For many of us, emotions can feel like a mixed blessing—“positive” emotions give spice and vitality to life, while “negative” emotions are the obstacles that lead us into sin and thus are something to suppress. But what if emotions, both the delightful ones and the uncomfortable ones are a precious gift from God?
When it comes to helping our children understand and navigate their emotions, we have both timeless wisdom and truth from Scripture and modern insights from neuroscience to guide us as parents and caregivers. By looking to Jesus as our example and understanding how emotions work in the brain, we can offer our kids the support they need to develop healthy emotional resilience...
Read more...I remember the season vividly. The laundry was piling up, my toddler was refusing naps, and we were stuck eating the same three meals over and over again. I was drowning in the overwhelming pressure of motherhood, battling postpartum anxiety, and feeling triggered by the constant mess and toddler conflict. The endless to-do list felt impossible to tackle, and my mind raced with all the things I wasn’t getting done.
Slowing down? Unhurrying my motherhood? It sounded beautiful, but felt impossible. And yet, deep in my soul, I knew something had to change. I longed for peace in the everyday moments, for a rhythm that allowed me to catch my breath.
It didn’t happen all at once. Learning to create rhythms that support slow living was hard. It took time. But slowly, I began to make space for rest and a gentle pace in my day-to-day life...
Read more...We’ve all heard it: “I’m bored!” It can be frustrating, especially when your kids have everything from toys to books to art supplies at their fingertips. But instead of jumping in with solutions or giving them a screen, let’s explore some gentle and respectful ways to respond. Here are some ideas to help your young ones discover creativity and independence—even when they’re feeling restless.
Read more...This past summer, I found myself snuggled up on the couch with my boys, starting our day with a morning Bible reading. We were in Mark 1:21-27, reading about Jesus' authority over unclean spirits. My boys were tucked under blankets, their curious faces peeking over the tops of their Bibles as they read along with me. I could feel the warmth of their little bodies pressed close, and it was one of those moments that feels both holy and ordinary at the same time. As I read aloud about how even the demons obeyed Jesus, I was struck by the weight of those words in a way I hadn’t been before.
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