Considering the Lilies: Recent Episodes
Alicia Yoder
If you missed the “before” picture and my homeschooling story, you can check it out here. https://aliciayoder.com/…/homeschooling-and-mutant…/
Recently, my son was learning about how animals adapt and change based on their environment, and I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw how my small orchid has continued to put out roots despite my failure to figure out how to repot it into something bigger. And then I happened to see it in his science book–orchids can even grow on the sides of trees because they can take in water through the air.
But that’s definitely not what I thought would happen as I took my pink blooms home from Walmart. Kind of like when I started homeschooling. A couple years earlier, I had ordered all the pieces to my carefully-researched curriculum and was preparing to thrive. The orchid didn’t have any mutant-looking roots. I watered it each week, even when the blossoms fell off, and I cut down the stems.
Those first couple years, I did as much Kindergarten and first grade curriculum as I could with my son with my baby and toddler girls in tow. The girls soon grew into a toddler and preschooler who were not always happy with the amount of attention they got. They wanted it all. So we did as much life as we could all together, but whispers of “not good enough” kept washing over me, wave after wave, as things on the curriculum got skipped or didn’t go the way I had planned. The orchid was putting out roots that didn’t fit nicely in the pot.
Then bouts of sickness came, some days and some months of not feeling well enough to incorporate any “fun” homeschool ideas the curriculum suggested. I barely got through the reading and math with my son, while also trying summon the brain power to put a grocery list together. And there was even a time when I needed help from sisters in our church to care for the kids in the afternoons so I could rest.
The roots looked weird, and I wasn’t sure it was okay with God for my life to look so different from what I’d imagined. My husband and I questioned whether it was even a good idea to keep homeschooling. But I kept watering it, week by week with the incredible mercy, wisdom, and coaching from my friend Robin. She pointed me again and again to my need to keep depending on the Lord and encouraged me to write down our reasons for homeschooling. It helped, as I tried to keep discerning what to fit into my days with the kids.
And the orchid kept sending out those crazy roots and eventually blooming again into way more flowers than I had walked away from the store with. But I still felt like what I was doing wasn’t quite what it was supposed to be because “what about all those other people who took orchids home? Surely they’re getting beautiful blooms without those unattractive roots splaying out the other side. The root of not getting to all they’d planned for. The root of not knowing exactly how to answer their children and make decisions in a timely, peaceful way. The root of not checking every subject-area box triumphantly at the end of the school day.
The Lord in His kindness brought me two different books on homeschooling in the same month, and as I read (and listened on audio), these writer-moms put words to those whispers of “not good enough” and to the roots of comparison with others. They gave me a life-refreshing perspective of seeing homeschooling as a way to grow alongside my children. They encouraged me to write a “don’t do” list as I considered what the Lord has called me to for this season. They called me to really ask myself what would make me feel like I’ve done my job as a homeschool mom–if my children grow up to . . .
As I wrote down what came to mind, I was surprised by how few of the roots in the pot (excellence in specific subject areas) made it on the list. These were roots that reached outside of standards and curriculum–like seeing my children grow up to:
- Not just know the Bibe and about God, but love HIm and let Him be the Source from which everything in their lives flows.
- Treat each person they encounter with kindness and respect, be good listeners, ask good questions.
- Look to Jesus in their emotions and struggles, learning to accept the way they feel and go to His Word and godly mentors for truth and perspective.
- Learn to work diligently in each role God has for them.
- Be content with a quiet life, trusting God to lead them into what He has for them to put their hands to.
- Enjoy learning and exploring and trying things as a process, not an end result (success or failure).
- Figure things out for themselves as a process, not a success or failure.
- Know how to prepare simple meals, shop for groceries, manage money, drive in the country or city.
- Have a heart for overseas missions by praying, giving, encouraging missionaries, and learning a language.
- Have a love for music, especially in worship through singing, playing an instrument, or participating in the congregation at church.
- Use their handwriting and written communication as a way to honor, respect, and help others.
- Know how to do basic math and know basic math facts in order to solve real-life problems and make real-life calculations.
- To see history as God’s story and look at historical events and current events from a biblical worldview.
- To appreciate God’s handiwork and power and wisdom in all things related to science.
I saw that the roots were reaching for things much farther than checking boxes off a curriculum or seeing success through how one day or month or year went. They were reaching for the water in the air–the Living Water of the Good Shepherd, who guides orchids to adapt, making the roots grow how He wants. Orchids that would die without Him.
My words for this year are: look back, trust and lead. The anxiety and struggle has been real these past few years. But as I look back, I can see that God was faithful to help, love, and bring me through every time. And as I look ahead to days and years that are unknown, I want to trust that He will keep leading me, never give up on me, and offer the grace and forgiveness He bought with His blood, so that I can experience life that is truly life forever with Him.
But until that forever comes, my orchid will look exactly the way He intended all along.
Homeschool Bravely by Jamie Erickson
The Four Hour School Day by Durenda Wilson
Between caring for and schooling my children, planning for our days together, caring for my home, and participating in church fellowship, there isn’t much time left to choose what I want to read and listen to. Here are resources and devotionals over the past 8 years of motherhood that have been especially encouraging to me. […]
Here are a few resources geared toward children ages 5-12. Some we have enjoyed as a family already, and others I look forward to using even more as the kids get older. These might be some great Christmas gift ideas for the young ones in your life. Or you could forward this list to their […]
I wanted to send along some of our favorite books and music that I enjoyed with my son in his preschool years and now am enjoying with my daughters. If you don’t have a preschooler, maybe you know someone who would be blessed if you sent an Amazon package their way. . . Jesus Storybook […]
Thank you so much to those of you who prayed for me to recover from Covid back in April. Though the brain fog and fatigue hung on for months, the Lord has graciously restored my health. I’ve enjoyed doing this podcast so much the past 3 years, working with my son Isaiah (Finn) and getting […]
Dear precious readers and listeners, After coming down with Covid a few weeks ago, the Lord has chosen not to restore my strength and health yet. It has made me sad to take a break from writing and recording the podcasts, but I am hopeful He will allow me to continue when I am restored. […]
In this episode, we see how gracious, loving, tender, and kind God is toward those who repent and that we need God’s help to have that attitude toward others. With your kids: Talk about what you could say to encourage your brother or sister this week when they choose what’s right.
This is a series I put together a couple years ago, so I wanted to share it again in case you missed it. We zoom through the Bible, paying attention to God’s plan of redemption, and all the times He keeps pursuing the people He created. (Plus, there are some cool drawings for your kids to […]
In this episode, Finn and I talk about a shepherd prophet and how the message is the same for us. Seek the Lord and live! With your kids: Ask your children how they would explain the holiday of Easter to a kid from another country who thought it was just about bunnies and candy. And […]
As we enter this special weekend, here are some episodes about Jesus’ death and resurrection taken from the book of Luke. Episode 62: Luke 22 and John 13 Jesus Shares His Last Meal Episode 63: Luke 22 Jesus is Arrested Episode 64: Luke 23 Jesus’ Death Episode 65: Luke 24:1-49 Jesus is Alive! You can […]
As you prepare for Resurrection Sunday, here are some excellent playlists/albums to check out: Lent to Easter Playlist Andrew Peterson: Resurrection Letters: One Album, Three Parts, Ten Years Fernando Ortega: The Crucifixion of Jesus Keith Green: Easter Song
If you’d like to look behind the scenes to see how Miss Alicia and Isaiah produce the Jesus is Better Podcast, you can check out these two 5 minute YouTube videos below. (links are below the pictures) https://youtu.be/FO3witW5iNk https://youtu.be/7xoW_XVXVYU
In this episode, Ahaz chooses to go to the king of Assyria for help instead of the One True God. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to change our hearts from thinking we know best to submitting to our King Jesus who knows best. With your kids: What is something your friends get […]
In this episode, we see how God shows His power and blessing through the reign of Jotham and His compassion and judgment through the reign of Ahaz, and that God is the one who delivers us from all our fears. With your kids: What makes you feel scared? Pray together and ask for help and […]
In this episode, Finn and I talk about the sad ending of the northern kingdom and how God wants to free us from our own idolatry. With your kids: What is something you really love? Pray together that God would help you to use it to worship and praise Him.
