Categories: Faith, Mental Health, Motherhood

PMDD And Christian Motherhood: How To Navigate Hormonal Struggles And Faith

Motherhood is a beautiful calling—one filled with joy, challenges, and moments that stretch our hearts and our faith. But for those of us who wrestle with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), the calling can feel especially heavy. Hormonal storms can collide with the daily demands of parenting, leaving us feeling overwhelmed, irritable, and sometimes far from the version of ourselves we long to be. How do we balance the weight of PMDD with the call to nurture and guide our children? And where does faith fit into this struggle?

Understanding PMDD in the Context of Motherhood

PMDD is more than “premenstrual mood swings.” It’s a severe, chronic condition that affects mood, energy levels, and even physical well-being. For moms, this can manifest as extreme fatigue, irritability, or feelings of hopelessness—right in the midst of laundry piles, sibling squabbles, and the 4 p.m. meltdown hour.

Recognizing the weight of PMDD doesn’t make us weak or unfaithful; it gives us clarity and equips us to take action. As Christian mothers, we know that acknowledging our struggles isn’t a sign of defeat—it’s an opportunity to invite God into our journey.

Leaning on God in the Hardest Moments

PMDD can make even simple tasks—like responding with patience—feel monumental. In these moments, Scripture becomes a lifeline. Consider Matthew 11:28-30, where Jesus says:

“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

This promise reminds us that we don’t have to bear the weight of PMDD alone. God invites us to trade our heavy burdens for His peace. Sometimes this looks like whispering a prayer when our patience is thin or opening the Bible for comfort when tears come without reason.

Practical Ways to Balance PMDD and Parenting

Faith is foundational, but there are also practical steps that can help us steward our health and our families well:

Create Space for Grace: On hard days, give yourself permission to let go of perfection. Your children don’t need a perfect mom; they need a mom who is present, even if that means cuddling on the couch instead of cooking a homemade dinner.
Build a Support Network: Reach out to trusted friends, family members, or your church community. Having someone who understands your struggles can provide encouragement and practical help—like watching the kids for an hour so you can rest.
Communicate with Your Family: Depending on their ages, share age-appropriate insights with your children about what you’re experiencing. Teaching them about emotions and leaning on God through challenges can be a powerful lesson in faith.
Prioritize Self-Care: Caring for yourself isn’t selfish; it’s wise. Whether it’s through nutrition, exercise, or a quiet moment of prayer, taking time to care for your body and soul equips you to care for your family.
Seek Professional Help: I am not a doctor, nor do I pretend to be. However, research shows that PMDD requires medical attention. Don’t hesitate to consult a doctor or therapist who understands the condition and can offer guidance. Seeking help reflects wisdom and stewardship of the life God has given you.

Finding Faith in the Mess

PMDD doesn’t disappear because of our faith, but our faith transforms how we navigate it. Motherhood, with all its chaos and beauty, becomes an opportunity to model dependence on God. When we fall short, we show our children the power of God’s grace. When we persevere, we testify to His strength working in us.

One of the most comforting truths in Scripture is found in 2 Corinthians 12:9:

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

In our weakest moments, God’s power shines the brightest. Let’s cling to this promise as we navigate the complexities of PMDD and Christian motherhood.

Encouragement for the Journey

If you’re a mom battling PMDD, know this: you are not alone. God sees you, He hears you, and He walks with you through every hormonal wave and parenting challenge. You are doing holy work—even on the days it feels messy and imperfect.

Take heart, mama. God’s grace is enough for you. And His love will sustain you, one day at a time.

A Note From Nicole

Finally figuring out what PMDD was and how it was affecting my daily life and motherhood was a monumental discovery. But it shouldn’t have been. Too many mothers are experiencing these struggles with little to no education on what PMDD actually is.

My hope and prayer is that by sharing my stories of trials and success, I can help other women and mothers not feel so isolated and ashamed of their inability to properly manage these hormonal surges.

You can read more Christian aligned posts about PMDD HERE.

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Motherhood is such a contradiction. It will bring

Today was so bittersweet 😩 Last April I was as

“Why do you seek the living among the dead?” (

One of our favorite Easter weekend traditions is m

Categories: Faith

Anchored by Hope: My Faith Journey of Redemption and New Life in Christ

As the leaves change and a new season has begun, my sentimental heart can’t help but reminisce over how much this blog (and my self) have grown in the last decade.

It felt like it was time to dig deep and share a little more about how I became Anchored by Hope.

I grew up in the rhythms of the Catholic Church, knowing God was real and believing I understood who Jesus was. Yet, as I grew older, He felt more and more distant—hidden behind rituals I could never seem to perfect. Ironic, isn’t it? The very reason God sent His Son was because He knew we could never do it on our own. But that truth hadn’t yet pierced my heart. I believed I was too far gone, long before I even began straying down the wrong path.

Then everything changed.

A Journey from Lost to Found: How Faith Anchored My Soul

Mike and I met one summer night, and from that moment, we were inseparable. Our relationship was far from perfect, but God had plans even then.

At that time, I was working as a licensed cosmetologist, finding a sense of purpose in helping others feel beautiful. Yet, something deeper still eluded me—until one year.

A Christmas Invitation That Began My Faith Journey

Faith journey Christas — Photo by Kader D. Kahraman on Pexels.com

Mike’s grandfather invited us to a Christmas service at the church Mike had grown up in. For him, it was nostalgic—but for me, it was life-altering. The authenticity in their worship, the way they spoke of God so casually, it awakened something deep inside me.

I couldn’t get enough.

We both started attending night services, prodigals finding our way back. When Mike bought me my first Bible, the Word began to work in me, unraveling the doubts, healing the wounds, and slowly pulling me toward the life God had for me all along.

Living a New Life in Christ: A Journey of Grace and Purpose

The more I read, the more the truth sank in: I wasn’t who I used to be. The old me, the one who thought she was too far gone, was being slowly but surely replaced by someone new—someone anchored by hope. It wasn’t an instant transformation. It was slow, almost imperceptible at first, but it was real. The life I had built around chaos and running was being replaced by something I never saw coming: peace.

Soon after accepting Jesus as my Savior, I was baptized at 24—not as a religious ritual, but as a declaration of my new life. Though I had been baptized as a baby, this time it was different. I was surrendering fully to the One who had redeemed me, and that surrender sparked a hunger to know Him more.

From Baptism to Bible Studies: Embracing My Faith

At 25, I enrolled in school to pursue a degree in Biblical Studies. I was enthralled with God’s Word, captivated by its depth and the way it was changing me. Studying the Bible academically only deepened my love for it, and I found myself drawn closer to the heart of God with every page.

Yet, even as my life was transforming, I was far from perfect. Mike and I got pregnant before we were married. It was a reminder that even when we are on a new path, sin doesn’t just vanish overnight.

But God’s grace covered us in that season, too. We eventually got married, not because we had it all together, but because we knew God was calling us to walk this journey together, with Him at the center.

Finding Joy in Motherhood and Homemaking

As my faith deepened, so did my understanding of who I was meant to be. Motherhood and homemaking weren’t on my radar back then. I had never pictured myself creating a home or being a mom, but as God worked in me, I began to see the beauty in those roles. They weren’t burdens or societal expectations—they were a calling.

In caring for my family, I was participating in something sacred. In creating a home, I was reflecting the heart of God.

Motherhood and homemaking became the unexpected cornerstones of my new life in Christ. It wasn’t just about sweeping floors or folding laundry; it was about nurturing the gifts God had given me—my children, my husband, my home—and honoring Him in the process.

I found joy in the mundane because it was no longer mundane. It was filled with purpose.

Embracing my Faith Journey Anchored by Hope

My journey didn’t end the day I was baptized, or when I first opened the Bible—it was only the beginning. Each day since has been a learning curve, not of perfection, but of grace. In motherhood, homemaking, and even in the beauty industry, I’ve come to see that God’s presence is woven into every moment, from the quiet chaos of daily life to the smallest acts of care.

I share my story because I know there are others walking this road—mothers, wives, women who wonder if it’s possible to find redemption amidst the mistakes.

The truth is that God’s grace isn’t dependent on where we’ve been; it’s rooted in His love and the hope He offers us every day. We are never too far gone. I’m living proof that even when life feels messy and imperfect, God is always there, turning the broken pieces into something beautiful.

As you walk your own journey—whether you’re searching for peace, longing for purpose, or simply navigating the messiness of life—I hope my story reminds you of one thing: You are loved, you are seen, and you are never alone.

It’s not about getting everything right, but about staying anchored in the One who never lets go.

Join Me on This Faith Journey + Let’s Walk This Path Together

If any part of my story has resonated with you, I’d love to connect. Whether you’re at the beginning of your journey or somewhere in the middle, there is power in sharing our stories. Leave a comment, send me a message, or connect on social media. Let’s build a community that lifts each other up, one anchored in faith and hope.

And if you haven’t yet, click here to subscribe to the blog for more reflections on faith, motherhood, and grace. Let’s continue walking this path together, discovering the beauty and purpose in every season of life.

Categories: Faith, Uncategorized

8 Valuable Lessons Learned from 8 Years of Marriage

In a world where we run fast and furious on a crash course for our selves, marriage stands in stark contrast to that. And I don’t mean the marriages that have ended in divorce or disdain. I mean, the marriages that persevere into longevity and withstand the weary that inevitably comes.

A child of divorce, I am all too familiar with the many reasons husband and wife choose to call it quits. I’ll be honest, there have been many times in my anger and overwhelm I have believed this was best, too.

But praise the Lord I have a husband who stands firm in this covenant we have entered into. Because marriage is just that; a sacred promise to endure and endeavor.

'And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. '
Galatians 6:9

For years this verse stood as my anchor for the long and exhausting days of motherhood. This verse was when I realized my call was more than being a mom, but this was my very personal and pinnacle ministry. These children were entrusted to me and while I love all the mom memes about how hard this role is and all chaos that comes with it, I also cherish being a mom and view it as some of the most sanctifying and truly hard work women can do.

Today, as Mike and I celebrate 8 years of marital bliss (by bliss I mean you can probably hear me curse from down the street when it gets real blissful), I’m suddenly awestruck at how incredibly accurate this is for describing marriage.

