Gloria Furman explains that there are two ways to look at motherhood: through a microscope lens at the daily issues and pressing needs of little children, or from up high; using a telescope to look at the big picture. In this special interview, Gloria explains how we can take the long view, seeing motherhood as not just a helpful social construct, but authored by God for specific purposes. You'll be encouraged as she talks about everything from theology and redemption to lattes and quiet times. ...
Sep 14, 2016•30 min
Hey momma, are you feeling a little anxious this election season? Are you unsure of what the future holds for your children? Although it's easy to get caught up in the never-ending news cycle, shrouded in fear and bias, there is a place you can turn to for truth. In this episode, Emily and Laura look on the bright side of this political season, discussing our unchanging hope and eternal home. Contrary to what the culture tells us, moms really don't have to fear what is frightening, but can inste...
Sep 07, 2016•17 min
Maybe it's related to a petty thing, or maybe it's rooted in a big daily decision, but all moms face familiar feelings of guilt. The question isn't, "Do we battle guilt as moms?" but, "What will we do with it?" Will we continue to live under a dark cloud of condemnation, or bring our questions to the throne of grace? In this episode, Emily and Laura explore the common underlying reasons for mom guilt, and start the conversation about how to deal with. Regardless of what you discover about your h...
Aug 31, 2016•20 min
Especially under stress, it's easy to get caught in a pattern of using critical words with our children. Can you relate? Instead of tearing down, God's word encourages us to harness the tongue for building-up, giving grace, and pointing our children towards their ultimate source of life. In this episode, Emily and Laura discuss the importance of practicing this skill with our children, and share practical ways to get started. We won't be perfect, but we can keep choosing words that speak truth, ...
Aug 24, 2016•17 min
So you read the parenting articles, brushed-up on the books, and did the research to approach a parenting issue intentionally. But, your plans quickly seemed to flop when you realized you were on a totally different page than your husband. How can mom be proactive and make a plan, while honoring, respecting, involving, and coming alongside her husband too? In this episode, Emily and Laura discuss the easy miscommunication traps we can fall into as parents, and share ideas for getting back on the...
Aug 17, 2016•18 min
With young children, the years might speed by, but the days can feel like they go on forever. It's tempting to live for the next big milestone, fun moment, or restful break. Instead of asking, "How can I be faithful in this moment for the glory of God?" we find ourselves asking, "How can I burn through the next few hours and just make it to bedtime?" In this episode, Emily and Laura identify with this common trap, and discuss ways to keep our eyes on our primary mission. Passing along our faith ...
Aug 10, 2016•19 min
A number of scenarios can lead to disappointment after childbirth, especially when you compare your real-life experience to your carefully-crafted plans. You're grateful for the sweet baby in your arms, but sometimes that doesn't completely silence the lurking questions you have about your childbirth. "Could it have gone better? Should I have made different choices? Did I do something wrong?" In today's episode, Emily and Laura discuss their own disappointments in childbirth and how hoping in Go...
Aug 03, 2016•20 min
With labor on the horizon, we want to do everything we can to prepare for a safe, healthy and stress-free delivery. But what starts as good desires for well-laid plans, can quickly become an unhealthy idol of control. We start to think that if we just get the right method, the right classes, the right scents, the right sounds, the right environment and the right helpers, then we are nearly guaranteed the birth of our dreams. In this episode, Emily and Laura share their high expectations from pre...
Jul 27, 2016•19 min
When the days are long, the tantrums are continuous, the sleep is lacking, and the mess abounds; the call to motherhood can feel daunting. Maybe we are completing our tasks, but having joy in the midst of them feels impossible. As time passes, we find ourselves more familiar with a tone of bitterness than a heart of rejoicing. In this episode, Emily and Laura discuss the difference between momentary joy and biblical joy, and the common reasons why it's hard to experience. The good news is, joy i...
Jul 20, 2016•22 min
In this special episode, you’ll hear two moms share their stories of loss and healing. While they are different women with different stories, they both experienced multiple miscarriages before the birth of their first child in their arms. They both felt tempted to despair and withdrawal as they walked through the grief, but found deep comfort and hope in the promises of God as they trusted him despite the pain. So whether you have experienced a miscarriage, you know someone who has experienced a...
