Tag Archives: motherhood

Why does change in my child (for good) happen so slowly?

Posted on October 9, 2017 by Jill

Lots of days I’ve felt lost as a parent. You’ve probably felt the same. Even on days when we feel confident that the guidance we’ve given our child is the kind that leads to healthy heart-change, we can still toss … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity | Tagged Christian parenting, hope, how do children change, I Timothy 1:15-16, motherhood, mothering, parenting, Paul Tripp, slow change | Leave a comment

teaching children grace, not morals

Posted on September 18, 2017 by Jill

Have you ever wondered how to explain a section of scripture to a child? Maybe the verses are full of the amazing details of God’s might or mercy in a person’s life, but you’re left wondering what He’d want you … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity | Tagged applying scripture, children, Christian parenting, David and Goliath, David as precursor, Gospel-centered kids ministry, grace, Jesus as fulfillment, morals, motherhood, parenting, teaching children, what do I want for my child | Leave a comment

one lonely car

Posted on August 14, 2017 by Jill

One lonely car in the driveway — where there were five. Two empty bedrooms. One mama’s heart breaking. Again. Will I ever get better at this? Will that first empty morning after they move out ever seem less lonely? Less … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity | Tagged change, children, empty nest, grateful, loving my child, missing my child, motherhood, parenting, praying for my child, raising children, young children | Leave a comment

How do I help my child choose a career?

Posted on June 2, 2017 by Jill

How do I help my children choose a career? As they move toward finishing high school, how do I guide them toward a college major, a career, or an employer? How do I counsel wisely at such critical moments? And how, … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity | Tagged career, college, Darren Maxfield, how do I help my child choose, income, job, Matthew 6, motherhood, parenting, raising children, security, seeking God's kingdom, work, Yakama Indian Reservation | 2 Comments

Growing kids, not grass.

Posted on August 14, 2016 by Jill

They moved out last week. Each to their own home for the year. Two daughters. Both cherished. Both pretty much grown up. Within twenty-four hours, our nest became two-thirds empty, and I’ve been swallowing back tears ever since. As the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity | Tagged change, Colossians 3, for the glory of God, God's plan, grateful, in this job, motherhood, passion, raising children, stage of life, time, where I'll know God, young children | 12 Comments

the tearing of a mother’s heart

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Jill

I packed her last lunch this morning. And even though women older and wiser had warned of the ache this day would bring, I didn’t expect the tearing to hurt so. I didn’t expect the rushing mix of painful and … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, God, Jesus | Tagged a mother's love, children, empty nest, high school graduation, Jesus comforts, Jesus helps, motherhood, Mothers Day, parenting, raising children, season of life | 8 Comments

pre-schooler choices, grown-up lessons and blankets of love

Posted on January 5, 2015 by Jill

My friend to her son: “Hey buddy, I’m so proud of you this morning! You’re being super sweet to your little brother. Thank you for being so kind and helpful!” His three-year-old answer: “I’m going to try really hard to … Continue reading →

Posted in God, Holy Spirit, Jesus | Tagged discipline, forgiveness, grace, I John 4, I Peter 1:20-23, I Peter 4:8, kindness, motherhood, offense, parenting, pre-schoolers, sin | 2 Comments

Help for mommy (or daddy) guilt

Posted on October 30, 2014 by Jill

We sat at her kitchen table, morning sunlight streaming in through the windows, children creating Play-doh meals at the little table nearby. She and her husband were leaders in our church, and I remember sitting on the edge of my … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Faith, God | Tagged children, grace, mercy, mistakes, mommy-guilt, motherhood, parenting, raising children, training | 6 Comments

What do I want for my child?

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Jill

Two powerful desires wrestle for dominance in my heart. They compete. They war within. These two base-line points of reference can’t reign simultaneously, and can in no way co-exist as controlling drivers in parenting. And so begins an inner battle. … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Faith, God, Jesus | Tagged children, following Jesus, for my child, John 15:18-27, motherhood, parenting, raising children, raising kids | 5 Comments

Ah ha moments

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Jill

Years ago, a friend recounted her experience of that parking-lot moment any mom of preschoolers dreads. She re-played the situation for me, trying to hear for herself where she’d gone wrong, reliving both her words to her son, and his … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Faith, God | Tagged belief, children's disobedience, faith, forgiveness, I Timothy 1:15-16, mercy, motherhood, parenting, patience | 3 Comments

the Arm which encircles the globe

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Jill

It seems but yesterday I carried my babies on my hip to the driveway and buckled them into car seats. Now, I stand instead and wave (and pray) as my oldest drives her siblings away each morning to school. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Faith, God | Tagged Life in Jesus, Mary Winslow, motherhood, Octavius Winslow, parenting, power of prayer, Prayer, trusting God, widow, women | 5 Comments

As if over coffee

Posted on January 4, 2014 by Jill

A decade has flown by. The years spent teaching ABCs and 123s and imagining with dolls and dinosaurs and Dr. Seuss are now but a sweet memory for me. As I look back, I realize that during those years I … Continue reading →