- How many children do you have? I have 7 children. 4 are biological and 3 are an adopted set of siblings.
- How long have you been a mom? I have been a mom for 35 years.
- Are you a mom of boys, girls, or both? I have four boys and three girls.
How does having this treasure of Christ influence and transform your approach and ability to mother?
If I were to approach motherhood by leaning on my own understanding, I would be perpetually frustrated, impatient, angry, and disappointed. These feelings would be directed more so towards myself than my children.
It is only through knowing Christ and having that ultimate relationship with him that I can rise above those negative feelings (most days) and find hope and promise in my role as a mother. By knowing his word and believing what it says about me, I can trust in my potential and know he has given me what I need to fill this role.
Without having the Holy Spirit to guide me through my uncertainties I would be a wandering mess. Having his strength when mine is lacking and his wisdom when my thoughts are running in circles sees me through the tough days and helps me appreciate the days of joy.
What are some things that can clutter a mom’s heart and mind? What can be useful in her journey to de-cluttering those areas?
Staying in tune with Christ and believing with a clear understanding what he says about who you are and whose you are is important. Despite the cluttering, we need to make sure we allow time with him to refuel, recharge and find the peace and strength we need. We also need to make sure we are taking time to allow ourselves to unwind and have some time to evaluate what is on our plate and how we are handling it.
Betty Predmore
I think our minds get cluttered with things like being too busy and overscheduled. Feelings of unworthiness creep in and fill our thoughts, sometimes we feel isolated. Often there are issues in our marriage that creep into our parenting without us even noticing. Health and finances also play a part in the cluttering.
Staying in tune with Christ and believing with a clear understanding what he says about who you are and whose you are is important. Despite the cluttering, we need to make sure we allow time with him to refuel, recharge and find the peace and strength we need. We also need to make sure we are taking time to allow ourselves to unwind and have some time to evaluate what is on our plate and how we are handling it.
How do you equip your children with the gospel?
Of course, we take them to church and share God’s word with them. It is also important to make the word come alive in the lives of your children by looking for opportunities to share the wonderful stories of the bible in creative ways.
Additionally, we must live out before them the ways we are trying to teach them. Children learn far more from what they see us do than what they hear us say. We need to be living examples of the gospel in action. Let them see you help someone in need or show kindness to a stranger. And let them do the same. That is when the gospel comes alive.
What legacy do you wish to create/leave for your children?
I want to leave them a legacy of love, for God and for each other. I want them to know how important God is and how he can be such a help and comfort throughout their lives. I want them to have that same deep love and respect for each other, to be there for each other through times of rejoicing and times of pain.
One little thing I am doing to pass down to them is that I do a lot of notetaking and thought writing in my bibles. I am hoping to have seven of them to pass down one to each of my children. It will be God’s word, but it will also have my own thoughts written in the side notes as well. A little piece of me and my heart for each of them.
Connect with Me!
Website: http://www.momsenseinc.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1006363829417348 and https://www.facebook.com/bettypredmorespeakingpage
Since our inception in 2020, For the Moms has received over 2500 views in over almost 30 countries!
I am all the more grateful for the women (like Betty) who have chosen to join me on this journey of transparency. I can’t thank you enough.
For the Moms is an annual written blog series which aims to ignite and connect Godly Women in various stages of Motherhood toward the revelation of their Divinely given assignment and their impact as the gatekeepers of the home.
The purpose and mission is to elevate Christ and conceptualize Godly character in Motherhood – and to reach down and pull up those Mothers who are just starting, who are understandably worn, or who have somehow lost their way.
Further, For the Moms is a movement that is calling to attention the warriors within us for the times in which we live. We will aim to unravel the mistakes and cycles of generations past. We will wage war for our families. And, we will diligently seek the Lord’s face concerning His will for our children, and who we are becoming through our Motherhood.
My prayer is that the women who lay eyes on the For the Moms Series, will be encouraged, emboldened, and all the more hopeful.
For the Moms,
Hannah
The Marked Life Blog 