Jul 13, 2016•43 min
In motherhood, we all value different things. Whether it's a clean house, a well-kept schedule, a rockin' postpartum body, a perfectly balanced work/home life, an easy day, an obedient child, a certain type of diet, a frugal budget, or praise for your hard work, all moms have preferences and desires. The problem isn't necessarily with our ideals, but with our hearts. In this episode, Emily and Laura discuss the common idols in motherhood (including their own). While we can sometimes be guilty of...
Jul 06, 2016•18 min
Maybe you have kiddos that nap for hours on end, giving you time to balance numerous responsibilities. Or maybe, you go to battle everyday just to get 30 minutes of peace and quiet. Whatever your circumstances, Jesus understands what it's like to be needed, and he also understands laying it all down for the sake of those he loves. On today's episode, Emily and Laura discuss the common challenges of naptime and how to make the most of the situation. Because ultimately, all of our time belongs to ...
Jun 22, 2016•20 min
So you tried all the juice boxes, sticker charts, boot camps, and Pinterest parenting articles and your child still isn't potty trained? Well, you're not alone. While potty training is easy for some, for others, it can mean weeks, months or dare I say, years , of accidents and reminders. This type of frustration has more spiritual significance than we give it credit for, because it's the daily struggles that reveal what's really lurking in our mommy-heart. In this episode, Emily and Laura discus...
Jun 15, 2016•18 min
Even when it seems like you've done everything right as a mom, inevitably, things still don't go your way. Someone disobeys, comes down with a fever, talks back or leaves their toy on the ground for you to step on, and in no time...you blow it. Your hopes for being a perfectly pulled-together mom are dashed for the day, leaving you wondering if there's even any point in trying. On today's episode, Emily and Laura talk about those bad moments that we let define and dominate our whole day. But we ...
Jun 08, 2016•18 min
As moms, we love practical help. Tips, checklists, and "how-to" articles seem to promise that we're finally going to get something right. But when we bypass dependence on God and decide to just model our lives after the mom down the street, we've missed the point. We weren't created to reflect each other, but to reflect Christ in ways that are unique to the skills, abilities and life circumstances he's given us. In this episode, Emily and Laura encourage moms to understand how the gospel frees u...
Jun 01, 2016•15 min
You know that time of the day, because it's marked by a series of recurring events: If you have a baby, they start fussing. If you have toddlers, they start begging for snacks and clinging to your legs. If you have a preschooler, they are bored with all the toys in the whole house. And you? You're exhausted! Oh yeah, and there is still food that needs to be made, a bunch of stuff to clean up, and several hours before bedtime. It's this time of day where most of us crumble (even those of us who w...
May 25, 2016•18 min
While motherhood brings us great joy, it also elevates our deepest fears to sometimes irrationally high levels. We go from mama cub to mama bear after a few Facebook articles or moments spent reading the latest news. God gives us a healthy awareness of the risks our children face, but he doesn't want us to live in chronic fear or anxiety over those risks. In today's episode, Emily and Laura discuss common fear triggers moms face, and what to do when we get stuck in a cycle of worry, worry, worry...
May 18, 2016•17 min
Motherhood is loud. With days full of urgent needs, it can be difficult to complete any task, not to mention the challenge of finding a time to be alone with God. But this is exactly what moms really need! Moments to linger over a refreshing truth or be reminded of who they really are in God's eyes. In this episode, Emily and Laura discuss the importance of "making time" for our most important relationship, including practical tips for getting in God's word (even when it's noisy or chaotic). Lis...
May 11, 2016•20 min
God has given so much responsibility to Dads to lead and invest in their family's faith. As a wife and a mom, we can and should come alongside them in this task, offering our gifts, talents, skills, intelligence and creativity to help them thrive in this calling. But how does that look practically? In today's episode, Emily and Laura talk about how a wife can help and equip her husband to lead the family spiritually. Not through manipulation, nagging, eye-rolling, or shaming; but by believing th...
May 04, 2016•17 min
Every mom spends a tremendous amount of time feeding their baby. Whether we had carefully laid plans, many choices at our disposal, or the choice was made for us; bringing new life into the world forces to us walk headlong into our first big task as a mom. In this episode, Emily and Laura discuss their experiences with this issue, shifting the conversation away from judgment and comparison. What would happen if we refused to let our feeding method define our first year with a child, and instead,...
