Encouragement for Moms Archives

10 Bible Verses for the Grumpy Mama

August 14, 2018 by Gina Poirier 17 Comments

Feeling like a grumpy mama? I’ve created lists of Bible verses for FAST access when I need them most—whether I’m feeling grumpy, anxious, exhausted, overwhelmed, and a lot more. Sign up below for access to the whole collection.

You know what my favorite sound in the world is?

Three little voices talking—no, screeching—at the same time, arguing over whose turn it is to pick out a cartoon.

I also love the sounds of “uh oh” coming from the bathroom, of glasses of milk spilling onto my laptop, of Legos being dumped all over the floor, which I know will eventually implant themselves into the bottom of my bare foot.

You know, the sounds of my life. Grating music to my ears.

Do you ever feel like you want to just hide and disappear under 59 layers of blankets in the morning? Or maybe just go for a run…indefinitely? Or invent the 100 percent effective earplug? Maybe that’s just me…

I suppose it’s not my kids’ fault that I’m human, that I can only take so much chaos before I start to bark like a wounded animal. Some days I can keep my cool, but on other days I literally go into my room and start growling until I can get enough of it out of my system to compose myself again. This is a natural human response, correct?

I have issues.

This post was inspired by a grumpy mama day. Well, actually many grumpy mama days. I decided it would be a good idea to put a bunch of helpful scriptures into one place so that when I’m starting to lose it, I can find my ground again.

Can you relate? Then these are for you.

10 Bible Verses For the Grumpy Mama

On choosing joy and gratitude

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

This is one of my favorites—my kids and I memorized it together. It reminds us that while we can’t control our circumstances, we can nonetheless choose to give thanks, to pray and to find joy.

Philippians 4:4–7

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Again, in every situation we can choose to pray, be thankful and rejoice. This is so powerful when put into practice.

Galatians 5:22–23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

This helps remind me that I have a choice: I can give into my natural state of being, or I can rely on God’s Spirit.

2 Corinthians 13:11

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

God wants me to be at peace; I want to be joyful and to strive for love and peace within my home.

On praising God

Psalm 28:7

The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.

I just do so much better when I get the focus off myself and onto HIM.

Psalm 104:33–34

I will sing to the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
May my meditation be pleasing to him,
as I rejoice in the Lord.

By keeping my eyes on him, by literally singing to him, it’s hard to stay self-absorbed.

Isaiah 49:13

Shout for joy, you heavens;
    rejoice, you earth;
    burst into song, you mountains!
For the Lord comforts his people
    and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

God is there for me always; he knows how I feel.

On overcoming trials, big and small

James 1:2-3

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Wait, so working through all my issues makes me more “mature and complete”? That’s encouraging.

Psalm 126:5

Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.

I’ll remind myself of this the next time I’m throwing a mommy fit.

Habakkuk 3:17–18

Though the fig tree does not bud
    and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
    and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
    and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
    I will be joyful in God my Savior.

If this starving prophet can choose to rejoice, so can I, no matter how hard my day has been.

I hope you find these as uplifting as I have. Having read through them several times as I’ve prepared this post has made me feel more light-hearted. I recommend writing them down as you go through them, which can help you internalize what they’re saying. You can also pray through them.

Want to keep these verses handy? You can now download them in a printable form! Just click below:

If you enjoyed this study, you may also like other posts in my Mama Verses series.

What are your go-to scriptures when you’re feeling like a grumpy mama?

How to Beat Social Media Addiction and Break Up with Your Phone

August 1, 2018 by Gina Poirier 17 Comments

Social media addiction (and smartphone addiction in general) is almost normal these days.

As a mom I find myself wanting to reach for my phone when I should be more focused on my kids. I’m alarmed at how easy it is to slip into a potentially destructive habit unless I’m very deliberate about putting it to a stop.

We often reach for social media because we want an escape, when in reality the constant stimulation backfires and makes us more stressed. If you want to check out some healthier strategies for self-care, be sure to check out my self-care toolkit for Christian moms.

Paul Hanaoka

Disclosure: this post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission. See here for more information.

When my first son was born, it didn’t take long for me to figure out that being a mom involves this weird paradox: you are incredibly busy and exhausted on one hand, but on the other hand you can have long bouts of boredom and loneliness.

And if you’re a stay-at-home mom—especially one who came from the workforce—the lack of adult interaction and intellectual stimulation can make you slightly crazy.

I remember nursing my firstborn in the middle of the night, not wanting to fall asleep but not sure how to keep myself occupied. It was 2009 and I had this pretty slick little device—a first generation iPhone.

I caught up on all the latest news among my friends on Facebook. Back then, as I recall, it was pretty basic: just photos and status updates and that was about it. It didn’t take long for me to scroll through my entire newsfeed and realize that I had caught up on pretty much everything anyone had to share.

Flash forward several years later and I have this weird reflex. Any time I get a second to myself, I reach for my phone and wonder about what’s going on via Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Pinterest/Gmail/Wordpress. The amount of information available to consume has exploded, yet most of it lacks much value.

Social media and smartphones aren’t evil in and of themselves, but if I’m not careful I can be stuck to them throughout the day, which affects my productivity and focus on real-life relationships.

I know why I do it—I am addicted. Social media provides some of that mental and social stimulation I want, but too much of it is like binging on candy. The instant validation and stimulation you can get from your phone can release dopamine, which means you can actually get addicted to the pleasure.

Icky. I don’t need that much; I don’t want that much. But breaking the habit is hard.

I’ve been pondering social media addiction a lot lately, perhaps because the problem has worsened since I’ve been building my online business. I suddenly have every reason in the world to be constantly connected. But do I really need to be? There have to be times when I get a break.

Quitting social media or even taking an extended break isn’t an option for me right now. I don’t think it’s necessary either (although for some people it is highly effective). However, I have discovered some strategies of late that have been extremely helpful.

I feel more clear-headed and less…icky. Even when I don’t follow my rules exactly, having guidelines in place is helpful because it gives me a clear way out when I feel like social media addiction is overcoming me again. Here are several habit-breaking strategies, followed by ideas for what to do with yourself with down time instead of social media.

Ideas for Breaking Social Media Addiction

Define social media’s purpose

What is social media really useful for and what purpose does it have in your life? Spend some time thinking about this and write it down. I split my purposes into two categories—personal and business—and made lists. Referring to those lists helps me keep a healthy perspective.