This episode is a compilation of encouraging and hope-filled verses to listen to at night or any time you’re feeling discouraged. And a huge thanks to Blue Dot Sessions, Chad Crouch, and Nuno Adelaida for their amazing piano compositions!
In this episode, we talk about Uzziah’s sin in the temple and Isaiah’s worship in the temple and that Jesus came to be the perfect Prophet, Priest, and King of our hearts. With your kids: Pick one of Jesus’ roles–prophet, priest, or king, and talk about it. Then praise Jesus for perfectly fulfilling that role […]
In this episode, Finn and I talk about who King Amaziah started listening to, and how God loves to help those of us who are joined to him listen to him instead of those who don’t follow Him. With your kids: What expression do you think is on God’s face when you sin? If you […]
In case you’ve missed these in past years: Advent Readings for the Very Young 12 Days of Scriptures about Jesus to Meditate on this Christmas Jesus is Better podcast Christmas episodes: Episode 95: Luke 1:26-56 An Angel Visits Mary Episode 42: Luke 1 Jesus is Coming! Episode 43: Luke 2 Jesus is Born! And some […]
Hello friends! Here are my Christmas Spotify playlists: Songs for Advent Christmas Christmas 2 And three songs (on Youtube) I have recently been enjoying: Wrap This One Up Joy (As Far As the Curse is Found) Hallelujah, Christ is Born Let us adore Him this season.
In this episode, Finn and I talk about God’s kindness in rescuing the Israelite kings and how in Christ, we are saved for so much more! With your kids: What’s scary about dying? Is there anything you are looking forward to?
In this episode, Finn and I talk about Joash making a good choice to repair the temple, but then turning away from the God who had saved him. Through Jesus, our bodies can now be temples where God’s Spirit lives! With your kids: Talk about where God has put you right now. What is He […]
In this episode, God’s promise is threatened when an evil queen tries to keep one of David’s descendants off the throne so she can rule instead. But God kept His promise, and we get to worship the Rescuing King that the Israelites could only dream about. With your kids: What do you think it means […]
In this episode, Brian Dickinson shares about how God rescued him on the top of Mt. Everest, and Finn and I discuss the mountain where we will finally get to meet Jesus! With your kids: What do you think heaven will be like? Look up some passages about heaven and take some time to imagine […]
Your grace isn’t a thing that You place in my hands. Your grace is your very Hand, Jesus, offered to me to hold onto. And when I don’t even have the faith for that, it’s the Hand that is on my back, guiding me forward into the next moment, because you never leave my side. […]
In this episode, God keeps His promise to destroy Ahab’s family, but because of Jesus, we can be saved from punishment and serve Him as the true and perfect King. With your kids: Who makes you feel angry sometimes? Tell God about it and ask for Him to love that person through you.
In this episode, God moves a king’s heart to provide for a woman and uses Elisha to carry His plan forward. Because of Jesus, we can trust God’s plans in our lives no matter what happens. With your kids: Pray together for someone who needs God to provide for them. Thank Him for being so […]
I’ve appreciated Michael Reeve’s teaching so much through sermons and his books “Delighting in the Trinity” and “Rejoicing in Christ.” Here’s a 40 minute sermon he preached on the resurrection of Christ. So many reasons to celebrate our Savior!
You can certainly check out the channel, but here are some of my favorites: These are Written Everlasting Arms True Food Chris Powers’ hope is to “fill this channel with videos that exalt Jesus Christ as the Joy, King, and Savior of the world. He is the One in whom we see and know God, […]
For those of you on Spotify, I’ll link to some of my favorite playlists. Christ-centered worship More Christ-centered worship Hymns Songs for Hard Seasons Songs based on the Psalms For teaching kids Scripture and theology Scripture Lullabies Fear Not: A Playlist by Scripture Lullabies Lullabies Without Words Instrumental Peace Beautiful Soundtracks I’ll send out some […]
In this episode, Finn and I see how God provided miraculously for the Israelites but that one man didn’t believe it could happen. We have the special task of telling others who don’t believe about God’s miraculous provision through Christ. With your kids: Pray together for someone you know who doesn’t believe God is really […]
In this episode, Finn and I talk about what it means to see with spiritual eyes and all the spiritual blessings we have because of Jesus. With your kids: Share something that’s made you feel sad lately. Talk about how you could use your spiritual eyes to see it and pray together.
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:26-27) I’ve often forgotten about my fellow soldiers when engaging in my battle with anxiety. I forget […]
In this episode, Finn and I tell the story of God healing an enemy army commander and how God calls us to trust and obey Him whether a task looks easy or hard. With your kids: Does it seem harder to trust God when bad things are happening or obey His commands? Thank Him for […]
There are times I wake up during the night feeling anxious, sometimes even being jolted awake by a nightmare. You can check out my previous posts for the foundation the Lord has been building up in my heart as I’ve been able to form more patterns of remembering His sovereign care, infinite wisdom, and unconditional […]
Using our transporter, Finn and I visit the Valley of the Shadow of Death and see Christian journeying through the darkness using the light of God’s Word. With your kids: What is one of your favorite verses to quote when you feel afraid? Help your children each pick a verse to memorize for their own […]
Friends, I’m so excited to share with you some of the resources I’ve recently discovered (or been reminded of) in my walk with Jesus. You can find the rest of the resources I love here. Trusting God “Why is it easier to obey God than to trust Him?Because obeying God makes sense to us. In most […]
In this bonus episode, Finn and I tell one of his favorite stories from Pilgrim’s Progress, a spiritual allegory that was written in 1678 and has sold over 200 million copies since then. If you’d like to introduce your children to the whole story, I’d heartily recommend Pilgrim’s Progress Adapted for Children or Dangerous Journey: […]
Has it been more difficult for you to trust God than to obey Him? It is for me. God’s Word says He is completely sovereign, infinite in wisdom, and perfect in love. According to Jerry Bridges in his book “Trusting God,” When we fail to trust God, we doubt His sovereignty and question His goodness. . […]
In this episode, Finn and I talk about God’s power in raising a boy from the dead, and how through Jesus’ sacrifice, our dead hearts can be raised to life again. With your kids: Take turns thanking God for the different ways He is providing for your needs, and then thank Him for giving you […]
Since anxiety is a battle where I’ve been learning how to obediently engage the Enemy, I thought over the next few posts, I’d share some thoughts and practices God has used to help me not give up. Philippians 4:6-9 says: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with […]
In this episode, Finn and I talk about God’s miracles for King Joram, King Jehoshaphat, and a needy widow and how God used Elisha to help them know that He is the true Conquering Redeemer. With your kids: Tell your kids the story of how you came to know Christ.