Apr 20, 2016•18 min•Ep. 13
As moms, our greatest hope is that our children come to know and love Jesus, developing a deep relationship with the one true God as they mature. And we know that the best way we can impart our faith on our children is nurture, teach, model and encourage them in Biblical truths as we live out the gospel in our daily life. But often, that desire is so great, we inadvertently bear the burden of their eternal future on our shoulders, drowning us in guilt, fear and false responsibility. In this epis...
Apr 13, 2016•17 min
As moms, we have a lot of demands on our time. The world tells us we should "do it all", not leaving room for weakness or balance. In this episode, Emily and Laura discuss God's plan for a mom's time, and share areas of their own lives where they've needed to wave the white flag and find extra support. If you're feeling pressed for time and overwhelmed, listen in for encouragement and practical ideas for organizing your priorities. Like what you hear? Visit www.risenmotherhood.com for links to a...
Apr 06, 2016•20 min
In motherhood, our sin separates us from each other, making us think that our "hard moments" are something no one else can understand. But is that the whole truth? Is there hope? In this episode, Emily and Laura discuss the common feelings of isolation we experience as moms, how we attend our own pity-parties, and how to break free from the feeling that you're "alone." Like what you hear? Visit www.risenmotherhood.com for links to additional articles and resources on this topic. You'll also find...
Mar 30, 2016•17 min
Momma, do you regularly feel burdened by what you see on social media? Emily and Laura discuss the major pitfalls of social media and comparison, how we can speak truth to ourselves in the midst of it, and how to use our favorite apps redemptively. Like what you hear? Visit www.risenmotherhood.com for links to additional articles and resources on this topic. You'll also find more encouragement and truth on how to be an intentional mother that cares for and loves her children with eternity in min...
Mar 23, 2016•17 min
How can a mom harness the advantages of styled hair and lovely clothes without shifting her focus onto temporal things? Like what you hear? Visit www.risenmotherhood.com for links to additional articles and resources on this topic. You'll also find more encouragement and truth on how to be an intentional mother that cares for and loves her children with eternity in mind. And if you get a chance, we'd love for you to subscribe and/or leave a review in iTunes!...
Mar 16, 2016•17 min
This episode is for every mom who struggles to cope with the never-ending mess that comes along with the role of momma. Whether you consider yourself naturally messy or organized, this episode will help you evaluate what really matters - not the size of your laundry pile, but your heart. Like what you hear? Visit www.risenmotherhood.com for links to additional articles and resources on this topic. You'll also find more encouragement and truth on how to be an intentional mother that cares for and...
Mar 02, 2016•18 min
This episode is for every mom who needs inspiration and motivation in her calling. Your work and efforts matter, but it can be hard to remember when you're buried in a pile of laundry, buckets of tears and tantrums, or endless bowls of mac and cheese. Today we're sharing the mission of motherhood and why you are making an impact for eternity.
Feb 17, 2016•22 min
Emily and Laura discuss the temptation to let your marriage go on the backburner when you have young children. They share about why a thriving marriage is important and give practical ideas for loving your husband well (even when you’re tired). Like what you hear? Visit www.risenmotherhood.com for links to additional articles and resources on this topic. You'll also find more encouragement and truth on how to be an intentional mother that cares for and loves her children with eternity in mind. A...
Feb 10, 2016•17 min
Emily and Laura discuss the beginning stages of sharing the gospel with young children, and some of the common challenges. They also share practical ideas for getting started and making it work for your family. Like what you hear? Visit www.risenmotherhood.com for links to additional articles and resources on this topic. You'll also find more encouragement and truth on how to be an intentional mother that cares for and loves her children with eternity in mind. And if you get a chance, we'd love ...
Feb 03, 2016•19 min
Emily and Laura discuss the hard realities of postpartum body image, including reflections from their own experiences. Grab your coffee and listen in to this real life conversation of two moms trying to sort through the lies and struggles that come with expanding hips and waistlines, and how to speak truth to yourself as you cling to your true identity in Christ.
Jan 27, 2016•19 min