Set daily limits

I have oner or two times a day set aside to sit down and work on social media. And then I get off so I can focus my attention elsewhere. Your day might look different than mine, but I highly recommend figuring out a limit that works for you. Maybe check your accounts once at lunchtime (10 minutes max), and again later in the day. Set a timer if it helps you.

Turn off notifications

Recently I turned off all of my phone’s push notifications, including email—what a relief! I also turned off most of my email notifications from my social media accounts. It’s a lot easier to stick to your limits when you’re not constantly being bombarded. Trust me, you won’t miss anything.

Use your computer instead of your phone

I’ve removed several social media apps from my phone and try to only use the ones that are left when I don’t have access to a computer. This naturally limits the urge to reach for my phone whenever I have a quiet moment.

Don’t check your phone first thing in the morning

This was another thing I used to do out of habit, thinking it would help me wake up. The problem is, when I check my phone first I start thinking about all the information I’m being bombarded with, which makes it really difficult if I want to start the day right—like focusing on prayer!

Here’s a little tip: plug in your phone at night across the room. That way it’s not a temptation when you go to bed or when you first wake up.

Define breaks and boundaries

For the most part I take a break from social media on Sundays and I’m trying to stay off my phone at night. We also don’t have phones at dinner, during family night or other times we connect as a family.

Things To Do Besides Social Media

Read

Who has time to read anymore? You do if you aren’t stuck on Facebook all day. I recently listened to this podcast from Read Aloud Revival about “cultivating a reading life.” When you’re filling up your mind with something substantial, social media is much less enticing. Audiobooks are another method to fit it more reading.

Listen to podcasts

This is so much more interesting than social media! Some of my favorites include Brilliant Business Moms, The Simple Show, and Mom Struggling Well.

Talk on the phone

To break your social media addiction, I never said you had to ditch the phone entirely! Use it the old-school way; call your sister or your mom or your friend and just connect with them. It’s a million times more refreshing than Facebook.

Journal

Even if you’re not a writer, jotting down your thoughts or your prayers has many benefits. (I happen to have a really awesome prayer journal you can download for free!)

Keep your hands busy

Figure out what works for you; some people like to crochet, draw, color or do puzzles and games. I like to play the piano if I have a few minutes. Personally I think it’s more fun when you can make something beautiful.

Start a garden

I have a really pitiful little garden, but when the weather is nice it’s a fun way to pass time when my kids are outside and they don’t need my direct attention.

Keep a paper planner

This is another way I can keep my hands busy and my mind occupied: planning my life! And it keeps me off the phone and helps me feel more accomplished. If you want to learn more about my planning systems check out The Ultimate Time Management Guide for Moms.

Pray or read your Bible

Need motivation? I have a free worksheet called “Let’s Get Motivated” along with lots of other faith-building tools in my Free Resource Collection. Click below to sign up!

Write cards or letters

Whether it’s someone’s birthday or just an opportunity to say you’re thinking about them, writing a card helps you be less self-focused and can be a great way to connect.

Read aloud with your kids

A lot of the books I’ve been digesting lately have been children’s literature. When do kids outgrow the need for you to read with them? Never! I’m loving Read Aloud Revival for some ideas about what to read. Here are also some ideas for books young kids can read to you.

Bake something

Better yet, bake something and give it away. It’s a great opportunity to get your kids engaged in loving others.

Work out

Breaking yourself of the social media habit requires discipline; I find that when I’m exercising regularly, I’m more disciplined in other areas too. These are still my favorite workouts for busy moms.

Follow real news

In other words, not (usually) news you find on Facebook. A couple of non-boring, balanced resources I’ve enjoyed recently include The Skimm and Pantsuit Politics.

Commit to learning a new skill or hobby

Do none of these things appeal to you? Then find something that does. Even if you don’t know how to do it yet, commit to learning it and fill in those “in between” times with mastering it.

I see people like me on their phones all the time. And I think social media addiction is sad when I consider how much of life we’re missing.

Don’t forget: sign up for the self-care toolkit if you want to work on healthier ways to fill up your tank.

What to you do to prevent social media addiction?

11 Bible Verses for the Exhausted Mama

May 22, 2018 by Gina Poirier 21 Comments

Are you an exhausted mama looking for some encouragement? Join the club! I originally posted this on 3/19/16, and due to its popularity I decided to update it. You can find a printable reference sheet for these Bible verses and many more as part of the mama verses collection, which you can access by clicking below. Enjoy!

This past week kicked my butt a little bit. Normally I don’t publish a new post on a Saturday, but well, here you go. It’s just part of the season I’m in right now. As are many of you.

While I’m not up at all hours of the night breastfeeding anymore, I remember all too well what that was like. And mastitis. Then croup. Stomach bugs. Crazy rashes. Even when the kids aren’t sick, there are project deadlines. Too many appointments. Potty training. A messy house. Little people to feed constantly. Family drama. Friend drama. Work piling up. Loneliness.

Us mamas be tired! EXHAUSTED!

I woke up Friday morning planning to go pray and work out. Nope. Not happening. My son, who had been vomiting all day the previous day, crawled into bed with me and I stroked his hair. Soon I had all three kids on top of me, squirming and competing with one another for the most comfy spot.

And while I wasn’t doing anything I had planned, and my daughter smelled of wet overnight diaper and little feet were not-so-gently jabbing my ribs, I decided to relish in that moment.

We mamas do holy work, you know. We need to remember that in the most mundane or even ugly moments, we are doing what is good. It’s inspiration in the everyday.

It took me about seven hours to feel awake, but I finally got to sit down and think about what encourages me when I’m feeling completely wiped out. I flipped through my falling-apart Bible, the one with bent pages and the out-of-date translation, and found my favorite Bible verses. The ones with smudged ink and lopsided stars and long sections underlined.

These Bible verses have been a breath of fresh air to me during tired times, and I hope they are to you too. All verses are from the NIV.

On Finding Rest

Matthew 11:28–29

Come to me [Jesus], all you 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.

Rest starts with turning to Jesus.

Isaiah 40:30–31

Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

God is like a mother eagle who takes me on her wings and teaches me to fly.

Psalm 62:5–6

Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

Repeat: I will not be shaken.

On Perseverance

James 1:2–4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

A rough day? I must be growing.

Romans 12:1

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

When I feel like I’m sacrificing everything? I am worshiping God.

