been more peaceful and more content. More of Him brings more peace. Fighting to create space to have more of Him has certainly brought more peace.” - Rachel

“If you don’t know your neighbour, knock on their door. Just do it! Sometimes it can be as easy as baking extra. So that this culture begins to build around unreciprocated neighbourly love… you might have to do it for a while. But go knock on their door!” - Jeanne

“Just because I can doesn’t mean I should. Society puts pressure on us to fill the time, to fill the gaps. But it is okay to actually say no… just get back to that secret place with God… dwell!” - Katie

"We really can’t let miscarriage continue to be a taboo subject, all this does is cause more pain to those who are already hurting. Instead we need to help each other to make miscarriage a subject that everyone is okay to talk about. Above all, we can trust God and his immense love for us." - Lauren

“Think of the dreams and gifts God has placed on your heart. Those gifts are still valid and that calling hasn’t expired on your life. God wants to call us closer to Him to send us back out on that purpose” - Molly

“The thing about GRIT is that each time we exercise it, we will have gained strength and resolve for the next time” - Linda

“Faithfulness isn’t sexy and it isn’t loud and it isn’t public. It’s just about taking whatever God’s given you and pouring it out faithfully, and consistently, and with a view to growth and maturity; which is exactly what Jesus did, He was faithful with what God asked Him to do.” - Katie

“God is there and waiting, don’t lose heart in praying for family or loved ones or friends… because God is more than able.” - Belinda

"If all of us are striving or searching for our satisfaction in anywhere other than Jesus it's actually just going to leave us empty and heartbroken. It's good to have dreams, it's good to have goals, it's good to have ambitions, but they have to come under the lordship of Jesus Christ... because they cannot satisfy our souls the way an intimate relationship with Jesus can and does. That's why God is greater than our dreams." - Stacey

"We live in such a stress-filled world. When we abide in Jesus we are choosing to be in His presence; peace, joy and love." - Wilma

"The bible is a plan for life, all the answers are there. It's our responsibility as Christians to look for the answers we need. Because they are there; I've found that to be true." - Valda

"Capacity comes from letting go and our capacity will crumble if we keep trying to do things in our own strength. Let's live a life where we rely on and trust in God to grow our spiritual capacity; release control!" - Molly

"My perception was that I wasn't able to because I was a busy mum, I wasn't able to because I only work part time, I wasn't able to because I was too old. But I felt God say you're not just saved, you are called. And you're not just called; the calling is nothing until it is wielded. It's a weapon!" - Katie

My first episode... this is a special episode that is close to my heart. Sue is not only my next door neighbour but the wife of our lead minister. I have so much respect for Sue and her love for God. Press play to listen to her story on hearing from God and being called to a new adventure! This was actually the first episode I uploaded to Her Daily Drive, but unfortunately it was deleted before I knew about paying a monthly subscription. With so many new listeners I wanted to re-release this episode before the end of the year. I hope and pray it encourages you!

"We live in a consumerist society that is reflected in our relationships. Nowadays everything is disposable; clothes, photos, media content, etc. I've noticed that people are doing that with their friendships as well. People are consuming friends." - Jess

"It is ingrained in humanity, in who we are, to worry about and dread what is coming next or to really look forward to what is next and wish we were there or look back with regret, wishing we were still there. Sometimes we focus so strongly on those things that we miss out on what God is doing in our now." - Brie

"Life is so tough, there is always hardships in every single day. If we only live the hardships we forget what it is that God has to offer us and what He brings to our lives. When you look at the blessings you realise that the hardships are nothing, because the blessings are what the jewel is in life." - Lynn

"There is this beautiful impact, that when you choose to be vulnerable, it gives others permission to be vulnerable as well. You don't know what people are going through. It's getting harder and harder to make those connections and for people to be brave enough to actually share those things. If you are craving deep connection, with God and people, the first step is to choose to be vulnerable." - Jannah

"Singing God's praises... It's not about your vocal ability, it's about singing praises to God no matter what season you are in. Because it is so important that we declare His praises in our lives." - Tessa

"Weight loss shouldn't be our goal, really the goal should be the level of function we have in our day. If there is no struggle there is no progress. I think we have to go through discomfort to get stronger and God needs us to be strong in order to live out our life for Him and His purpose." - Tayla

"The struggle with body image is not new, it has been around forever. Only, now it is becoming even more of an issue because we are in a social media generation. Now it's a daily bombardment of images to do with changing your body, improving your body or having to live up to unrealistic expectations. We are seeing thousands of images everyday that are making us question our personal body image." - Lauren

"Say yes to something this week that God is calling you to or simply say yes to encouraging someone around you. Have bold, healthy and immovable faith in God who loves you and will never let you down" - Nicole

"I believe that in our world today there are so many forums that promote comparison and judgement of the people around us. Our world almost encourages us to judge others, and elevate ourselves above them. But, I think God calls us to something different" - Amelia

"Sometimes it doesn't work out the way we expect it to and there is that thought that God's ways are higher than our own. So we've got to be more resilient. There is a sense of resilience that goes, I'm not looking for storms but I'm determined to know how I am going to respond in a storm." - Suellen