As I always do, I had to take to the keyboard to flush out the millions of tiny thought bubbles that are breaking away from the center of my mind and I am sharing them with you as the 8 things I have learned so far in 8 years of marriage.

The list might surprise you, it might frustrate you, or (I hope) it may encourage you.

Wives must love submissively
Husbands must love sacrificially
It’s ok to be the first one to say sorry
Never underestimate the power of forgiveness
Take a walk, don’t throw a shoe.
Don’t stop dating
Don’t Assume (you know what they say about that)
Keep Jesus at the center of everything.

1. Wives must love submissively.

Before the feminist keyboard hero’s jump at me for using this word, hear me out.

For as long as I can remember, and quite literally up until a couple weeks ago when we were dissecting this verse in Ephesians during Bible Study, I viewed this as the ultimate curse word.

To submit seemed to mean to admit defeat. It is such an unattractive word and it truly triggers an era of women.

I haven’t done the research, but Im willing to bet (and I am not a gambling gal) that this verse is one of the most used in the fight for feminism. I mean, we have fought too hard to blast WAP and buy our own drinks and play the games the boys do in both work and society(can you sense of my humor). Why would we want to sit back and submit to a man?

But, loving submissively is not what you might think it means. Here is what Paul actually says;

' Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. '
Ephesians 5:22-24

I could do a whole study on just this verse (and I just might) but for the sake of the context, I am going to do my best to make this more concise.

First of all, this isn’t a call to action to every woman. This is specifically to wives.

Secondly, we need to read the entire ten words. Yes, wives are to submit (insert cringe face of so many women) to their husbands.. but it doesn’t stop there. Paul doesn’t leave us hanging in the wait of our gasp. We are to submit to our husbands as to the Lord.

Why is this important? Well, If you don’t know Jesus, then how could you submit to your husband as to the Lord?

This call to action isn’t for everyone because it is impossible without a relationship first with Jesus.

Loving submissively does NOT mean putting up with abuse or tolerating a dysfunctional relationship. It means respecting my husband, trusting him and the decisions he makes, allowing him to lead instead of pushing my own desires and agendas.

Truly, what I have learned (and am admittedly still working on) is that when I give Mike respect (ie; don’t roll my eyes, hold my tongue – when appropriate, don’t throw the shoe – more on that later), even when I don’t agree or when he frustrates the hell out of me, not only are we able to move forward quicker, but its almost like a marital mushroom pops down and we gained another life (super Mario anyone?).

2. Husbands must love sacrificially.

Unfortunately, we get so caught up on wives submitting that we completely miss the call that husbands have – which is WAY more controversial and – dare I say – difficult.

Because husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loves the church.

' Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. '
Ephesians 5:25-27

Do you know how much Jesus loves you? So much that he DIED for you.

That unconditional, selfless, and almost reckless love is what husbands are supposed to demonstrate. But, again, this call is for husbands who personally know (not just think He’s real) Jesus.

It might shock some to learn that Mike is one of the most stubborn people I have ever met because he (for the most part) is one of the most self controlled and kind humans you will ever meet.

While he absolutely isn’t perfect, I am so grateful that he truly does love like Jesus. And when he fails, he never hesitates to make it right.

'This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.'
 Ephesians 5:32-33

What I have learned is that when our husbands love us like Jesus, and we respect them as we do Jesus, we are quite literally experiencing the profound mystery of our faith, we are living a little piece of heaven on earth.

And the devil hates it.

3. It’s ok to be the first one to say sorry.

'Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. '
Ephesians 4:26-27

PRAISE THE LORD being angry in itself is not a sin. Acting out in that anger, however, is.

Did you know the devil is real? And guess what, he HATES God. Why? Because he wants to be like him and he can’t.

So when we are experiencing this divine mystery within our marriage, you better believe you will be spiritually (and honestly, sometimes physically) attacked.

What I have learned is that my husband is going to make me angry. We are going to have disagreements and fights. Marriage is not a promise of eternal bliss. But, when these things happen, it’s ok to be the first to apologize.

When we were getting married, one piece of advice we kept getting was “never go to bed angry.” While this is great and part of the command from Ephesians, there’s no practical solution to follow.

When we seek forgiveness over feuds, and refuse to let the sun go down on our anger, we are not only growing in grace within our marriage, but we are actively pushing the devil and his schemes out of our doorway.

How do you not go to bed angry? Someone has to be the first to forgive, and it’s ok to be the one.

4. Never Underestimate the Power of Forgiveness.

If you don’t know Jesus then you may not know that the greatest forgiveness ever recorded was nailed on a cross in calvary.

Redemption is one of the greatest gifts given to humanity and it’s available to every single person who chooses to believe.

While the forgiveness offered by Jesus covers a multitude of sins, that is not what I am talking about for marriage.

I want to be clear that if you are in an abusive or dysfunctional relationship, only Jesus can redeem that. You are not called or expected to bear that burden.

However, I have learned that forgiveness within our marriage can not only redeem a night, but redeem a part of our soul.

Mike and I are celebrating 8 years married but we’ve been together for 15. And within that first half of our relationship, we experienced our share of pain and suffering. Mostly caused by me.

The forgiveness Mike extended to me showed me something I never knew existed. It healed me in ways I never could have imagined, and it taught me in a very real and practical way about who Jesus is.

Forgiveness is probably one of the hardest things to do in marriage because we are told constantly that it’s all about our “self”; All about how we feel, all about what we want.

But forgiveness, forgiveness is self-less.

5. Take a walk, don’t throw a shoe.

What is not a shock to many is that I have a loud mouth and a big personality. It is (and always has been for the 15 years we’ve been together) a stark contrast to Mike’s quiet and soft personality.

Opposites attract, right?

So, it probably isnt hard to imagine that when quarrels arise, you will most likely hear my boisterous voice through the window, not my husband’s. In my defense, the good Lord created me with some super heavy and intense emotions that I, at 36, am still learning how to regulate.

What I have learned about handling these intense emotions when disagreements and fights arise, it’s best to stay quiet and walk away. Even if every muscle in our body wants to throw the shoe.

Take it from me, the shoe will only dent the fridge and cause more trouble than walking away will.

It is ok to allow a situation to breathe and allow yourself to pray through the hurt and the hard. Just because we want to say (or do) something, doesn’t mean we should.

Self control is a fruit of the Spirit, it isn’t something we can cultivate in our own strength. Sometimes taking the walk will help me let the Spirit speak into my hardened heart and soften it where it needs to be.

6. Don’t stop dating

I wish we were able to do this more often, because the fruit of this is so great, but with only one set of busy grandparents, dating doesn’t always look like going out and “having fun.”

But, that doesn’t mean it can’t be done.

Mike and I have had to get creative with making time for just the two of us in our small house that is filled with three rambunctious kids and two dogs.

What I have learned is that its not what were doing, as long as were doing it together. Sharing some quiet amidst the constant chaos is so crucial to protecting the flame that ignited this whole situation in the first place.

Friday nights after bedtime spent with a comedy or movie we can’t watch with the kids, some pretzel bites, and chocolate cake can be more rewarding and relaxing than any extra curricular activity.

7. Don’t Assume (You know what they say about that)

I am no marriage guru, but we have been together long enough to both know and struggle with this one.

Communication is probably one of the greatest pillars in a relationship, and I would be curious to learn how detrimental it is in their collapse.

Work, sports, serving, homeschooling, home projects and parenting all pose a threat to congenial communication. Our weeks are spent constantly running from one area to the other despite our excessive attempts at growing slow.

What I have leaned is that when it comes to communicating in our marriage, it’s always commendable to speak clearly. Don’t assume the other person knows or has inferred whatever you want or need. Assuming only makes an ass our of you and me.

When we are able to confidently converse, it helps to strengthen us. I often need to remind myself that my husband knows me better than anyone (besides Jesus), but he is not a mind reader.

Is it nice to have someone take the initiative and just do it (like Nike)? Yea. And there are so many moments I am thankful that he does this, and yes this is for sure an area I strive in (thank you amazing intuition). But to expect our significant other to always anticipate what we want or need is selfish and unrealistic.

8. Keep Jesus at the center of everything

The biggest difference I have discerned about the quality of worldly marriages versus christian covenants is Jesus.

I am convinced that you cannot have a 40, 50, 60 year marriage where both husband and wife are still in love and thriving despite the years of wear and tear without Jesus at the center.

Why?

Because humans are too selfish, our sin is too desirable, and our heart is the most decietful organ in our body.

I have learned (but not mastered) that when both me and Mike are regularly in the Word, attending church , and serving together, the little arguments and frustrations are drastically lower.

However, while it is so important for both husband and wife to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus together, it should never hinder our own walk and relationship with our Savior.

We are called to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, and soul. Yes, even more than our husbands and kids. Because when we love and abide in Jesus, we are able to love the others in our life well and worthily.

We love because He first loved us.

Without God sending His Son to redeem us, we couldn’t have the Holy Spirit working within us.

And without the Holy Spirit, it is all too easy to get consumed by our culture and choose to quit when marriage inevitably gets hard.

This list is by no means exhaustive. And I definitely have a lot to learn when it comes to marriage.

I pray continually for perseverance and grace, always seeking to serve the Lord in this incredible mystery I get to be apart of, and also thanking Him for bringing me someone who not only provides and protects me, but loves me as Christ loves His people.

Whether you are engaged, newly married, or celebrating decades alongside us today, I pray that you, as Paul instructed the Galatians, would not grow weary of doing good – the good work of the Spirit within your marriage – and would not give up.

Because sister, we have an incredible testimony within our love story, and an incomprehensible glimpse of heaven within it.

If you want to stay in touch and receive authentic + biblical encouragement straight to your inbox, then let’s connect! You can join our growing community here!

Categories: Faith, Motherhood

5 Practical Ways to Prepare Your Heart For Holy Week

Sister, brace yourself because Holy Week is just around the corner!

And let’s be real, my heart is starting to race like a caffeinated rabbit. The last thing I want is to enter this sacred time on autopilot, doing what’s expected of me without truly engaging with the beauty of it all.

It’s not difficult in this current culture and these achingly tumultuous times to get distracted by all the noise of the world. (And, lets be honest – the volume of this moment in history is turned way up!)