Romans 5:3–5

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Yep I’m growing. And there’s hope.

2 Corinthians 4:16

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

And each day is a new one, amen.

On Finding Strength

2 Corinthians 12:9–10

But [God] 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

My times of weakness are when God’s strength shines through.

Philippians 4:4–7

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Prayer. And the peace of God.

Hebrews 6:10

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

God sees when I’m changing diapers and cleaning up vomit and cooking meal after meal. And he won’t forget.

Psalm 46:10

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

To be still is to stop stressing. Because God is God.

Want to keep these Bible verses handy? You can now download them in a printable form! Just click below:

What are your go-to scriptures when you’re feeling exhausted?

To the Mom in Survival Mode: You’re Stronger Than You Think

March 28, 2018 by Gina Poirier 16 Comments

Dear mom in survival mode,

I know you. Some days you like to wear sunglasses so no one can see those red, puffy eyes.

Maybe you were crying on the way to your kid’s soccer game because you just couldn’t take it that morning. You slept in, the kids fought, you were running late. At least in the car you could turn up the music, take a few deep breaths, release those tears so that you could pull yourself together.

Maybe you got so little sleep last night that you’re not even sure whether it’s safe for you to drive. You were up all night with the baby. Or with the sick kid. Or with your worries.

Maybe you’ve got the kid with all of the “issues.” Health issues. Behavior issues. Issues that no one seems to understand. Your family can’t do normal things because your child simply can’t handle it. You’re exhausted from the appointments with the specialists. You wonder about who’s passing judgment.

Maybe you’re the one with all of the “issues.” Physical issues. Mental health issues. You know you need to take care of yourself but there are so many needs that come before your own. You can’t get rest when there are mouths that need sandwiches and scraped knees that need bandaging.

Maybe you’re wondering about your marriage. How you got to be just roommates, or why you keep having the same fight over and over and over.

Maybe you’re worried about your best friend, or your sister. She texts you late at night about the years-long fight she’s having with her husband. Is she crazy? She asks you. She’s scared. Should she leave him? You’re at a loss for helpful advice.

Maybe you’re the one in a years-long fight. With your husband, your mother, your sibling.

Maybe you’re looking around your house, wondering when it’s ever going to be clean, or when that remodel is ever going to be done, or when you’ll finally be unpacked from the move that was many months ago. You don’t have the time or energy to work on it, and yet you push. Push. Push yourself.

Maybe your child is going through a tough phase. They’re making shocking decisions. They know better than that. But they’re becoming their own people, and you have to let them fall. It’s terrifying.

Maybe you’re grieving. You’re numb one minute, sobbing the next. Everyone wants to help and is worried about you, but there’s nothing they can do to return what was lost. You are finding healing, but there are moments when the wound is just raw all over again.

Maybe your workload is suffocating you, whether it’s your job, your side projects, or facilitating your kids’ education and activities. Some days you look at your schedule and you feel like you can conquer the world. Other days, you just want to toss your planner across the room. (Or maybe you can’t even find it or haven’t used it in weeks. Or ever.)

Maybe someone you care about deeply is hurting. That friend who can’t get pregnant, the one who lost a child, the one who’s stumbling through a divorce, the one who is battling cancer. You desperately want to be there for them but you’re not even sure how to begin to help.

Maybe you’re stressed about your cash flow. There are days when you wonder when you’ll ever feel like you have enough. Enough to pay the bills, enough to tuck into savings, enough to throw a good birthday party, enough for that surprise expense you know you should have planned for better.

You relish in those moments when you can just get away. To go out with your girlfriends, your husband, or just be by yourself. You feel guilty from wanting to escape your kids so badly, yet at the same time you know it’s exactly what you need.

You feel guilty. Your life isn’t so bad, you remind yourself. There are many others who are suffering so much more than you. You grasp for joy and gratitude, you pray, you lean into your faith. You do everything right. And yet you have a lot of days when you need to hide those puffy eyes behind your sunglasses.

You’re tired. Really tired.

Let me tell you something, sister.

You are a phenomenal person. Yes, you.

You work so hard. And no one really understands all the crazy little details that go into a single day in your unique situation, and probably never will. Even when you’re relaxing, your mind is always churning, worrying, planning.

And do you know why?

Because you love these people. You adore your kids and your spouse, even when they make you absolutely bonkers. You’re crazy about your friends, your parents, your siblings. You’d go to the moon and back for them, even if you’re infuriated with them.

You do holy work. All. The. Time.

Of course you’re exhausted. Because even though everyone tells you that you need a break, this job of loving never stops.

Yes you need to take care of yourself, so go do that. Go get that manicure, splurge on the latte, bring home that bottle of wine for Tuesday night. But you know as well as I do that you’re going to go right back to it all: pouring yourself out for everyone, day and night, until you literally have nothing left to give.

That’s just the way it is.

Be proud of yourself, friend. You are a warrior, a woman of strength; you are going to get wounded. But you’re going to be okay.

If you have faith, continue to cling to it. And someday, when those babies have babies who have babies, you’ll get to look back and know that it all mattered. Every tear, every sleepless night.

You got this.

:::

Need a break that will fill you up? Let me help you. Click below for a checklist and life-giving strategies.

How are you feeling today, mama? If you’re in survival mode, what’s one thing you could do to be kind to yourself?

10 Encouraging Bible Verses for the Overwhelmed Mama

February 1, 2018 by Gina Poirier 10 Comments

When you’re a mom of young kids, “overwhelmed” can feel like a state of being. Since we’re constantly meeting others’ needs without always filling up our own tanks, it doesn’t take much for us to snap in anger or pass out in complete exhaustion. Encouraging Bible verses, anyone? Yes, please!

The other day I was going through an old journal and came across an entry over three years old. At the time, I had a 4-year-old, a 2-year-old and an infant:

Dear God,
Today was hard. A lot of days are hard. And then I feel guilty for thinking they’re hard.
Because I know my life is good. Incredibly good. I wouldn’t change a thing.
And so I just keep wrestling with my thoughts, one day after another. I grin and bear it through all the poop messes and the tantrums and the moments when I cry because I can’t find my keys and I just want to run away to somewhere very quiet.
Lord, you know me better than I know myself. I try to cling to you in all my desperate moments, even though I feel like I can’t see straight.
What am I doing? Today I feel anxious, uncertain, flustered, overwhelmed, impatient, desperate, angry, fearful and exhausted.
Help me…

It broke my heart when I read this again, even though I knew that I would obviously pull through and we would all be fine. That was a really hard year for me. I felt desperately lonely and may have even been dealing with some postpartum depression.

