Gilia. That’s the name I chose for the little one we lost, the baby who passed from my womb before we had announced her presence.It's Hebrew, pronounced Ghee-lee-yah, and means Eternal Joy. She was too small to know for sure her gender, but my husband said from the moment I showed him the second line on the test, “This one is another girl.” He had a perfect record on our other three, so following his lead, I decided ... Read More about You Brought Me So Much Joy, Little One (a story of miscarriage)
Motherhood
Mercy Womb
"And her offspring will crush the head of the serpent…" (Genesis 3:15) The opening three chapters of Genesis are known to most of us for their purpose in describing the origin of life, and establishing the character of God as creator. The depth of these few chapters; however, is as unending as God is eternal. Though a passage of prose, the poetic quality of the Hebrew reading of the Bereshit (beginning) is much more beautiful than we gather ... Read More about Mercy Womb
Sowing Seeds of Prayer for Our Children
I first started praying for my son Aviel (and any brothers or sisters yet to come) when I was twenty, seven full years before he was born. (Aviel, pronounced ah-vee-EL, is a Hebrew name meaning "My father is God.")Honestly, I wish I had started sooner! In my early single days, it simply never occurred to me to pray for my children. After all, I didn't know if God would bless me with a husband. Praying for my children seemed totally ... Read More about Sowing Seeds of Prayer for Our Children
Long Days of Small Things: Motherhood as a Spiritual Discipline
Forget meditating (I can’t remember what I’m looking for in the fridge, much less what I read three days ago), fasting (I’ve been pregnant or nursing or both for the past six years), or silence (does that even exist anymore? I’ve forgotten). As much as I miss spiritual disciplines, I just . . . can’t. Not right now. I’m trying to survive. I have three children ages five and under, and life is a bit of a blur.Spiritual disciplines as the ... Read More about Long Days of Small Things: Motherhood as a Spiritual Discipline
Where are the Spiritual Mothers? A Titus 2 Vision for Friendship
"I just need some help."This wasn't the first time total and utter exhaustion had settled in. Being pregnant with number three made for many challenges while chasing a toddler and spending countless hours on the city bus getting my bigger one to school."Can you call someone to come over?" my husband asked.My mind went blank.All of my close friends were in the trenches, just like me. Besides that, as much as an extra set of hands ... Read More about Where are the Spiritual Mothers? A Titus 2 Vision for Friendship
best parenting books hand-picked by moms like you
I gave up on parenting books years before I became a mother. While many of my friends were devouring them in stacks, I found myself wandering a maze of conflicting opinions and parenting style wars that ranged from mild eye-rolling to outright heated controversy between people in my circles. And the older I got, the less I wanted to do with any kind of mommy wars--or the books that inspired them.And when I finally picked up a book on ... Read More about best parenting books hand-picked by moms like you
books on motherhood that have challenged me
Now I know why my mom never really finished books when we were growing up. Because now I have those same stacks of half-finished books everywhere -- by the bed, near the couch, on my desk beneath my Bible. Each one is supposed to inspire me just by sitting there, right? Can I absorb traits of excellent motherhood via visual osmosis?Maybe not quite. But they are a reminder of the truths hidden inside the covers, even if I don't get to stick ... Read More about books on motherhood that have challenged me
books for when motherhood becomes a full-time job
When my eldest children grew out of naptimes and into kindergarten, I hit what I call "full-time motherhood". Truth is, when they nap, you get a break; when they don't nap, you don't. I was facing more than twelve hours a day caring for children whose needs and desires were maturing beyond food and clean pants. I needed to grow, too, in order to learn to parent them well.I headed to the nonfiction shelf for some answers. I'd been skipping ... Read More about books for when motherhood becomes a full-time job
Five Books I Wish I’d Read as a Young Mom
As a young mom, I would browse the parenting section of our local Christian bookstore only to become overwhelmed by all the choices. Brightly colored covers offered a new kid by the end of the week and tips on how to parent without going crazy. Other titles offered comfort with their claims to teach me how to be a calm and joy-filled mama. Some were written by experts and others were written by ordinary parents. Men, women, grandparents, ... Read More about Five Books I Wish I’d Read as a Young Mom
Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart
I have long wanted to be the parent who doesn’t just dole out punishments when my children disobey. My goal isn’t to produce a little army of “yes men” who blindly obey anyone in authority. I want to raise confident, competent adults who have the inner strength to honor God regardless of what the rest of the world does. I don’t believe in automatic “first-time obedience no matter what” (except to God), but being a permissive parent who is afraid ... Read More about Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart
Devotionals for Busy Moms
I used to devour books by the dozens. I’d read theology, fiction, memoirs—whatever I could get my hands on.Except one thing.I didn’t ever read devotionals.(Well, except that one time I picked up a Guideposts and read the whole years’ worth in one sitting.)The problem was they only took like 2.3 seconds to read and if I was sitting down to read something, I sure enough wanted it to have some substance.Enter a new season: my ... Read More about Devotionals for Busy Moms
Parenting: Gospel for Both of Us
Last week, tilted back in the dentist’s chair, unable to speak, I listened to the technician praise my kids. “They are amazing. I wish every kid was like your kids. They’re so good.” I couldn’t argue with her or let her know the true reality since I couldn’t talk, so I decided to just bask in the moment. It kind of felt good. “Other kids run up and down the halls and yell and scream. It’s just unbelievable. And one little girl went out in the ... Read More about Parenting: Gospel for Both of Us
