Encouraging the Exhausted Mom :: Summer of Mentorship Week 5
Don't Mom Alone Podcast
07/19/21
•44m
About
Comments
Featured In
Mush brain.
That’s how I’d describe my mind after years and years of sleep deprivation.
Most young moms (especially if you had lots of littles in a row) know the challenge of forming a complete thought. Or staying focused during a quiet time. Or even having a moment alone with God.
I know Jennie understands.
Jennie is a sweet mom of two from Cambridge, England. She emailed me sharing struggles with sleep deprivation. Her son suffered from a serious of medical challenges leaving them with four years of interrupted sleep.
She knows the power of a strong relationship with God. But in this season has found connecting deeply with Him difficult given her exhausted, “mush brain”.
The mentor that I called to answer Jennie’s questions is the amazing Sally Clarkson.
Sally understands having children who don’t sleep and she’s been through her share of challenging seasons. From those experiences and others she began to mentor young moms and encourage other women to do the same .
In this episode, Sally helps moms move beyond traditional spiritual disciplines to experience God in their everyday moments. Inspiring us to find the goodness of God, by intentionally filling our lives with beauty and pleasure.
For the exhausted mom who longs to know God better, I hope this episode gives you peace, perspective and practical ideas.
Connect with Sally Clarkson:Site :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Pinterest
What we chat about:Jennie’s Questions:
- How do I have a decent quiet time when I’m exhausted?
- What tips do you have for getting through challenging circumstances?
- Does a hard season have long-term impacts on your faith?
Sally’s Answers:
- Motherhood is a battleground.
- What we struggle through is normal and women for generations have experienced it.
- God created us to be in community. God is present through people.
- Build things into your life to enjoy the goodness of God.
Other topics we cover:
- Journaling prayers
- Breath prayers
- Physical rest vs. soul rest
- Jubilee Centre
- Own Your Life: Living with Deep Intention, Bold Faith, and Generous Love** by Sally Clarkson
- MomHeart Groups
- How to Study Your Bible ** by Kay Arthur (Inductive Studies)
- Lacey Dobrient, “The Color Method” (Hear more about it from her interview on the podcast–Episode 63
- HelloMornings
- Philip Yancy
Featured Sponsors:
Function of Beauty -- Take your quiz and get customized hair products for 20% off your first order at functionofbeauty.com/DMA
Stitch Fix Kids -- Try Stitch Fix Kids today and get 25% off when you keep everything in your Fix. Go to StitchFix.com/DMA
Previous Episode
Breaking Up with Perfect :: Summer of Mentorship Week 4
July 12, 2021
•40m
If you've ever strived for perfection, then you know how it feels when you fall short.
Maybe you aren't the one carrying a list of all you "need to do to earn God's love." But more the type who carries a "Never Good Enough List” with all the reasons you'll never be able to earn His love.
Either way, Amy Carroll, (author, speaker, Proverbs 31 contributor) is on the podcast this week helping us break up with perfect.
In this episode (and in her new book), Amy helps us recognize the lies we have been believing and the Truth to set us free.
Lies like: "I was created to produce perfection" or "People are obstacles to my tasks" or "If I have the right stuff, my life will be perfect."
My favorite quote from our conversation was:
Only when I end my own pursuit of perfection can God do a perfecting work in me. --Amy Carroll
May you experience a supernatural freedom from the struggle to be perfect. May your friendships deepen, your family be strengthened and your awareness of God's love grow as you stop striving and surrender to His gentle heart work.
Connect with Amy:Breaking Up with Perfect :: Blog :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Pinterest
What we chat about:- The events making Amy aware of her perfectionism
- The impact a mentor had in Amy's journey to lose the list of perfect
- The supernatural work God did on Amy to break the shell around her heart, to feel His love
- The two perfect super moms in Amy's head--torn between two ideals.
- The destruction of friendship when perfectionism enters.
- The different types of perfectionists and their lists: good girl list or the never-good-enough list
- The possibility of passing on perfectionism to our kids.
- Courtney DeFeo--our connector
- Breaking up with Perfect
- Dr. Caroline Leaf
- Proverbs 31 Ministries
- The Opinion Blender--didn't mention in podcast, but found it on Amy's site. . .such great advice
- Have you had friendships end because of your struggles with perfection? When friends go through hard times do you wonder how to be a good, imperfect friend?
- Do you have a mentor? Is there someone you wish you could meet with? Could you make a plan to meet with her once in the next few months?
- Could you relate to Amy’s struggle to feel God’s love and having a list of things you have to do to be right with God?
- What areas are you striving for perfection in motherhood? Who is your mental ‘ideal’ mom? Earth-mama, right-on-schedule mom?
- Which type of perfectionist do you relate to—the good girl list or the never-good-enough list? Need to measure up or will never measure up? Or do you swing between the lists?
- What have you found helpful to break up with perfection?
- Betterhelp--get 10% off your first month of secure online professional counseling betterhelp.com/DMA
- Glorify app--Get 50% off unlimited access to Glorify App with promo code DMA applied in the profile section of the app.
Next Episode
Shifting Perspective on Hard Things :: Summer of Mentorship Week 6
July 26, 2021
•56m
In this episode, Jen shares what she’s learned about heaven (from co-leading a study for 100+ women). She also gives a super practical way to figure out how you can help a friend in need. Jen reminds us mamas to hold our children loosely. To realize we have the privilege of partnering with God, but ultimately how our children “turn out” is up to him.
And this. . .
It’s hard in the crisis to build that support system. Invest in women’s lives now. Not because you’re going to need them in case you have cancer. But that the time invested in friendships, meaningful friendships is worth it.–Jen
My biggest take-away from our conversation is to view my “to do” list as a “get to do” list. What joy to get to pick up my boys from school, to get to serve them meals, and to get to put them to bed!
Wrapping up this summer may we all see our everyday in light of eternity. Be grateful for all our “get to”s. And invest in our sweet friendships.
Read more of Jen’s story: What we chat about:- Jen’s surprise engagement, surprise baby and surprise cancer diagnosis.
- Hope for the mom with chronic sickness/trauma/heartache.
- What Jen’s learned about how friends help well.
- The truths Jen gained from studying Heaven last summer.
- Lessons for all of us to hold our children loosely.
- Dealing with temper tantrums and other challenging behavior when mom is sick.
- The value of building strong friendships.
- “Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 115:1)
- “Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.” (Psalm 43:3)
- In Light of Eternity by Randy Alcorn
- “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:2-3)
- Nobody’s Cuter than You by Melanie Shankle
- Just Show Up by Kara Tippetts & Jill Lynn Butelyn
Featured Sponsors:
- Glorify App—Glorify your relationship with God with 50% off unlimited access to premium content designed to help you get into good worship habits and grow closer to God. Download the Glorify app now, create an account and enter code DMA in the profile section for a special limited-time discount of 50%.
- Lovevery — Take the guesswork out of your child’s play. Choose Lovevery TODAY and get free shipping when you sign up to receive your Play Kits at Lovevery.com/DMA.
If you like this episode you’ll love
Promoted