How did I ever pull through?

It was around that time that I started a very simple practice that kept me grounded in truth rather than the lies of inadequacy that were swirling around in my head. I took a handful of 3×5 notecards and wrote out my favorite encouraging Bible verses on them. I left them in a highly visible place on the countertop in the kitchen. Every time I was having a “mommy moment,” I would whip out those cards and start flipping through them until a found a few that anchored my soul just enough so that I could face the next chaotic moment without screaming.

It didn’t take long before I had most of them memorized. And they remain my go-to verses when I just need to get my head on straight.

10 Encouraging Bible Verses for the Overwhelmed Mama

Brigitte Tohm

I’ve compiled many of my favorites in previous verses, which are now in a popular series of lists of encouraging Bible verse posts I call Mama Verses. It seemed only appropriate to add “overwhelmed” to the list!

Want a printable list of these verses for overwhelmed moms and more? You can find them in my free resource collection.

Finding Strength in God

In general, I get most overwhelmed when I’m leaning on my own ability and strength to get through a chaotic day. It never works. Here are some powerful yet encouraging Bible verses that remind me to rely on God for my strength.

Psalm 63:1

You, God, are my God,
    earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
    my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
    where there is no water.

When I am feeling completely burnt out and overwhelmed, I have to remind myself that what I’m really thirsty for is the Lord. I need to do whatever I can to fill myself up with him.

Psalm 42:11

Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.

Putting hope in God is the only true remedy to a downcast soul.

Acts 4:13

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

This is becoming a new favorite of mine; I recommend reading the whole passage to understand the context better. We don’t have to be super moms in order to live courageous, meaning lives; we just need to hang out with Jesus!

Trusting God

Believing in God and trusting in God are two related but separate things. I might know in my head that I need to rely on his strength, but if I’m not entrusting my burdens to him, I will only continue spinning my wheels.

Psalm 68:19

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens.

Read it: this says God is here for me daily. Do I believe it and turn to him?

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

No matter how hard it gets or how overwhelmed I feel, this truth reminds me that there is a bigger picture I might not see.

Waiting on God

I may rely on God and trust him, but sometimes I still have to wait. He never promises that life will be easy, and sometimes I have to be patient before I see answers to my prayers. These encouraging Bible verses remind me that waiting is not a bad thing.

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.

Be strong! Take heart! And wait. He’ll come through.

Psalm 37:7

Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.

It’s easy to get worked up and fret over all the things. But here and in many other places, God says “be still.”

Galatians 6:9

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

That has to be one of the most encouraging verses in the whole Bible! Don’t give up!

Seeking Help

Don’t you sometimes wish Jesus would just appear in the flesh and give you direct advice (along with a big hug)? Well if that ever happens, I don’t think I need to be worrying about much of anything anymore 🙂 But in the meantime…we’re not alone. God puts people in our lives for a reason.

Galatians 6:2

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

We mamas are carrying a lot of burdens. Other people are not only commanded to help you; they usually want to! We just have to be humble enough to ask: for babysitting, for help with meals, cleaning, you name it.

Ephesians 4:15–16

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

We need each other. Someday, when your life isn’t so crazy chaotic, you’ll be able to pay it forward to some other overwhelmed mom.

These encouraging Bible verses have saved my life; I hope they are able to help you too.

By the way, you know that journal entry I mentioned at the beginning? It ended with this:

You are good, God. You love me, you help me, and that’s all I need to know. Thank you. Amen.

Want to keep these verses handy? You can now download them in a printable form! Just click below:

What helps you when you feel overwhelmed as a mom? Please leave a comment here or on social media.

Note: all scriptures used in this post are NIV.

Yes, You’re Failing at Parenting (and Why That’s a Good Thing)

January 18, 2018 by Gina Poirier Leave a Comment

I killed the family fish last weekend. It has felt like one of my worst moments as a parent.

I was trying to do everything right. Fifty percent water change, wiping off the algae. Temperature regulation, gentle handling, water conditioner. Check, check, double check.

Rudy, our adolescent betta who hadn’t even grown his long fins yet, apparently didn’t like it. He died in protest within three hours.

I was devastated.

Being a pet murderer is bad enough as it is. But I thought of my tender-hearted boy, James, who was sleeping along with his siblings at the time I discovered the untimely death. I thought of the way his shoulders shook when he sobbed at the loss of the last fish, who had been our companion for many months.

I had failed him as a parent. My incompetence was making him suffer.

Senjuti Kundu

These moments, as much as I try to laugh about them in retrospect, are humbling. As I tossed and turned in my bed, thinking about the dead fish in the tank, I fought away tears. I couldn’t help but wonder…if I fail at the little things, how can I handle the big ones?

I know I can’t be a perfect parent. We all do. But maybe instead of trying to brush off my shortcomings, I should embrace them head-on.

I’m failing at parenting. All the time.

From losing my temper to fish murder, I fail. I wound tender hearts and chip away at their innocence. And yet in spite—no because—of this, we are all the better because it reminds me that I am not Jesus. What a relief.

It was morning. I gently lifted poor Rudy’s tiny stiff body from the tank into a small plastic cup. He had been full of life just 12 hours before. I dreaded the next step: waking the kids and starting the day with the sordid news. My husband Marc wanted to participate in the bathroom flush funeral before he left for work.

“Why did he have to die?” James asked tearfully. But not sobbing.

Because Mommy is stupid and she killed him. Did I say that out loud?

“God decided it was his time,” Marc said candidly but gently. “We don’t know all the reasons.”

James handled this loss better than the last one. (They’re tougher than we think, you know.) A few tears fell, hugs were exchanged, and he acknowledged the way of the world. He’s starting to understand death, suffering and the consequences of the fall, whether they result from my mistakes or someone else’s.

Incidentally, after a call to the pet shop, the diagnosis was that I had overdone the tank cleaning. As hard as I had tried to get it just right, I had removed too much of the bacteria in the environment, and the fish had gone into shock.

Imagine that. Death from being too clean. It’s not the first time that trying so hard to attain purity on my own strength has backfired.

As hard as I try, I can’t protect my kids from my shortcomings and failures. But through my weaknesses, God reveals a little bit of himself.

