Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Throughout these pages we praise you as we step out in confidence to walk alongside others near us. We praise you because you are worthy, holy, righteous and just. We trust you through this process by seeking your will to reach others. Help us to draw closer to you and those around me as I offer vulnerability and transparency. I trust you with this calling.
I pray for the mamas flipping through every page and come to you to ask that you pour your love into them during these moments. I ask that you be with us in every season. Thank you for continually pursuing us and offering grace. We welcome your comfort, love, peace and faithfulness.
For those reading without a relationship with you, Jesus, I ask that you meet them within these moments to accept you as their Savior and receive all that you have to offer them.
Thank you for trusting me in this space. For your glory, Amen.
I am honored you are taking time out of your day to meet with me in this space during the month of May.
For a lot of us this is a month of different transitions We see the end of the school year or sports and might be looking forward to the plans of a break with summer Some of us have older children and are transitioning them out of the home to start new paths
Many of us have the tiniest of the humans at home without the schedule of school but we feel the freedom of summer and the activities it offers are just around the corner.
This month I have created opportunities to celebrate motherhood with a variety of resources no matter what where God has you in your journey of motherhood
As Mother’s Day draws near, I think we can all agree there are moments that are so joyous we could burst and others that leave us feeling less than worthy. I want to lean in and offer encouragement because you are doing the greatest and most incredible work within your home for the littles turning to you for comfort, with questions, some guidance and encouragement In this issue you will find a special gift guide, examples of moms in the bible, affirmations and a little bit more.
You are so deeply loved by your Heavenly Father.
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Happy Mother’s Day!
Early, of course
How do you feel as you read that first sentence? It can bring up a range of emotions. Even just taking a moment to give myself space to sit with that sentence makes me feel all sorts of feels
For some of us, Mother’s Day can be an amazing day full of celebration and devotion to honor us as mamas. For others, this day can bring busyness with a more full plate than usual. Some of us might feel a little ache, longing or a wave of grief. For many, this day is so ordinary as the rest of our days that we don’t acknowledge its arrival.
As I see this day approaching on the calendar, I feel a little bit of all of this and more and I want to encourage you to welcome how you're feeling for this day, however it decides to show up Throughout the entire bible God honored, encouraged and gave hope to mamas in every season they experienced
Are you in a season of waiting like Sarah?
God keeps his promises even when we doubt His goodness, faithfulness and love. Even when we have little faith and struggle to see the fruit in our own lives, God keeps his promises.
Is anything too hard for the Lord? Genesis 18:24
Are you in a season of feeling unseen like Hagar?
God is all-knowing and can see each of us in every season, every moment and will never leave us.
And he said, “Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?” She said “I am fleeing from my mistress Sarai ” Genesis 16:8
Do you feel bold like Jochebed, mama of Moses?
God can be trusted with our children. We can stand in confidence and determination to protect our children under God’s care and authority. We can find peace and security knowing God loves them and can care for them in ways we cannot
she hid him three months When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank. Exodus 2:2b3
Are you petitioning your prayer like Hannah?
God can be trusted with our deepest desires and our prayers, no matter how big or small, can be brought to him. We can pour from our hearts any prayers and God will hear them.
But Hannah answers “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in my spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord Do no regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation ” 1 Samuel 1:15
Or are you like Hannah because you’re surrendering to God’s plan for your children out of your deep love for Him by trusting His will?
God can be completely trusted with our children. Surrendering to that control ourselves and giving that example to our children is one of the best gifts we can give them. When we release that control, we provide opportunities for God to transform their hearts.
For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him Therefore I have lent him to the Lord As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord ” 1 Samuel 1:27
Are you experiencing loss like Naomi?
God can and will use us even when we are hurt, lamenting, or grieving to do his work and glorify his kingdom and ultimately lead others closer to him. Noami shared her faith with Ruth and completely changed the legacy of Ruth and her family.
Then the woman said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter in law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” Ruth 4:14-15
Have you accepted your purpose like Elizabeth?
God has a plan for each of the children He entrusts to our care. We can eagerly wait in anticipation for God to do amazing things in our kid’s lives when we have faith and trust in God’s promises.
“and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb ” Luke 1:15b
I am an imperfect mama but I am the perfect mama for my children because God chose me to be their mom. Just like God chose you. All of these mamas have such different stories, gifts and callings There is hardship and pain, suffering and perseverance weaved throughout their motherhoods Each of them were able to build a legacy of faith for their families These are just a few of the powerful examples of moms in the bible but they showcase how to turn to our Heavenly Father, trust in Him and his promises and use prayer to impact those around them.
