A woman of faith and strong family values, I love how our connection evolved into a beautiful support system and friendship. Motherhood has been one of the most meaningful ways we have supported each other. Some of our children actually shared the same due date! Today, Johannah shares the lessons God is teaching, insights on family devotion time, selflessness, and more. Johannah, thank you for allowing us a glimpse into your life in words.
How many children do you have? I have two children.
How old are your children? An almost 3 year old boy, a 1 ½ year old girl and expecting baby #3 in 9 weeks.
Are you a mom of girls, boys, or both? Both.
What does your family devotion time look like?
Each night my family sits in bed and reads a Bible story. After the story is finished, my husband will come up with a bible word that applies to our lives and relates to the story we read that night. We then take time to pray on the armor of God, while giving our 2 year old an opportunity to pray as well.
This has been a very eye opening experience as a parent. The first time my child told us he needed to say sorry to God for mistreating someone, I about cried all over my shirt. It was humbling to see this little child in all his pureness bow before the King (unprovoked), and repent of his sins.
It truly is amazing how much these little ones understand and grasp when you take the time to explain to them who God is.
What are the lessons God has taught you/is teaching you as a Mother?
The biggest lessons that God is teaching me daily are patience and selflessness. When I lay down my fleshly desires, my selfish ambitions, that’s when I see healthy fruit in my children and growth in myself as a Mother and wife.
It’s very easy for me to get caught up in “what’s next” but when I focus on the here and now, the presence of my children, and the moment-by-moment learning opportunities, I see the fingerprint of God in my marriage and parenting. When a day seems extra challenging, I take that as an opportunity to figure out the heart issue, not just the problem – whether in my child or in myself.
When I keep focus on patience and selflessness of the Spirit, it allows me to set the tone of the house, overflow with joy, and remember, “It’s not about me.”
What are the 3 things every mom needs to know?
First, it’s okay to take a moment away, if to refresh your mind and renew your spirit.
Second, no one ever looks back on life to remember how clean their house was. They do look back and think about how much time they invested in their children, how much time they spent playing on the ground.
Third, consistency is key. One of the best pieces of advice I was given was that children thrive on routine and schedule, they seek it out. Mostly when it comes to naps/eating and bedtime. We keep a solid routine and that has really helped with transitions in life and adding new babies to the team.
How do you combat worldly influence on your children?
This world can be such an overwhelming place, especially these days. My husband and I have chosen to be very open with our children about the sins of the earth.
As a mother, I feel a very strong conviction to protect my children from a desensitized world while in the same breath explaining why we do what we do.
Teaching my littles the fruits of the Spirit at a young age, as well as the purpose of the armor of God has been an incredible teaching tool as they begin to understand sin and righteousness.
I am all the more grateful for the women (like Johannah) who have chosen to join me on this journey of transparency and support – ESPECIALLY in addition to the life adjustments and loads we are all experiencing in the midst of COVID-19! I can’t thank you enough.
Connection and support are vital to our growth and survival as humans and as Women. I have met many Mothers (myself included at one point) who are going through the trenches and carrying loads solo. This has often led to depression, loneliness, isolation, and such guilt and shame in “not measuring up”.
My prayer is that the women who lay eyes on “Our Life in Words”, will be encouraged, enlightened, and all the more hopeful.
For the Moms,
Hannah
This series is for the Moms! In honor of Mothers, this May will be chock-full of real stories of Motherhood from Moms of all ages, in all stages. Join me as I feature different Moms (on a weekly basis) who will so graciously be sharing their life in words.
Missed the previous feature? Catch it here! Stay tuned for more stories of triumph, valleys, faith.
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