So, I’ve been pondering, praying, and uncovering ways to help me and my family prepare our heart’s and uniquely celebrate the beautiful beginning to glory that is Holy Week, versus just going through the motions. Today I am here to spill the jelly beans on 5 ways you too, can prepare your hearts for Holy Week.

So grab a cup of tea and get ready for 5 suggestions that will help you to discover ways to slow down and truly anticipate, reflect, and embrace the eternal promise of Easter.

Daily Devotions

As Holy Week approaches, it’s important to not only prepare our homes and calendars, but also our hearts. One practical way to do this is through daily devotions.

Whether you use devotion cards, a book, or simply open your Bible, carving out time each day to focus on God’s word will help prepare your heart for the significance of Holy Week.

And if you have little ones at home, try engaging their busy hands as you read and discuss together. Not only will they learn and grow in their faith, but it’s an opportunity for you to model the importance of spiritual discipline and devotion.

Here are some of our faves and where to get them!

(In case you’re wondering or maybe just for my own anxiety to stay authentic – these are NOT affiliate links.)

31 Days of Prayer Cards

Why I love this: Simple, rich, and efficient – because we all know that its hard to hold little ones attention. The cards are a perfect hand held size, bright in color, bold illustrations.

I whole punched in a corner of each card and attached them to a binder ring so that they hang in our kitchen for an easy reminder to go over during or after breakfast.

Website Description: “Designed to be used as a tool to encourage prayer throughout the month, each card highlights a different topic to pray for. Choose one that corresponds with the day of the month and pray for that request. Each card includes Scripture and three prompts to guide your prayer. These are perfect for family devotions, mornings over breakfast, or even the carpool line.

Cards include prompts to pray for family, friends, neighbors, wisdom, contentment, unbelievers, missionaries, and more.”

Link to purchase: https://thedailygraceco.com/products/31-days-of-prayer-kids-verse-card-set

Beginners Bible 365 Days of Devotions for Kids

Holy Week Devotions with the Beginner Bibles 365 Devotions for Kids

Why I love it: Again, simple and efficient , but still packed with theological grit is a huge deal for this mama of a 6, 4, and 2 year old! We have a much older version that gives a brief devotion, bible story, and memory verse or activity also.

Website Description: This was the closest I could find to what we use, but it still looks great and is now in my lists on amazon. “Featuring original content based on the bestselling The Beginner’s Bible—a favorite with young children and their parents since its release in 1989—The Beginner’s Bible 365 Devotions for Kids is filled with exciting, full-color artwork and easy-to-read text. Perfect for children 6 and under, each of the 365 devotions also has a theme clearly connecting the Scripture to the story to the art.

Link to purchase: https://a.co/d/90EUsxT

Bible

And please hear this – you don’t need beautiful cards or a special book just for devotions when you’ve got the real deal – the good old-fashioned physical Bible!

Even my young kiddos love flipping through their own copies. Sure, they may only focus on one verse at a time, just peruse the images in their Storybook Bible, or even the two year old will journal (read: draw) but that doesn’t stop them from getting curious about the bigger picture. Sometimes we keep it simple, musing on a single scripture as we go about our day.

Other times, we get scholarly and dive deep into historical context (this Bible majors favorite). No matter the approach, our crew knows the value of spending time with the written Word – page by tangible page.

Worship

Another practical way to prepare our hearts for Holy Week is to engage in worship. Whether it’s through singing, prayer, or praise, worship allows us to focus on God’s majesty and goodness. In doing so, we become more receptive to the Holy Spirit’s leading and can enter into a deeper understanding of what Holy Week represents.

There is nothing quite like hearing my kids belting out worship music with me. Tasha Layton, Anne Wilson, and Meredith Andrews are a few of our faves (with some Thrice mixed in just for good measure (#millenialmusicsnob)! We are in our car pretty much daily and love listening to audiobooks throughout our journey, but the tunes have been for sure tuning our hearts more towards the Lord.

Here is my current playlist on repeat. Get on Spotify and create your own or save this one!

Conversations

I cannot be the only one who has toddlers and little kids who LOVE to talk. I also can’t be the only one who gets short and slightly annoyed by the fifth time they call your name in unabridged excitement to ask you the same thing they did five minutes ago.

So, lately, I have been trying to really embrace these moments and give them my full attention. Maybe its because I am trying to be more intentional about my response and really choosing to listen to them but we have had some amazing conversations lately and I want to keep fostering them as much as possible.

When you really stop to think about it, almost every question, suggestion, statement or shout, can be traced back to a way to reference the Bible because every story is relevant in some way, to some one.

Don’t let those gospel conversations scare you off – we’ve got just the thing to make it easy peasy. I am linking these beautiful Gospel Cards that will have you spreading good vibes (and good news) in no time. And while you’re at it, do yourself a favor and check out the Daily Grace Co. – talk about eye candy!

Gospel Conversation Cards

Website description: This set of 12 Gospel Conversation Cards for Kids includes a memory verse as well as two questions to ask your children to encourage gospel-centered conversations.

Link to Purchase: https://thedailygraceco.com/products/gospel-conversations-for-kids

Creating or Engaging in a Tradition or Activity

Holidays are the perfect chance to create moments that will become family stories to be told for years to come. And if you ask my kids, Easter takes the cake as the ultimate tradition. As soon as my first little one was born, I became the mastermind behind an epic egg hunt.

Picture me late at night, under the cover of darkness, sneakily hiding treats and treasures all over the house. And no, these weren’t your run-of-the-mill eggs – some had candy, some had coins, and some had nothing at all (cruel, I know). It was like my own Resurrection Eggs, but with a personal touch.

But really, creating traditions doesn’t have to be just about the egg hunt. The sky is the limit when it comes to finding ways to celebrate together as a family. Maybe it’s taking a nature walk, reenacting the Last Supper, or attending services as a unit. Regardless of what you choose, it’s those special moments spent together that truly make the holidays unforgettable.

Our family loves arts & crafts so this year I created Holy Week Coloring Pages – perfect for the whole family to get stuck in with colouring pencils and a side of scripture. You’ll be egg-static to know that with each page, you’ll deepen your understanding of each day’s significant meaning.

And guess what? You can get your hands on these pages for FREE! Yup, you heard that right. Click Here to download your FREE copy now!

If that’s not enough, hop over to my Etsy shop for an egg-sclusive Resurrection Eggs Coloring Book – complete with cracking designs.

Praying Together

The most practical and powerful way we can prepare our hearts for Holy Week is by praying together. Whether as a family at home, communally in corporate worship, or with friends over Easter celebrations – prayer is our God given communication line that connects us directly to our Savior.

Open the Bible and let the living and active word speak to you. And then open up your heart and give all your cares, anxieties, praises, and prayers to the one who carries the world.

My prayers lately have been full of a lot of surrender. Attempting to quiet my anxious heart amidst the chaos and allow the Lord to speak what is true, to let go of things I cannot control and make room for the Lord to work His will within my life.

Here is my prayer for you;

Lord, I pray for my sisters reading this right now. I pray God that you would saturate their mind with things of Heaven, that as we approach this incredible week, we wouldn’t be weighed down by the weight of the world, but instead, Father, that we would take heart, believing and accepting that you have overcome the world. God may our hearts ache the way yours did in the garden as you prepared to give up your life to save ours. May we rejoice at the reconciliation that we gained with your resurrection. And God may we celebrate the eternal glory we will experience if we have put our faith in you! Bless this week Lord, and may the residual joy radiate throughout the rest of the year. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN!

Now that we have explored the five practical ways to prepare our hearts for Holy Week, I hope you have been inspired and equipped with the tools needed to become more spiritually equipped this upcoming Holy Week.

Take a moment, take a breath, and journey with us throughout the year by gaining access to weekly encouragement in your inbox!

While this Easter season may look drastically different than in years past, God has promised He will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). Remember, by keeping your focus on Jesus instead of your current circumstances, you’ll be able to experience the beauty of the season and its transition from darkness to light just like the first Easter morning.

May you continue to be humble before God’s mighty power and His everlasting grace!

Categories: Faith, Motherhood

The Truth About Motherhood and the Mistaken Identity

Becoming a Mom

Before my first son was born in 2016, I worked a full time job, a part time job, went to school online full time and still managed to date my husband, serve in church, work out every day, and have a social life.

My schedule may have looked crazy to some people – sometimes it definitely felt overwhelming – but it was MY crazy. And I loved it. Crazy worked for me. It was a part of my identity.

When we found out we were expecting a baby, I had the utmost confidence in becoming a mom. After all, I was already a self proclaimed master multi-tasker. How hard could it be?

So, that was it. I would stay home and Mike would be the provider. We knew it would require some faith financially, but we also knew God would provide. And, He did.

When Andy was three months old, Mike got his official acceptance into Local 73 Sheet Metal Workers. He was a union man!

A Little background

To put this into context, my family owned their own construction company when I was little. I spent almost my entire youth in construction yards, at Truck shows, and learning how to run a crane.

When Bongi Construction closed in the 90’s, my dad was still a union man, an operator for over 20 years for Local 150. I was darn proud that my husband also became a union man; because I knew, first hand, how well we were taken care of, and I knew that Mike would now be able to offer our family the same support.

Almost seven years, lots of schooling, and an official Local 73 Journeyman card later, Mike is more than happy to be where he is.

I wish I could say the same.

Mistaken

I learned quite quickly that being a Stay at Home Mom was not as elementary as I had assumed. It was the total opposite.

Out of all the jobs I had, motherhood was, by far, the hardest.

Never in my life was I so exhausted, confused, anxious, doubtful and drained. But I also never experienced the joy or love I felt when I was cradling Andy in my arms, watching him explore every new scene and sensation, or hearing him coo and giggle.

It seemed a fair trade, so I did my best to embrace this new normal and tell myself how lucky I was to have this opportunity to stay home, and that I was wrong – almost ashamedly so – to be unhappy.

A new opportunity

Andy was five months old when I was invited to an online party for Usborne Books & More. An avid reader myself, I had stocked our house with books for my baby boy the moment the test read positive.

The consultant had asked if I wanted to join, and truthfully, I did NOT. I had my own salon at 23 and closing those doors was the hardest thing I ever had to do. I didn’t know if I could handle failing at this.

But I also had over $100 worth of books in my cart that Mike was not going to approve of. Financially, it made more sense to join for $50, and get 10 books plus the opportunity to earn some extra cash.