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
—2 Corinthians 12:9

James didn’t blame me. I held him tenderly as we cried. My mistake revealed truth and brought us closer together.

And that is how God works through our brokenness, that his strength, through love, might pull us closer to him and one another.

Heaven forbid we should ever get a dog.

Your turn: do you ever feel like you’re failing at parenting? How can you change your perspective?

My Home Workout Routine: How Fitness Blender Gets My Mommy Butt in Shape

January 11, 2018 by Gina Poirier 21 Comments

Hey friends! Are you looking for an effective home workout routine that works well with a busy schedule?

I’ve been using Fitness Blender for several years. I’m a big believer in being a good steward of your body and the rewards that you will reap, and this program has been such a blessing to me that I can’t help but share about it. Try it out!

Fitness is just one important piece of self-care. If you’re looking for ways to improve your physical, mental and spiritual health, check out my self-care checklist and other resources:

At church recently a young man came up to me and asked me about about my athletic “glory days.” Yeah, for real. Apparently he had been talking to my husband, who told him about my high school soccer days as well as my diving-for-ultimate-frisbee-just-for-fun days in my early 20s. I admit, I was competitive…but that was also over a decade ago.

Now that I’m in my cough ~~early~~ mid-30s, it’s hard to imagine throwing my body around in that way without also imagining the ensuing very expensive trips to the chiropractor, massage therapist, and possibly orthopedic surgeon.

Three pregnancies were rough on my body. The pulled muscles, broken fingers and sprained ankles at the height of athleticism don’t even compare.

After my third baby, I had chronic back pain—it was too painful to run like I used to. I did some home stretching and strengthening home workout videos when I could fit them in a few times a week, but they weren’t enough. I remember one time when I played in a recreational volleyball game and had to lie down the rest of the day from the strain.

What had happened to me? I saw chiropractors and physical therapists, and nobody could diagnose anything other than my core muscles were weak. I made annoyingly slow progress.

Something had to change. The longer I’ve been a parent, the more I’ve come to believe that my physical health is a vital if I’m going to do my job as a mom well. What’s more, it’s very closely linked to my emotional and spiritual well-being—and I have a responsibility to take care of the gift of my health. I needed a new plan that I could work into a my very busy life. Not any easy task to accomplish!

Fortunately, I found something is effective, affordable and simple enough to implement for a busy mama: FitnessBlender.com

Disclosure: this post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission. See here for more information. This is NOT a sponsored post for Fitness Blender; I just think they’re pretty awesome.

My Mom-Friendly Home Workout Routine

Before I get on with this review, I thought I’d point out that motivation can play a big part in following through with your fitness goals, obviously. Check out How To Be Motivated Based on Your Personality Type to learn what might work for you.

When my daughter was about two years old, I started trying out some free videos on YouTube from a website called FitnessBlender.com. It’s run by husband and wife team Daniel and Kelli. Their videos are friendly, fun and accessible to everyone.

I liked the free videos so much that I decided to try their scheduled home workout routines. I had never seriously tried strength training before, and I was hoping this home workout routine would be my ticket to feeling good again.

It was. I took personal fitness tests to track my progress. After just six months of training I could:

Run mile in 6:49.
Do 24 pushups.
Hold an elbow plank for 2:02 (after running a mile and doing pushups!).
Do 89 uninterrupted squats (don’t ask me to do it again though!).

While I only lost a couple of pounds (wasn’t trying to lose weight anyway), I built muscle mass and lost 1.5 inches from my waistline!

My back pain started to diminish and gradually got under control as a result of strength training. That’s the part I’m most excited about.

So what is it about this program that has me raving about it? (By the way, this is NOT a sponsored post; nor I am I affiliated with Fitness Blender, it’s just an honest review!) I can break it down into a few components:

1. Time-effectiveness

My favorite program is called FB30 – 8 Week Fat Loss For Busy People. (Now there are three of them!) With this plan you can plan on working out for around thirty minutes a day or less, five days a week. Sometimes I skip one and do just four—shhh don’t tell them! This can sound like a lot if you’re not in the habit of setting that time aside, but consider that even the US government recommends 2.5 hours a week of “moderate-intensity” physical activity (source).

I usually get my workouts in during the morning. I try to finish before the kids wake up, but on the days when I start late, they will come downstairs and watch me—or even try to imitate it themselves. They’re my mini trainers :).

2. Strength Training

As I said, I had never done any strength training prior to trying this home workout routine. The health benefits of strength training are numerous. Daniel and Kelli teach you everything you need to know to build lean muscle (and burn fat). If you follow one of their programs, they will help you know how to target different muscle groups as well has how to pace yourself. They will also teach your proper form, which is essential for you to achieve the best results as well as prevent injury.

This component has been the game-changer for me. It wasn’t until I started lifting weights that I started noticing significant improvements in my back pain, not to mention overall posture and muscle tone.

3. Variety

At Fitness Blender they are pretty vocal about how they dislike cardio equipment, mostly because it’s boring and ineffective. With their programs you’ll learn a large variety of circuit cardio exercises, including HIIT (high-intensity interval training). It keeps your mind and body engaged. Even if you’re new to fitness, they provide alternatives to help you move at your own pace. I’ve been doing this home workout routine for several years, and I haven’t gotten bored yet!

4. Convenience

All you need for these at-home workouts is a computer with Internet connection and a small space. If you’re serious you’ll want some basic equipment like cross-training shoes, an exercise mat and some weights. Right now I just have a few dumbbells (3 pounds, 5 pounds, 10 pounds and 15 pounds). In the videos they use PowerBlock dumbbells, which seem like the most space- and cost-effective option. I’ve still got my eye on them for the future, but in all honesty the hand weights are just fine for my fitness goals.

5. Positive Message

This is straight from their website:

We started Fitness Blender because we believe that fitness should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their income. We also felt like there was a lack of reliable health and fitness information on the web, and too many people in the industry were more focused on appearance than they were on good health.

Health is what they are all about. They walk the walk and talk the talk, in their videos and on social media. A lot of other fitness programs focus on physical appearance, but they say time and again that superficial motivation isn’t what matters.

6. Cost Effectiveness

You can access any of Fitness Blender’s videos for free. If you want to download one of their programs (highly recommended), you pay less than $15 for eight weeks of training (and you can use it over and over again!). Yeah. Break out your piggy bank.

