A Mom's Conversation With God

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Sometimes it’s hard to trust God to do what’s best for my kids. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries. Recently my daughter got injured while preparing for a big gymnastics meet. She's had an amazing time the past 10 years, winning several titles. But this year has been hard. Just when things finally seemed to be clicking along, she got injured. No amount of rehab could get her ready in time. So, with tears and disappointment, she forfeited.

In Ashley's world this was huge. So, I cried out to God. “You could make her better, God. Please fix this!”

Eventually what God impressed on my heart is that the lesson Ashley learns from this will be good for her now and in the future. I only think I know what’s best for her. But God has a plan. That wasn’t what I wanted to hear, but it was what I needed to hear.

For more encouragement visit proverbs31.org

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Moms Judging Moms

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Have you ever felt the weight of another mom’s judgmental glare? Hi I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries. A few weeks ago I heard an amazing speaker challenge moms to decide to support each other rather than judge each other.

Working moms were encouraged to think of ways to encourage a stay at home mom like bringing her take out during your lunch break. And stay at home moms were encouraged to do things to help a working mom like offering to make her family a meal on a night when she has to work late.

The reality is that motherhood has its challenges whether we stay home or have a paying job. Imagine what things could look like if all moms came together in this way. Instead of judging each other, we could become each other’s greatest cheerleaders.

Speaking of people who want to cheer you on, Proverbs 31 Ministries has free daily e-mail devotions for ALL women. Why not get you and your friends signed up today at Proverbs31.org.

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What Happens When Women Say Yes To God, By Lysa Terkeurst

Made To Crave, by Lysa Terkeurst

Feeling Emotional

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writers: Renee Swope and Rachel Olsen

Yesterday I woke up to find my child was sick, again. Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

He’d been sick for 5 weeks. I thought we were finally done with germy tissues and Clorox wipes. I was so frustrated as I thought about all I was supposed to accomplish. But, I also felt sorry for my son. And I felt guilty that I wasn’t handling it well. My emotions were controlling everything.

Later as I looked through the Bible for some help, I found these words Jesus said to His closest friends: Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.

Jesus was about to die and He knew His death would make his friends feel sad, scared, and doubtful. So, he encouraged them to trust GOD. You know, Jesus speaks the same words to us. He tells us to not let our emotions create a troubled heart. Instead, He tells us to trust Him and focus on Him.

For more encouragement in balancing your emotions, visit proverbs31.org

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Power Of A Parent's Prayer

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

A couple of weeks ago my daughter told me she wanted to quit a sport she’s enjoyed for ten years! Hi I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

I've always told my daughter that to stay in gymnastics she had to want it for herself and that I would never push her. But ten years is a big investment on her part and ours. So, I prayed that God would give us all wisdom. Two days later, we ran into a girl that had graduated and gotten a full college scholarship with gymnastics.

She offered to take Ashley out to dinner and talk to her about whether or not the necessary sacrifices were worth it. Ashley came home from that dinner with a fresh vision and renewed commitment. Not only does she not want to quit but she wants to one day go to that same college. Coincidence? I don't think so. It’s the power of prayer.

For more on wisdom based parenting click on today’s show at Proverbs31.org.

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What Happens When Women Say Yes To God, By Lysa Terkeurst

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I Told You So

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Sometimes I can’t resist telling my kids “I told you so” over and over again! Hi I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries. During a recent family beach trip I found myself digging the aloe out of the bottom of my suitcase and saying, "One day you'll learn when I say you need sunscreen- you should listen."

It would have sufficed for me to simply stop there. But with each complaint about how painful a sunburn is, I just had to say "You should have listened to your mama" again. Finally, my daughter quietly said, "Mom, I've learned my lesson. Please stop saying how you were right and I was wrong. Just think how you would feel if someone followed you around for a whole day reminding you of your mistake."

It stopped me dead in my self righteous tracks. I carefully took her sunburned body into my arms and apologized. Lesson learned for both of us.

For more ideas on wisdom based parenting click on “Today’s show” at Proverbs 31.org.

