Love Your People Well | A Therapist’s Tips For Christian Mom Life, Marriage Help, And Family Relationships

Episode 208 // Every mom has hit that stage of parenting, at some point or another. Exhaustion. Overwhelm. Stress.    Parenting is a lot of work!    And every mom who hits that stage also has the same goal. Get back to enjoying family life again! Bring back the energy and the enthusiasm for it all.    Well, my friend, these tips will help. I’m in that exhausted mom stage right now, and these 13 ac...

Discipling our kids is important... and it can feel totally overwhelming.    When something really matters, it's easy to start worrying about it. Stressing about it. Sometimes we feel paralyzed by how big it feels, and wind up not doing very much at all.   Thankfully, God is bigger! He is the One who tells us how important it is to love him, follow him, and share about him with others. He gave us...

Episode 207 // There are a lot of things that feel important as a parent. Things that really are important! But as Christian parents, there is one true priority in our parenting - discipling our kids.    “Bring [your children] up in the training and instruction of the Lord,” Ephesians 6 tells us. “Impress [my commandments] on your children,” Deuteronomy 6 tells parents.    But life is busy! The da...

Relationships can be tough.    There are big emotions, plenty of chances for conflict, gaps in communication, busy days, tired people. But our family relationships are worth the effort of working through all of that!    There are plenty of tips and tricks and strategies that can help us deepen our family relationships. But at the end of the day, the true power comes from the Holy Spirit.   We need...

Episode 206 // What is family life all about? CONNECTING with our people.    If you get all the stuff done and your house is spotless and the bills are paid… but you aren’t connected with your people, it won’t really matter. Without depth and intimacy in those relationships, life can’t feel full and joyful.   So today, as we continue to look at some family rhythms that can help us love our people...

Pray with me, friend!   We all want to feel successful in our days. But ultimately, success comes from the Lord. He fills us, leads us, helps us, strengthens us. We need the endurance, patience, creativity, and grace that He gives.    So today, let's take a few minutes to pray together for our families, the things that fill up our days, and for the Lord to bless all of it.   hugs & blessings,...

Episode 205 // Being a stay at home Christian mom is SUCH a great blessing. But we live in such a busy, distracting, technology-filled world that it can be hard to understand what “success” really looks like… let alone, how to get there.   So today on the podcast, I want to share all the details of my morning routine - which sets up my day for success. These are the activities that help me put Jes...

God teaches us and shapes us through his Word. Reading the Bible is so valuable! And one of my favorite parts is that we can give those Scriptures back to God in prayer.   So, join me for a few minutes today as we pray together through a few of the Proverbs that have been jumping out to me over the past few months, as I've been reading Proverbs daily.   hugs & blessings, Jess   *  *  *  *  * ...

Episode 204 // There are some daily habits that will change your life. Over the past few years as a mom, I’ve found that reading the Bible every day is DEFINITELY one of those habits! And over the past few months, I’ve started reading the Proverbs every day too…   … And I love it.   Do I miss a few days a month? Of course. Is the book of Proverbs the only Bible reading I do each day? Usually not....

Join me for a short time of prayer today, friend, as we reflect this week on the power of God's Word, his presence, and his grace in the stresses of Christian motherhood.    My time this summer reading through the psalms and proverbs has been such a wonderful reminder of God's character. We need that reminder every day!!    So today, we are praying for God's grace to pour out on our families every...

Episode 203 // We’re wrapping up the Summertime in the Psalms series today. (For real this time… somehow, I thought July had already ended last week!)   And I want to share my heart with you today, friend.    This summer, I’ve been reading through the psalms and proverbs. It hasn’t been a miraculous, life-changing experience. No magic wands. No a-ha God moments.    But it has been a slow, sweet ti...

Summertime in the Psalms Series!   Psalm 102 is literally labeled "the prayer of an afflicted person." So, how can we not finish out this week without prayer??    Join me today for a sweet time of prayer together, praying through this psalm and the overwhelming emotions that sometimes accompany Christian family life, marriage, and motherhood.   hugs & blessings, Jess   *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ...

Episode 202 // Summertime in the Psalms Series!   I love the tagline for Psalm 102. “The prayer of an afflicted person who has grown weak and pours out a lament before the Lord.”   What Christian mom hasn’t sometimes felt afflicted? Weak? Filled with lament and struggle?   Today’s episode is for you, my friend. And for me. And for all of us who feel weak and weary sometimes!   Join me for encourag...