How do I live in unselfishness and humility, considering the interests of others? How does my own physical and mental capacity fit into all this? How do I find enjoyment in the toil and ways God richly provides? How do I walk this life’s path in fullness of joy in His presence, with His easy […]
As we celebrate Resurrection Sunday in our homes, I wanted to make Finn’s bonus episode about Jesus’ death and resurrection available to everyone this Easter. He is Risen! You can find the rest of the bonus episodes on https://www.patreon.com/aliciayoder And. . . for the full story of Jesus’ death and resurrection, you can check out […]
Until April 16, you and your children can listen to the Passion of Jesus drama on https://www.yourstoryhour.org/listen-for-free It’s 8 episodes that are around 30 minutes, and includes the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
In this episode, God shows His power to Ahaziah and takes Elijah up to heaven, while Elisha continues the ministry. In Christ, we get to be a faithful part of His Body with members from all across the world! With your kids: Who are the 5 people you talk to most often each week? Ask […]
Are you feeling overwhelmed not knowing how to pray about our current crisis? You can pray along with this 4 minute video, and check out their other ones, too. (There are prayercast videos for over 100 nations in the world!) https://prayercast.com/coronavirus.html
How do I do the good works God has prepared for me to do in this pandemic season? How do I know if I’m doing the right things, when others seem to be on such different adventures? My holy adventure right now is caring for my three children in the four walls of this home, […]
Where do natural disasters and pandemics like the coronavirus come from? Our pastor preached from Psalm 106, explaining that natural disasters are a result of the curse/judgment of God because of Adam’s sin (and the sin of all of humanity). The very ground is cursed because of Adam’s sin (Gen. 3:17), and we are constantly […]
In this episode, I share about Jehoshaphat’s worshipful response to an enemy army coming against him and that as believers we have the Holy Spirit to help us understand the gift of His Word, the Bible. P.S. I’ve put some bonus episodes on my patreon page that are exclusively for patrons, and you’ll also have […]
As we wake each morning with the reality of the coronavirus, what reality should also fill our minds? This is Christ’s world. As Jonathan Edwards put it, “The rising and setting of the sun is a picture of the death and resurrection of Christ, the true light of the world.” He is victorious. His yoke, […]
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10) It’s an invitation to paint with Him, His hand holding mine, as we run the brush across the canvas to make something beautiful. It’s an invitation to get messy, not worrying […]
In this episode, King Ahab refuses to listen to the Lord’s prophet and dies in battle, while King Jehoshaphat makes a poor decision but asks the Lord for help. We have an even better King, and can run to Him in repentance all because of Jesus’s sacrifice. With your kids: What is your least favorite […]
Finn and I finished editing our second bonus episode where he tells the story of David and Jonathan’s friendship from 1 Samuel 20 and we discuss why Jesus is the best. If you’d like to listen and help sustain the podcast at the same time, you can swim over to my page.
What does it mean for my Shepherd’s goodness and lovingkindness to follow me all the days of my life? It means that when I look behind me, I see God in every moment of my past. (Or I ask Him to show me where He was.) When I look forward, into the future, I can […]
In this episode, Finn and I talk about Ahab’s choice to listen to Jezebel and take what he wanted and how we can trust God to give us what we need and find joy in His presence with us. With your kids: Who are two of your closest friends? How do they help you in […]
What does it mean in John 15 for Jesus to be the Vine, the Father the Gardener, and me as a branch? Does the branch produce its own food? That’s the Vine’s job. Does it measure its fruitfulness? That’s the Gardener’s job. So what is my job? To drink in the Living Water coming through […]
Finn and I have been working on a new series where Finn tells one of his favorite Bible stories in his own words and we talk about why Jesus is the best. It’s only available to patrons, so if you’d like to listen and help sustain the podcast at the same time, you can jump […]
In this episode, God shows His power to King Ahab again, but Ahab responds with disobedience. Through Jesus, we can receive the grace to trust our parents, even when we don’t understand all their decisions. With your kids: What is one of your favorite ways to have fun? How does it make you long for […]
What does it mean for God’s peace to guard my heart and mind in Christ? He’s showing me that hope and trust are the opposite of anxiety. When I’m not leaning on my own understanding, it means that His peace will be beyond my understanding, too. When I believe my Sovereign Lord is in control […]
In this episode, we see the way God shows His power and also His personal care for the prophet Elijah. And that He is the only God worthy of worship. With your kids: Share with each other one truth God has whispered to your heart recently. P.S. Don’t forget, you can find the Jesus is […]
I’ve memorized Proverbs 3:5-6, but what does it mean to trust in the Lord? To not lean on my own understanding? Will God really make my paths straight? These thoughts come as whispers into my heart: My daughter, why don’t you try thanking Me for My plans for your future instead of trying to figure […]
In this episode, I share with Finn about how God sent a drought and did miracles to show people His power, and how He also shows His power today through the Holy Spirit’s presence and work in our lives. With your kids: What miracle from the Bible would you have liked to see in person? […]
How can I respond to the love that put Christ on the cross? The love He shows me everyday as I picture my sins like dirt on my feet that He gently washes away? I want to be the one kneeling on the floor, like the woman who washed His feet with her tears and […]
In this episode, Finn and I talk about some kings who led the people in worshiping idols and one king who destroyed the idols, but that none compared to the true King who was coming into the world. With your kids: What do you think God would say to you if you told Him something […]
In this Christmas episode, Finn and I talk about Mary’s response to the angel’s news, and how we can ask for the grace to trust God in the big changes and in all the ordinary days of doing the good works He’s prepared for us to do. You can hear the story in Luke 1 […]
I wanted to give you an opportunity to read or reread this post I wrote a few years back for Advent. When we were in elementary school, my brother and I used to crawl around the base of our Christmas tree to examine the packages each evening before Mom called us for dinner. My brother […]
In this episode, God sends a prophet, a miracle, and a healing to show King Jeroboam his sin, but he continues to turn away from God. Nothing we do can mess up God’s plans, but He calls us to trust Him with every fear and struggle. With your kids: Close your eyes and picture yourself […]
I put together these Scriptures a few years ago and wanted to offer them again this Advent season. Are you ready? This advent season, we join with God’s people throughout all of history who waited for their Messiah, their Deliverer, to come. But our waiting is different. We get to celebrate the climax of God’s […]
This year, I had the chance to share a testimony at our church’s Thanksgiving service, and I wanted to give praise to God by offering it here as well. I want to give praise to the Lord for the grace of His presence and work in my life in the area of anxiety. I have […]
In this episode, we see how King Rehoboam and King Jeroboam both refuse to live in God’s good ways, and how when Christ lives in our hearts, we have the gift of the Spirit’s conviction to receive forgiveness, help, and the transforming grace to look more like Jesus. With your kids: What do you think […]
What does it mean for Christ to be my righteousness? It means that each morning when I wake up, the Father is smiling down at me. He hands me a Math test with an A+ written on the top, next to my name. All the circumstances of my day are the “problems” on the test, […]
In this episode, we see the sad end to Solomon’s reign as he turns to the gods his wives worshipped and leads the Israelites to do the same. Our actions flow out of what’s in our hearts, and God loves to give us humble hearts as we turn from our sins and remember who He […]
I woke up recently, feeling burdened with the needs someone had shared with me, wanting to help. Not knowing how. Feeling my own limitations of weariness and caring for three little kids and whatever I do not being enough. Soon another friend came to mind, obviously still blind to the truth of the gospel. . […]
In this episode, we look at what kinds of things Solomon prayed for when he dedicated the temple and that God heard Solomon’s prayer and told him to obey and trust Him alone. It’s the same call for us, as we also celebrate Jesus as our Great High Priest. With your kids: Choose one attribute […]
In my weakness He is strong. My life motto has been, “Be perfect.” It’s a great way to feel like a failure most of the time. As I sat against the washing machine, crying because I couldn’t control my feelings of worry, couldn’t trust God, couldn’t remember who He is, He whispered, “I’m using this.” […]
