Keeping My Sanity

Even if we don't want to admit it, anger is an emotion common to us all. While it isn't categorically a bad emotion, its manifestation is often sinful and destructive. I was happy to discuss how Christians--moms in particular--can manage anger with Natalie Hixson. Natalie helps discouraged, burnt-out Christian Moms overcome destructive anger so they can enjoy being a wife and mom. You can learn more about Natalie at https://nataliehixson.com/keepingmysanity. 

I can easily find myself on repeat mode when it comes to prayer, saying the same things for the same people or situations. I also sometimes find myself at a loss for words, which is when I can be thankful that God knows even what I can't say. We know prayer is important, and if you are like me you also know that this is an area that could use improvement. There is no better prayer teacher than the pages of scripture.  Today, I want to do something a bit different from the normal podcast. I want to pray through several passages in Romans. You can pray with me as I highlight verses from chapters 10, 12, and 13. We can pray these for our spouse, children, family, and friends.  If you like today's episode, maybe you'd like to get in on my weekly Coffee Chat email. Each Wednesday, I like to share a few paragraphs of encouragement or a challenge that I've been working through. I'd love to chat with you there. Sign up at keepingmysanity.com.

I was so blessed to talk to Barbara Reaoch on today's episode. Barbara's passion to serve Christ is so apparent and she has dedicated her ministry to equip parents, grandparents, and teachers to present Biblical truth to children.   On the episode, we specifically talk about her latest book, A Jesus Easter: Explore God's Amazing Rescue Plan. The book is a day-by-day quick read leading up to Easter (like an advent for Easter), but it can certainly be used at anytime and be read at any pace!   My boys--ages 5 through 9--all love the thought questions each day. I also like the questions because they create great conversation around Biblical truths that may not come up naturally.   In the book, Barbara shares the four questions that Easter answers for us. Who is Jesus? Why did God send Jesus to us? What lies does Satan want us to believe? What is our right response to Jesus?   You can get your copy of A Jesus Easter* on Amazon today!   Barbara also has several other books* on Amazon that I'm excited to read eventually.   More about Barbara Website: https://www.barbarareaoch.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ron.reaoch Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reaoch/   If you like today's episode, maybe you'd like to get in on my weekly Coffee Chat email. Each Wednesday, I like to share a few paragraphs of encouragement or a challenge that I've been working through. I'd love to chat with you there. Sign up at keepingmysanity.com.   *As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links. See my full disclosures, Terms of Use, and privacy policies on my "privacy" page. I never recommend a product I don't love.

If you are a regular listener, you may have heard the first part of my conversation last week with apologist and author Hillary Morgan Ferrer. Hilary is the founder of Mama Bear Apologetics, a valuable resource for training ourselves and our children to think critically, love biblically, and stand firm against the cultural tide.   Last week, we talked about equipping our children to defend their faith and not be lured away by a culture that tries so hard to destroy it. This week we dive deeper into the topics of pluralism, tolerance, secular word definition, sexuality, and balancing our love for others with our pursuit of truth and justice we find in scriptures. Apologetics resources Mama Bear Apologetics Mama Bear Resources Website: https://mamabearapologetics.com/resources/ Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies - Find it on Amazon Mama Bear Apologetics Guide to Sexuality: Empowering Your Kids to Understand and Live Out God's Design - Find it on Amazon   Cold-Case Christianity Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels - Find it on Amazon Cold-Case Christianity for Kids: Investigate Jesus with a Real Detective - Find it on Amazon   Natasha Crain Natasha's Website: https://natashacrain.com/ Talking with Your Kids about Jesus: 30 Conversations Every Christian Parent Must Have - Find it on Amazon Talking with Your Kids about God: 30 Conversations Every Christian Parent Must Have - Find it on Amazon Keeping Your Kids on God's Side: 40 Conversations to Help Them Build a Lasting Faith - Find it on Amazon   Living Hope Ministries Why? Understanding Male Gender Development - Find it on Living Hope Why? Understanding Female Gender Development - Find it on Living Hope   Miriam Grossman Unprotected: A Campus Psychiatrist Reveals How Political Correctness in Her Profession Endangers Every Student - Find it on Amazon   Abigail Shrier Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters - Find it on Amazon   You can pick up the books on Amazon. About Hillary Morgan Ferrer Hillary Morgan Ferrer is the founder and Mama-Bear-in-Chief of Mama Bear Apologetics. She feels a burden for providing accessible apologetics resources for busy moms. Hillary is the co-author and general editor of the bestselling book Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies (Harvest House, 2019) and the recently released Mama Bear Apologetics Guide to Sexuality (Harvest House 2021) Hillary has her master's degree in biology and loves helping moms to discern truths and lies in both science and culture. She also specializes in understanding the root causes of doubt. She and her husband, John, have been married for 14 years and minister together as an apologetics team.   Find out more about Mama Bear Apologetics. Website: https://mamabearapologetics.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamabearapologetics/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mamabearapologetics YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfMaFkzIfflQeKmzVF-4IGA   If you like today's episode, maybe you'd like to get in on my weekly Coffee Chat email. Each Wednesday, I like to share a few paragraphs of encouragement or a challenge that I've been working through. I'd love to chat with you there. Sign up at keepingmysanity.com.   As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links. See my full disclosures, Terms of Use, and privacy policies on my “privacy” page. I never recommend a product I don't love.  

