If I’m totally honest with you, being the mom of 4 girls is at times overwhelming. When I started this journey almost 20 years ago I had BIG plans and BOLD ideas on how I was going to raise my first daughter. Over then next 10 years as her 3 younger sisters joined our family I found myself outnumbered and limited in my ability to execute my big plans.

But still, I want raise my girls with intentionality. A few years ago I heard author Sissy Goff speak at a conference on raising girls and I was inspired to write down a few things I wanted to be true about my girl(s):

1. I want my girl to know she is crazy loved by Jesus.
2. I want my girl to love God’s Word and believe it.
3. I want my girl pursue her dreams.
4. I want my girl to be grateful.
5. I want my girl to love others with a heart to serve.
6. I want my girl to be anchored and sent. (She is created to be sent, but she can always come home.)
7. I want my girl to trust the Lord with all her heart.

It brings tears to my eyes to think about the glimpses of these truths I’ve seen in the lives of my four girls. But something I was reminded about by Sissy’s talk and I’ve realized over the years is that if I want to see these truths at work in their lives, they need to be present in mine.

1. Do I remember daily that I am crazy loved by Jesus?

2. Do I love God’s Word and BELIEVE it?

3. Am I dreaming and taking steps to pursue my dreams?

4. Am I grateful?

5. Do I love and serve others?

6. Am I anchored in hope and stepping out in faith?

7. Am I trusting the Lord with my whole heart?

Turning those questions towards my own heart is an honest exercise that reveals a few gaps I’ve let slide in my busy mom life. I need to make sure that I am leading myself to Jesus first and then my girls will have an example to follow.

One way I’m trying to do that is making conscious decisions to study God’s Word with women in my local church as well as diving deeper on my own during my personal time with the Lord. I try to follow women online who point me to Jesus, and I look for books that are filled with truth as well. I don’t do this perfectly mind you, but I’m seeking to follow the heart of Philippians 4:8 by thinking on “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise,” as much as possible.

If you feel like you have a few gaps too, you might be tearing up right about now wondering how in the world you are ever going to get this mom thing right. I get it, I feel the same way. But can I tell you something? I don’t think Jesus expects us to be perfect. He wants us to lean into his grace over and over again. He promises to meet us in those weak places and strengthen us IN Him.

***

Are you looking for some extra encouragement along the way? I am joining over 20 Bible teachers, writers, and speakers to help us all Enjoy God’s Word more. We are putting on a Bible Conference for women that is fully online. You can access the conference with a ticket starting April 23 and you will have lifetime access. My friend Katie Orr is going to teach through the book of Philippians and the rest of us will each do a breakout session on everything from studying God’s Word, the armor of God, how to have a quiet time, making a Spiritual notebook, prayer, grace (that’s me!), obeying God, and MORE. It is one easy way to lead yourself to Jesus and then talk to your girls about what you learned.

I’d love for you to be part of this conference. Some of my favorite people are speaking. (Brooke McGlothlin, Teri Lynne Underwood, Whitney Capps, Nicki Koziarz, Tricia Goyer, to name a few mom speakers.)

You can find out more at Enjoy God’s Word.

Looking Forward,

Stacey

P.S. The BEST price for tickets ends (Monday 3/18/19). So grab one now. You can still get a ticket after that but the price goes up $10!

Click HERE for Enjoy God’s Word.