In this episode, God gives Solomon peace and rest from enemies so that he can build God’s temple, but he spends even longer building his own palace. God loves to open our eyes to His kingdom priorities as we read His Word and talk with Him about it. With your kids: Name one thing you […]
I got to the end of the day frustrated by how many times I’d failed and fallen into anxiety, wanting things to go my way, according to my plans, and being discouraged in all I couldn’t control. And God brought to mind the phrase, “The Lord is my portion” (Lamentations 3:24). He reminded me that […]
In this episode, Solomon sees how much he needs God’s help and asks for wisdom to rule. We have it even better when we join our lives to Jesus, because He gives us His Holy Spirit to help us to do what’s right. With your kids: Pick one person you’d like to treat with more […]
In this episode, God uses Bathsheba and the prophet Nathan to prompt David to anoint Solomon king after Solomon’s brother secretly tries to take the throne. Even when we fail, we can trust God’s plans and promises to always come true for our good and to make us more like Jesus. With your kids: Tell […]
In this last episode of the series, Finn and I talk about Jesus’ death and resurrection and that God has sent His Spirit to live in and through us as we tell others the good news and look forward to a life of eternal joy with Him. With your kids: Listen (or dance) to “All […]
In this episode, I share with Finn about God bringing the Israelite exiles back to their land and that at the perfect time, He sent Jesus to preach about God’s kingdom, even though many rejected Jesus’ message. With your kids: What’s been your favorite story so far? What did that story show you about who […]
In this episode, Finn and I talk about the time of the kings, and how many of them abandoned God and wanted to be like all the other nations. God brought judgment from the Assyrians and Babylonians, but was still getting ready for the time when the Perfect King would come. With your kids: Search […]
In part 3, Finn and I see how God faithfully led the Israelites through the wilderness and into the land He had promised, even though they soon began worshipping idols in the land. But even then, God wouldn’t give up on them and sent help each time they turned back to Him. With your kids: […]
Hey friends! Just a quick update letting you know that episodes may be sporadic on the Jesus is Better podcast for a while. In June, I got salmonella food poisoning, which put me in bed for four days, and by the time I started feeling better and took my three kids out to North Dakota […]
In Part 2, Finn and I talk about God’s promise to Abraham and how He made Abraham’s descendants into a great people and brought them out of slavery and cared for them all through the desert. With your kids: When God told Moses He would be with him, Moses was still scared to lead the […]
This is the first episode in a series through the whole Bible where we look at God’s plan of redemption, and all the times He keeps pursuing the people He created. With your kids: Look at the pictures on my website to get some ideas for your own drawings through the Bible. Then get drawing! […]
In this last episode of the series, Finn and I study the book of James by looking at the historical background, practice paraphrasing some verses, and ask God for his help in trials and temptations. With your kids: Go on youtube, and type in “The Bible Project James,” or click here. After watching the video, […]
In part 4, Finn and I practice what we’ve learned by looking at the historical background of 1 Samuel, ask questions about the first chapter, and ask God how it should change us. With your kids: Go on youtube, and type in “The Bible Project 1 Samuel” (or click here). After watching the video, tell […]
In part 3, Finn and I talk about how studying the Bible should change us, and that the Holy Spirit can remind us of what we’ve studied when we need it. With your kids: If you could draw a picture and hand it to Jesus, what would be on it? Bonus: Here’s an article about […]
In this episode, Finn and I discuss the importance of asking questions when we study the Bible to help us understand what the text says, what it means, and how it should change us. With your kids: Tell each other a fairytale like the story of the three little pigs, and then try doing it […]
This is the first episode in a five part series, teaching kids how to study the Bible on their own (and with a little help from parents). Finn the fish joins this podcast series. Discussion with your kids: What makes you nervous about studying the Bible on your own? Pray together and ask for God […]
In this episode, we finish 2nd Samuel. We talk about one final rebellion that David has to deal with as well as some strange stories at the end of the book which at first don’t seem to fit in. Discussion with your kids: What is the strangest thing you’ve heard from the Bible? Is there […]
This episode deals with the death of David’s son Absalom. We see what happens when he starts a rebellion and tries to kill his own father to take the throne. Discussion questions for your kids: Do your friends ever try to get you to do bad things? Is it easier to get them to do […]
In this episode, we explore the sad story of David’s sons. We will see how the bad things we do always hurt more people than we think they will. Questions to talk about with your kids: Have you ever thought that you could do a bad thing and it wasn’t that bad? Did the little […]
Some are for free. Some are for purchase. All are resources I’ve enjoyed for myself, with other believers, and with my children. If you haven’t checked out my resource page in a while, you’ll be able to discover some new treasures (and get ideas for birthdays, weddings, and baby showers!)
In this episode, we explore the tragic story of David and Bathsheba. We will talk about how sin encroaches on our lives and the sad consequences of sin. Questions to talk about with your kids: What kinds of things are you tempted to do that you know are wrong? Where do you do those […]
We are going to examine the “high point” of David’s life. We’ll examine how David reacts to the news that God has given him an eternal kingdom. Discussion with your kids: How do you treat people who don’t like you? What if you knew that they had been mean and unkind to you in the […]
Today we explore the stories of when David tried to move the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem and God’s blessing for David’s kingdom. We learn about doing the right thing, even when it is difficult. Discussion with your kids: Why does God give his blessings to David and his family of kings even though […]
Today, we learn about David capturing the capital of Jerusalem, and why big problems can sometimes become our greatest strengths. Discussion with your kids: What are some things that you are scared of today? Who should we turn to when we are scared? Here is the link to the Jerusalem pictures. Bonus: Here’s an article […]
In this episode, we get to learn about the civil war in Israel that occurs when Saul’s son, Ish-Bosheth, tries to become king instead of God’s anointed king, David. Discussion with your kids: How do we treat others when they’ve done something mean or wrong to us? Why does revenge never work? Thomas also heads […]
In this episode, guest Bible teacher Thomas Morse shares about David’s love for Saul, even though Saul didn’t treat David well. We can learn how to love those who aren’t nice to us by learning from David and Jesus. Discussion with your kids: Think of someone who isn’t nice to you at school, daycare, or […]
In this episode, I share from John when Jesus appears to the disciples and tells Peter to feed His sheep, and how Jesus is growing our faith so we can share His gospel with others. Discussion with your kids: Play “a little bit bigger.” Start by naming something that could fit inside your room and […]
In this episode, I share from Luke when Jesus is raised from the dead and invites the disciples and us to share His good news with all the world. Discussion with your kids: Think of something amazing God has shown you about Himself lately and tell it to someone! Bonus: Here’s an article I wrote […]
In this episode, I share from Luke when Jesus obeyed the Father in going to the cross, and that when we believe in Him and want to be with Him, He is delighted to welcome us into His forever family. Discussion with your kids: Think of someone you would like to know Jesus more. Pray […]
In this episode, I share from Luke when Jesus is taken by the chief priests, and the disciples all run away, and that we can ask His Holy Spirit to help us be faithful whenever we are afraid or confused. Discussion with your kids: Tell each other something that makes you afraid. Then, ask Jesus […]
In this episode, I share from Luke and John about Jesus’ last hours with His disciples before His death, and how Jesus wants to help us receive and share His love with those right in the room with us. Discussion with your kids: Name the people you share a room with the most. Ask Jesus […]
In this episode I share from Luke when Jesus told a story about the Pharisees’ rejection of Him and that He would take care of His disciples no matter what scary things happened, just as He does today. Discussion with your kids: Think of some things you want Jesus to be in charge of. Then […]
In this episode, I share from Luke about Jesus seeking Zacchaeus and how He invites us to join in His good works all the way until He comes again. Discussion with your kids: Take turns telling each other why Jesus is the best, and see how long you can go back and forth.