That was the best decision I almost never made. My book business boomed – and quickly. I had a team of over 20 girls, promoted after a month, earned hundreds of extra dollars, and almost $1000 in free books.

This was what I needed; this was something I could work at without actually being at work, goals I could strive for and accomplish and see.

Oops! I did it again.

Two years into my little book business and I suddenly felt that same loss and confusion I had when Andy was an infant. It shouldn’t have taken as long as it admittedly did for me to realize that these same feelings were arising after the birth of my daughter. I realized that it wasn’t just the hormones, it was full blown postpartum depression.

Postpartum hits every woman differently.

For me, it causes a case of mistaken identity. I doubt who I am and what I’m doing. My worth becomes blurry and entangled in the lies of the world.

By social media standards, as a SAHM I should be able to have an impeccable home, Pinterest worthy meals, hair and makeup selfie ready at all times (ok, that one isn’t very hard for me – I learned how to get ready in under 5 minutes in beauty school), and kids that are beautifully chaotic.

Beautiful disaster

Instead, I was spending my days catering to my customers instead of my kids, popping frozen meals in the oven, and yelling at my beautiful babies for needing me. The business that brought me joy was now a burden. My health was fleeting, my mental stability was wavering, and I refused to ask for help.

Rather than seek God and trust that I was good enough as a mom, I continued to seek other avenues to fill the gap that was growing larger. I developed a desire to help others who want a more natural approach to health and wellness, I went back to my beauty roots and started educating and empowering women on makeup and skincare, and while I found success and joy in both these places, my soul somehow still felt lost.

It was like I was living someone else’s life.

Changing seasons

Last winter, my family and I anticipated the arrival of baby 3. I thought I was rock steady mentally; I was in tune with my body and my mind, I was thriving spiritually as I was daily in the Word, and, come on – I had done this twice already! Baby 3, I was sure, would be a postpartum breeze.

Wrong.

Maybe it was just the season we were in – covid, quarantine, loss of loved ones, change – but this little nugget who decided to join us a few weeks early on Christmas Eve, completely knocked me on my postpartum behind.

And once again, I felt so disconnected from myself.

This time, I knew I needed help. I joined the BetterHelp app and was synced to an amazing therapist who aided me in dealing with past trauma I never shared with anyone else before.

Better Help

With my therapist’s encouragement, I took a step back from my businesses, and I started writing more consistently. In addition to prompting me to write more, she also suggested I read this book, Uninvited by Lysa Terkeurst.

I cannot recommend this book enough – I think every single woman needs to read it. This woman’s words hit my heart in a way that only scripture had before. Naturally, I googled her and stumbled upon a website called Compel Training. The homepage literally read “Your writer’s soul has found its place.”

I think I stopped breathing. It felt like the Holy Spirit whispered those words into the depths of who I was created to be.

I joined when they opened registration and started writing during nap time, after bedtime, in the morning at 4 AM before anyone was awake, literally any chance I had. With every push of the keyboard, I felt like I was finding myself again.

Joy

I relived that same sense of joy I did when I was bustling my butt around like a crazy person everyday before I became a mom. I experienced that same sense of joy from submitting a book proposal that I did when I became a Red Jacket.

And mostly, I finally began to feel like I was right where God wanted me all along, sharing His truth and glory and story of redemption.

Being a mom, and a wife, and a daughter of Christ is proving to be the best full time job I could have ever imagined – once I learned to let it be enough (something I am still learning), and let it be my full time ministry.

But God has also equipped us with gifts of the Spirit, and it’s only when our will is aligned with his that we can be fully immersed in true joy. Compel has given that to me; a community of believers who seek to share the love of Christ by sharing our unique and predestined stories.

New mercies come in the morning

I never saw myself where I am; sitting at my kitchen table, kids napping, writing next to the big picture window, contemplating motherhood and the mistaken identity so many moms experience.

It’s not easy to admit defeat, or let go of an image we created for ourselves. I still see my fellow book bosses and wonder if I made the right choice letting go. I now share on the blog about our naturally well journey, motherhood, and my faith.

I no longer feel like I’m walking in someone else’s shoes, but instead, feel like I am running my own race, staying contentedly in my own lane.

So, to all my fellow moms who may feel lost or like they’re living a mistaken identity themselves; know that you are loved beyond all measure. Know that God is faithful, His word is true, and know that His grace is sufficient for you. There is no shame in seeking counseling, asking for help, or trying to find a community besides the one consisting of little humans you birthed.

Make no mistake, Mama, our ultimate identity is anchored in the Hope of Christ. When you start to feel lost, I encourage you to remember that there is a Shepherd calling you by name.

All we need to do is slow down and listen.

I hope this was encouraging for you! I would love for you to be apart of my email community! You can join HERE for weekly encouragement and more!

Want more Motherhood Mondays? Check out other posts from this series HERE!

If you found value in this, the greatest thanks I could get is a like or share!! I appreciate you being here!

Categories: Faith

The Best Bible Study Resources for Any Believer

When I was 23 years old, my now husband bought me my first Bible. Before you “awe” at the thought, let me paint the context for you to make sure you comprehend that the “awe” isn’t because of us, but God.

My husband grew up in a solid Christian family; he was homeschooled before it was cool, attended private Christian school, and also went to public school (he is a VERY well-rounded man), before being sent away to a Christian military school.

You see, my husband had a rebel heart even though he knew Jesus. His story is not mine to tell, but it’s full of heartache, redemption, and (most important) how God is always walking with us.

What I can tell you is that his rebel heart turned into a heart of stone that was completely hardened toward God.

When we met, my own rebellious heart was out of control; I just turned 21, lost my dad, graduated from beauty school, and was ready to turn the party dial wayyy up. I had a plan to live fast and die hard (not literally die, but also was ignorant enough to not care if I did).

In hindsight, I can picture God as He is weaving my story, chuckling at the thought of me thinking I knew it all, knowing one day I would humbly tell others how we actually know nothing compared to this incomprehensible God we love.

Proverbs tells us a lot about foolishness. That’s probably why I love them; I relate to them. I was a fool.

Insert hand in mouth.

If you have been foolish, exalting yourself,  or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth.

Proverbs 30:32 ESV

After a couple years of dating, my now husband’s grandpa invited us to attend a Christmas service with him, at the church my husband grew up in.

Now, let me just simply say, I did not grow up without the knowledge, belief, and trust that there was, indeed, a God.

I did believe in God.

In fact, I loved going to church; the majestic stained glass, incredible art and attention to detail. I just also thought God was something that just wanted me to follow rules and be a mindless drone.

Imagine my shock and awe when we walked into Bethel Community Church and I thought I could literally feel my heart crack from the warmth and welcome we experienced.

It literally changed me.

I asked my husband if we could go back again.

And we did.

Week by week.

Both of us.

Together.

The Beginning of a Beautiful Journey

So, one day, we decided to visit a Christian Family Bookstore to possibly purchase a bible.

Honestly, the thought terrified me. The book was huge and intimidating. And that was coming from an avid and accelerated reader who could never find a book long enough to satisfy that specifically alluring hunger for more.

But, when we walked in, Crowder was playing on the radio – one of the very few bands and songs I knew of at the time.

That might not seem like a big deal, but my husband and I shared a great love, respect, and proud-ness of music, and I had a (what seemed) crazy thought; God must be interested in me because that wasn’t coincidence.

What I am confident of now is that the Holy Spirit was with us that day, guiding me and my anxious heart, in His hands. .

From where I’m writing now, in this specific season, my confidence is rooted in all I learned from highlighting, immersing myself, studying, and reading out of this amazing book – the Bible.

Those Words more than satisfied – they filled me in ways and places I did not even know existed. It sounds absurd, I’m sure.

But, I assure you, when you meet the Holy Spirit, when you finally have the veil lifted and experience the Gospel – it changes everything.

That tattered pink Bible is still tucked away in a drawer at my parents house. After all, this was only twelve years ago.

Why the background?

Because I want you to know that when I share these resources with you, these are resources I have actually used and found incredible truth, strength, and joy through – in so many different seasons of my relationship with Christ.

There are no affiliate links, no sponsors, just honest and practical resources for wherever you are in your own walk with Jesus.

I went from never opening a bible before to being a Biblical Studies major at a Bible school. Nothing is impossible or too late with God.

Maybe you are like me and never opened a Bible before, or maybe you have been studying the Bible for a long time and want to see it with a fresh set of eyes or a newly ignited desire to get to know God more.

Wherever you are in your faith, I promise these tools will be foundational to getting the most out of this amazing book.

Here we go, in no particular order:

First 5 App

COST: This is a FREE app you can download in the IOS or Android App store, but you can contribute donations if you’d like (not required).
PERFECT FOR: The First 5 App is perfect for the busy woman.
WHY I LOVE IT: Efficient five minute teachings that are power packed with truth & wisdom and feel like you’re sharing your morning coffee with your bestie. Created by Lysa Terkeurst of Proverbs 31 ministries, this app was designed to help women “put God first by giving Him the first 5 minutes of our day”.

This app does not skimp on sound theology, so you can trust that what you’re reading is biblical and not opinion based. It contains numerous Bible study plans, downloadable wallpapers for your phone ( which you know I LOVE 😉 ), access to the Bible through the app, and ability to create groups to study with friends! As Lysa says, “We must exchange whispers with God before shouts with the world.”

The Bible project

COST: This is a FREE website. You can also access FREE videos on YouTube. The Bible Project also accepts donations.
PERFECT FOR: The Bible project is perfect for the visual learner, or any type four heart 😉 .
WHY I LOVE IT: If you want to get the most bang out of the Bible in a short amount of time, this website is for you! Videos cover a wide range of biblical topics like, biblical themes, books of the Bible, characteristics of God & more. The Bible is really brought to life through incredible truth and graphic videos! I highly recommend checking The Old Testament and New Testament videos if you are new to studying the Bible (even if you’re a seasoned believer, it is a great refresher) to get an incredible overview of the content. Reader beware, you will undoubtedly want to know more, so don’t be surprised if you want to watch every single video.