My husband and I have three school-aged boys. We have made a deliberate decision to enroll all three of them in public school, a topic that we may get into more in a different podcast. Though I'm able to be in the classroom regularly again this semester, there's still nothing I can do to shelter them from witnessing the reality of the fall--even in elementary.   Over the summer, I read Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies, by Hillary Morgan Ferrer and Nancy Pearcey. The book discusses our role as parents in the instruction of biblical truth in a depraved culture.   I knew I needed to bring Hillary onto the podcast to share her wisdom with my listeners. Our conversation covered such a wide scope that I've decided to break it into two episodes. In this week's episode, we discuss properly equipping our children to defend their faith.   In next week's episode, we'll get into topics from Hillary's second book, co-authored by Amy Davison and released in October 2021--Mama Bear Apologetics Guide to Sexuality: Empowering Your Kids to Understand and Live Out God's Design. Unfortunately, the second book is all too relevant in today's culture also. We get into some of the tough topics in that book next week.   You can pick up the books on Amazon. Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies Mama Bear Apologetics Guide to Sexuality: Empowering Your Kids to Understand and Live Out God's Design About Hillary Morgan Ferrer Hillary Morgan Ferrer is the founder and Mama-Bear-in-Chief of Mama Bear Apologetics. She feels a burden for providing accessible apologetics resources for busy moms. Hillary is the co-author and general editor of the bestselling book Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies (Harvest House, 2019) and the recently released Mama Bear Apologetics Guide to Sexuality (Harvest House 2021) Hillary has her master's degree in biology and loves helping moms to discern truths and lies in both science and culture. She also specializes in understanding the root causes of doubt. She and her husband, John, have been married for 14 years and minister together as an apologetics team.   Find out more about Mama Bear Apologetics.   Website: https://mamabearapologetics.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamabearapologetics/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mamabearapologetics YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfMaFkzIfflQeKmzVF-4IGA   If you like today's episode, maybe you'd like to get in on my weekly Coffee Chat email. Each Wednesday, I like to share a few paragraphs of encouragement or a challenge that I've been working through. I'd love to chat with you there. Sign up at keepingmysanity.com.

It's easy to wear a mask to hide our brokenness, but it's OK to not be OK. It was a huge encouragement to speak with Pastor Alistair Chalmers about his struggle with depression and, more specifically, the hope we have in Christ. Pastors are broken people. Just like us. No, really. That's not always easy to remember, but can be so helpful in our most difficult struggles. In today's episode, I had the opportunity to speak to Alistair Chalmers, an assistant pastor in Scotland, who is just as broken as you and I are. He has chosen to use his struggle with depression and suicide to encourage others. You can purchase his book online. (Don't switch to the US site or you won't be able to see the book. Listeners can use the discount code “keepingmysanity” (all one word, all lowercase) to receive 50% off a copy of The Pastor with a Thorn in His Side for the month of January 2022. This conversation was so encouraging to me, and I hope it will be for you as well. Find out more about Allistar below on his website.   Alistair's blog: https://achalmersblog.com Twitter @ASChalmers Instagram @Chalmersblog Facebook @Chalmersblog  

New year's resolutions can sometimes become cliché, rehashing the same generic goals each year. Today, I want to share ten 11 intentional questions that will help guide your new years reset to focus on what really matters. What is the one thing I can do this year to increase my enjoyment of God? What is the most humanly impossible thing I will ask God to do this year? What is the single most important thing I can do to improve my family life this year? In which spiritual discipline(s) do I most want to make progress this year and what will I do about it? What is the single biggest time-waster in my life, and what will I do about it? What is the most helpful new way I can help strengthen my church? For whose salvation(s) will I pray most fervently this year? What is the most important way I will make 2022 different from 2021? What one thing can I do to improve my prayer life this year? What single thing that I plan to do this year will matter most in 10 years or eternity? How can this year be our best year for the Lord? I also mentioned the book 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You. You can pick that up on Amazon if you're ready to be convicted. If you like today's episode, maybe you'd like to get in on my weekly Coffee Chat email. Each Wednesday, I like to share a few paragraphs of encouragement or a challenge that I've been working through. I'd love to chat with you there. Sign up at keepingmysanity.com.