Who needs a gym membership anymore?

I highly recommend this home workout routine website to anyone, and especially busy moms. You can work their plans around your lifestyle and your fitness level.

What works (or doesn’t work) when it comes to home workout routines and your personal fitness? Leave a comment!

Word of the Year: 5 Ways I’m Choosing CONNECTION

January 4, 2018 by Gina Poirier 2 Comments

It was a fall afternoon as I talked on the phone with my friend and mentor and I realized that I was going to have a big cry.

Sob-fests don’t scare me like they used to, and so I let the tears come. I sat in my feelings for about a week, observing, analyzing, praying.

And the diagnostic word began to surface: disconnected.

The conversation that had started my self-examination was about how I was feeling about some of my relationships in church. Disconnected. But then that feeling started to spill over into other areas of my life: work, parenting, finances. Disconnected. Much of how I had spent my time and energy in recent months was mechanical, and whenever I hit a hiccup, my reaction was to disengage, disconnect. I was more interested in checking boxes and crossing items off lists than I was in getting down on my knees, digging in, getting real and getting dirty.

It was humbling when I was honest with myself. I dropped a few more tears and came to peace with my weakness.

And then I decided to take action. We were heading into the holiday season and I knew that I wanted to shift my focus in the New Year (and even before).

I’ve never done a “word of the year” before with much success. Pick one word that is supposed to guide my life for a whole year? It has felt arbitrary, and honestly a bit contrived.

Maybe I’ll feel that way at the end of this year.

Nonetheless, I’ve learned a lot about goal-setting recently, and so at least for this year, a word that provides singular focus makes sense.

Connection. I put it up in my kitchen: my command center, the heart of my home, family and work space. I pass it multiple times a day, and it keeps me centered when I’m pouring milk, writing out my schedule or filing away receipts.

I think I’m onto something here with this word of the year business.

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. See here for more information.

5 Ways I’m Practicing Connection as “Word of the Year”

A word like this is inspirational on my kitchen wall, sure, but it’s empty without any way to put it into practice. Perhaps that’s why “word of the year” never really worked well for me in the past; I didn’t have any practical way to put it into practice day in and day out.

And while it would be ironically self-defeating if I watered down my word into a bunch of checklist items, I have spent many hours over the last several weeks mapping out exactly what practicing connection looks like. (I chose Cultivate What Matters PowerSheets this year to help me “make it happen.”)

1. Connection in My Home

I’ve actually done decently in this area, as I’ve worked steadily on decluttering and organizing over the past few years. But where I feel like I’d like to connect more is making my home…a home. A haven.

Three, maybe four years ago, we had the toilet and bathtub replaced in our main floor bathroom. We intended to finish remaking the whole room with new paint, laying tile that we already own, and replacing vanity and the linens. Surely this is not a terribly difficult task.

It’s years later, my friends. Years. I have made zero progress. I felt overwhelmed and uninspired by the project so I disconnected myself from it. We never budgeted for it. I was hoping my husband might take the lead, but it’s just not a high priority to him.

If it’s gonna happen, I must set it in motion.

I’m setting small, attainable goals. I’ll start with a Pinterest board. I’ll make a budget. I’ll block out a Saturday pick out some paint. And step-by-step, we’ll move forward.

And this is how I want to approach alllll of those little things in my home that just make it a little bit lovelier to be in. Connecting, step by step.

2. Connection in My Family

I homeschool my three kids. We have a good routine and rhythm in our home, which I love, but at the same time I can feel a little…checked out. And my kids can feel it.

This year it’s my goal to be intentional about each of my kids’ love languages (as well as my husband’s). I get one-on-one time with at least one of them each week. During that time I’m going to talk through with them what helps them feel loved, and then I’m going to do it! (My quality time kid will be thrilled.) My goal is to collect and record words, photos and mementos from our times together throughout the year. By Christmas, I’ll have a unique gift for each of them that commemorates how our relationship grew this year.

(I love these 25 love language ideas for kids.)

3. Connection in My Work

Last year was a huge year for me in my online business. I took some courses and worked hard to grow my audience, and I put together some digital products that I’m really proud of.

At the same time, by the end of the year I was feeling exhausted with it and, naturally, a little disconnected from my purpose. I’d gotten lost in numbers and productivity, which is the exact opposite of the message I want to communicate!

While I still have number goals, I’m much more interested in narrowing my focus this year and connecting with you. In my stress management course, Chaos to Calm (which I plan to open for enrollment in May), I’ll be doing more live and interactive coaching. In the Wiping Noses for Jesus is Legit Facebook Group, I’m going to be interacting more frequently and strategically to get to know you. As for the blog, I’m hoping to open up a bit more and sharing posts just like this one, where I worry less about the perfect title or presentation and just share my heart.

4. Connection in My Community

It’s hard to stay connected in friendships when you’re in this stage of life. It’s something I’ve continued to battle with, and I feel like I want to engage in my friendships in a deeper and more authentic way.

In addition to some changes in the small group I’m a part of at church, my personal prayer this year is to deepen three of my friendships. I know that’s a bit vague, but practically speaking what this looks like for me is choosing one person in my life whom I will pray for daily over the course of a week. I’m not sure where that will lead, but I’ll bet it will be pretty great.

Another goal is to bridge the gap between my online ministry and my “real-life” one. My hope is that by the fall I’ll be able to gather a group of women together in person to explore some of the topics I’m passionate about, particularly biblical stress management and rest.

5. Connection with God

I’ve actually grown a lot in this area over the past couple of years, particularly in the way I pray, but I know how easy it is to get complacent, lazy and disconnected.

A few years ago I started the practice of writing the Scriptures that spoke to me most on my hard days on notecards and putting them on my kitchen counter. After a time, most of them were memorized.

But then at some point I either misplaced or damaged the cards, and I fell out of the habit. I’m finding that I’m getting slower at recalling the verses I once knew so well. So this year I’m getting back into the habit, and my goal is to memorize one Bible verse a week. And this time I won’t throw out the cards!

There are a few other goals I’m working towards in business, finance, family and even having fun (like reading more fiction and learning to make sourdough!). I might reach them and I might not…but the point with my word of the year is to maintain the right perspective. No matter what I do, I am choosing connection over checklists and processes and perfection?

Have you picked a word of the year? I’d love to hear it and how you plan to live it out in the comments.