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Raising Teenagers

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Raising teenagers isn’t for cowards. Hi I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries. Since becoming a mom, I’ve had to develop courage that I never knew was possible… especially now that 4 out of my 5 kids are teenagers.

I define motherhood during the teen years as: A time where one learns the graceful art of not panicking even though everything in her being tells her this is exactly what she should do. The reality is that teens will sometimes make choices that go against everything their parents have instilled in them.

That’s why prayer is crucial. One of my specific prayers is for my kids to get caught every time they do something they shouldn't. That way, I can help them process their choices using God’s truth. These aren’t always fun and easy conversations but I’ve found them to be extremely rich with essential life lessons.

For more on raising teens, click on “Today’s Show” at Proverbs 31.org.

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What Happens When Women Say Yes To God, By Lysa Terkeurst

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Yes Mommy

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Jill Tracey

One day my friend Jill called out to her three year old and received a very blunt, “WHAT?” in return!

Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Although she was a little offended, Jill realized it wasn’t her daughter’s fault. She really hadn’t practiced with her the polite way to respond when her mom called her name. So she said, “Alyssa, when Mom calls for you…instead of shouting ‘WHAT’, could you please say, ‘Yes, Mommy’? It’s just a lot nicer that way.”

Her daughter shrugged her shoulders, said, “OK, Mommy!”, and went back to playing. Jill was happy that the issue was resolved so quickly…and a little proud of her parenting skills! Then she heard a sweet little voice call out, “MOMMY! When I call for you can you please say, ‘Yes, Alyssa’?”

Ha ha…Maybe this wasn’t going to be so easy after all. For some encouragement in becoming the parent you want to be, visit Proverbs 31 Ministries at proverbs31.org!

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Order Renee’s book, “A Confident Heart.”

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Godly Friends For Our Kids

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

If there is one thing I've learned in my almost 16 years of being a mom, it's that there’s no magic formula for raising kids. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Being a parent is complicated, thrilling, exhausting, and beautiful all at the same time. If a new mom were to ask me for a secret formula I’d say pray for wisdom to know how to balance discipline and grace, work and fun, saying yes or no, and pray that they'll find really good friends. The friends part is huge.

I've made plenty of mistakes as a mom. But one thing I've discovered I did right was pray for godly friends for my daughter. She's not the kind of girl who will ever have a ton of friends. But I want the friends she does have to be good influences. So, I keep praying.

For more encouragement visit Proverbs31.org and click on Lysa’s blog. That’s Proverbs 31.org.

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What Happens When Women Say Yes To God, by Lysa TerKeurst

Change For The Better

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

My son wasn’t acting like himself, and I couldn’t figure out why! Hi, I’m Renee Swope with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

I visited Andrew’s classroom one afternoon and noticed he was all by himself while all the other kids were with friends. I knew something wasn’t right because he’s usually a very happy and outgoing kid. I talked with his teacher and she said he hadn’t been acting like himself for a while. She also thought a smaller environment might be a better fit in middle school.

We prayed about it and eventually made a big change that required a big step of faith since we’d have to pay tuition at a smaller school. Well, God provided in amazing ways and Andrew is thriving in his new smaller setting! I can’t believe the difference. The fun-loving kid I know at home is now the same at school.

Is your child going through something that could mean you have to make a change in order to help him? Share your story on Renee’s blog, at Proverbs31.org.


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Order Renee’s book, “A Confident Heart.”

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Emotional Stability In Our Kids

Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Whether they realize it or not, our children are looking to us for their emotional security. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

If we blur the rules based on a child’s emotional responses we are like shifting sand – unstable and ineffective.

I know this. But in the midst of everyday life it’s so hard. Kids can wear down our resolve to stick with what we know is right.

So, I have to remind myself that it’s good for the parent to be the parent. I’m not supposed to be my kids’ buddy or entertainment director… I’m supposed to be an authority in their lives. Also, I have to give myself a break when I need it. I’m much more likely to give in to them when I’m worn out. Putting these things in place helps give my kids emotional security and me emotional sanity! For more of the mom encouragement we all need, click on Lysa’s blog when you visit Proverbs31.org

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A Mom's Fear

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Are you ever afraid that something’s happening to one of your children? Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

For moms, this is our greatest fear. We see our teenage son drive down the driveway and fear grabs our heart. We hear of another child getting diagnosed with cancer and we start asking the what if questions. We watch the news reports on a child that’s been abducted and we hold ours just a little tighter that night.