In this episode, I share from Luke about a rich man and a blind man who came to Jesus and how God invites us to come to Him in prayer. Discussion with your kids: Ask your children to come up with some ways they could show love to kids who are younger than them at […]
I recently had the chance to read with my five-year-old son the first book in a series being released in April, and because we enjoyed it so much, I wanted to tell you about it. The series is called The Bible’s Big Ideas, and here’s a bit from the GospelGrown website: The central message, or The Story, […]
In this episode I share from Luke about how Jesus invites us to forgive others and live lives of thankfulness even as we look forward to His return. Discussion with your kids: Think of someone who makes you angry sometimes. Now imagine taking them by the hand and leading them to God’s throne so that […]
In this episode, I share from Luke about how we can receive God’s blessings and trust Him to take care of us as we share with others what we’ve been given. Discussion with your kids: Think of something you would like God to help you share with a friend or sibling. Ask Him to give […]
In this episode, I share three stories Jesus told about how much He wants us to live under His care and protection, and that the Father’s arms are open wide each time we wander off and follow our own selfish desires. Discussion with your kids: Imagine you are the younger son in the story Jesus […]
In this episode, I share from Luke when Jesus showed the Pharisees how much God cares for the poor and sick and those who come to His banquet in faith, and that the Spirit can help us receive those people in God’s love, too. Discussion with your kids: Think of someone you don’t really like […]
In this episode I share from Luke when Jesus taught about God’s kingdom coming patiently, slowly, and miraculously, and that He is showing people from every nation the way through His door of salvation. Discussion with your kids: Think of someone who might not have gone through Jesus’ door of salvation. Pray that God would […]
In this episode, I share from Luke when Jesus taught His disciples about trusting God to take care of them in this life and in the life to come, and that His Spirit is still with us, helping us each time we worry. Discussion with your kids: What is something you’ve been worried about lately? […]
In this episode, I share from Luke when Jesus tells about the Father’s care through the Holy Spirit and that His followers can’t live in the light without His help. Discussion with your kids: Imagine that Jesus is sitting on a chair in your living room and asks, “What’s been making you feel happy lately? […]
In this episode, I share from Luke about how Jesus invited His disciples to preach, care for others, and learn from Him, and how we can do the same in the power of His Holy Spirit so that those who want to know Him can hear. Discussion with your kids: Choose a harvest field to […]
In this episode, I share from Luke about how the disciples began to go out in Jesus’ power, but still needed to understand the extent of it, and how God can give us faith to believe He has the power to shine His light of love and healing into any situation. Discussion with your kids: […]
In this episode, I share from Luke when Jesus rescued each person who came to Him in need, and how He invites us to trust His powerful work in our lives even if we don’t know what kind of help we need. Discussion with your kids: Think of someone who needs God’s help right now. […]
In this episode, I share from Luke when Jesus heals the Roman commander’s servant, raises a widow’s son, and forgives a woman who poured perfume on his feet, and how God invites us to see how much we need Him and trust Him to take care of us. Discussion with your kids: Share with each […]
In this episode, I share from Luke when Jesus faced the Pharisees and taught His disciples–and now us about how to trust Him with our hearts and love others with His transformative love. Discussion with your kids: Ask the Holy Spirit to bear His fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and […]
In this episode, I share from Luke when people began responding to Jesus’ call to follow Him, and that we can enjoy and invite others into this friendship of trust and obedience, too. Discussion with your kids: Think of someone who seems like they need a hug from God and pray that they would know […]
In this episode, I share from Luke about Jesus overcoming every temptation and obeying the Father perfectly, so that we could share in His righteousness and join in His mission. Discussion with your kids: Think of a nation around the world that needs the light of Jesus’ love. Pray that His light would conquer the […]
In this episode, I share from the gospels about how God led John to tell the people that Jesus had come, and how Jesus lived a life of perfect obedience as he grew up. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we get to enjoy the benefits of that obedience given to us and join Him in being the […]
In this episode, I share from Luke 2 about how God worked all the pieces together for Jesus’ birth and how we can trust God to keep His promises to us and in all that we are still waiting for. Discussion with your kids: Share a promise from God’s Word that has encouraged you lately, […]
In this episode, I share from Luke about God’s plan to prepare the way for Jesus to come, and how we get to be carriers of His good news, pointing back to the cross and ahead to the glorious eternal life that is coming. Discussion with your kids: What is something you want and God […]
Dear friends, I’m looking forward to what God has for me to share with you in this next season of life, but for now, I’ll give you a glimpse of how He is filling my time each day and night. Faith Adeline Yoder, 9 1b, 6 oz. And if you want something great to listen […]
In this episode, I share from 1 Samuel about how God helped David rescue the women and children the Amalekites captured, but Saul was defeated, and how Jesus wants to lead us through each unexpected circumstance as we keep listening for and obeying Him. Discussion with your kids: What trouble right now do you want […]
In this episode, I share from 1 Samuel, when David spared Saul’s life again, but Saul found out that he was going to die, and how Jesus wants to walk with us into the future and teach us to be His helpers in His kingdom. Discussion with your kids: Tell your kids what you wanted […]
In this episode, I share from 1 Samuel, when David doesn’t take revenge on Saul or Nabal, and how Jesus wants to guide us in the way we relate to and love the people in our lives. Discussion with your kids: Ask Jesus who He would like to love even more through you. Ask Him […]
In this episode, I share from 1 Samuel, when Saul kept pursuing David, but David kept seeking God’s guidance, and how Jesus wants to guide us and be the help we need everyday. Discussion with your kids: Ask Jesus to speak a word of encouragement to your heart today, and then share with each other […]
In this episode, I share from 1 Samuel, when Saul became so jealous of David that he tried to kill him, and how Jesus wants to rescue us from living in fear, anger, and trying to control our lives without Him. Discussion with your kids: Choose someone you want to celebrate! Pray for them, blessing […]
In this episode, I share from 1 Samuel about how David’s friendship with God made him fight to defend God’s Great Name against Goliath, and how Jesus wants to grow in friendship with us in every stage of our lives and in whatever battles we face. Discussion with your kids: What area of your life […]
In this episode, I share from 1 Samuel 14-15 when Jonathan leads the Israelites in victory, but Saul makes foolish decisions, and how Jesus invites us to live under and be blessed by His authority and power. Discussion with your kids: Where would you like Jesus to show His power? Pray together, inviting Him to […]
In this episode, I share from 1 Samuel about how God uses Saul to rescue the Israelites, but then in another battle he becomes fearful and disobeys, and how God’s Spirit is ready to help whenever we face a scary situation. Discussion with your kids: What’s one of your favorite stories from the Bible about […]
In this episode, I share from 1 Samuel, when the Israelites demand a king, and how Jesus wants to be our perfect, loving King, leading our hearts in His ways. Discussion with your kids: Is there something you’ve prayed for God to do and He hasn’t done it? Ask Jesus to speak into your thoughts […]
In this episode, I share from 1 Samuel, when God brought the Israelites to repentance through the return of the ark of the covenant, and how Jesus shows His help through the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. Discussion with your kids: What is one thing you want to start asking for God’s help with? […]
In this episode, I share from 1 Samuel, how God speaks to Samuel and how He wants to lead us and speak to us through His Word and Spirit living in us. Discussion with your kids: If you could see Jesus right now, what would you want to do with Him? Play with toys? Read […]
In this episode, I share from the book of Ruth, how God protected Ruth through Boaz, carrying out His great plan, and how Jesus came to be our Rescuer, leading us into a life under His care forever. Discussion with your kids: When, during the day, do you feel like Jesus isn’t leading you or […]