And if you need help learning how to map out some of your goals, be sure to check out this free resource, which is part of the free collection I offer for subscribers:

To purposeful living this year,

10 Bible Verses about Anxiety—for the Mama Who Fears Failure

August 17, 2017 by Gina Poirier 2 Comments

Looking for some easy-to-access Bible verses about anxiety? These verses are a big comfort to me. You can grab the printable download in my Mama Verses collection by clicking below.

I never really considered myself a very anxious person. As a mom of three I juggle a lot of responsibilities and have a lot I can worry about on a daily basis, but I’ve never suffered from panic attacks or been completely debilitated by anxiety.

Or have I?

Recently I was conversing with some awesome women in the Wiping Noses for Jesus is Legit Facebook Community. It dawned on me that my anxiety comes in the form of a “hum.” It’s always there. Do you relate? Regardless of how the anxiety presents itself, I think most moms are anxious about something pretty regularly.

My anxiety is based in fear. Fear of failure. Fear of letting others down. Fear of letting myself down. Fear that, if I let go of one of the balls I’m juggling, all the rest will come crashing down.

It’s one thing to know intellectually that I need not waste my limited mental energy on worry…but it’s another thing to internalize this in my soul.

Handing over my anxiety to God isn’t a “one and done” procedure. It’s a process that is so far lasting…pretty much forever.

The stakes are big though. With every anxious thought, I deny myself the opportunity to trust in my God. And that hurts.

And so I just keep learning to rewire my brain. And the best way to do that is through learning—and relearning—scriptures like these.

10 Bible Verses about Anxiety—for the Mama Who Fears Failure

Finding Comfort

Finding comfort in God and the relationships you trust can be a great place to start when you’re anxious and worried because sometimes what you need most is a shoulder to cry on.

Do you ever think that God is disappointed in you because of your anxiety, or do you feel guilty about it? These verses will help you cast that guilt aside.

Isaiah 66:13

As a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you…

I love this image of God. As a mother, whenever my children are anxious or worried, my response isn’t disappointment in them for not having a better attitude or more faith in me as their parent. When I’m upset, God feels the same way and wants to draw me nearer to him.

Psalm 94:19

When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy.

Again, we see that God brings consolation, not disappointment or judgment on us when we worry—and that is something to be excited about!

Proverbs 12:25

Anxiety weighs down the heart,
but a kind word cheers it up.

I’m tempted to be hard on myself when I get anxious and wish I would just get over it. Maybe I just need to be a little kinder and more understanding towards myself. It helps when I seek kind words, from God as well as from the people in my life who can lift me up.

2 Corinthians 1:3–5

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.

We see yet again that God is a God of comfort and is there for us in ALL of our troubles. What’s inspiring about this is that when we get through trials and anxiety and find comfort in God and his word, we can then turn around and pass on that comfort to others.

Relying on God’s Strength

When I’m upset, I naturally turn to self-reliance. Keep a stiff upper lip and keep on pushing, I tell myself. This is, in fact, a quick way to make matters worse. I am not as strong as I like to think, and I will mess up. No, it’s a much better idea to refocus my thoughts on my true source of strength.

Matthew 6:25–34

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Note that Jesus doesn’t say, “Try harder” or “Pray harder.” When we’re anxious and worried, the better option is to remind ourselves of what is true; God knows exactly what we need and he has our backs. Because of this, we can live in the moment and not stress out about what’s coming down the pipe.

Mark 13:11

Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

Get this; whatever trial we might be going through—maybe not a literal court trial, but a trial nonetheless—we have the Holy Spirit to guide us. I.E. the God of the universe can literally treat us like a puppet and speak through us. Yet how much time to I spend rehearsing conversations in my head, when it makes very little to no difference? Something to think about.

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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

If you’ve read a lot of my “Mama Verses” posts, then you might notice that this scripture is a go-to for me time and again. It just sums it all up: my weaknesses are an opportunity for God’s power to prevail. So what do I have to worry about?

Wrestling in Prayer

As I mentioned above, dealing with anxiety is not a “one and done” procedure. Rather, in addition to filling my head with words of truth, I constantly have to wrestle in prayer to get my heart in closer alignment with God’s.

Psalm 139:23

Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Have you ever actually prayed this prayer? It makes me nervous, to be honest. I don’t know if I want God to “search me” and “test me.” It isn’t easy, but by really letting God in, my anxious thoughts start to unravel.

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

You may have heard this one…but it’s a popular go-to verse because it’s exactly what we need to do. In everything, in every anxiety-producing situation, we are told we must PRAY.

1 Peter 5:6–7

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

This is another popular verse and for good reason. But I think I have too often focused on the second part without letting the first part really sink in. In order to “cast all your anxiety on him,” you first must humble yourself. That means admitting failures and weaknesses and hot messes freely—and letting them go. And in due time, he WILL lift you up.

Well I don’t now about you, but I suddenly feel the urge to go pray! Admittedly, I don’t think my anxiety problem is completely under control. And it probably never will be. But, I’ve got some pretty powerful tools and truths in my arsenal in the battle against worry. What about you?

Remember, grab your free printable list of these verses and more in my free resource collection.

Do you have any favorite Bible verses about anxiety? Please share them!

Wiping Noses for Jesus Is Legit

July 21, 2017 by Gina Poirier 20 Comments

Struggling to find your purpose in motherhood? Find out more why wiping noses for Jesus is legit by signing up free printables, devotionals and more for Christian moms, plus a thriving Facebook community.

Photo by Jordan Whitt on Unsplash

“I don’t know if I can do this EVERY DAY. This just feels like too much.”

I stared out the window and uttered these words silently, trying to push back the tears. For probably the millionth time.

My kids, clueless, continued to argue over whose turn it was to play with the thing or who had claim to the last cookie in the pantry. It was our first day of homeschooling, and it was disastrous. I had visions of happy kids, excited to set our academic year off right.

Nice thought.

No more than a few minutes in, I started having serious doubts about my life decisions.

I’ve sacrificed a lot. I left my career and other meaningful pursuits with my life. Now my personal ambitions move forward at a snail’s pace, if at all (if not backwards). Like many of you, I look back on some days when the house is a disaster and wonder, what did I even do today?

I remember what it used to feel like to have extra income that didn’t get sucked into feeding tiny bottomless pits and supplying them with bunk beds and soccer cleats. We used to go out to eat a lot more. We used to give a lot more away.