Having 5 children, I often want to just tuck my kids under my wing and never let them leave my side. But I also know that’s not how God wants me to handle my fears. So, I pray. I read God’s truths. I memorize God’s promises. And I make the choice to walk in confidence. The minute those fears start to creep in and haunt my heart, I have to start the process all over again. For more, click on Lysa’s blog at Proverb31.org.

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What Happens When Women Say Yes To God, by Lysa TerKeurst

Parenting On My IKnees

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

I woke up at 2:15 this morning and couldn’t get back to sleep. Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

My mind was tossing and turning with concerns and prayers for my son who's going through a hard time. It's all part of being the mom of a teenager. I’d prayed for him before he went to bed, asking God to be real to my son. I’d asked God to protect his heart and mind and to help us navigate this new parenting phase as our son becomes the man God created him to be. I fell asleep praying and woke up praying.

I know I can't talk my child out of how he's feeling. I can't give him a promise from the Bible and expect it to make him happy. I can't deny or figure out what he's going through. The best thing I can do is pray, and love him. And pray some more. I have a feeling I'm gonna be parenting on my knees a lot these next few years.

For more parenting encouragement, visit Proverbs31.org.

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Order Renee’s book, “A Confident Heart.”

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More Than A Story

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

Sometimes I wonder if my kids think the Bible is just another storybook. Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

I had to smile and thank God one afternoon when He showed me that wasn’t the case. You see my son Joshua, who was eight at the time, told me he was writing a book. It was about a little boy who got stung by a jellyfish and was afraid to go back in the ocean. Josh said that night the boy read about David in the Bible and asked God to give him courage, and the next day he went swimming.

Joshua’s fourteen now and I pray all the time that God will keep showing him the Bible offers hope for everything we face. Just like the boy in his book, I pray my son will go to God and read His Words for courage when life stings. I pray he’ll know that the Bible isn’t just a collection of stories, but a collection of God’s promises and principles to guide us through life.

For more encouragement, visit Proverbs31.org.

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Connect with Renee on her Blog and Facebook

Order Renee’s book, “A Confident Heart.”

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The Formula

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

I’ve learned I can’t build my identity as a parent on the fragile choices of my kids. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

When I was a young mom, I was desperate for a formula I could plug my family into that would yield great kids.

I spent the first 5 years of motherhood convinced I was messing my kids up beyond repair. I now have kids ranging in ages from 23 to 12 and I’ve finally learned there is no perfect parenting formula.

We weren’t made to follow formulas. We were made to follow Jesus.
This is true with every aspect of our lives. We were made to follow Jesus’ lead in our marriages, our jobs, our churches, our friendships, our everything.

I’ve learned to humbly acknowledge how much I don’t know about life and readily admit how much I need Jesus. In every way.

For more parenting ideas, click on Lysa’s blog when you visit Proverbs 31 Ministries on-line at proverbs31.org.

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Reality Discipline With Younger Children

Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Reality discipline for younger kids- is it possible? Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries. While it has been a while since my kids were preschool age... I do remember holding on for dear life sometimes, exclaiming --- this too shall pass!

My reality discipline ideas during that phase seemed to be centered around privileges.

When my kids played with their toys correctly, and put them away when asked, they showed they were responsible enough to have a few extra minutes added to their bedtime. But if they were defiant, this showed me they needed extra which meant fewer privileges.

Whatever the consequence, I made sure it was tied to the action. Also, I tried to make sure that I thought of safe and reasonable consequences before my kids pushed my buttons. Otherwise, emotions pushed over the edge will often cause us to throw out threats that we won’t carry through.

For more, visit Proverbs 31.org.