In this episode, I share from Judges, when the Israelites turned away from God and He used Gideon to rescue them from their enemies, and how Jesus wants to heal our hearts each time we want something else more than Him. Discussion with your kids: Are you feeling sad or discouraged or worried about something […]
In this episode I share about how God continues to divide the land for the Israelites, and they promise to serve Him only, and how we need Jesus everyday, to be our righteousness and help us believe His promises. Discussion with your kids: Which of God’s promises are you thankful for today? Share together, and […]
In this episode, I share how Joshua is deceived by the Gibeonites into making a covenant of peace, but God uses Joshua to protect the Gibeonites when they are in danger, and how Jesus invites us into a life of working together to proclaim His greatness and show His love. (Images: freebibleimages.org) Discussion with your […]
In this episode, I share from Joshua about how God made the walls of Jericho fall down and dealt with Achan’s sin, and how Jesus let His body be destroyed so that we can find healing and forgiveness from all our sins. Discussion with your kids: Ask, “What part of your life do you […]
In this episode, I share from Joshua how God shows the Israelites His power as they begin to enter the land He’d promised, and how Jesus leads us in fighting against the powers of darkness in our own lives. Discussion with your kids: Ask, “What is one thing you are scared of or worried about?” […]
In this episode, I share from the last chapters in Deuteronomy, when God invited the Israelites to choose life through following Him alone, and how Jesus is inviting us to trust Him with however He wants us to fit into His story. (http://www.freebibleimages.org/illustrations/moses-joshua/) Discussion with your kids: How has God shown you His glory, beauty, […]
In this episode, I share from Deuteronomy, when Moses reminded the Israelites how well God had cared for them, and how Jesus wants us to remove the idols from our hearts and walk with Him in joy and blessing others. Discussion with your kids: Pick a nation around the world where you can invite Jesus […]
In this episode, I share from Deuteronomy, when Moses invited the new generation of Israelites to follow God as they prepared to enter their new land, and how Jesus loves to fight for us and lead us in loving those He brings into our lives. Discussion with your kids: Tell each other about a time […]
In this episode, I share from Numbers about the Israelite tribes beginning to receive the land God had for them, and how living under God’s authority and safety helps us to receive and enjoy all the blessings He has for us. Discussion with your kids: Can you picture Jesus with you right now? What are […]
In this episode, I share from Numbers about God giving the Israelites a new leader even when they turned away from Him, and how Jesus wants to lead us in His life of love and restoring others’ hearts to Him. Discussion with your kids: If you could hear Jesus speaking to you, what do you […]
In this episode, I share from Numbers, when King Balak wanted Balaam to curse the Israelites, but God caused Balaam to speak blessing instead, and how Jesus wants to protect us and lead us into a life of love, healing, and blessing. With your kids: Pray together that Jesus would give both of you a […]
In this episode, I share from Numbers when God gave the Israelites water from a rock and used a bronze serpent to turn their eyes to Him, and how Jesus came to crush the biggest serpent’s head so that we can be healed, forgiven, and enjoy Jesus forever. Discussion with your kids: What is one […]
In this episode, I share from Numbers, when Korah and some Israelite leaders rebelled against God, and that Jesus is the only One who can give us the humility and joy to do the jobs He has for us to join Him in. Discussion with your kids: What job are you glad Jesus has you […]
In this episode, I share from Numbers, when the Israelites were too scared to trust God to enter the promised land, and how Jesus has trusted the Father perfectly on our behalf and invites us to lean on His strength each time we fear. Discussion with your kids: What is something that makes you afraid? […]
In this episode, I share from Numbers, when God continued to travel with the Israelites even when they complained again and Moses’ brother and sister wanted to be the best, and how Jesus wants to make room in our hearts for His thoughts and invite us into the jobs He has for us to do. […]
In this episode, I share from Leviticus and Numbers, how God wanted to bless the Israelites and teach them how to do their jobs as part of His family, and how Jesus wants to take us by the hand and lead us in the good works He has for us to do with Him. Question […]
In this episode, I share from Leviticus about how God is teaching the Israelites to live with Him as part of His family, and how because of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice, we can run to Him for help no matter what we are going through. Why not tell your kids one way you need Jesus’ help […]
In this episode, I share from Exodus 34-40, Numbers 7, and Leviticus 8-9, when God’s glory fills the tabernacle so He can live with His people and how Jesus has come as the perfect priest, offering forgiveness and His Spirit to live in our hearts. Question for your kids: What do you imagine God’s home […]
In this episode, I share from Exodus 32-33, when Moses is away talking with God, and the Israelites choose to make an idol to worship and how receiving Jesus’ love and forgiveness frees us to follow God in the way He created us to live. Question for your kids: If someone asked you why Jesus […]
We have not been abandoned. Many people around us might feel completely abandoned, but Jesus suffered the greatest abandonment when he cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus experienced that feeling of being forsaken so that they don’t have to. What better gift do we have to receive and offer […]
In this episode, I share from Exodus 21-31, when God teaches Moses how He has chosen to live with His people and how Jesus has made a way for God to live with us and in us. Hallelujah! Question for your kids: Why do you think Jesus wants to be with us?
In this episode of the Jesus is Better Podcast, I have my two special guests, Dorie and Ja’nya, go through The Gospel Coalition’s New City Catechism with me. This is a great episode your children can practice with as they learn 52 important beliefs about God. The New City Catechism is copyrighted by Redeemer Presbyterian […]
In this episode, I share from Exodus 18-20, when God teaches the people the way life works best through His commandments, and how Jesus has kept the commandments perfectly on our behalf, inviting us to obey and run with Him in His good ways. Question for your kids: What has Jesus been teaching you today?
In this episode, I storytell Exodus 16-17, when God provides food and water for the Israelites as He leads them through the wilderness and how Jesus invites us to trust in His provision as we rest in His good purposes for our lives. A question for your kids: How has Jesus been taking care of […]
In this episode, I storytell Exodus 14-15, when God parts the Red Sea. Though we deserve to be swept away like the Egyptians, God sent Jesus to rescue us and lead us all the way until we join Him on the New Earth. Why not ask the kids in your life what they’ve learned about […]
In this episode, I storytell Exodus 11-12, when God passed over the Israelites who put the blood of a perfect lamb on their doors. I also share how Jesus was the true perfect sacrifice so that we could be forgiven and experience new life with him. After you listen, you can ask your kids, “What […]
In this episode of the Jesus is Better Podcast, I share from Exodus 7-10, how God showed his power to the Israelites and Egyptians through the 10 plagues, and how Jesus still holds all the power over our lives, fulfilling every promise he has ever made. You might want to ask your kids if there […]
In this episode of the Jesus is Better podcast, I share from Exodus 5-7 how God used Moses to give Pharaoh God’s message, which made life more difficult for the slaves, and how we can trust Jesus when life seems to be getting worse. Why is following Jesus exciting and worth it? Why not ask […]
I don’t know Greek. I can’t read Hebrew. There are Bible study tools I learned about in college that I haven’t tried to fit into my toddler and preschool-filled schedule. Sometimes, my brain has had a hard enough time comprehending the English words stringing together into sentences if it’s early enough in the morning or […]
In this episode of the Jesus is Better Podcast, I tell how God chose Moses to be the one who would lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and how Jesus is an even greater rescuer, saving us from slavery to sin into eternal life with him. You can take a look at my […]
Hi friends! I’m delighted to share with you my brand-new podcast for kids called Jesus is Better: Bible Stories with Gospel Joy. Have you ever wondered why God included certain stories in the Bible? The Bible is meant to show us Jesus and his glorious gospel, yet often we get stuck focusing only on Bible […]
I won’t spoil the surprise, but I just wanted to let you know that I can’t wait to share with you a new resource I’ve been developing this summer. Get ready!