How to Read the Bible Book by Book & How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth

COST: You can find these books on Amazon or available on Kindle HERE & HERE. Price varies for whichever type you purchase. Trust me, these are worth it.
PERFECT FOR: These books are perfect for the woman who wants to really get the most out of her Bible study!
WHY I LOVE IT: This is actually a two-for! I couldn’t have gotten through Bible college without these! Fee and Stuart basically do all the exegesis for you and lay out (in very layman verbiage) everything you need to know about the context, historical content, author, and more. How to Read the Bible Book by Book literally breaks down every book of the Bible and breaks down every book by verses, ensuring you are completely understanding what is happening and what God is intending to portray through His Word.

How to read the Bible for All its Worth gives you an in-depth depiction into each book of the Bible. It acts as “a guide to understanding the Bible in its literary dimensions with techniques for interpreting scripture while being faithful to the literary genres.” These are incredible assets to have as you are journeying through the Bible. Make sure to have a highlighter handy 😉

Community Bible Study

COST: $35/Adults $10/Child
PERFECT FOR: Perfect for the woman who wants community while she dives into the deep theological truths of scripture.
WHY I LOVE IT: The mission of CBS is to make disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ through caring, in-depth Bible study, available to all. CBS brings biblical truth and intimate community together so that we can navigate God’s Word together. Community Bible Study has classes all around the globe, making it easy to connect with believers near you. Denominations do not matter here, the soul (see what I did there) purpose of this organization is to help you meet with Jesus right where you are.

Our local CBS also has an incredible Children’s program. My kids love going to class and learning stories, songs, and cultivating friendships that will last a lifetime. Check your local CBS to see if they have a men’s study group and get the whole family involved. The family that prays together – stays together. OK, that is not technically true but it sure sounds lovely. If you’re local to Chicago, I recommend checking out Community Bible Study Park Ridge Here!! Not local? Go to communitybiblestudy.org and click “Find a Class.”

The Daily Grace Co.

COST: Varies. I am a BIG fan of their $5 and $10 sales!!
PERFECT FOR: The Daily Grace Co. is perfect for the woman who loves all the pretty things.
WHY I LOVE IT: Be warned sister, everything is so aesthetically gorgeous that you might want to purchase all.the.things. This is such an amazing one stop shop for Bible & scripture related loot! You can find simple Bible studies on specific topics or books of the Bible, scripture memorization, men’s studies, MUGS (my favorite things – have you seen my Pinterest board 🤣😬), highlighters, and tons of resources for kids (and more)!

I’m currently working through Dwell in Grace, a scripture memorizing book (working on Romans 12)! I am honestly shocked at how well and how easily I have been able to memorize these verses! The cover is beautiful and I have it set on my nightstand so every morning I try to memorize the next verse as I work though the book!! Cannot recommend this site enough!

the Bible Recap

COST: FREE – But you can buy additional resources HERE
PERFECT FOR: Every single believer AND non-believer.
WHY I LOVE IT: Tara Leigh Cobble has a serious gift for teaching the Bible – and she recaps everything in like 7 minutes, making this super convenient and practical for anyone. Listen on your fave podcast streamer on the way home, while you cook dinner, or get a quick workout in.

Don’t be fooled by the limited time commitment. Tara Leigh packs a POWERFUL punch. Those seven minutes will be some of the best of your day. I also love that she lists TONS of great additional resources in her show notes.

Don’t have a Bible? You can follow this plan – which also will get you to read the entire Bible in a year – on the Bible App. Join me HERE!

I hope that you find great joy and incredible education within these resources!

And make sure to comment below and let me know if you try any, have tried any, or have some resources you trust and love!

Make sure to pin the images to save for later or share with a friend!

Want weekly encouragement and more like this delivered to your inbox? Join my email community HERE!

xoxo,

Categories: Faith

5 Easy Ways to Help Rest & Reset in the Lord

While any sane mother would tell you how “she wouldn’t trade being a mom for anything in the world”, I am going to be the exception – the all too real reminder of real life – and dare to say that while that statement is certainly true, my actions and attitudes this week have screamed otherwise.

Anyone else?

Maybe it’s the sleep deprivation. Maybe it’s a deadline you need to meet but can’t find the time to get it done. Maybe it’s endless activities that you are constantly racing to. Maybe it was just a hard week of motherhood.

Whatever it is, wherever you are, I have to hold onto the hope that I am not the only one. I cannot be the only mother who feels like my two toddlers are on a warpath and their battles are waged against each other, only coming to a cease fire to aim that ammo at me.

I cannot be the only woman whose patience is failing and feeling like I am gasping for air that isn’t there.

What no one tells you about motherhood is just how worn and weary it will leave you. Some days it takes hours of sibling rivalry, endless loads of laundry, and repeated attempts at self control to break me down.

Other days, I’m crying in the bathroom before 7:30 AM because I feel so defeated.

Those are the moments that I would, in fact, trade almost (I use that term loosely) anything for just a few minutes to myself to try and hype my heart back up and get my mind right so I can better show up for my family. After all, “you can’t fill from an empty cup.”

As I scrolled through social media this morning amidst the endless inquiries, getting increasingly annoyed and losing my patience, allowing callous words to escape my mouth, I stopped as I read this verse from a Risen Motherhood post; “Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28, ESV. Something happened as I read those words.

The Holy Spirit spoke to me. Not in a weird, TV evangelist way, but in that soul searching, meet me in this moment, goosebumps on my skin, kind of way.

“I see you.” The words were whispered right into my heart. “Why are you trying to fill your own cup my darling? Why are you fighting to fix what you are not capable of mending? All you need to do is come to me. Let me restore you. Come to me and rest.”

Sister, I don’t know about you, but I so often let myself believe the lie that my shortcomings as a mom are too mundane for my God to worry about. So I try to breathe, escape, finish just one more load of laundry or start one more load of dishes, or do whatever I can think of to try and not feel so overwhelmed.

In reality, I am just wearing myself down; all I actually need to do is come to Jesus. He is where rest is found, where joy is ignited, where love lives and strength abounds. So why am I fighting it? Why are my mind and heart so disconnected?

Realizing how hungry my soul was for the Word, I read on from that chapter in Matthew, and this is what I came across;


“For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:34-37).

Just as Adam and Eve hid once they ate the forbidden fruit, so I try to hide and fill my own cup because I am too ashamed of the mess I let myself become.

These verses were the gentle nudge I needed to perform a heart check. These empty and ugly words that I was thinking and speaking were coming from a heart that was exhausted and threadbare.

Some people think that being a Christian means you have it all together; life is all sunshine and unicorns, flowing streams and lush valleys.

But a life in Christ is, most of the time, the opposite. It is real and raw, narrow and steep.

However, that road is also cemented to God himself because of the blood of Jesus. There are definitely moments where life seems to overflow with joy and blessings – and I try to truly cherish those moments- they are the hope we have to keep going and doing the next right thing, to sustain us through the trials.

But a life in Christ is..real and raw, narrow and steep.

I would be lying if I said the remainder of the day held incredible and almost supernatural patience with my kids after feeling the conviction of those scriptures – but that’s not real life.

What did happen was my ability to be more aware of my words; the way I responded to big emotions (no idea where they get that trait from 😬🤪🤷🏽‍♀️), the calmness I extended when quarrels broke out, and the forgiveness I offered when these tiny humans kept pushing me past patience.

We still had time outs and arguments over who smashed whose magnet tiles down. And I still raised my voice after several endeavors for my son and daughter to “keep your hands to yourself.”

That awful feeling of remorse, the sting of shame at yelling incessantly, the worn out and weary perception, those things were slowly replaced by surrender, by the amazing relief that I was not expected to have it all together.

Rather, I simply needed to allow myself to come to Jesus, to receive His rest and His grace, and it was sufficient for me.

Once all the kids were asleep, Mike and I retreated to our room to watch an episode of “The Chosen.” This particular episode dug into John 5:1-13, a passage I studied in depth a couple years ago as I led a core group through Community Bible Study. The biblical narrative is incredible in itself, but seeing it brought to life left me in a puddle.

In John 5:6 Jesus asks this paralyzed man who has been lame for 38 years, “Do you want to be healed.” Girlfriend, I can go on a whole 10 page discussion on all the richness in this small inquisitive verse, but instead I’ll keep it simple; who wouldn’t want to be healed!? This tugged on my heart strings and I found myself asking “Do I want to be healed?” “Do I want to rest?”

We’re so humanly susceptible to want to take control. We deceive ourselves into believing we are not allowed to show any weakness and never admit defeat or failure.

So, even while we crave rest, we are constantly wrestling with the stress to do it all ourselves, to prove we are capable. Why? Who are we trying to prove this to?

We are already fully known, and fully loved by God. He is walking with us, before us, and behind us, whispering all the while – “come, rest in me.“

Sometimes, I think God ordained motherhood to remind us strong and stubborn women, that His power is made perfect in our weakness.

It is when we surrender, when we wave the white flag, that we permit ourselves to truly find rest and restoration. It is only God that can fill our own cup, so we can fill up our family, our friends, our ministries.

Hear this sister, when we feel worn out and weary from mothering, remember that God is with us. All we need to do is come to Him.

Next time you feel your heart struggling to pump oxygen through your body, stop, inhale this reminder; Jesus died for you so you can come to Him whenever you need, and exhale; trust that He is with you, and rest knowing that He is our strength.

Only then can I confidently and humbly declare, “I wouldn’t trade being a mom for anything in the world.”

Here are five things that help me rest in the Lord and reset my thinking so I stop trying to do it all myself:

1. Worship.

This can seem so counter intuitive. How can I worship when my heart is so worn? I find so much hope when I blast Brave Heart by Tasha Layton. The words are eloquently saturated in truth and surrender.

I also love “Sound of Heaven” on the days I really need to let my heart speak!

2. Pray

Sometimes, we just need a second to be still and know that God is with us. Lock yourself in your bedroom or bathroom for a moment (while the kids are safe somewhere – usually I hand out a snack and put on Daniel Tiger before escaping to cry and pray) and pour your heart out to God.

pray rest — Pin me for later or share to your stories and tag @iamanchoredbyhope

3. Read

Maybe you’re one of the lucky ones whose kids nap. Or maybe you have to wait until bedtime like me, but finding a quiet time to just take in scripture is life giving to the weary soul.

I always default to Galatians 6 when I really need some encouragement to keep going. I also love a good historical fiction novel; reading things that make me feel good, make me want to seek the time to do those things.