Summertime in the Psalms Series!   Reading the Scriptures is so life-giving. There is so much wisdom, encouragement, hope, and peace!     This week, we've looked at Psalm 62 and the practical action steps it points us toward during seasons of discouragement and hardship. Today, let's take it a step further and pray together through this beautiful psalm.   Join me for a short prayer today, and let'...

Episode 201 // Summertime in the Psalms Series!   You aren’t here to just grit your teeth and survive raising your kids. No way! No, you are here to figure out how to ENJOY family life.    Yes, family life is messy. It’s chaotic. We all get frustrated, we get overwhelmed, relationships can discourage us and life can be really hard.    And Psalm 62 has exactly the wisdom we need for THOSE parts of...

Welcome to our Summertime in the Psalms Series!   This week, we've found joy and purpose in Psalm 100. Today, join me as we pray through this psalm together - for ourselves and our families.   May God bless you and your family with joy, peace, and grace that only He can give! May He fill your home with worship and with knowledge of him, and draw you closer to him in thanksgiving and praise.    Joi...

Episode 200 // Summertime in the Psalms Series!   We are celebrating 200 episodes today!!! So what better psalm to study together than psalm 100. This is a song of praise, thanksgiving, and celebration of who God is and how we interact with him.    In only 5 short verses, there is so much richness in this psalm. Join me to look at the 3 keys we find here to lead us in Christian family life!   And...

Welcome to our Summertime in the Psalms Series!   This week, we've looked for wisdom and encouragement in Psalm 1. Today, join me as we pray through this psalm together.    May God protect your family from the negative influences of the world and give you a desire for more of his Word. May He bless you, lead you, and draw your family closer to Himself.    Join me for a time of prayer today!   hugs...

Episode 199 // Summertime in the Psalms Series!   Today, we’re diving into Psalm 1 together. Throughout July, we’ll look closely at a few psalms in order to gain wisdom and direction from the Lord in what our family life should look like.   Here in Psalm 1, we find clarity on how to lead our family closer to God. We are shaped every day by the people, voices, and ideas we listen to. Are your famil...

Episode 198 // Do you sometimes wish there was more time for rest in your life?   Of course you do! Every busy mom longs for a bit more peace, a bit more rest in her regular life. But we get stuck in figuring out how to make it happen, and we feel guilty about the time we think it’s taking away from our family.    As Christians, the Bible tells us clearly that Sabbath is a good blessing God gives...

Episode 197 // Self care can be quite a buzzword these days. The world probably prioritizes it too much, but I think that Christians often prioritize it too little. Especially Christian women!   Yes, you’re busy. You’re a mom, a wife, you have a million things to do - but if you never take care of yourself, how long can you keep taking care of these people you love so much?    Join me today for an...

Episode 196 // Father’s Day is coming! But really, whether it’s a holiday, a birthday, or a regular old Tuesday - your family life will be blessed when you intentionally encourage your husband.   As we prepare for this holiday, join me for 7 quick and easy ideas for how to encourage your hubby on his special day. Bonus - they’re basically free!    For resources that I mention in the episode, you c...

Episode 195 // Anxiety can leave you feeling overwhelmed and worn down. It steals your joy from family life. And it is not God’s plan for you!   Join me today as we dive into the Bible together to not only find encouragement and guidance from God’s Word, but to find out how we can PRAY Scripture when we are dealing with anxiety.   We all have moments where worry, fear, and anxiety take over. But t...

Episode 194 // I’m feeling overwhelmed in motherhood today, friend. How are you feeling?   We all hit days like this. Days where there is  a little too much arguing and not enough giggling, and we just feel overwhelmed and discouraged. When we find ourselves wondering, why is motherhood so hard?!   This is not an episode with all the answers. Today, join me in a real-time reflection and processing...

Episode 193 // There is nothing more frustrating than listening to your child whine, grumble, and complain. It’s never fun. But every child has those moments - so today, I want to share my 3 most successful ways to STOP that whining!   These are not magic wands. But they are quick, easy, free, and don’t require a screen. They can help whether your child is 4 of 14.   Plus, stay for the end to hear...