How do you decide how to spend your time each day? Maybe you have a boss breathing down your neck for forty or more hours each week and can barely fit all your other responsibilities in the scraps of time left over. Maybe caring for your kids is forcing you from one bone-weary day to […]
Looking for meaningful gifts to give at weddings, graduations, or baby showers this summer? Or maybe something you can give to encourage a friend? Check out my updated Resource page on my blog! God has used these books, podcasts, songs, and videos to refresh me in the gospel and share it with my children and […]
“How can Jesus be with us? I can’t see him!” “Why did Adam and Eve eat the fruit they weren’t supposed to?” “Are zebras good or bad?” Though I know this will change, my three-and-a-half year old son has a hard time believing I don’t know everything. Sometimes, he gets downright frustrated when I can’t […]
I want to receive God’s love so fully that it fills up my own heart and spills over onto others. Yet it’s so natural to do things that are, well. . . unloving. I see someone at the library I met once before who just had a new baby. Instead of congratulating her and asking […]
My three-and-a-half year old son loves crawling up on the counter and helping me cook. He likes to taste the flour and basil and ask all kinds of questions about what I’m making. Cracking eggs is accomplished by simultaneously squeezing and knocking the egg on the side of the bowl, as the egg goo runs […]
At some point every day, I can count on hearing, “Mom! Look what she’s doing!” Now that Hosanna is mobile, there are almost constant opportunities for friction between her and three-and-a-half-year-old Isaiah. As soon as she crawls toward something, he wants it. And if he’s building a tower out of Duplos, all she wants to […]
A friend recently told me that she’d been feeling overwhelmed by how much there is to know about God and the Bible. But then the Spirit reminded her that she has her whole life to learn, study, and delight in the God who made her. At this stage of caring for my little people, my […]
Isaiah had gotten the hang of walking and was delighted with his new level of freedom. When I decided it was time to sweep the floors of our tiny basement apartment, I would set up some toys for him to play with and rush over to the kitchen with my broom. About two seconds later, […]
The kids had gotten up earlier than usual, so I threw some French Toast on the griddle and got together our vitamins, juice and dishes. I heard branches start to drop on our roof and looked outside our back door window to see the forest of trees behind our house swaying back and forth–so much […]
A few years ago, my mom challenged me to come up with a word for the year, something that I wanted to invite God to do in my life as I considered what might happen in the coming year. Some of my words from past years have included: Spirit, dependance, and presence (which was my […]
I wrote this article last year, but as I look forward to what God might have in 2017, I wanted to share it again. I can’t even count the number of times growing up, whether it was public school or youth group that I was challenged to “make a difference in the world.” That I could […]
When we were in elementary school, my brother and I used to crawl around the base of our Christmas tree to examine the packages each evening before Mom called us for dinner. My brother would count the number of gifts for each of us kids to make sure they were equal, all the while begging […]
Like potty training accidents and moments of defiance, sickness isn’t really something you can plan into your schedule, (though now that I have two kids, it’s a little easier to see it coming. Example: My preschooler got a runny nose, became even more affectionate toward his little sister, giving her the cold, which passed to […]
Christopher and I usually play violin together for a few weddings each year. Some couples lift up Christ as the One joining them together and giving the strength to keep their vows, and some use Bob Marley lyrics in the ceremony in place of Scripture or say that they will keep their vows, “for as […]
As I was getting ready for bed one night, the fear appeared like a sudden thunderstorm. What if my children grow up and choose not to follow Christ? As the rain drops of doubts continued pouring over my face, I had to keep wiping the water out of my eyes to catch a glimpse of […]
“How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (John 4:9) His request for water was unexpected. She could have walked away. But she didn’t. Whether it was curiosity, the Spirit’s working or both, she stayed to talk. And Jesus started drawing her into the truth. She […]
Sometimes the Spirit brings a face to my mind during the day—the man who broke his leg, the girl going off to college for the first time, the family packing to spend another term overseas. Other times, the person is right in front of me, quietly sharing a need (or shouting it at the top […]
This flash fiction story (a story that is 1,000 words or less) was originally published last year in Splickety’s flash fiction magazine. Mia adjusted the violin on her shoulder as the conductor lifted his hands. This was her favorite part of Les Miserables, where all the actors in the production came on stage to sing […]
I’ve heard it said that it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert at something. I’m not sure how being a mother would be calculated if you factor in nap times, night times of being “on call,” and the fact that every time you turn around your children are at a different stage of life. […]
Dear Alicia, You now have three months of experience as a mother of two, and there are a few things I’d like to remind you about this newborn stage in case you happen to get big and pregnant again and don’t remember what it was like to welcome a new member to the family. Most […]
“Honey, I have to stay late today.” It didn’t seem like a problem, since my newborn was looking up with innocent smiles from her bouncy seat, and my toddler was paging through a book. I stirred the onions and stepped over to unload the dishwasher. As I stacked the plates, I decided I’d try to […]
How do you think God views your role as a mother? With His arms crossed, thinking you need to do better at being patient and loving, not to mention get more vegetables into your toddler, keep the house picked up, and hold your baby more? Do you think God gave you the family He did […]
Do you ever feel guilty when people do nice things for you? Or start comparing yourself to all those who have a harder life or circumstance? And then the next second, when you’re trying to get the screaming baby to latch on and your toddler is yelling for your help from across the house, wonder […]
“Please go to your room so Mommy can change your diaper.” He looks at me and then hurries in the opposite direction. “Let me get my legos first. And bear. And. . .” I hear plinking on the piano, which he happened to see on his quest for diaper-changing buddies. It’s easy to get offended, […]
Have you ever gone through one of those read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year reading plans? What happened when you got to Leviticus? When I followed one, there were certain times I would open my Bible with a sigh, counting the number of days I had left of a particular book and hoping to gain some kind of encouragement from […]
Growing up, I used to approach the new school year with differing levels of apprehension and terror. What if the teacher didn’t like me? What if I forgot everything I’d learned the previous year? (I actually remember trying to practice some Math worksheets a few days before starting fifth grade.) Before my wedding, I remember […]
I recently pulled out the workbook Christopher and I used during our pre-marital counseling six years ago. The section that caught my eye dealt with the ideas each of us had for our new life together. How would the housework be divided? Who would pay the bills? How many children did we want to have? […]
Becoming a mother has added more spice of unpredictability than I often think should go with the job description. Desitin on the carpet. 200 wipes blanketed across his bedroom. A box of elbow macaroni dumped on the kitchen floor. Demands shouted. Tears of defiance. Acts of disobedience even during moments of discipline. No matter what […]
I can’t even count the number of times growing up, whether it was public school or youth group that I was challenged to “make a difference in the world.” That I could be a part of seeing life-changing transformation in the lives of those I reached out to. Fast forward a few years to my […]
I’ve often imagined Mary and Joseph introducing the shepherds to baby Jesus in the same way parents bring their new baby to church for the first time—squeaky clean and wearing a ruffly dress. Members flock around and pass the baby back and forth, commenting on how much the little lump looks like her mom or […]
My dear friend Jessie is sharing her heart as my guest blogger today. I’m also excited to share with you about her new book Loving the Stranger: Welcoming Immigrants in the Name of Christ. Refugee crisis. Thousands fleeing war. Camps. Capsized boats. Devastation. Pain. You read the heart-breaking headlines with one eye on the news story, […]
Rachel pushed the frozen turkey down into the water-filled sink. Some of it sloshed over the top onto her socks. She’d been up five times last night, and not once had she thought of thawing the turkey. There’s no way her mom would have forgotten to buy the turkey until the night before Thanksgiving. This […]
It’s the pause in conversation that makes me hold my breath, hoping that I can stop time or at least postpone what I don’t want to hear. The pause after I’ve asked a question of someone, realizing in that split second that the person is going to point out one of my faults or a […]