Before kids, I thrived in ministry work. My husband Marc and I moved to Alaska and helped launch a campus ministry; we met with people multiple times a week just to talk about the Bible. They changed their lives; we continued to serve; we engaged in the community and gave people hope. It wasn’t always easy, but it seemed obvious that what we were doing was important. We could see the results. The people we built that community with back then are still dear friends today.

I said goodbye to that lifestyle prayerfully and with my eyes wide open. I knew that for me, leaving the workforce and the ministry we had been a part of was what would be best for our kids. Not everyone understood our decisions, but we plunged ahead.

Years later, I drive by the local elementary school where my kids could be attending if we didn’t homeschool and wonder…maybe I need more of a break. I see the professional attire that I don’t need on sale at the mall and muse…it would feel good to wear that. I see the needs at church and in my community and think…I would love to be able to do more.

Of course, I love my kids and I love my life. If you’re in this season with me, you feel me on this. I don’t wrestle so much with my love and dedication to them…but I wrestle with a nagging feeling. It lingers on days when I’m wiping noses, changing diapers, dusting curtains and fixing broken toys. It pesters me when I’m saying no to commitments and stepping down from responsibilities I can no longer handle.

The Lie…and the Truth

Somewhere along this journey, I internalized a false message. It goes something like this: I’m in a season (that part’s true). But it’s a less important season than the other seasons when I can serve more, give more, be more. In other words, my life and my purpose get put on hold when my kids are at home.

Insert record scratch sound here.

What a horrible lie. Left unrecognized it could derail my calling as a mother.

I heard a sermon recently that left me in tears because it exposed this lie at its core. The message was about God’s plan to reach the world. I was expecting to hear a lot about the call to serve the poor, to invite our neighbors to church, to preach the good news and make disciples of all nations. I’ve heard all of that before, quite a bit.

I prepared to start feeling a little guilty. Because you know, kids get in the way of all of that.

Instead, we looked through multiple passages throughout the Old and New Testaments about what the speaker called “generational evangelism.” From the time of the Israelites to the time of the apostles, the instructions were pretty clear:

It started with one couple, Abraham and Sarah:

I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
—Genesis 12:2
Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.
—Genesis 18:18–19

And God worked through their descendants, calling them out of Egypt and reminding them not to forget their purpose:

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.
—Deuteronomy 4:9

While again and again God’s people fell short and rebelled, God’s plan remained. The call was still clear:

One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.
—Psalm 145:4

It was central to the message up to the last prophet of the Old Testament, pointing towards the coming of the Messiah:

See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents…
—Malachi 4:5–6

The Messiah came. The Gospels open with the story of the generations that led to his coming. Jesus loved children and said that we must become more like them. Even though he never married or had his own physical family, he saw the great plan for God’s family.

And the message continued with his followers:

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.
—Acts 2:38–39
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
—Ephesians 6:4
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
—2 Timothy 3:14–15

These are just a few passages of a theme that saturates the Scriptures.

My whole mindset about my choices over the past several years has shifted.

Wiping Noses for Jesus is Legit

Raising my kids isn’t a burden to the gospel. Raising a faithful family is a central part of it.

I think I had known this in my heart, but hearing it preached to a crowd and outlined so clearly felt validating. Before, I felt like I had to make excuses—mostly to myself—why I couldn’t do x, y, z. Now, I can justify—mostly to myself—that wiping noses for Jesus is legit.

At the time I’m writing this, there are overwhelmingly heavy burdens that we hear about every day in the world around us. Racism and violence in our own country; terrorism and poverty and refugees abroad. I think a lot of us at home wish we could do more, but we forget: by investing in our families, we are investing in the future.

Some of us are called to go out into the world, to be boots on the ground, to love and serve those who need it most.

Others of us are called to raise those who will have the heart to do it tomorrow. I can send one of me. Or I can send three of my “mini-mes” later.

Furthermore, who better than a parent to invest every spare second I have to teach my kids what it means to love, to reject bigotry and hatred, to show compassion and to embrace what is true? Yes, on many days it’s hard to see the value in the mundane everyday tasks that take up so much time and energy. But it’s within this boring soil that the meaningful moments are cultivated: conversations, life lessons and love.

Moms (and dads) out there, maybe you feel like I do. You question the value of your day-to-day; you wonder if it matters, if you could do more.

My encouragement to you is this: name that lie for what it is. Remember that your family is your first ministry and that the everyday stuff matters more than you know.

Ya feel me? Join our growing community of moms who believe that wiping noses for Jesus is legit! Sign up to get free printables, devotionals and more for Christian moms, plus a thriving Facebook community.

10 Bible Verses For the Grumpy Mama

On choosing joy and gratitude

On praising God

On overcoming trials, big and small

What are your go-to scriptures when you’re feeling like a grumpy mama?

Ideas for Breaking Social Media Addiction

Things To Do Besides Social Media

Learn More About Biblical Self-Care

What to you do to prevent social media addiction?

On Finding Rest

On Perseverance

On Finding Strength

What are your go-to scriptures when you’re feeling exhausted?

Dear mom in survival mode,

You got this.

How are you feeling today, mama? If you’re in survival mode, what’s one thing you could do to be kind to yourself?

10 Encouraging Bible Verses for the Overwhelmed Mama

Finding Strength in God

Trusting God

Waiting on God

Seeking Help

What helps you when you feel overwhelmed as a mom? Please leave a comment here or on social media.

I’m failing at parenting. All the time.

Your turn: do you ever feel like you’re failing at parenting? How can you change your perspective?

My Mom-Friendly Home Workout Routine

1. Time-effectiveness

2. Strength Training

3. Variety

4. Convenience

5. Positive Message

6. Cost Effectiveness

What works (or doesn’t work) when it comes to home workout routines and your personal fitness? Leave a comment!

5 Ways I’m Practicing Connection as “Word of the Year”

1. Connection in My Home

2. Connection in My Family

3. Connection in My Work

4. Connection in My Community

5. Connection with God

Have you picked a word of the year? I’d love to hear it and how you plan to live it out in the comments.

10 Bible Verses about Anxiety—for the Mama Who Fears Failure

Finding Comfort

Relying on God’s Strength

Wrestling in Prayer

Do you have any favorite Bible verses about anxiety? Please share them!

The Lie…and the Truth

Wiping Noses for Jesus is Legit