Love Your People Well - Motherhood, Marriage, & Family Relationships From A Christian Counselor

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 a few ideas for how I manage my ow...

Happy Mother's Day, friend!

I hope this is a day when you are able to look around your home, look past the chores to be done and the miscommunications that are present, and ENJOY this time with your sweet family.

Join me today for a quick word of encouragement, and a look at Proverbs 31 and how the Lord blesses us each day. Let me pray for you and with you.

And then, let's enjoy this special day with our favorite little people!

hug...

Episode 192 // We all feel overwhelmed sometimes! And the reality of life is that storms, trials, and struggles will come. It’s just a question of when, not if - and then, what are you going to do about it?

Today, we’ll take a look at some wisdom from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to help us prepare for the storms of life. How can we stand firm and feel less surprised and stressed? How do we stay connected with our husband and kids ...

Episode 191 // It’s really easy as a mom to start worrying about my family. There are so many pieces to juggle. And these relationships are so important!

But Jesus is not trying to make family life difficult. He knows that we struggle, and He has the solutions to help us manage the hard things of life and enjoy our marriage and motherhood more.

Today on the podcast, we’ll look at 4 big things that Jesus tells us to do in the Se...

Episode 190 // The Bible can sometimes feel a bit abstract. The “spiritual” doesn’t always feel like it’s impacting our everyday lives and our relationships. 

That’s why I love to explore and consider the practical applications of Scripture for our family life. 

We’re taking a few weeks here to walk through the Sermon on the Mount. The Bible is not a mystery. God gives us everything we need for life and happiness - including so...

Episode 189 // Is there anything better than the blessing of the Lord?!? Today, we’re diving into the very beginning of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount - the 8 “beatitudes” or blessings that the Lord promises to those who follow him. 

What are they? How will they impact your family? Is it even possible to live this way in the modern world? 

Join me for an encouraging look at the INCREDIBLE blessings that Jesus has for you, friend.

Episode 188 // Ever feel stuck in your family relationships? We all feel that way sometimes! And Jesus always has the way forward.

One of my favorite passages in Scripture lately for focusing in on Christian family life is the Sermon on the Mount. It’s chapters 5-7 of the Gospel of Matthew, and Jesus is so clear about how we are to live! It is counter-cultural and life-changing. 

But it isn’t exactly easy to live out. 

Join m...

Episode 187 // Easter is here, friend! This is my absolute favorite holiday of the year. 

And this year (like it has sometimes in the past), it feels overshadowed by stress and struggle in regular life. Work, church, cleaning, discipline, bills, and so much else can threaten to steal the JOY out of family life and relationships.

But guess what?

The truth of Easter stands firm. The goodness and grace of the cross, the resurrection, ...

Episode 186 // It’s easy to realize that we should “tame our tongues” and use our communication to bless and encourage our families. But when emotions rise and our stress is building, it can be really tough!

Today, we’ll look deeply at a helpful bible proverb that starts to show us some practical ways to take control of our communication with our family, even when emotions are high. 

Join me for a close-up look at Proverbs 10:1...

Episode 185 // Words are powerful. But taming our tongues and using our words well - even in the heat of big emotions and family conflict - seems almost impossible!

If you ever feel frustrated or disappointed by how your words impact your family, today’s episode is for you.

Join me to see a picture of how your words can bless, nourish, help, and encourage your family. We see an amazing picture in the Bible of how our words impa...

Episode 184 // There are probably 89 things you could do today that are productive, helpful, and good. But guess what? None of those things are as important as making time to be with God, grow spiritually, and help your kids know and follow Jesus.

There is no better use of your time, my friend. 

So today, we’ll talk PRACTICAL tips that will help you carve out that devotional time every day - no matter how busy you are. Join me ...

Episode 183 // I know you want to help your kids follow Jesus. There is busyness and chaos in a normal family day, but at the core of everything going on, you want Jesus to be a priority!

But I also know that reading the Bible with your toddlers, teaching your squirmy little ones to sit still and pray, and figuring out what to do for family discipleship is really tough.

What better time to start practicing family discipleship, ...

Episode 182 // Feeling like a burnt out mom? Wondering why your marriage takes so much work? Christian family life is HARD sometimes, friend!

But it is SO WORTH IT.

And if you want to truly enjoy your marriage and your motherhood, you need to stand firm on WHY it matters - and have some clarity on how to do it well.

Join me today for some real talk about why marriage and motherhood is so hard, why it truly is worth the effort...

Episode 181 // Does the Bible REALLY help you in your every day life? When your emotions are overwhelming? When motherhood and family life is hard?

Yep. The Bible really can help. It is living and active. It is sharp and powerful.

Join me today for a devotional time walking through Romans 12 as we consider how these holy truths apply to our daily challenges as Christian moms. May we each find encouragement to live out God’s cal...

Episode 180 // No mom enjoys dealing with cranky kids. But eventually, every mom has to! And sometimes the real problem is - when they’re cranky, we get cranky. 

But it does not have to be that way!

Today, I’ll share some tips and encouragement in how to hold onto your own PEACE even when your kids are whining, grumbling, and giving into all of their big emotions. It can feel overwhelming, but there are strategies that will hel...

Episode 179 // Happy marriages take work. And guess what? They aren’t ALWAYS happy. There is still conflict. There are still disappointments. 

But let’s not forget - God is in it with you, friend. He cares about your marriage and He cares about you. I’ve spent over 10 years helping couples as a Christian marriage counselor, and I’ve seen God do amazing things!

Join me today for some encouragement and reality-checks to help you,...

Episode 178 // Happy Valentine’s Day! Let’s get into the good stuff today, friend - because I know you want a hot and steamy date night with your man this week.. and every other week too. 

Intimacy is usually not a problem while we’re dating and in the newlywed stage. But then kids come along, we get busy, the bills pile up… what about date nights??!

I’ve been a Christian marriage counselor for over 10 years. Yes, I know that d...

Episode 177 // Hopefully, you believe me when I tell you that God has a purpose for you. You matter! You are not in your family by mistake. And God’s plans are good. 

But really, you don’t have to believe me. 

Let’s hear it from God Himself. 

Today, we’ll walk through 4 amazing Bible verses that remind us of who we are, whose we are, and why this crazy thing called family life really does matter… and you can do it, by God’s s...

Episode 176 // 

Are you struggling with the mom guilt, a sense of failure, and just feeling defeated in your family relationships? 

You’re not alone, friend. 

This is such a common struggle for Christian moms! And you don’t have to sit in that feeling of being defeated. There are no perfect parents, and God did not mess up when He created you, redeemed you, and placed you in your family.

So today, let’s tackle some real-lif...