When I feel that I am out of my comfort zone, then I have a God-given chance to grow. Are you experiencing discomfort in some area of your life today?  As tough as it seems, it's probably the perfect place for you to grow in your walk with the Lord.   Links in the episode Episode 10: What homeschool has taught me - https://keepingmysanity.com/podcast/what-homeschool-has-taught-me/   Episode 20: Our nomadic adventure that forced us to rely on God - https://keepingmysanity.com/podcast/our-nomadic-adventure-forced-us-to-rely-on-god/   If you like today's episode, maybe you'd like to get in on my weekly Coffee Chat email. Each Wednesday, I like to share a few paragraphs of encouragement or a challenge that I've been working through. I'd love to chat with you there. Sign up at keepingmysanity.com.

There are few things I love more than music--both listening and singing. I have several Spotify playlists that I rotate through all day long, depending on what I'm in the mood for.   Obviously, Christmas music is running nonstop since November. Obviously. I was struck last week, however, by how little I dwell on some of these theologically rich songs. I enjoy the music, and I can sing right along with it without truly considering the lyrics and the message.   By far, my favorite Christmas song is O Holy Night. I want to share with you a little bit more about the lyrics and the history of this song. If I take a few moments to think about it, the song means so much more to me!   If you like today's episode, maybe you'd like to get in on my weekly Coffee Chat email. Each Wednesday, I like to share a few paragraphs of encouragement or a challenge that I've been working through. I'd love to chat with you there. Sign up at keepingmysanity.com.

I've been married for 11 years and have three kids--the oldest of which is nine years old. I feel far removed from singleness. Though I know a lot of singles, I'm always hesitant to reach out and build a relationship. I convince myself that my crazy is too much for them or that I won't have anything relatable to talk about.  To clear things up, I invited my delightful friend Molly to talk about singleness and share how we can best minister to singles in our churches. If you like today's episode, maybe you'd like to get in on my weekly Coffee Chat email. Each Wednesday, I like to share a few paragraphs of encouragement or a challenge that I've been working through. I'd love to chat with you there. Sign up at keepingmysanity.com.

I often think of missions as serving in a remote jungle village, translating the Bible on a life-long calling. While there are certainly those scenarios, missions is so much more than that. As our guest Rivers Partin put it, "Missions is ordinary people, putting their 'yes' on the table and desiring to see God worshipped for who He is."   Rivers and her husband Dave planted Neighborhood Church in Overland Park, KS five years ago. Before that, they ministered is Budapest, Hungary for four years. Rivers and Dave have four children, aged 9 to 15. In addition to being a busy mom of four, she works full-time with pastors' wives--most in the midst of a church plant themselves.   I was refreshed with Rivers' first-hand perspective. I pray you will be also.   If you like today's episode, maybe you'd like to get in on my weekly Coffee Chat email. Each Wednesday, I like to share a few paragraphs of encouragement or a challenge that I've been working through. I'd love to chat with you there. Sign up at keepingmysanity.com.