And doing those things help me to refocus on the Lord. I am really loving Uninvited by Lysa Terkeurst right now. It is perfect for these moments when I feel like I’m treading water with zero momentum to encourage me that I am not alone.

4. Go for a drive

When the day is really out of control and my kids are a special kind of crazy, I load them in the car and we drive through the forest preserves (you can drive whatever scenic route you have near you).

Because sometimes, I just need them strapped in and unable to cause a complete ruckus around me. I pack snacks and water bottles and we make it a mini adventure; looking for deer, ducks, or just people watch as we cruise.

5. Go for a walk

Being surrounded by God’s natural creation, unadulterated and pure, is like honey for the soul; sweet, thick, and rich.

Moving our bodies is always a proven way to alleviate stress ! I have been trying to be more disciplined in taking the kids out for a walk each day – even if its just across the street to the park; moving and a change of scenery are key for us all.

When the weary and worn moments threaten to overtake your day, remember sister, you are not alone.

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I’d love to know what ways help you to rest and reset! Comment below so we can connect!

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Categories: Faith

Learning to Love More of Jesus and Less of Ourselves

For the last several years I have opted into choosing a word for the new year versus a resolution. I have a few reasons for this, and you can read about it here. Mostly, my decision for selecting a word is to keep me more focused on my Savior – Jesus.

This week I read a meme that really resonated with me from @myjarsofclay.

~~“New Year, New Me”~~
“New Year, Less Me
and More Jesus.”

I felt this deep within my bones. And not just because I heard it spoken out loud over a couple dozen times the weeks leading up to the arrival of 2024.

This resonated so deeply in my marrow because this is our human nature at its finest.

I actually wrote a devotional for Proverbs 31 Ministries Encouragement for Today with almost this exact title; More of Jesus, Less of Me.

Hymnodists have sang this for centuries, scripture shouts this truth, and it’s preached from the pulpit regularly (or at least it should be).

More Jesus. Less Me.

So, I thought it would be fun, for this Theology Thursday, to do a deep exegetical dive into the scripture that inspired this text; John 3:30 (ESV).

"He must increase, and I must decrease."

Drop the anchor and get your Bible ready. Today, we study!

First, Let me Pray for Us!

Heavenly Father, I thank you so much for the opportunity to study your Word. What an incredible gift it is to know you so intimately and personally. God, I ask that you would meet us where we are, that you would forgive us of anything that is causing our hearts to draw away from you instead of near you. I ask this in confidence that when we confess our sins, you are just and faithful to forgive us. Lord, as we dive deep into this study, I pray that these words would provoke the heart of the reader to seek more of you and less of ourselves. May you be glorified through this, today. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Learning the Background Information

To thoroughly study a book or verse of the Bible, background information is always a good idea. This is how we come to understand the context, author, and any other useful information to help us approach the text with His eyes and not our own.

The best place to find this information would be a commentary or at the beginning of an ESV study Bible. Not sure what to use? Below are some of my personal favorite recommendations that I trust:

How to Read the Bible Book by Book by Douglas Stuart and Trevor Thompson
How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth by Douglas Stuart and Gordon D. Fee
The Bible Handbook by The Daily Grace Co.

I find these resources to be the least overwhelming for novel Bible study and more seasoned study alike.

Author

Who wrote this verse?

John the Baptist

What do we know about the author from the text itself and Biblical commentary?

Biblical Text:

Prophesied Birth: The birth of John the Baptist was foretold by the angel Gabriel to his father Zechariah, a priest, while he was serving in the temple (Luke 1:5-25). His mother, Elizabeth, was a relative of Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:36).
Role and Ministry: John the Baptist is described as a prophet who came to prepare the way for the Messiah (Matthew 3:1-3, Mark 1:2-4, Luke 3:2-6). He preached a message of repentance and baptized people in the Jordan River, including Jesus Himself (Matthew 3:13-17).
Lifestyle: John lived an ascetic life in the wilderness, wearing clothes made of camel’s hair with a leather belt, and his food was locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:4, Mark 1:6).
Death: John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod Antipas because he reproved Herod for divorcing his wife and unlawfully taking the wife of his brother. He was later beheaded at the request of Herodias’ daughter (Matthew 14:1-12, Mark 6:14-29).

Biblical Commentary:

Prophetic Figure: Many biblical scholars view John the Baptist as the last of the Old Testament prophets. He bridges the Old and New Testaments, fulfilling prophecy about a messenger who would prepare the way for the Lord (Malachi 3:1).
Baptism: John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. It was a symbolic act, representing a desire to turn away from sin and be cleansed. This was different from Christian baptism, which is associated with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Relationship with Jesus: John consistently pointed people toward Jesus, emphasizing that He was the promised Messiah. He stated, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30), highlighting the supremacy of Christ’s ministry over his own.
Imprisonment and Death: John’s imprisonment and death demonstrate his commitment to speaking truth to power, regardless of personal cost. His willingness to die for the truth has led many to regard him as a martyr.

Audience

Who was John speaking to?

John the Baptist’s immediate audience in John 3:30 were his own disciples and possibly other Jews who were questioning him.

What information about the audience can we gather from the text and/or Bible commentaries?

The broader Book of John (or Gospel of John – the apostle, not the Baptist) was written to a Christian community (or communities) well known to the author. John wrote to reassure believers of the truth of what they believe (in light of defections and rejection) – that through the incarnation God is fully and finally known. Here is God’s love in full and open display.
(How to Read the Bible Book by book, p. 304)

Date

When was the book written?

The date of the Gospel of John as a whole is unknown but suspected ca. A.D 90-95.

Our verse, John 3:30, takes place during the period of early first-century AD in the Roman province of Judea.

What important historical events might impact the way you read this book/verse?

This specific verse takes place around the Passover celebration. The passover celebrates the Hebrews escape from Egypt by the Angel of The Lord passing over the doors that had the blood of the unblemished lamb across it.

Genre

What is the Genre of the book?

The Book of John is one of the four Gospels.

What are some characteristics of this genre?

The word “gospel” comes from a Greek word euangelion, which literally means “good news.” The Gospel books (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) are all predominantly declaring that Jesus Christ is the son of God who came to reconcile sinners with their creator by being born fully God and fully man, living a sinless life, dying on the cross as punishment for our sins, and His resurrection, which secures our promise of eternity.

Is there anything to note about this specific passage?

Our specific verse, John 3:30, is one of “four specific narratives (Nicodemus, John the Baptist, The Samaritan, the Officials Son) which continue motifs already in place – the exaltation of Jesus as Son of God in the context of some who do and do not believe.” (Fee and Stuart, P. 309)

Themes

The supremacy of Jesus Christ, Jesus as the only means of Salvation

Purpose/Emphasis

Jesus is the Messiah, the son of God; in his incarnation and crucifixion, he both revealed God’s love and redeemed humanit; discipleship means to “remain in the vine” (Jesus) and to bear fruit (to love as He loved); the Holy Spirit will be given to his people to continue His work.
(Fee & Stuart, p. 304)

Contending with the Context

Now that we have a little more information and education on what and who we are reading, we can better contend with the context to gain the most insight into God’s living and active Word.

Historical Context

The Gospel of John was written in a context where the early Christian community faced opposition from the outside world – from both Jewish and Roman authorities.

This isn’t much different from what John the Baptist was experiencing in the scope of the narrative of our verse. Let me explain.

In the historical context, this verse takes place during the period of early first-century AD in the Roman province of Judea.

Luke 3:1-3 gives us even more detail;

"In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins."

As John continued to preach repentance for sins, Pharisees had come to witness what he was doing. Here is his response from Luke 3:7-9;

He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Biblical Context

John 3:30 comes as a response to his disciples noting that Jesus, who was also baptizing people, was attracting more followers than John.

The context of this passage is important.

In the preceding verses (John 3:22-29), John’s disciples came to him with concern about Jesus’ growing ministry. They said to John, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him” (John 3:26).

In response, John explains that he is not the Messiah, but was sent ahead of Him. He uses the metaphor of a bridegroom and his friend (the best man) to make his point. The bridegroom, he says, is the one who marries the bride, and the friend rejoices at hearing the bridegroom’s voice. This joy, John says, is his: “Therefore this joy of mine is now complete” (John 3:29).T

John 3:30 is a powerful testament to John’s humility and understanding of his role in God’s plan: he was there to prepare the way for Jesus, not to be the central figure.

How Does the Context Impact the Meaning of the Verse

We learn a lot from John and how we, too, can recognize and accept our role in the larger narrative of God’s plan, and understanding that all glory belongs to Jesus, the Messiah.

Seeing Jesus

a person writing on the notebook beside a book and coffee — Photo by Tara Winstead on Pexels.com

Because the Word was with God and the Word is God (John 1:1), all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (1 Timothy 3:16).

This means that every Word of the Bible reflects Jesus in some way.

The Supremacy of Christ

John knew that Jesus wasn’t just another teacher or prophet. Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. His ministry was far more significant than any other.

By saying, “He must increase, but I must decrease,” John was acknowledging the supremacy of Christ. He knew that Jesus deserved to be at the center of attention, not him.

And this is a key message of the Gospel: Jesus is superior to all others. He is the Savior, the one who deserves our full devotion and love.

Humility and Self-Denial

But there’s more to John’s statement.

It’s not just about recognizing Jesus’ importance; it’s also about humbling ourselves. John was modeling an attitude of humility and self-denial. This is a theme that runs throughout the New Testament.

Jesus Himself taught, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). When we choose to decrease, to humble ourselves and put others first, we’re following in the footsteps of both John the Baptist and Jesus.

Conclusion & Application

Finally, John’s words offer a beautiful picture of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. As disciples, our role isn’t to draw people to ourselves but to point them toward Jesus. We’re called to make Him greater in our lives and in the world around us.

So, how can we live out this call? Here are a few practical suggestions:

Spend Time with Jesus: Make it a priority to spend time with Jesus each day. This could be through prayer, Bible reading, or simply sitting in His presence.
Serve Others: Look for opportunities to serve others in love. Remember, when we serve others, we’re serving Jesus (Matthew 25:40).
Share Your Faith: Don’t be shy about sharing your faith with others. Let them see how much you love Jesus and how He’s changed your life.
Surrender to Jesus: Continually surrender your will to Jesus. Ask Him to increase in your life, even if that means you must decrease.

