Chasing Vibrance

Now here’s the truth that sets you free.

🩷If you’re struggling there is grace for you. There are also probably resources and wisdom to help—yes in God’s Word, but also in many other places. (Therapy is one of my favorite “other places”)

🩷 Everyone’s joy matters. You don’t have to live in constant people-pleasing.

🩷 This isn’t a zero-sum game. There’s room for us all to win in our own unique ways. Motherhood is better together. As said “She’s not your enemy”.

🩷 You are responsible for your own spiritual growth. You are responsible for faithfully modeling and teaching faith as a part of that, but you can’t hold the weight of someone else’s faith decisions.

🩷 A messy life means you’re living life!

🩷 Let ease be a gift without guilt. Delight in the good stuff of motherhood. Ask “how could I make this easier?”

🩷 You don’t have to get it together to come to God. He wants you “as-is”—dry shampoo, piles of laundry, forgotten permission slips, and all. God could never love you any more or less than He already does. 🙌🏼

🩷🩷🩷What would you add to this list? Do you have a lie that you’ve been set free from?

Hot take: the best Christian morning routine is the one you’ll ACTUALLY do on a Tuesday when the baby was up at 3am or the teen wanted to talk until 12:30 am.

Make connecting with God a non-negotiable of your life.

It’s not magic, but it is a gift to have a familiar pathway to walk with Him and care for yourself on the mornings that are hectic or slow.

P.S. ALL ways to connect with God are good ways. Good/Better/Best is something I heard on a podcast about workouts and I went “huh, that has to apply to other places too!” And it’s more catchy than short, less short and longer. 🙃😆 I also sometimes call these fast-food and sit down dinner. 🍝🌮Both can be amazing, delicious, nourishing meals. Just different ways of thinking about having more than one way of connecting with the Lord. 🙌🏼🩷💁🏻‍♀️

You’re in your rich-girl era. 💅

The magic question that makes my family close.*

“What was the best part of your day today?”

This helps us share our days and notice the good stuff that’s going on. We celebrate our strengths and victories together! It’s always cool to see what my kids think is the BEST about their day (when it involves Pokemon I try not to roll my eyes.)

We’ve been asking our kids this question for at least five years over dinner and it’s a delight to hear them initiate the question now too.

Each of us takes a turn sharing and we often ask, the optional follow-up: “What was the worst part of your day today?”

While the first question shares wins, this second question normalizes struggles, frustrations, and things just not going the way we hoped. Then we get to talk through, empathize, or problem solve together.

Do you have a question you ask over family dinner regularly? I’d love to hear it!

*of course, there’s just not ONE thing that builds family closeness. So many facets and nuance go into family safety, joy, and closeness, but I’m trying to get you to swipe and read in an social media landscape that values clickbait…so leaning into the “edginess of certainty”.

I never make my bed. (All the productivity gurus hate me, I know. 😆)

Instead, here are the three silly morning rules I choose to do everyday* as a mom of four, pastor’s wife and Christian writer.

1. Spend time with God. Whether that’s a worship playlist, reading the Bible, journaling prayers, listening to a devotional podcast or reading the Bible app verse-of-the-day—connecting with God is a priority for me.
2. Write the top 3 things I want to do today on a post-it note. This keeps things simple and prioritized, so I don’t bite off more than I can chew. (Yes, “keeping the kids alive” totally counts as a to-do item!)
3. Do something that brings me joy. For no reason other than it lights me up. Some of my favorites are reading a book, picking flowers, a cup of hot cocoa, playing the piano, and talking to my sister.
You can create a life of beauty and delight, even while “in the trenches” of motherhood.

Comment “Guide” for a link to my free Vibrant Mom Starter Guide to learn more.

*ish

The question that is haunting me as I read the gospels….

Where am I open to rule-following, but not true healing?

Or in Jesus’ words “Do I want to be well?”

Not rushing on from that question and I hope you won’t either. If you like longer form content like this come comment “Email” and I’ll add you to my weekly devotional newsletter. 💌

Mother’s Day gifts can be complicated…you don’t want too high of expectations, but you do want to feel honored and loved (and you deserve to be pampered!).

Here are some of my favorite items that make mom life a bit more vibrant. 💖💖

Comment “Mothers Day” to get all the links in one place (and some more great ideas too!).