M Is for Mama Podcast

Every year, somewhere between October 1st and December 25, I start getting the same question on repeat: “Does your family ‘do Santa?’ Why or why not?” I tackle this question, and the why behind our answer, in this episode. As always, the goal in every discussion of whether or not to adhere to a particular tradition must be: Does it bring glory to God in the way that we practice it (if we do)?  I also discuss three biblically sound questions to ask yourself as you approach the Santa conversation that may help clarify how you approach your family’s take on this. I hope you find this way of addressing “the Santa talk” edifying, encouraging, and helpful! Bible References: Colossians 3:17 Deuteronomy 6:6-8 John 1:1 James 1:6 Genesis 3:1 James 4:17 Exodus 32 Matthew 10:28 Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠M Is for Mama⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Penny Reward System⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review for the M is for Mama Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paint & Prose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠M Is For Mama Chore Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠M Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-Up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find Abbie at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook

Have you ever felt like you have nothing to be grateful for? That your circumstances are too miserable to bear and that any attempt at thankfulness would be faking it? The Bible makes it clear that it is God’s will for us to practice continual thankfulness, and yet it also gives us lots of room for grief and sadness when life is so hard.  Be encouraged that it is really is possible to honor God with our gratitude, even when we feel too weak to praise Him and even when our emotions feel the opposite of thankful.  In this episode, we talk about a perspective shift that helps us to view gratitude rightly and to view even the most frustrating people in our lives through a lens of thankfulness.  Praise God that He honors even our stumbling toward obedience in this area with the ability to keep going on the narrow path, even when we don’t feel like we have the strength to take another step.  Bible References: Psalm 127:3 Lamentations 3:22-23 Romans 6:1-2 Ephesians 4:2 2 Corinthians 10:5 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 1 Peter 2:23 Deuteronomy 31:6 2 Corinthians 9:11 Romans 7:19-25 Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠M Is for Mama⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Penny Reward System⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review for the M is for Mama Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paint & Prose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠M Is For Mama Chore Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠M Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-Up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find Abbie at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook

None of us have endless wells of energy. We all hit walls (of exhaustion or burnout or overwhelm) during certain seasons. Sometimes, it can be hard to know where our limited resources are best spent in particularly busy periods. Thankfully, we can turn to God for wisdom and rely on biblical principles to help us navigate the tricky waters of time management, learning to say no, and leaning into challenging seasons with the knowledge that we are right where God wants us to be! Organifi Red Juice (Use code: MISFORMAMA for 20% off) Bible References: Matthew 5:37 Judges 11:38-40 James 1:5 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠M Is for Mama⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Penny Reward System⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review for the M is for Mama Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paint & Prose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠M Is For Mama Chore Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠M Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-Up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find Abbie at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook

In a culture that assures us that the only way to be an “authentic” mom is to focus almost exclusively on the challenges and negative aspects of motherhood, it’s easy to fall into the trap of being afraid to speak out about the flip side of the coin: the truth that the joys and benefits of motherhood abound if only we have eyes to see them and the courage to proclaim them.  Be encouraged, friends, that there is so much good in being thankful (just as we’re exhorted by Scripture), even in the midst of trials, and that rejoicing in good mothering days, far from being inauthentic, can be a beacon of light for other moms doing their best to keep their heads above water in the stormy seas of mothering struggles shared in the name of “telling it straight.” Bible References: Galatians 6:9 Philippians 4:4 Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠M Is for Mama⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Penny Reward System⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review for the M is for Mama Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paint & Prose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠M Is For Mama Chore Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠M Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-Up⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find Abbie at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook

Last week, we talked about the view of motherhood that posits that the only way to be “real” is to expose the hard parts of being a mom and name them one-by-one. This week, we talk about how motherhood, far from stripping us of our true selves or primary identity, can be a wonderful avenue for helping us exercise our God-given talents + abilities in ways that honor Him, serve our families, and bring us great fulfillment as well.  I share examples from my own journey as a mother, but as always, the goal is never to do things “Abbie-style” (or insert any other name) but instead to ground everything we do in the Word of God and His principles for life that will never change or lead us astray. Bible References: 2 Corinthians 10:5 Proverbs 16:9 Proverbs 31 Philippians 4:13 Matthew 11:28 John 16:33 Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠M Is for Mama⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Penny Reward System⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review for the M is for Mama Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paint & Prose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠M Is For Mama Chore Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠M Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-Up⁠⁠⁠ Find Abbie at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook

Have you ever encountered a social media post that assures you that, unlike all the "other moms," they are going to tell you the truth about motherhood--and the truth is that "it sucks" and robs you of your identity? Maybe you've felt a tug of relatability? Or maybe you've felt your spirit revolt against what seems to be hopelessness and despair? No matter your response, be encouraged that God is not surprised by your struggles in motherhood (or anything else), and there IS always hope in Christ and a purpose in the growing pains we all experience as moms--even if only to draw us closer to the one who never leaves us or forsakes us. Bible References: Jeremiah 17:9 2 Peter 1:3 2 Corinthians 5:17 John 1:12 Philippians 4:13 Job 13:15-18 Job 1:21 Psalm 127:13 1 Corinthians 10:31 Matthew 16:24 John 16:33 James 1:17 Hebrews 13:8 Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠M Is for Mama⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Penny Reward System⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review for the M is for Mama Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paint & Prose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠M Is For Mama Chore Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠M Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-Up⁠⁠ Find Abbie at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook

Today's episode is a little different, but it's what I felt the Lord nudging me to say as I've received a number of panicked DMs asking for encouragement and reassurance in the midst of the uncertain and even tragic circumstances that so many around the world are enduring. Remember, friends, that we were never called to either a) bury our heads in the sand and pretend that suffering doesn't exist OR b) immerse ourselves only in doom and gloom and forget that we have hope in the Lord and an obligation to keep loving God and loving our neighbor. Also, prayer is powerful. I hope this episode brings you fresh perspective and vision! Bible References: Ecclesiastes 1:9 Matthew 24:12 Matthew 25 Philippians 1:21 Matthew 24:6-13 Ephesians 6:10-18 Galatians 6:9 John 16:33 Philippians 2:3-4 Jeremiah 24:15 Psalm 119:105 James 5:16 Matthew 18:20 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Links: ⁠⁠⁠M Is for Mama⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Penny Reward System⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review for the M is for Mama Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paint & Prose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠M Is For Mama Chore Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠M Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-Up⁠ Find Abbie at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook

Shaun and I got the incredible opportunity to visit a "bucket list" locale "for my birthday" (I really did have a birthday while there, but it was mostly just a fun excuse to take a trip during a gorgeous time of year). It was one of the most enjoyable and relaxing trips that I can remember in recent years, and the scenery was beyond beautiful. (Special thanks to my nice parents for staying with our kids and keeping everything running smoothly at home.) I had so many requests for a trip recap + itinery + places we ate that I decided to ask Shaun to join me for a chat about all things Banff (or at least all things Banff that we experienced), and he said yes! We hope you enjoy and get some inspiration for trips of your own (whether to Banff or not). Restaurants mentioned: Jerusalem Shawarma Farm and Fire Brazen Sky Bistro Bare Bistro Links: ⁠⁠M Is for Mama⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Penny Reward System⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review for the M is for Mama Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paint & Prose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠M Is For Mama Chore Guide⁠⁠⁠ M Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-Up Find Abbie at: ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Facebook

Friends! This episode was so fun to record. My friend, Emily Morrow (AKA: Really Very Crunchy) drove all the way from Kentucky with her family to stay with us for a weekend to celebrate at my Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad book launch party. While she was here, we sat down to chat about all things internet fame (hers, not mine), DMs, the origin of her account, finding and making lasting friendships, motherhood, Emily’s new book, and so much more.  Is she really very crunchy? Does she mouth tape? What was she really thinking when I slathered her son in lavender oil after he got into his first ever bed of fire ants? (Ugh, Texas, c’mon!)  You’ll never know until you listen! Find Emily on Instagram at @reallyverycrunchy (she also posts to Youtube and Tiktok under the same name).  You can also pre-order her new book here! Bible References: 1 Peter 4:8 Philippians 2:3 Ephesians 4:2 Matthew 21:9 Luke 23:21 Ecclesiastes 1:9 Links: ⁠⁠M Is for Mama⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Penny Reward System⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review for the M is for Mama Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paint & Prose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠M Is For Mama Chore Guide⁠⁠⁠ M Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-Up Find Abbie at: ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Facebook

If you’ve ever wondered how someone else “does it all,” I’ve got a spoiler alert for you: They don’t. No one does (definitely me included).  Plus, I truly believe there’s a better question we could be asking (that I share in this episode). And I chat about the Lord’s provision for help that has enabled me to do more in this season (without feeling like such a Lone Ranger) than I have in the past.  Yes, there are some people that have more on their plate than others, and there are some seasons that allow for less/more capacity. But as long as we are more concerned with the Lord’s will and His perfect timing than with any desire to replicate someone else’s “system,” we can be truly content in the “good works that He has prepared in advance for us.”  Be encouraged that, as you seek the Lord, He has you right where you need to be, doing exactly the right tasks you should be doing.  Bible References: Colossians 3:23 Philippians 4:12-13 Romans 12:15 2 Corinthians 2:19 Psalm 28:7 Links: ⁠⁠M Is for Mama⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Penny Reward System⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review for the M is for Mama Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paint & Prose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠M Is For Mama Chore Guide⁠⁠⁠ M Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-Up Find Abbie at: ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Facebook