Theology is defined as the study of the nature of God and religious belief. When I think about the word 'theology', my mind doesn't immediately go to a mom teaching her kids Biblical truth. Instead, I picture seminary students paging through stacks of dusty commentaries. But, if we look carefully, every day is packed with countless opportunities to teach our kids practical, life-changing truths about God. Isn't that the goal of parenting after all? Teaching our children to love God? As a mother of three very busy boys, I constantly have the temptation to look for a quick, simple solution for my daily chaos. In the past I have worked through books like Treasuring Christ when Your Hands Are Full, The End of Me,  How to Really Love Your Child, Beholding and Becoming: The Art of Everyday Worship, and The Strong-Willed Child. Recently I'm reading books like Mama Bear Apologetics, Not From Around Here, and Glory in the Ordinary. But as helpful as these books can be for practical use, the words are quickly forgotten and usually apply only to specific situations. Theology, on the other hand, is eternal for it is the study of our eternal God. What I learn about Him through His Word today not only applied 9 years ago when we started parenting but will apply to all stages of life and parenting. While there are many more lessons, I want to focus on four practical theological ideas I can pass to my kiddos daily. Forgiveness When my boys hurt each other, whether intentional or careless, my husband and I explain the need for an apology, request for forgiveness, then an extension of forgiveness. Although the children didn't understand it 5 years ago, they were learning about God. They are admitting wrongdoing, that they sinned against someone else and that they need to be forgiven for that sin. The need for forgiveness becomes a natural part of life. Oh, and, by the way, moms need forgiveness, too! Patience Forgiveness and patience are connected. The more aware I am of my sinfulness and of God's ability and willingness to forgive me, the better I understand patience and how perfectly God displays it toward me. With Christ as my example, I can acknowledge my sons' sin nature and grant patience to them as they grow in their own understanding of God and how they should act. It is good for them to know this, too. It's not an excuse for sin, but an understanding that can grow into greater dependence on God. Reliance It was at times comical to watch our two-year-old attempt to do something on his own. He is still very independent. When told what to do, he tends to try to find his own way to accomplish the task. As frustrating as this can be, the study of God and my relationship with Him reveals I do the same thing as my toddler did. The Bible tells me that I can do nothing without God allowing me to do it, yet I think that I know best. I try to live life my way, which usually includes stress and worry, instead of trusting what God can do and acknowledging His hand. I should be using difficult situations to teach my sons about my God who provides. Kindness God showed relentless kindness in the Old Testament. He would have been justified in turning His back on Israel, but he continually showed kindness toward them. Christ was kindness in human form. Through all of the bombardment of crowds and hate, he loved his enemies and showed kindness. To me, kindness is Christianity simplified. If you like today's episode, maybe you'd like to get in on my weekly Coffee Chat email. Each Wednesday, I like to share a few paragraphs of encouragement or a challenge that I've been working through. I'd love to chat with you there. Sign up at keepingmysanity.com. Book Links (affiliate) Treasuring Christ when Your Hands Are Full The End of Me How to Really Love Your Child Beholding and Becoming: The Art of Everyday Worship Mama Bear Apologetics Glory in the Ordinary

As moms, we like to maintain an image of dignity and "togetherness". We like our comfort zone, and stepping outside of it could allow for unbearable judgment. But sometimes, we need to stop overthinking and be the mom our kids need us to be. Since childhood, music has been a huge part of my life. Our home is constantly filled with music of all varieties—from classic hymns to Broadway hits, and everything in between. I love it so much! It's neat to see my love of music passed down my kids. If you ever come over, just be warned that random dance parties break out on a regular basis. Disney and Broadway just bring it out in all of us. It may not be pretty all of the time, but it's great! Our middle son is especially into music and dancing. He hears a beat and there's no question in his mind—he's going to dance. This past summer, we attended a wedding with a dance. As the tables and chairs cleared the dance floor, our son was already moving—itching to get out there and show off his moves. After the agonizing wait through the Bride-Groom, Father-Daughter, and Mother-Groom dances, the DJ welcomed everyone to the dance floor. The joy on his face as he danced to the beat of his own imagination was indescribable. It's like he had been training his entire life for that moment—and he was going to seize that opportunity. It wasn't long before he locked eyes with me, as I was contentedly sipping my punch from the comfort of my chair on the side of the dance floor. I knew exactly what he was thinking. "Mom, come dance with me!" Now, I dance with my boys several times a day. A good song comes on, and we go to town. But, as much as I love music and dancing, public humiliation is not my jam. That was exactly what was going through my head. "If I get out there, I'm going to look like an idiot and everyone will judge me." I looked again into my son's eyes—seeing how much he wanted me to experience the joy he was feeling out there. To me, I was saving my dignity. To him, I was missing out on something amazing that he wanted to share with me. So, swallowing my pride, I decided to join him on the dance floor. We spun and swayed to song after song—probably looking ridiculous. But, I was being the mom he needed me to be. Looking back, we made some remarkable memories that night. The fear of judgement didn't distract him at all. He was more than happy to be present in the moment. Be the mom they need Just remember that you're only going to experience some of these special moments once. Be careful that you're not too distracted by a fear of judgement that you miss out on being Mom. Your kids want you to enjoy life with them. Please do. --- If you've enjoyed today's episode, you may want to sign up for my Coffee Chat email. Every Wednesday morning, I send out a few paragraphs of encouragement, and I'd love to talk to you there! Sign up at keepingmysanity.com.

