Encouragement
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Your Love Letter from God
Dear Valentine, Before you were even formed, I knew you. I made a way to bring you into my family because of my love for you. I am the way to your forever home. You are my child. I have made that home for you, but you also have made a home for me, right…
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How to Develop a Family Culture of Honor, Value, and Encouragement: Debi’s Story
Well, I did something new this month: I headed back to full-time employment after 17 years of part-time writing projects and full-time domestic engineering😊 I love using a wider range of skills in the workplace again, but even three weeks in, I’m aware of how fiercely I need to guard my family time and prioritize…
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Care and Keeping for the Anxious Soul: Dena and Jason’s Story, Part II
Rounding out our soul care series with more from Dena and Jason Hobbs, authors of When Anxiety Strikes: Help and Hope for Managing Your Storm. Last week, they shared that “anxiety is a body-related event” and why it’s helpful to discover ways to calm and settle the body first before addressing anxious thought patterns. I…
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What Helps When Anxiety Takes Over: Dena and Jason’s Story, Part I
The last few posts have had an unofficial “soul care” theme to them as we’ve explored alternatives to fuming over a world gone mad, how to get along with our “difficult people,” and tips for filling our minds with scriptures that bring joy and peace. Hey, that sounds like a good bootcamp for the final…
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Making the Bible Stick: Jennifer Perez on the Art of Scripture Meditation
What’s the last habit that really “stuck” with you? Oh, I can tell you plenty that have NOT hung around for me – most of them involve exercise, housework, and carbohydrates—but every once in a while, something manages take root until it’s part of my routine and then, part of my life. One that may…
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Debunking the Myths of Motherhood: Meet Molly Prim
This month has been all about gaining freedom and perspective as parents. From the tall tale that a “good” mom shouldn’t need breaks from her kids, to the lie that she should be able to do it all (and all at the same time), to the whopper that she should love each child in exactly…
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Debunking the Myths of MotherHood: Meet MoNicka
Hey there, Myth-Busting Mamas! We’re cruising into week three of our series with encouragement today from my friend MoNicka! I got to know Mo while serving together with youth. Her warm smile and kind words are a blessing to kids and adults alike. She’s befriended many moms in our church and neighborhood—and more than a…
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Debunking the Myths of Motherhood: Meet Suzanne Werlein
This month we’re debunking those parenting myths that cause tension, guilt, and frustration! If you’ve ever struggled with the many roles and responsibilities of “mom life”—and drifted into despair because of it—today’s Myth-Busting Mama has a word for you! My friend Suzanne Werlein is part of the heart and soul of Faithbridge Church, a vibrant…
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Debunking the Myths of Motherhood: Meet Jennifer Perez
Nothing like eight weeks of family togetherness to make you question yourself as a mom, huh? I’m thankful for so much, but I’d be lying if I said this COVID-19 season hasn’t tested me and prompted soul searching. Lurking beneath my feelings of tension, guilt, and frustration? Some faulty assumptions and beliefs that undermine God’s…
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How to Lead Like a Mother and Mother Like a Leader
Show of hands: who’s really lost it yet with their fellow quarantinees? I’ve had some moments before this, but yesterday, wham, everything bubbled up. I was going toe-to-toe over something completely stupid with one kid, everything in me wanting to win the argument, while also yelling across the house at the other to please-just-turn-down-the-TV. Meanwhile,…