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Reality Discipline

Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

I must admit, yesterday I was getting very annoyed with one of my teenage daughters. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries. She was fiddling with our laptop computer in what appeared to be a very careless way. I kept saying, ‘please don’t tilt the screen back so far’. Patiently I said it again, and then again. Then I said it one more time with sharpness in my voice. I’m guessing you know the kind.

Thankfully my husband quickly stepped in when he saw my frustration beginning to mount. He rephrased what I had been trying to say. “It’s going to be a costly mistake for you if you break that computer sweetheart.” And that’s all it took. No more rough treatment of the laptop.

Reality discipline is a great way to keep emotional yuck from spewing when our kids need correction. We can let the consequences scream, so we don’t have to. For more encouragement visit Lysa’s blog at Proverbs 31.org.

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One Diaper At A Time

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Marla Taviano

Do you ever get tired of working 168 hours a week as a mom with no pay or vacation? Hi, I'm Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

If you’re a mom, you know there’s not much glamour in motherhood. Not much recognition or validation. No paychecks, no promotions, no pats on the back from co-workers. And when you're up to your elbows in dishes and diapers, it's easy to lose sight of your purpose in life.

Have you ever wondered if what you do even matters?

In her book, Changing Your World One Diaper at a Time, Marla Taviano encourages moms to see their job as valuable and rewarding. She even suggests using diaper-changing times as quick prayer opportunities, asking God to help us savor each moment we've been given with our children.

So, maybe we could cuddle a little longer. Smile a little bigger. Walk a little slower. Hug a little tighter. Whatever we do, let’s remember - we're making a bigger difference than we could ever know. For more mom encouragement, visit Proverbs31.org.

Related Resources:

Connect with Renee on her Blog and Facebook

Order Renee’s book, “A Confident Heart.”

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Embracing Who I Am

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Ten years ago I sat in a seminar listening to a very organized mom talk about parenting her kids. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

I decided I stunk as a mother and begged God to make me just like this woman who I thought was Super Mom!

I continued to feel this way until one day when I read the story of Mary, the teenaged mother of Jesus, and something stuck out to me. Just as she was, God chose this girl to be Jesus’ mother. And the only qualification she seemed to have was her willingness.

I was spending so much time comparing myself to others when all I really needed to do was give God my willingness to be a mother.

If you’ve ever struggled with a desire to be the perfect mom, employee, or volunteer, you know what I’m talking about. Maybe it’s time that we stop unfairly comparing ourselves to others, realize our own great qualities and just be fully ourselves.

For more visit Proverbs 31.org.

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Highlight Moments

Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

When I pick up a new book, I hope to find something I can highlight on every page. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

I just love it when I’m reading and find a little something I really want to remember. And, I’ve tried to carry this highlight moment concept into the way I raise my five kids. I used to feel guilty if I didn’t have a good amount of individual time with each of them every day. Now I avoid that guilt by looking for just one highlight moment with each of my children.

Sometimes it’s a deep discussion. Other times it’s a quick interaction that makes both of us smile. Whatever it is, these highlight moments are what I’ll think about when I’m older and the halls of my house are quiet. These intentional, HIGHLIGHT moments help me live my life with no regrets. For more encouragement click on Lysa’s blog at Proverbs31.org.

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Mommy Guilt Prevention

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

I’m a better mom when I take time for myself but sometimes I feel so guilty it ruins my time away! Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

There’s the guilt we feel when we leave our kids to do something for ourselves so we’ll be better moms when we get back.

Or there’s the guilt we feel when we’re grouchy moms because we haven’t been away from our kids since they were born!

Instead of feeling guilty for taking time for myself to go to a movie with friends, get away for a weekend with my husband or go to a coffee shop to read a book, I’ve started seeing my time away as guilt prevention. It prevents bad-mommy guilt for being grouchy with my kids because I need a break but felt too guilty to take one!

We moms need time for ourselves. Our kids will survive and we’ll enjoy them even more and feel renewed with energy and love after we’ve been away for a little bit.

For more encouragement, visit Proverbs31.org.

Related Resources
Connect with Renee on her Blog and Facebook

Pre-order Renee’s book, “A Confident Heart.”

Check out Renee's other Resources at P31