After some much-needed time away from the microphone, it's so good to be back in the studio! A lot has happened over the several months since season one closed out, and I wanted to take a couple of minutes to share some of those changes.  Foster Care Perhaps the biggest change for our family was accepting a foster care placement for a 2-year-old girl at the beginning of June. We were able to share our lives with her for nearly five months before recently moving to a more permanent home that is such a great fit for her. Though sadness always follows separation, we are so happy to see her grow into her new family. Despite the unforeseen struggles our experience presented, we feel richly blessed to be used by God in her little life—if only for a few months.  Foster care will definitely be an episode all on its own in Season 2. There is just too much to cover in a 2-minute update. In short, Season 2 was supposed to kick off in September... Marathon One of my first episodes in Season 1 referenced my disappointment in my first Marathon being canceled due to COVID. Well, I was able to run that very same Marathon in October and it was one of the highlights of my life—honestly.  This is actually where I want to dwell for a few minutes in today's episode.  Growing up in a Christian home, I've heard the Christian life paralleled with running a race hundreds of times. I'm familiar with all of the scripture passages that compare the two. While I never doubted the comparison, I gained so much more perspective over the last six months.  What's Next? I'm really excited for this season! I've been reading so many excellent books over the last months and I can't wait to talk to some of those authors on the show. I've also been spending a lot of time in my kitchen. We're still working through some ways to bring the kitchen to the podcast.  There is a lot to be excited about. I'm so grateful to you for spending a few minutes with me this week. Coffee Thoughts Each week this season, I'm going to send out Coffee Thoughts—a few words of encouragement or a challenge for wives and mothers who need some love. I hope you'll join us for a minute every Wednesday. To sign up, head over to https://keepingmysanity.com.

This has been an amazing first season of the Keeping My Sanity podcast. I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I started, but the last several months have been incredible. In this last episode of the season, I wanted to take some time to thank those who have been such an important part in this journey. First, thank you to you, my listeners. Your feedback and support has kept me going when stopping seemed easy. To my guests, thank you for donating your precious time to talk. I left each conversation so encouraged by your counsel and insight. I know the listeners were blessed from your insight as well. I also wanted to recap some of this season's guest highlights. If you haven't listened to these episodes, I'd encourage you to do so. If you already have, you can probably learn something else from these godly women. Episode 8: Finding Balance as a Mompreneur- Ashley Adkerson Episode 11: Speak Well of Your Husband - Ginny Packa Episode 15: Serving God Where You Are with Michelle Triebold Episode 17: Practical steps toward a healthy lifestyle with guest, Dr. Jess Cummings Episode 18: Where is that picture-perfect motherhood I once imagined? - Liz Wann Episode 21: God Chooses Creativity: The Value of Diversity and the Gospel - Trillia Newbell Episode 23: Sometimes, a chat with another mom is exactly what you need - Missy Beohmer Episode 26: Finding Hope in a world of anxiety - Helen Thorne Episode 27: Being willing is where serving God begins - Jennifer Green Favorite Season One Resources I made a list of several of the various resources referenced in the season. Episode 18 featured Liz Wann's upcoming release of 'The End of Me'. That book is now out and you can order it here. Helen Thorne's book will be release June 1st, but you can pre-order your copy today. Everything else we reference can be found on this list. I'll be back next fall. I'm already planning some exciting things with some incredible guests for season two, and season one has barely finished. Until then, keep an eye on my social media and website at KeepingMySanity.com. for more recipes and posts throughout the break.

How often does God call you to serve where you are completely comfortable? Many times, God uses our own discomfort as a tool to draw us closer to Him. When we need to rely on His strength alone, we grow. Did you know that God doesn't always call us to do exactly what we want to do? It's true. Did you further know that He sometimes has greater things in store for us if we just trust and follow Him? Being willing to be used by God can be the biggest obstacle in spiritual growth. My guest on today's episode has served the Lord in many capacities over the last several years. I brought her on this week to talk about being willing to serve.

If you're anything like me, this past year has pushed all of the anxiety buttons. It can be crippling and, at times, downright terrifying. Even when we know the answer to our anxiety is Jesus, it can still be difficult to get through each day. I so appreciated the chance to sit down with Helen Thorne, author of the soon-to-be-released book, Hope in an Anxious World: 6 Truths for When Things Feel Overwhelming. Helen is Director of Training and Resources at Biblical Counselling UK and an experienced counsellor. She formerly worked with London City Mission and has written Purity is Possible, Walking with Domestic Abuse Suffers and 5 Things to Pray for Your City. She attends Dundonald Church in Raynes Park, London. She does a great job connecting with the reader. The easy-to-read book is helpful to anyone in the midst of the struggle of anxiety or to those seeking how to better understand anxiety and encourage others. LINKS Pre-order Hope in an Anxious World today! Follow Helen on Twitter and Instagram. Helen has also written Purity is Possible: How to live free of the fantasy trap and 5 Things to Pray for Your City.