So sisters, this new year, let’s strive to learn more about our savior and less about ourselves.

In doing so, we actually will cultivate a new heart and mind and become exactly who the Lord has created us to be.

It may seem so counterproductive in our current culture, but take time to study His Words and reflect on your personal relationship with Jesus.

Then, you will not only be more satisfied, but you will be a new you in this new year.

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Thank you so much for being here. I hope you found value in this post and learned something new and encouraging today! I would love to hear your thoughts so comment below or send me a message!

Categories: Faith, Mental Health, Motherhood

7 Inspiring Books That Will Change Your Life

“You Can Never Get A Cup of Tea Large Enough or A Book Long Enough to Suit Me.” -C.S. Lewis

Welcome to Friday Favorites. These posts are designed as a way for me to share what I love with you! And something I love most are books.

Ever since I was a kid, reading has been the ultimate escape + adventure. My passion for books and writing began far before I can recall (so I’m told). I was an accelerated reader in elementary school and a big literary nerd in high school. As an adult, my home built library is my greatest gift.

Reading and writing are my passion, my joy, my hearts beat. That’s because there is something almost magical that happens when you dive into a book – whether fiction, fantasy, faith based, or non-fiction – isn’t there?

My favorite books are the ones where I feel like I’m talking to my best friend over coffee or watching a movie play out in my mind. Books are some of the most pure ways to communicate authentically. And the real good ones inspire, encourage, and change something inside you, well after the cover closes.

But, you’re not here to listen to my bibliophilia. If you’re reading this, that means you, too, have a love of reading and are intrigued to see if my list matches yours or if you’ll find your next favorite in this list.

I am so excited to share the titles that profoundly inspired me in 2023 (and in no particular order).

Ready to embark on a literary journey that could change your life? Let’s get started!

1. Fix Your Eyes: How Our Study of God Shapes Our Worship of Him by Amy Gannet

Goodreads Book Description

“We live in a polarized time. Christians are quick to conceive of themselves either as theologically-minded or worship-minded; either thinking Christians or feeling Christians. The results are damaging: theology without worship is muted, stifled, and cold, and worship without theology is ungrounded, unrooted, and uninformed.

This is not the way it was meant to be.

Theology (our study and knowledge of God) should always lead to doxology (our worship of Him). Worship should always be rooted in theology. When we study the nature and character of God as revealed in his Word, we are invited to respond in the affectionate, obedient discipleship of worship. How can we keep our theology from being mere head knowledge? How do we give our worship roots that will last? By fixing our eyes on God Himself—the object of our study and the object of our worship.

Fix Your Eyes is an invitation to understand core doctrines of the Christian faith and apply them in our daily worship of God. It walks believers through key theological concepts and shows how each can be lived out in daily life.”

Why I Loved This Book

Holy moly this book is power packed with sound doctrine and relatable experiences that will shape and resonate with you no matter where you are in your walk with Jesus.

As an alumni of Moody Bible Institute, this Bible Studies major is no foe to thorough exegesis and that is just what Amy illustrates and accentuates throughout this book. More Jesus, less us, especially when it comes to our study, knowledge and worship of God.

If you want to grow in grace and knowledge of who Jesus is, then this book is for you.
If you want to reignite your worship and love for God, then this book is for you.
If you have no idea what theology is or why it matters, then this book is for you.

Get it on amazon HERE!

2. The Lifegiving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming by Sally and Sarah Clarkson

Goodreads Book Description

“How to make home your family’s favorite place to be . . . all year long.

Does your home sometimes feel like just a place to eat, sleep, and change clothes on the way to the next activity? Do you long for “home” to mean more than a place where you stash your stuff? Wouldn’t you love it to become a haven of warmth, rest, and joy . . . the one place where you and your family can’t wait to be?

There is good news waiting for you in the pages of The Lifegiving Home. Every day of your family’s life can be as special and important to you as it already is to God. In this unique book designed to help your family enjoy and celebrate every month of the year together, you’ll discover the secrets of a life-giving home from a mother who created one and her daughter who was raised in popular authors Sally and Sarah Clarkson. Together they offer a rich treasure of wise advice, spiritual principles, and practical suggestions. You’ll embark on a new path to creating special memories for your children; establishing home-building and God-centered traditions; and cultivating an environment in which your family will flourish. “

Why I Loved This Book

I have never felt so seen as I did while reading this book. I love my mom, but if God gave me a chance to choose one other person on this planet to be my mother, I would choose Sally Clarkson.

From the relationships with her children, the love of beauty in all God’s creation, the intentionality in the little things – every word spoke to my soul.

I especially love how this book is laid out in a 12 month format. The specific detail and instruction for each month and season is exceptional, especially for my ADHD heart that can get overwhelmed with too much information and my catastrophic anxiety that would over analyze when and how to implement this amazing advice.

This book made me not only be proud of my role as a homemaker, but to really step into the gifts and calling of it; from bedtime blessings with my children to setting the table for dinner every night and the in between of tea parties and seasonal traditions.

If you are a mama who is looking for ways to create a space of tradition, joy, and beauty – this book is for you.
If you are a woman who longs to create a space of warmth and comfort – this book is for you!

You can get this book HERE!

3. The Call of the Wild and Free: Reclaiming Wonder in Your Child’s Education by Ainsley Arment

Goodreads Book Description

“Allow your children to experience the adventure, freedom, and wonder of childhood with this practical guide that provides all the information, inspiration, and advice you need for creating a modern, quality homeschool education.

Inspired by the spirit of Henry David Thoreau—”All good things are wild and free”—mother of five Ainsley Arment founded Wild + Free.

This growing online community of mothers and families want their children to receive a quality education at home by challenging their intellectual abilities and nurturing their sense of curiosity, joy and awe—the essence of a positive childhood.

The homeschool approach of past generations is gone—including the stigma of socially awkward kids, conservative clothes, and a classroom setting replicated in the home.

The Wild + Free movement is focused on a love of nature, reading great books, pursuing interests and hobbies, making the entire world a classroom, and prolonging the wonder of childhood, an appealing philosophy that is unpacked in the pages of this book The Call of the Wild and Free offers advice, information, and positive encouragement for parents considering homeschooling, those currently in the trenches looking for inspiration, as well as parents, educators, and caregivers who want supplementary resources to enhance their kids’ traditional educations.”

Why I Loved This Book

Last year, right around this time, I was praying over what to do about school for Andy. We were in the trenches of Kindergarten, and while I loved his school and his teacher, I did not love the hustle and hurry, the homework, and the anticipation of losing our precious time together.

That could verbatim be how this book starts. So, imagine my emotional self listening to this audiobook while driving home after dusk one weary and cold night in February.

I cried. Like, ugly girl cried in my car. I felt, in that moment, that God was calling me to homeschool. And I was terrified.

This book did such an amazing job of illustrating the joys and battles of homeschooling, the different methods, and the incredible gifts that come with living wild + free.

If you are contemplating homeschooling, then this book is for you.
If you are a seasoned homeschooler looking for something to inspire you, this is for you.
If you want to create more wonder in your life AND your kids lives, then this book is for you.

You can get this book HERE!

4. The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids by Sarah Mackenzie

Goodreads Book Description

“Connecting deeply with our kids can be difficult in our busy, technology-driven lives. Reading aloud offers us a chance to be fully present with our children. It also increases our kids’ academic success, inspires compassion, and fortifies them with the inner strength they need to face life’s challenges. As Sarah Mackenzie has found with her own six children, reading aloud long after kids are able to read to themselves can deepen relationships in a powerful way.

Founder of the immensely popular Read-Aloud Revival podcast, Sarah knows first-hand how reading can change a child’s life. In The Read-Aloud Family, she offers the inspiration and age-appropriate book lists you need to start a read-aloud movement in your own home. From a toddler’s wonder to a teenager’s resistance, Sarah details practical strategies to make reading aloud a meaningful family ritual. Reading aloud not only has the power to change a family—it has the power to change the world.”

Why I Loved This Book

Clearly reading is my passion, so there was no doubt I had to hear what this mama of six had to say about reading aloud with your family.

Reading aloud is something I have done since the moment my kids were born. With my first, my anxiety was so bad I had no idea what to do, so I would read to him.

Since that moment, our home has always been brimming with books; chapter books, picture books, educational books.

Sarah does such an incredible job of sharing the science behind why reading aloud is so beneficial for families. My favorite thing about this book is that she gives incredible recommendations for every age level! It has been a handy library companion this year!

If you love to read and love reading to your children, then this is for you.
If you want to foster a love of reading in your family, then this is for you.
If you are looking for resources to encourage reading as a family, this is for you!

You can get this book HERE!

5. Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakable Peace by Sarah Mackenzie

Amazon Book Description

“Those who have made the decision to homeschool their children have done so out of great love for them and a desire to provide them an excellent education in the context of a warm, enriching home. Yet so many parents (mainly mothers) who have taken up this challenge find the enterprise often full of stress, worry, and anxiety. In this practical, faith-based, and inspirational book, Sarah Mackenzie addresses these questions directly, appealing to her own study of restful learning and her struggle to bring restful learning to her (six) children.”

Why I Loved it

If I had an author of the year, I guess it would be Sarah Mackenzie. I honestly didn’t even realize at first that this book and the Read Aloud Family were the same author.

This was such an encouragement to read before we started homeschooling this year. Sarah gives practical advice while saturating the pages with Biblical encouragement.

This book for sure felt like I was talking over all the trials and triumphs of our homeschool journey with my best friend.

If you are about to start homeschooling, read this book.
If you are in the midst of your homeschool year, read this book!

You can purchase this book HERE!

6. M Is for Mama: A Rebellion Against Mediocre Motherhood by Abbie Halberstadt

Goodreads Book Description

“Mama of ten Abbie Halberstadt helps women humbly and gracefully rise to the high calling of motherhood without settling for mediocrity or losing their minds in the process.

Motherhood is a challenge. Unfortunately, our worldly culture offers moms little in the way of real help. Mamas only connect to celebrate surviving another day and to share in their misery rather than rejoice in what God has done and to build each other up in hard times.

There has a be a better way, a biblical way, for mamas to grow and thrive.