Do you ever feel like resting is a waste of time? I can so easily get stuck in the mindset that my worth is based on what I have to show at the end of the day. Sometimes, my husband has physically tugged me over to the couch to take a break. But even at night, […]
I’ve never been very good at waiting. It’s like my heart has little hands that want to grab onto the situation’s throat and say, “Isn’t there something more productive I could be doing right now?” When we decided to purchase our double-wide home in May, we had no idea what the process would look like. […]
My almost-two-year-old son currently spends his days pointing to something, asking what it is called, and trying to repeat it. If he had the money, he’d also hire someone to be his full-time book reader–as long as he could sit on their lap the whole time. He loves it when we finally understand what he’s […]
When Christopher and I spent the summer in Iraq, a few of us were invited to the home of three students in our English program. I had gotten to know their mom a little bit on a previous visit and expressed my amazement as dish after dish was brought out, covering almost every inch of […]
During our first two years of marriage, we lived in a neighborhood for married students. In our trailer, the rooms had been painted crimson, navy, light blue and orange, but the most unique area was the kitchen. It was yellow with red, orange and green chili peppers stamped on every inch of the walls and […]
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by all the Christian resources available? What’s the difference between books, songs, videos, and other media that are simply uplifting and ones that are Christ-centered? It all comes back to the gospel. I want my son to know about Noah and the ark because it points to Jesus. That even though the flood […]
When we spent a summer in Iraq a few years ago, I noticed that the beautiful houses were surrounded by concrete walls. Our English student’s wife told me that she didn’t like her sons to play out on the street because of the kids who said bad words. But they weren’t isolated, because in the […]
- People are more important than possessions. He was digging through the cupboard of pots and pans and I hadn’t heard any alarming crashes. But when I went to put the pans away, I saw my crimson-glazed 9 by 9 baking dish in three pieces on the floor. After a few minutes of feeling sorry […]
When I was nine years old, I told anyone who asked that I was planning to be a missionary orphanage worker. I toted my American girl doll Addy to school for career day (pretending she was an African orphan). I decided that I was going to adopt twin girls from Africa (since I’d heard that […]
I was in 8th grade, and our family had just moved to a new state. In the past, my gym experience had consisted of making sure the teachers knew I was trying, and not looking too relieved when I got hit with the dodgeball and could sit on the sidelines. In most team sports, I […]
The dreams all happened over the course of a few nights. A dream that our friends got divorced. A dream that a friend’s baby died. A dream that another friend got cancer. For some, these tragedies are reality. For others of us, they are part of the battle against fearful thoughts. If all our fears […]
“How was your time last night?” Christopher’s face lit up like a thousand fireflies as he recounted the people he’d met, the board games he’d played, and the strategy he was able to execute perfectly. His passion for people and board games flowed out of him as he talked, permeating the room like brownies baking in […]
One summer in high school, I noticed a billboard on my way to work that said, “We took immediately and made it faster.” We live in a culture of microwaved food, vitamin supplements, and exercise programs promising to burn our fat faster. You want to grow your hair faster? There’s a shampoo for that. Now […]
The pain crept in slowly, but by the time I laid my head on the pillow, I was nearly in tears. It wasn’t only the stiff throbbing that had settled again in my neck and shoulders. It was the fear that I would be forced to go back in time and relive the ten years […]
Did you know that during World War I, more American women died in childbirth than American men died on the battlefield? Women’s healthcare improved dramatically the next year once women we able to vote, but the pain of Eve’s curse hasn’t gone away. Every day I am reminded of my physical weakness as I go […]
Jedaiah scanned the temple’s hall before slipping his hand underneath his white sleeve. The spots itched more each moment. That morning when they’d met to discuss the accommodations needed for the influx of pilgrims, he’d had to bite his cheek around the other priests to keep from scratching. He’d thought the white spots were merely […]
Christopher and I were on our own during our first two years, figuring out how to be newlyweds. I was finishing my last year of college, and then we both got teaching jobs for a year. We tried to keep up with our families up in Delaware and North Dakota (and siblings scattered from Michigan […]
A couple weekends ago, my husband planned a trip to Ohio to visit one of his friends and wanted to take our son along (8 hours away, if you calculate it without a toddler in the back seat). It was going to be the first time in 19 months that I’d be baby-free for more […]
Her children are so much better behaved than mine. She works full-time and still finds energy to bake cookies for the kindergarten class. At least I don’t act like her. Do you wish you could escape from the running commentary in your head? I used to think that I should be much more concerned about […]
Do you ever feel like you’re praying on autopilot? I try to pray with my son before his nap each afternoon. Often it sounds something like this: “Dear Jesus, please give Isaiah a good rest, so that he can wake up refreshed, (so he won’t be fussy and I can get lots of stuff done).” […]
God’s Healing from a Decade of Pain and Worry Eighteen months ago, our son took his first breath. He has learned so much since then–smiling, laughing, rolling over, sitting up, eating solids, crawling, talking, walking, and now climbing. When he was born, I couldn’t picture him doing all the things he can do now. Neither […]
I used to not forget anything. Anything, that is, that had to do with events/times/dates/etc. I’d write things on our calendar, set timers, write sticky notes, and even text myself. My weird personality and subconscious would hold hands and swim around inside my brain, whispering reminders in my ear as I was going to sleep. “Don’t […]
Why does being a mom have to be so hard? Why do some moms make it look like baking brownies from a box? Have you ever felt like you don’t have what it takes? Sometimes I’m tempted to think of motherhood as one more item to check off my list by the end of the […]
I’m married to an external processor. Whenever my husband proposes that we change something, I feel like tiny ants have burrowed under my skin and are trying to wriggle their way out. Because staying the same feels so much safer. If I come up with an idea, I usually think about it for a while before telling anyone, […]
Do you ache for heaven? Most of the time I’m aching for a lot of things–more sleep, the casserole’s timer to go off so I can eat, time to read a novel, relational connections with my friends and husband, my son to stop whining and eat the lunch I made for him. These aches can […]
Why focusing on yourself helps you to focus on others I lay in bed that night, listening to the slow rhythm of my husband’s breathing, wishing that falling asleep was something I could will myself to do. The past few days, I’d finally felt like I was easing out of survival mode and into a […]
I used to wake up in the morning and try not to sigh. The routine of the week was forecasted to look a lot like the routine of last week, which resembled the one before that. There were always jobs to do around the house–dishes, cleaning, laundry, food prep, bills, emails, keeping my son alive, […]
Why does being selfless have to be so hard? A couple weeks ago in our women’s Sunday School class, my toddler noticed a little girl carrying around her container of Cheerios and decided he should have some. Moments later, he had her snack and was shoving handfuls of cereal into his mouth. When I reached […]
I hear the swish of sock against fake leather. I turn to see the little foot and knee join the other one on top of the glider’s foot rest. The foot rest rocks just like the chair, and he throws his toddler hands forward to catch himself on the coffee table. Then the knee rises […]
Do you believe God has the power to answer your desire to serve Him? A couple summers ago, Christopher and I stayed at one of those pay-by-the-week sketchy hotels. We were taking a class to learn about Islam and reaching out to Muslims, both in America and overseas. We spent each day listening to lectures […]
It’s 10:30am and I sink into the chair, grab my ESV study Bible, and check my reading plan. I find Isaiah 17 and read the first verse. I hear grunting, followed by sounds of protest as my son Isaiah wriggles himself onto the folding chair. I bring him a few books to look at while […]
How much of your life is lived in secret? Recently, I was reading through Matthew 6, when Jesus gives His sermon on the mount. Jesus repeats a phrase three times: “And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” The phrases are in reference to giving, praying and fasting in secret. As a stay-at-home […]
In studying the craft of storytelling this past year, I was challenged to brainstorm what I’m passionate about. After some soul-searching, I realized what makes me want to jump up and down with my arms stretched wide. It’s encouraging people in their journey with Jesus. For many years I struggled with physical pain, enhanced greatly […]