It's National Gardening Day! (and I'm sort of freaking out about it!) Today's episode was going to be all about gardening--how relaxing and rewarding it is and all of the other feels.  But... We were placed with some foster kiddos last week, and podcast production time plummeted. Pretty much time for anything plummeted. We are so happy to foster, but it can occasionally change well-intentioned plans.  So, take the time you'd normally spend listening to the episode to spread love and kindness with someone. Buy coffee for a stranger. Text someone at the bottom of your recent conversations list. Take a meal to a friend. Go out of your way to do something for someone. It will change your day and their day. 

When we are so busy being moms and wives, sometimes the term 'self care' can be a laughable concept.  Even if we had the time for such nonsense, there's an enormous amount of guilt around that selfish term.  It's absolutely true that Christians can find all of the rest we need in Christ. But, let's not forget that God can provide that refreshment and rest through things we enjoy. What an awesome God He is! Even Jesus took times of rest away from the business of ministry. When we neglect caring for ourselves, we're not serving to our greatest capacity. Make a decision today to care four your wellbeing—physically and emotionally.

There are definitely times as a mom that you feel like you're doing it all alone. Whether it's the kids fighting, the messy house, or simply the lack of any sort of calmness in your day—it's easy to overload yourself with guilt and stress. In times like these, it can be a sweet refreshment to chat with another mom. I'm so excited to sit down for a few minutes with my dear friend, Missy, on today's episode. We've been trying to find a time to reconnect, and I asked if we could share our chat with others as well. Missy has been a friend and mentor in my life for several years now. I always walk away from our conversations uplifted and refreshed. I hope her kindness, wisdom, and humor were able to encourage you today as much as they did me.  

As a mom, every day can seem exactly like the one before and the one before that. All of the tedious things we do can pick away at our patience and threaten our contentment. Above and beyond the tedium of motherhood comes the heavy burden of teaching our children to love God. I can sometimes feel so inadequate to impart rich biblical truth to my kids, yet that is exactly what I'm called to do. If you feel the same inadequacies, remember you teach more by showing than by telling. Pray often with your children. Share your struggles openly with your children. Read scripture consistently to your children. Establishing the priority of loving the Lord will make a far greater impact on their lives than leading a regimented theological survey. While theology is vital, let loving Jesus become 'ordinary' in your home. Take a moment to consider what role you play in the lives of your children. You will be one of their most important mentors, no matter where they end up or what they accomplish. What priorities are you demonstrating today in your 'ordinary'? Pick up your copy of Devoted by Tim Challies. 

Trillia Newbell is a Christian author of several books—for young kids all the way through adults—that specifically talk about how diversity is a celebration of God's creation. I grew up in a rural Midwest farming town. Diversity wasn't a topic we talked about often. It rarely came up simply because there wasn't really much in our lives or communities. But, that doesn't mean it isn't vital to discuss. In fact, downplaying the remarkable creativity God chose by not talking about diversity does great harm. Trillia has authored several books on many topics—not just diversity. I have read several and have been blessed by each one. As I talk about in the episode, I was moved as a mom when I read her books to my boys. Find all of her titles on Amazon. You can also pick up The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration that Trillia mentioned in the episode as a resource.

Have you ever had a moment when everything seemed to fall into place? Dreams you forgot you ever had were coming true in front of your eyes. Then...it all fell apart in an instant. That's where we were in August 2017. With a UHAUL full of everything we owned 30 minutes from our new home, we got a phone call would change everything. More at keepingmysanity.com.