As a daughter of Christ, you have been called to be more than an average mama. Attaining excellence doesn’t have to be unsettling but it will take committed focus and a desire to parent well according to God’s grace and for His glory.

M is for Mama offers advice, encouragement, and scripturally sound strategies seasoned with a little bit of humor to help you embrace the challenge of biblical motherhood and raise your children with love and wisdom.

Mama, you are worthy of the awesome responsibility God has given you. Now it’s time to start believing you can live up to it.”

Why I Loved This Book

Holy gut punch. Like, really. This book wrecked me in the best way possible. It was convicting, challenging, and had me crying in repentance more than a few times.

But, that’s what makes this book so great. In the hard is the beauty of what we can become as mothers if we allow the Lord to work within us instead of bowing down to mediocre motherhood!

This book completely changed how I view my role as a mother and challenged me to take that role with every ounce of gratitude and honor I have.

I will definitely be reading this repeatedly.

If you are a Christian mama, you need to read this.
If you are an expecting Christian mama, you need to read this (I think this would make an excellent baby shower gift).

You can purchase this book HERE!

7. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

atomic habits book personal growth books

Goodreads Book Description

“No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving—every day. James Clear, one of the world’s leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.

If you’re having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don’t want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you’ll get a proven system that can take you to new heights.

Clear is known for his ability to distill complex topics into simple behaviors that can be easily applied to daily life and work. Here, he draws on the most proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible. Along the way, readers will be inspired and entertained with true stories from Olympic gold medalists, award-winning artists, business leaders, life-saving physicians, and star comedians who have used the science of small habits to master their craft and vault to the top of their field.

Learn how to:
– Make time for new habits (even when life gets crazy);
– Overcome a lack of motivation and willpower;
– Design your environment to make success easier;
– Get back on track when you fall off course;
…and much more.

Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits–whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, or achieve any other goal.”

Why I Loved This Book

Ok, truth bomb. I had this on my reading wish list for like 2-3 years before I finally read it (maybe even longer). It sounded good but I never actually made the move to purchase it.

I had acquired a lot of audible credits and figured it was time to cash in. I am so thankful I did.

This book was profoundly influential. I immediately implored my husband to read it too. We both would stand in the kitchen talking about how simple the tactics James described were, but how we had never thought to apply them before.

I can honestly say I would not have been able to cultivate our homeschool rhythm without the tools I learned in this book. It has also been life changing for how to better manage my ADHD when it comes to consistency – especially in writing!

If you have goals you are striving to achieve, then read this book.
If you want to build better habits but don’t know where to start, then this book is for you.
If you are in a leadership role and are looking to encourage your people, read this book!

Literally everyone should read this.

Grab your copy HERE!

Well, that’s all folks! These seven books profoundly changed my life in 2023 and I can confidently say they have made a lasting impression on me that will carry throughout the new year.

I would love to know your thoughts on these titles! Have you read any? Have a favorite? Any on your wishlist? Lets chat in the comments!

If you want to stay up to date with other Friday Fun + Favorite posts, make sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter HERE!

As always, thanks so much for being here! Want more? Check out my FREEBIES and other posts on the blog!

xoxo, Nicole

Categories: Faith

Introducing Theology Thursdays: Discovering The Heart Of Theology And Why It’s Essential to our Faith

Welcome to our Theology Thursday series!

I am so excited to have a space to nerd out over all things theology. This is where we’ll be exploring various aspects of theology and how it impacts our daily lives.

In this particular post, we are going to answer the fundamental question – what is theology? And, why is it important for us to have an understanding of it?

If you are a mother or a homemaker, you may wonder if studying theology is really necessary or even useful for you, since you have so many other responsibilities and demands on your time.

However, I believe that theology can enrich your life in ways you cannot imagine.

Why do I believe that?

Because I have experienced the transformative and lifegiving gift of knowing Jesus. I attended Moody Bible Institute as a Biblical Studies major because I wanted to know more about who God is, why that matters, and what that means for me.

Turns out, a lot.

This rich educational foundation couplerd with my own rebel heart background enables me to shed light on complex theological concepts in a way that’s approachable and relevant to your everyday experiences.

By sharing this knowledge, I aim to help you discover how theology can provide a meaningful framework for understanding and navigating the world around us.

So, let’s jump right into the discussion.

What is Theology?

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16

Theology simply means the study of God and His relationship with His creation. It is an academic discipline that involves critical thinking, research, and analysis of religious texts and traditions.

However, theology is not just an intellectual exercise but also a spiritual heart practice. It involves reflecting on the nature of God, exploring His attributes, and allowing our hearts to worship Him properly.

Theology seeks to understand both the revealed and hidden aspects of God, and how they impact our understanding of truth, morality, and purpose.

The term “theology” derives from two Greek words: “theos,” meaning God, and “logia,” meaning utterances, sayings, or oracles.

Thus, in its simplest form, theology translates to ‘the study of God.’

As Christians, our theology involves a deeper exploration into the beliefs, teachings, and history associated with the Bible .

Christian theology delves into the understanding and interpretation of the Bible, the nature of God, the person and work of Jesus Christ, and the role of humans in relation to God. It examines doctrines such as the Trinity, salvation, sanctification, and the end times.

Theology allows us to better comprehend the divine mysteries of our faith and apply these truths to our everyday lives, enriching our spiritual journey and enabling us to articulate our faith more effectively.

Our task is to ensure that our thoughts about God are informed, accurate, and respectful, seeking knowledge from scripture and discerning wisdom within our Christian community (more on how we do this practically below).

Most importantly, we want to constantly check our understanding of theology and our thoughts about God in relation to the person and character of Jesus.

The Heart of Theology

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT

Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus is a sure way to enable us to hold fast to a proper theology.

It is all too easy to take our understanding of God and misplace it with our feelings about God.

John Piper explains this detriment so eloquently (click here if you want to read more of his work);
"My feelings are not God. God is God. My feelings do not define truth. God’s word defines truth. My feelings are echoes and responses to what my mind perceives. And sometimes - many times - my feelings are out of sync with the truth. When that happens - and it happens every day in some measure - I try not to bend the truth to justify my imperfect feelings, but rather, I plead with God: Purify my perceptions of your truth and transform my feelings so that they are in sync with the truth."

In this quote, Piper reminds us that feelings can sometimes blur our understanding of God and His truth.

Therefore, when our emotions seem to conflict with God’s word, we should seek His guidance to align our feelings with His truth, not alter His truth to match our feelings.

This aligns with the heart of theology, which is to truly know and worship God according to His revelation of Himself, not our perception of Him.

That is why proper study of God’s word is so important.

Practical Theology

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1 NLT

Studying God’s Word involves a careful and deliberate approach to understanding the Scriptures. This process often involves two different approaches: exegesis and eisegesis.

Exegesis

Exegeis is the scholarly process of drawing out or interpreting the original meaning from the text based on its historical, societal, and linguistic context.

It requires understanding the author’s intention, the original audience, and the historical circumstances surrounding the text.

An exegetical study might involve researching the original languages, cultural norms of the time, and historical events that may have influenced the writing.

Isegesis

On the other hand, isegesis involves interpreting a text based on the reader’s personal ideas, biases, or presuppositions.

While God can use this approach to provide meaningful insights, it runs the risk of distorting the original message of the text.

As students of God’s Word, we should strive to practice exegesis and be aware of our own biases that could lead to eisegesis.

Context

Understanding the context of a Bible passage is crucial in correctly interpreting the text. This means understanding the broader themes and ideas of the book in which the passage is found, as well as the specific circumstances surrounding the passage.

This is why participating in Bible Study is so beneficial for believers. It allow us to perform proper exegesis and see God’s living and active word in timeless action.

As believers, we are all

We are all Theologians

All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.
1 John 4:15 NLT

But why does theology matter to us as homemakers, mothers, and women?

Although formal study can offer a structured understanding of God, it is not solely reserved for Bible scholars or those in ministry.

First and foremost, theology helps us form a deeper relationship with God. As we study the Scriptures, we learn more about God’s character, His ways, and His purposes.

This knowledge deepens our faith and trust in Him, which affects how we live our lives and make decisions. We become more mindful of His presence in our daily routine and more grateful for His blessings.

Theology shapes our worship of God in profound ways. Our worship becomes a thoughtful reflection of our belief—we sing, pray, and live in response to God’s revealed truth.

Thus, theology serves as the foundation of our worship, enabling us to worship God “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).

Consequently, a robust theology not only deepens our knowledge of God but also enriches our worship of Him.

Moreover, theology provides a framework for understanding reality and our place in it. It provides answers to the big questions like the meaning of life, the problem of evil, and the purpose of suffering.

As mothers, we are stretched emotionally and mentally by the daily demands of raising children in a fallen world.

As homemakers, we face numerous challenges every day – from mundane tasks like household chores to complex issues like managing relationships and personal growth.

In the face of these challenges, theology offers us a perspective that transcends our own experiences and enables us to see them as part of a bigger story. This perspective brings wisdom, comfort, and hope to our lives and hearts.

Mothering is now the mission field and Homemaking the art of worship.

Yes, mothers and homemakers and everyday women are just as much theologians as John Piper, because we all study God’s word.

Why Theology Matters

Theology matters because it provides a lens through which we interpret the world around us. It shapes our perceptions of truth, morality, and justice, influencing our interactions and relationships.

This matters because our study of God equips us to differentiate between absolute truths and societal norms, offering us a solid foundation in a world that is constantly shifting.

There is a reason Paul admonishes us to think of certain things, to guard our hearts and minds.

Theology gives depth to our understanding of Scripture, facilitating a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. It not only provides answers to our spiritual queries, but also guides us in our earthly journeys.

Hence, theology is not merely an academic discipline—it is a crucial aspect of our spiritual formation and personal growth.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, theology is not just an abstract academic discipline reserved for pastors and theologians. It is an essential practice that can enrich our daily lives, deepen our faith, and transform our worship.

As women and homemakers, we interact with God in unique ways and have a unique perspective on the world. By studying theology, we can deepen our understanding of God’s ways, find meaning and purpose in our daily routines, and help us on the missional motherhood field.

As we continue with the Theology Thursday series, we will dive deeper into the scriptures, doctrines, and really study God’s word!

What are you most excited for? What do you want to learn more about in this series?

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