SARAH: GENESIS
JOCHEBED: EXODUS
HAGAR: GENESIS
HANNAH: 1 SAMUEL
HANNAH: 1 SAMUEL
EIZABETH: LUKE
NAOMI: RUTH
These five books have impacted my motherhood in the most incredible ways over the past year There is quite the variety so I’m sure you will find something that makes you curious.
When I personally reached out to Molly DeFrank to ask her if this resource would work for my family she replied with:
“You are divinely ordained to lead and shepherd your kids for whatever time you have them… Your influence is huge… The book is designed for you to take what works and leave what doesn’t fit for your kids, ages situations.”
Her response immediately gave me the courage and confidence to stand my ground with screen time The information and encouragement provided in this book is a must read for every parent; not as a guilt trip but because the majority of parents have concerns about the amount of screen time their kids are getting and the benefits of an alternative are pretty amazing.
This book is not directed at moms, or even parents necessarily, but this study has helped me bring my family a different legacy. Before this study, I read my bible at church and for the study guide our life group was working through. After I received this study, I committed to complete the eight weeks through Ezekiel This Holy Spirit used this study to ignite something in me that I have never experienced as I have started to understand scripture, listen for God’s voice and truly step out in my faith
*Erica Wiggenhorn is local to Arizona!*
3. Raising Kingdom Kids: Giving Your Child a Living Faith by Tony Evans:
My best friend gave this book to me as a gift At the time of her gift I wasn’t reading, in fact I hadn’t read a book in about 3 years. I’m thankful she listened to the prompting of Holy Spirit to bring this book my way I opened it up and started highlighting through the foreword, which I typically don’t even read the foreword. Part three of the book was my favorite “Transferring the Royal Blessing ” At the time I knew, my husband and I were breaking generational curses for my children but the words within this book helped me to believe my significance in the legacy of blessings I am creating for my children as well.
4. Triggers: Exchanging Parents’ Angry Reactions For Gentle Biblical Responses by Amber Lia and Wendy
SpeakeI don’t know about you but becoming a mom has revealed more about the sin in my heart more than anything else in this world This is a powerful book that pairs emotional responses from parents with scripture and God’s truth and prayer. Amber and Wendy also offer online communities to work through their resources with others.
5. How and When to Tell Your Kids About Sex: A lifelong approach to shaping your child’s sexual character and Full Set Children’s books for each age: God's Design for Sex Series
I know this one seems pretty random to include on my list However we all reach a point in our motherhood when we need to talk to our kids about sex. I had reached that point and was kind of freaking out. That right there shows the reflection of my heart. When I started this series, I had to work on my own heart and misunderstandings and misconceptions about sex to be able to truly have an honest and healthy conversation that is open to questions I wish I had read the parent guide sooner and had the children’s books a long time ago but I’m thankful to have found this resource when I did.
*This post contains affiliate links You can read our full affiliate disclosure here Mandy and her husband do life blended with four kids ages nine and under You can find her chasing tiny humans and squeezing in homeschool lessons by day or eating tacos and country dancing during date night Mandy enjoys working closely with mamas to integrate unresolved experiences to identify triggers to welcome wholeness while growing closer to Jesus
Find a quiet moment. Pick up your phone and find your photos. Choose the "months option." Pick your favorite moment from each month over the last year and share it here.
FORMAMASTOO
Howyouarefeelingmatters,mama.Wearehereforyouandwanttohelp.
Ifsomethingdoesn'tfeelright,ifyoufeelstuck,ifyouwanttoknowifhow you 'refeelingisnormalpleasereachout.
International:
PostPartumInternational
OnlineSupportGroups
OnlineCommunity
CrisisHotline
Arizona:
ConnectwithPeerMentororVolunteer
Women'sHealthInnovations
OnlineSupportGroups
InPersonSupportGroups
Counseling
Maricopa:
Child&FamilyServices
NorthernLightsTherapy
IndividualTherapy
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TraumaIntegration
FreeConsultations
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Resources
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I am honored you took some time out of your day to spend time in these pages.
I pray you were able to listen to your heart and welcome this seaon of motherhood while drawing closer to God and his promises
I look forward to sharing more, trying new things and accepting opportunities to connect more as a community.
I am thankful to everyone who has shared encouragement and prayer or walked alongside me as I finalized May's issue
I am thankful for each and every one of you
So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at hte right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.
1 Peter 5:7 MSG