Through all of our naivety and poor choices, it has taken us nearly a decade to feel financially stable. We may not be where we'd like to be, but we're in a far better place than we were 10 years ago. Josh joins me on the podcast to talk about our financial journey from know-nothing-newlyweds to where we are today. Neither Josh or I came into our marriage with much of a financial plan. Given the benefit of hindsight, we can't help but shake our heads and facepalm

God uses the daily struggles and sacrifices of motherhood to make us more like Christ. There are many books on motherhood but not many that talk about how hard it is – physically, mentally, and spiritually – and what to do when you reach your limits. When Liz Wann became a mother, she was unprepared for how hard it would be. In this book, she writes honestly about these deeply challenging aspects of motherhood and how God works through them to make us more like his Son. “Coming to the end of who I was, and what motherhood was stripping me of, was a good thing that drove me to Christ and to the power that he supplies in every failure and weakness of motherhood.” Liz Wann. This short, easy-to-read book encourages mothers to depend on Christ when they reach the end of themselves. They will find that God will supply what they need to cope with the daily sacrifices and challenges of motherhood, and that he will use these struggles to make them more like Christ. Liz has been involved with the ministries of Risen Motherhood and Revive Our Hearts, writing about how God has been working in her life through the hardships of motherhood. Liz lives in West Philadelphia with her husband Josh and their three children. She is a regular contributor to desiringGod.org, Revive Our Hearts, and ERLC.com. She is also a content writer for Alistair Begg's Truth for Life ministries and editor-in-chief at Morning by Morning. She can be found online at LizWann.com. Preorder your book at The Good Book Company or Amazon.

A healthy lifestyle is sometimes the last thing we focus on after all of the other stress we face every day. Health is always a great idea, but seldom seems a practical goal to be reached. Dr. Jess Cummings, physical therapist extraordinaire, came on the show and talked through several practical steps for busy women that will lead towards a healthy, abundant life. As a mom of three kiddos and owner of a small business, Jess knows what it's like to be busy. Her passion to help women build healthy lives shows through as she talks through achievable routines that you can start implementing today. It isn't about working out for 60 minutes 4 times per week. It isn't about following a strictly regimented diet plan. It's about making purposeful choices that get you one step closer to the lifestyle you crave. Jess and her husband, Tim, own Restore Thrive, a Kansas-based performance physical therapy practice and training facility. Restore Thrive works with clients well beyond symptom and pain management. They seek to develop training plans and routines that promote positive lifestyles ready to experience life to its fullest. Restore Thrive online: https://www.restorethrive.com/ Restore Thrive on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restorethrive/ Restore Thrive on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restorethrive Restore Thrive on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0fas-Ar2L_x2xqEACKho7g The Healthy Kansas City Podcast Here are some of things we talked about in the episode.  Baby workout video: https://youtu.be/RLlGBR1_U1U Cook Once All Week recipe book by Cassy Joy Garcia: https://amzn.to/3rZB8tB Fed + Fit blog: https://fedandfit.com/about/

Perhaps you can relate to the constant urge I feel to be better than I am and the emptiness that follows. The pressing feelings of inadequacy started at a young age for me, as they do for others. What started as an inability to fit into my sister's hand-me-downs, grew into a pressure to fit into the crowd. I was an outsider with a desperate desire to be an insider. That stress grew as it seemed I could only make the bench on the varsity team. Come college, inadequacy dealt a crushing blow when I didn't make the cut for the traveling music team. Over and over and over again I came face-to-face with how ‘not enough' I was. Each one of these experiences—and countless others between the lines—left a painful scar of rejection. The feelings of, “Not quite good enough,” have never left; they just change as I pass through life stages. Now, I wipe back tears as I walk downstairs to an unclean kitchen after the third sleepless night in a row. I find myself hugging my children extra tightly as I apologize for overreacting and revealing my anger. The same inadequacies are still there. They are still real. And they still hurt. We put so much pressure on ourselves to perform that we lose sight of who we really are and what we should be doing. But… God didn't make a mistake when He placed us exactly where we are today. He hasn't left us to suffer alone through our insufficiency. 2 Corinthians tells us that weakness only reveals His great strength. “My grace is SUFFICIENT for you. My POWER is made perfect in WEAKNESS.” Friend, let us therefore boast more gladly in our weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon us! When we are tempted to berate ourselves for our failures, let's remember that our insufficiency does not define us. Christ's death defines me. My identity is not in what I can and cannot accomplish. My identity is the daughter of the King. Be confident in these truths and share them with others. Make that the cool thing to do. Don't beat yourself up over little mistakes. Am I discouraged over my sin and failures? My God gives grace freely. Romans 3:24 “Justified freely by His grace” Do I feel like I don't match up to those around me? Christ's death defines me. My identity is the daughter of the King. Show Scripture 2 Corinthians 10:5 Ephesians 4:29 Psalm 139:14 1 Corinthians 1:27-31 2 Corinthians 12:9 1 John 3:1 Show Links The Pastor and Pathological Self-Criticism by Jonathan Parnell via The Gospel Coalition – https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/pastor-pathological-self-criticism/ Ending the Cycle of Self-criticism by Erin Davis via Lies Young Women Believe – https://liesyoungwomenbelieve.com/ending-the-cycle-of-self-criticism/ Website: https://keepingmysanity.com/ep16 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinahorneck/ 

Raise your hand if you've ever thought or said something along the lines of, "I wish I could help, but I don't have anything to offer."

