Have you ever heard someone say, “Motherhood is sanctifying”?
Do you know what they mean?
Well, I found this quick definition of sanctification to help us out:
Sanctification: “the same Greek word as holiness, “hagios,” meaning a separation. First, a once-for-all positional separation unto Christ at our salvation. Second, a practical progressive holiness in a believer’s life while awaiting the return of Christ. Third, we will be changed into His perfect likeness—holy, sanctified, and completely separated from the presence of evil.”-Gotquestions.com
Once you believe in Christ’s work on the cross for you, then starts the gradual sanctification until Christ returns.
Our children stretch not just our bellies, but our patience and our beliefs. That process refines us and causes us to rely on Christ more and more.
Children reveal our messy expectations.
Nothing like a tantrum in the middle of a grocery store, or poop smeared on the bedroom walls to reveal what I really believe to be True.
Today’s podcast guest, Amy Julia Becker, chats with me about her humbling, sanctifying motherhood journey. How her three children, including a daughter with Down Syndrome, have helped her grow up and hear more clearly from God.
Amy Julia writes about her experiences on her blog at Christianity Today. She has also been featured on HuffingtonPost, Parents, NYTimes Motherlode and Time (click here to see all those articles). She has also written several books, her newest book is, “Small Talk: Learning from my children about what matters most”.
My favorite conversations in this episode were: Amy Julia’s wisdom to see God’s image in our children, her thoughts on God’s faithfulness when we are faithless, and how to connect with others when we move to a new city.
AND BONUS!!! Amy Julia agreed to give away one copy of her newest book, “Small Talk”
Giveaway details: Enter to win by leaving a comment on this blog post or leaving a review on itunes (instructions here). Contest ends, February 1st. Winner announced Monday, February 2nd.
(if reading via email, click here to watch video)
What we chat about:
- Amy Julia’s humbling mom moment when a few hours after birth, her daughter, Penny, was diagnosed with Down Syndrome.
- The expectations we carry into mothering.
- The challenge of parenting to not create our children in OUR image, but to see God’s image in them.
- The gifts given back to Amy Julia as she watches Penny grow and develop skills didn’t expect to have.
- The ability at birth to see our kids as blank slates.
- “Disability is a magnifying glass that shines on our common humanity”
- “My job is not to decide who my children are going to be.”
- The wake up call Heather had after reading Amy Julia’s newest book, “Small Talk”.
- How we shouldn’t feel pressure to be fully present, all the time, with our children, but setting up intentional times to connect and chat with them.
- How God works in our own lives through our kids’ questions.
- The two things Amy Julia hopes parents get out of reading, “Small Talk”.
- The year of faithlessness and discontentment for Amy Julia (aka, “the year of wine & nachos). . .how God carried her in the midst of that season.
- What helped get her out of that season, and being realistic when moving to a new city with 3 young kids.
- “Trusting God is faithful even when I am not.”
- The humbling (and blessing) of needing and receiving help.
Connect with Amy Julia:
Site :: Blog :: Twitter :: Facebook
Links mentioned:
- Francie Winslow — For Freedom Be Set Free–GCM Podcast Ep 4
- What Happy Parents Know & Do When it Gets Hard— A Holy Experience
- Jesus Loves Little Children–Christianity Today
- How Having Kids Helped Me Grow Up–HuffPostParents
- Penny at the spelling bee–ABC News
- Small Talk book
What’s a favorite question your child has asked?
How to listen to the podcast:
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 (that I mentioned) 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. If you don’t have an iDevice, you can listen via Stitcher.
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.
*If you missed past episodes, you can listen via iTunes or click on this page of the GodCenteredMom site to find a listing of all the episodes.
**Check out this page for instructions on how to leave a rating or review on iTunes: GodCenteredMom.com/review
Thank you so much for your work here ladies! You are both inspiring and God is using you! Would love to win “Small Talk” !
This was very good! I think this is a book that would encourage one of my beautiful daughters…mama of 3 and homeschooler!
We have just moved so what you all shared about that was encouraging. I also identified with the struggle of your child having a hidden “difference” as they get older and would love prayers for direction and compassion as I mother (and teach- I homeschool) him and his siblings. Thanks for the podcast… I have enjoyed listing.
So thankful for your blog and the resources you provide! They keep me grounded, engaged and steadfast in my relationship with Jesus! I am a new mommy and your podcasts have been life changing 🙂 You are using your gift in such a beautiful, inspiring way!
well. . .aren’t you the sweetest!!?!! thank you so much for your encouragement. so glad they are helping you as you walk in faith.
Loved the podcast! So many wise words from you both.
So many beautiful thoughts here, Amy Julia. I just finished (and reviewed on my blog) A Good and Perfect Gift, and am dying for a copy of Small Talk. They don’t carry it at my public library! Anyway. Thanks for being you and for writing the way you do.
Heather, thank you for sharing another inspiring guest with us. It’s amazing how each and every mom has something to share about their journey and what God has taught them along the way. Though our journeys may be different we can each find common ground in the joys and struggles of motherhood. Thank you for your ministry, you bring more blessing and encouragement into homes than you know.
thank you tasha for your sweet words of encouragement! Helps to know recording, editing and sharing these stories is helpful to moms, blessing and lifting them up. seriously. thank you for stopping to comment!
This looks like such a good book! Crossing my fingers and toes I win! Thank you for the chance! 🙂
Amy Julia your honest words continue to encourage and inspire me. May the Lord sustain you through your work (of mothering and writing!)
Thank you for this giveaway! The podcast interview was fabulous! So many things God spoke to me about through it. The book sounds terrific and I would be very blessed to win! God bless you!
so thankful to hear God spoke through Amy Julia’s story. . .love how He can get His Truth out. . .one way or another. 😉
This is great. Looking forward to listening!
Thank you so much for sharing! The book looks great!
Great book – lift of encouragement – would love to pass along a copy!
I can’t even put into words how much this episode touched me. Many many hours drowning my heart in chocolate and coffee. This story gave me breath when I have been struggling to breathe from all the pressure I have put on myself.
hey amber! thanks for taking the time to comment. . .and for sharing your own “wine & nachos” story. May God continue to give you rest and His presence as you come out of this season.
I loved this podcast! I listened to several parts twice. My favorite piece of wisdom was to see God’s image in our children and call it forth. So good.
Hi Heather~ Long time listener…but I have never commented. 🙂 I always love your podcasts-I listen on the treadmill. Sometimes I don’t relate to your guests because I have older kids (13 & 19). But, this podcast when Amy was talking about her daughter with special needs and that she just needed to accept her as she is. It hit me—that is what I have been doing with my teenage daughter. I have been treating her (and getting very frustrated) like how I expect her personality to be–more like mine! She is my daughter….but SHE IS HER OWN PERSON!! I have been so frustrated because I often wonder why she doesn’t act or react more like me or my son. I need to give her grace and try to encourage her personality more and ACCEPT that she is her own person. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
wow!! just checking in on comments (late Saturday night fun!) and blown away. . .thank you for taking the time to share that with me. God is going to find a way to speak Truth to our hearts one way or another. Have you ever listened to the podcast episode with Vela Tomba? On Hula-hoop-o-logy? May also be helpful on this topic. . .