This week’s podcast guest, Nancy Williams**, is known by her 9 grandchildren & 4 great-grandchildren to label each family gathering as “the best ever”. Her phrase perfectly summarizes this podcast.
Based on the title, you may be surprised to discover Nancy’s motherhood journey includes many trials and heartache. But she views each challenge as an “opportunity” (her word) to see the power of God at work.
This interview is bursting with Truth and wisdom. Here’s a brief summary of the topics we cover:
- How to keep your thoughts and perspective in check when your husband works long hours.
- Where to turn with your parenting questions.
- How to respond when the consequences of sin enter your children’s lives
- How to share a simple family tradition of gratitude and love (fabulous idea!)
- How to deal with mom guilt (a.k.a., the part of the podcast where I get emotional)
- How to help your children turn to God when you can’t meet all their needs.
SUCH good stuff.
I was most encouraged to hear this message from Nancy:
This can be the “best life ever”, no matter the circumstances, if it includes eternal salvation for our children and unconditional love in our homes.
Show Notes:
Nancy’s “best ever” life verse–
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. {Ephesians 3:20}
If you are looking for encouragement with “that thing” you just can’t defeat/restore/heal/change/overcome/undo on your own strength, then I would highly recommend, Priscilla Shirer’s new book, God is Able
(*Amazon Affiliate link)
After listening to the podcast, what was your favorite piece of wisdom from Nancy? Do you have any additional questions for her?
Here’s a little reminder on how to listen to the podcast (thanks Kat from inspiredtoaction.com for these steps!):
1. Listen on the blog. Click through to GodCenteredMom.com and click the play button at the beginning of this post.
2. Listen on your smartphone, iPad or iPod Touch – There are a lot of great podcasting apps. Apple has a free one in the app store, there is also one called Downcast. It allows you to search for shows, subscribe to them and even speed up the audio.
3. Subscribe to the Podcast – access the podcast in iTunes (Click here to access via iTunes). You can also search for it on your smartphone app (like the ones listed above) and subscribe.
**Don’t you just adore Nancy’s fabulous bun? I asked her the story, but didn’t get it on the podcast. Apparently back in the 60’s she had bought a gorgeous, off-the-shoulder long green dress for her husband’s work event (put it on layaway…paying off $3 a month). The day of the event she put her hair up in comb rollers. Sadly, given the length of her hair (halfway down her back), the rollers got stuck. Once she got them out her hair stood up and out on all sides. She tried calming it down in a pony tail but it was still too poofy. So she kept all the hair in a ponytail, then section by section she hand rolled a curl, pinned it, until all the hair was pinned down. This hairstyle has been her signature ever since. According to a friend who sat behind her in church, there are exactly 10 curls (a regular accident…we counted again the day of the interview).
Here’s a pic from a family vacation…where she says her girls were not happy to be a part of the bun club:
I loved Nancy’s distinction between condemnation and conviction ~ and her advice to search out whether or not that conviction means you need to change something you’re doing. That really helped me to remember that God works all things for our good because He loves us, He doesn’t want to beat us down but to grow us up! And the bun – is- awesome!
Wasn’t that great Kristen? That word of wisdom has stuck with me all week. Really trying to change the things I feel God nudging me on and not falling prey to guilt as a distraction from my motherly purpose. Thanks for listening!!
Love you podcasts! So encouraging tonight as I felt overwhelmed with trying to meet the needs of my 4 kids. Love the idea of praying each morning that God would show me who needs my special attention today.
oh I’m so glad it was encouraging Amy! Thanks again for letting me know. May you and I both pray such a prayer!
This was fantastic! Loved their corn of thankfulness tradition! I want to start something like that in our home too!
didn’t you love that? and 40 years! what a blessing of memories and vulnerability and love…may it be so in our homes.
Oh Heather, this is fantastic. I loved this and loved Nancy! Can I have her as a mentor!? 🙂
Janelle
Thanks chica! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I’m sure she would love to mentor you!
Oh I just loved this!! Every bit–but I especially was encouraged by the reminder to not compare myself or my kids to what others are doing. That is such a temptation of mine. I’m praying to keep my eyes fixed on Him living faithfully with the gifts he has given me and thankfulness for the gifts and ministries of others. Nancy, I was so blessed by this!