As a mom, I can exhaust myself trying to change my kids. It seems like they purposely disobey in the exact same way over and over again, just to test my patience. But, the more I focus on changing them, the more helpless I feel. What they need is Christ. Only He can cause true change. I have been called to pour over His word, bow before His throne, and to imitate Him as a model for my children to follow.

We are all about books in this house! We have hundreds of them, so narrowing it down for a single podcast episode was a challenge. Some on our shelves are just silly and entertaining, but we try to invest in books that give opportunity to show Christ through each page. So here are the top 8 books we use to start conversations with our kids that will direct them to the cross. For all of the details and links to the books check out keepingmysanity.com/ep13. 

Perhaps the most sacred responsibility God has entrusted us with as moms is leading our children to love the Savior and His word. The way we deal with our own sin and struggle will help form habits that will continue for the rest of their lives--for good or bad.

We know our husbands' strengths and weaknesses better than anyone else. If we are to build a Christ-honoring relationship, it's necessary that our husbands wholly trust us with their most intimate struggles. My friend Ginny shared some fantastic relationship advice before I married Josh. Today, I get to bring her on to share her heart with you, too! More at keepingmysanity.com/ep11

In March 2020 I, like millions of other parents across the world, received a notice that school was closed for the reminder of the year.  Homeschooling was never part of the plan, but it became an overnight reality we decided to carry over through this school year. Despite the new challenges I face, it's been so amazing to see what God uses to draw us closer to him. More at keepingmysanity.com/ep10.

Sometimes, moms just need a break! I'd like to give that to you with today's episode. We'll take a journey through a classic fairytale, an original Christmas poem, scripture passages centered on the Savior's birth, several familiar carols, and the nativity as experienced by the innkeeper's daughter. Gather the kiddos around for today's Mom Break. More at keepingmysanity.com/ep9.

I sat down with my sister, Ashley, this week on the podcast. In the last year or so, she has transformed the hobby she loves into a small business that she can do from home. I enjoyed talking to her about how she got started and how she continues to evaluate her priorities. For more information and ways to find Ashley online, check out keepingmysanity.com/ep8.

It is SO easy as moms to forget to take care of ourselves—especially with the food we eat. When I first started to make better choices, I felt overwhelm, but I've come to rely on a few solid, easy-prep meals. Really, being healthy doesn't need to be complicated! Let's talk for a few minutes about how we can be intentional in fueling our bodies and making good choices. Recipes at keepingmysanity.com/ep7

When others are enduring difficulties, we often don't know what to say or do. In their book Just Show Up, Kara Tippets and Jill Lynn Buteyn challenge us to be present for those who are ‘going through hard'.  More at keepingmysanity.com/ep6.

Dealing with disappointment and loneliness is a part of being a mom. It's easy to let those emotions keep our eyes off of Christ. Each time we face disappointment, we have a choice. We can dwell on what we don't have, or we can shift our focus to discovering how God can use our disappointment to show Himself to us in some way. Read more at keepingmysanity.com/ep5.

Family traditions play a huge role in how our children perceive our values--for better or worse. In this episode, my sister-in-law and I bake one of our mother-in-law's traditional recipe--a Dutch Apple Pie.  Read all of the shownotes at keepingmysanity.com/ep4.

My friend Anna came over to chat about life. Check out the Pumpkin Spice Scones recipe we enjoyed. Website | Instagram | Facebook

I put meal planning off for so long, but I finally succumbed. Honestly, I don't know how I did it without planning. Check out my post all about my journey and take advantage of some of my resources.  https://keepingmysanity.com/mealplan

Motherhood is a wonderful blessing from God, but so often, it can be tough to get through each day. The feeling of complete isolation and loneliness is real, and I think we should talk about it.  See the episode notes at keepingmysanity.com/ep1.

I'm a mom of three boys. Life's full of crazy and I want to share it with you. We'll talk about struggles, successes, faith, and just life in general. I don't have time to sit down and record a podcast every week, so we're going to bake, do laundry, pick up toys, and all of the things that moms do every day.  I want to talk about life with you and hope you can find friendship and encouragement each week.