The Marked Life Blog

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How many children do you have? I have four children.

How old are your child(ren) OR how long have you been a mom? I have been a mom for just over 8 years (at one point I had 4 children 5 years and younger).

Are you a mom of girls, boys, or both? Both!

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How have I (and how do I) continue to equip my children to demonstrate boldness and bravery in the face of trials, uncertainty, and spiritual warfare?

I am training our children up to understand that Spiritual warfare is very real, and we have been studying walking in the Spirit, holiness, and basic theology. 
We have memorized several Scriptures for when they are afraid (Philippians 4:6-7, Psalm 4:8, 2 Timothy 1:7, Psalm 23:4, Isaiah 41:10, Joshua 1:9).
We talk about how we do not have to fear because no matter what happens, we are God’s and man cannot kill the spirit.  We are learning about the armor of God, the fruit of the Spirit, and the true meaning of love.

robbi bittle
blogger/mom

Speak life to the mom who is weary and burned out. 

Oh, mama. Some days (weeks/months) are hard. Lean into the Lord. His grace is what will bring you through. 

Take heart in the fact that you are serving the Lord as you tend to your littles. Colossians 3:23-24 says…”Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”

Galatians reminds us to not grow weary in doing good. Raising your children to love the Lord is the greatest good you can do. 

What advice would you give to the mom struggling to find time to fulfill her responsibilities and find time to spend with the Lord? 

Sometimes we have to take a step back and reframe and rethink how we view things. I have found that I have had to rethink my ideas of spending time with the Lord. If I am viewing it as one thing and not getting it, I usually get bent out of shape when it doesn’t happen. When I am more flexible and try to work my children into things, it goes smoother. If I am expecting quiet time and not getting any quiet, I reframe it. I am getting Bible time, even if it is not quiet.

I play worship music as we clean or dance around. I put on an audio Bible when I am doing the dishes. I include the children in my personal Bible time if they are in the room, reading aloud even at a young age. We pray together often. I am fed spiritually, and they learn how important these things are as well.  There have been seasons that I have gotten up earlier than they do, but not always. I have, however, found that when I put the priority of time with the Lord (be it quiet or not; morning, afternoon, or evening) that the rest of my time runs smoother, and I end up using my time more wisely and being more productive.

If I find that I am too busy to spend time with the Lord, I truly am too busy and need to step back and reprioritize and prune things back as much as possible.

How do you handle the strong-willed child? 

In our home, everyone is given age appropriate choices (red pajamas or blue pajamas? Would you like to put on your PJs or do you need help?), this really helps strong willed children feel like they have a voice. 

We do not discourage conversation about directions given as these can build life skills such as negotiating and problem solving.  We also give reasoning behind direction as much as possible which builds trust. Because we often allow discussion, they know when we give a serious direction that there is a reason. This helps channel their strength of character into productive avenues and helps them learn how to make good choices.

Diet is also a huge element in our home. Corn, artificial colors, sugars, gluten, and many additives greatly affect brain chemistry and cause a lot of behavioral issues. I have noticed that even our strong willed children are much more apt to follow directions since we have removed them from our diet.

How would you speak to the mom who feels out of control and dominated by her role? 

I find that when I am feeling worn down or dominated by my role as a mother that I need to step back and renew my mind.

I can see my family and roll as a blessing, or as a burden, and when they become a burden I have lost my focus. It has shifted from serving the Lord in my family to simply surviving. Have to or get to? I go back to the Word. 

Satan knows the power of a godly mother, and has influenced the world to see the role as mother as a burden. Children are often portrayed as burdens to be gratefully rid of when school starts back. 

Let’s take back the role that God has ordained for us as mothers, seeing it as a blessing and not a burden. It is such a unique way to serve the Lord. 

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Robbi Bittle – Blogger/Mom

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I am all the more grateful for the women (like Robbi) who have chosen to join me on this journey of transparency and support – ESPECIALLY in addition to the life adjustments and loads we all experienced in the midst of the last year! 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 “Bold & Brave”, will be encouraged, emboldened, and all the more hopeful.

For the Moms,

Hannah

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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.

Stay tuned for more stories of triumph, valleys, and faith! Missed the previous post? Check it out here!

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• Episode 30 – Marinating in the wait w/ Karen Mejeur
• For the Moms – Tides of Faith w/ Eliza Sarai Ray
• For the Moms – Tides of Faith w/ Karen Mejeur
• For the Moms – Tides of Faith w/ Lookha Succes
• For the moms – Tides of faith w/ Aimee Niblack