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Mountainous Motherhood

Brightened-PaperMeadows-8x10-HomeiswheretheheartisI got in bed last night a little earlier than usual. I set my alarm for an hour before I knew my girls would wake up in the morning. I love having time to spend in God’s Word before my day really gets going. It doesn’t always happen, but I’m thankful when it does.

I hadn’t been asleep for very long when I heard crying. It was my youngest. I rolled over and decided to let her cry it out for a bit. The crying continued long enough to wake Grant up, “GraceAnna, want me to go get her?”

“It’s fine. I’ll get her.” I rocked her for a little while and then climbed back into bed.

It hardly seemed like any time had gone by at all when I heard more crying. It was my oldest this time. She was crying in her bed and saying she needed to go potty. Potty? She never wakes up in the night to go potty. I tried to take her but she just kept crying for no apparent reason. “AudreyKate, what do you need?” I asked, my voice full of the frustration I was beginning to feel.

I don’t know how long we were trying to figure things out before Grant got up and asked, “What’s going on?”

“I don’t know.”

“GraceAnna, y’all are both half asleep,” he said as he helped me get her settled.

I climbed back in bed and looked at the clock, it was 4am. I could still get a few hours of sleep before I needed to get up.

Before long I heard crying again. What’s going on tonight? 

It was Evangeline this time. She must be teething. 

I got up and put her in bed with us. She finally fell asleep laying on me. I closed my eyes until I was jolted awake by my alarm.

I reached over and turned that thing off as fast as I could. No, I’m not getting up early.

Unrealistic Expectations

This morning, after my nighttime extravaganza, I had to ask myself, why was I so frustrated? 

I realized it was because I had expected my girls to sleep through the night. I had expected to get a full night’s rest. I had expected to get up early.

And when my expectations weren’t met, it stirred up feelings of frustration toward the little people I love so dearly.

As I put the coffee on, I thought about how wrong my expectations had been. Anger often occurs when there are failed expectations. And I had unrealistic expectations for my sweet one and two year old. Just because they are generally good sleepers, doesn’t mean that they won’t ever wake up in the night or go through seasons of waking up a lot.

Time for a Tune-Up

When it comes to mothering, sometimes I feel like a car that needs to pull into the auto repair shop for a quick tune-up. In the daily busyness, I can often get a little misaligned in my perspective.

This “tune-up” time for me usually comes through the conviction of the Holy Spirit and time in God’s Word. Sometimes God uses my husband or a friend to whisper a word of truth that shows me where I’ve been a little off in my thinking.

Oh yeah, what was I thinking? What was I expecting? I am raising people who need to be cared for, trained, and taught!  It’s a full time job! Not a hobby! They are not a distraction from my tasks. They are my tasks! 

Last night, when I was frustrated, I had forgotten that mothering is a full time calling that includes the night shift.

When I was in college, I was a Resident Assistant in my dorm. Some weekends I would be “on call.” My phone would ring in the middle of the night and I would have to handle some sort of situation. Sometimes, it would be as simple as a resident being locked out of her room. But other times, it would be much more serious. One night, a student on my hall had alcohol poisoning. I’ll never forget the emotions I felt that night as I frantically called EMS and watched as they struggled to revive her.

Whenever I was on call as an RA and my phone rang in the night, I would jump out of bed and immediately pray and ask God to give me wisdom to handle whatever situation was headed my way. The same is true with mothering, if not more so. I shouldn’t be surprised when I’m woken up. I’m on call. Every night.

I need God’s help not just during the day but in the night watch too. And the amazing thing is, He’s always up. Those times when I call out to Him, I often think of Psalm 121 which says, “Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord . . . He who keeps Israel 
will neither slumber nor sleep.”

Park the Pram and Grab Some Carabineers

Those who expect mothering to be a walk in the park will be disappointed and frustrated when they discover that it’s more like a mountainous hike than anything else. Some days it winds through the most beautiful and sunny fields, but the journey also has its share of jagged cliffs and muddy valleys.

My daughter has a pink pram that she likes to use to take her dollies for walks. It’s perfect on the sidewalk, but whenever she tries to push it off-road she starts calling, “Momma, help me, momma!” The pram just isn’t sufficient for rough terrain.

Just like a hiker expects to encounter obstacles on the trail, I must remember that the journey of motherhood is more like rock climbing than a stroll.

God has called me to the great task of training and teaching little ones. They are dependent on me and it’s my joy to raise them. And as cute and adorable as they are, they are still sinners. And so am I. That’s a lot of sin. Life together isn’t as always as easy as pushing a pram. It takes sweat, hard work, much prayer, and reliance on God to be faithful. And I’m glad too. Because when I look to God for His strength, I see spectacular views that I never would have seen from the sidewalk.

If you are feeling a little weary and frustrated, maybe your expectations have been misaligned. Motherhood is not like a picture from a catalog. No, it’s so much better than that. It’s real. And God uses your sore muscles and chipped nails to grow you, make you call to Him louder, and watch in wonder as He uses you to help little hearts find the way to Him.

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A Brave New Mom

IMG_8485-003 copycropThe day my parents left after I had my second child was hard. My daughters are only 18 months apart and my husband, Grant and I had just moved to a new city far away from any family.

My mom stayed with me for ten days as I got adjusted to having two.  My dad joined a few days later. But now, it was time for them to go.

I couldn’t keep the tears from falling as they drove away. Even though I had been at this for a little while, I felt like a brand new mom all over again.

Later that day, I decided to go to the grocery store. I pulled into the lot and looked at the two sweet faces in the back seat. Could I do this? 

And then I did what all mothers do. Regardless of how I felt in that moment, I made a plan of action and executed it.

With each push of the buggy through the grocery aisles, I felt more confident. I could do this. 

Before I knew it, I was heading home with a trunk full of groceries and two children safely strapped in the backseat. Thank you, God, I prayed. Thank you for that.

Unchartered Frontier

Becoming a mother is like embarking on unchartered territory or pioneering a new land. From the moment you find out you are pregnant, to the daily grind of running a house with little ones, there is so much unknown.

Even though millions of women have gone before you on this journey, it’s still new to you.

When you are expecting your first child, you don’t know what labor and delivery will be like. You wonder if you will be able to do it. How do women do it?

And when you bring your baby home from the hospital, you frantically realize that there is no instruction manual. That being a mom really is all up to you.

Then there is each new challenge along the way: figuring out how carseats and strollers hook & buckle, a manageable nap time routine, and whether you should rock your little one or let them cry it out.

With each new step, you do things you never thought you could. Before you know it, it’s second nature and the lady in the grocery store looks at you and says, “Wow, you have your hands full!” You smile and think, It’s not that hard. You’ve forgotten that not that long ago you were afraid to get out of the car.

And then you realize, motherhood has changed you. You are strong.

Strength in Weakness

Being a mother is not about having it all together. In fact, the moment that you think things are going pretty swell, is exactly the moment when something comes along that throws you for a loop. You are driven to your knees and like a new mom afraid to go in the grocery store you say, God please help me.

And He does. And you discover once again that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

When I was a brand new mom and the dishes were piled high or I was struggling with how to get our daughter to sleep, Grant would often whisper in my ear, “Be strong and courageous.” 

Those words helped me look beyond myself and what I thought I could handle, to God. He was and is the one who gives me strength for this task of motherhood. He will finish the good work He has started in me (Phil. 1:6). That includes every dirty diaper and each new step.

A Brave New Mom

Being a mother is not for the faint of heart. It’s not for the selfish.

But the problem is, most of us are faint of heart and most of us are selfish.

But that’s the amazing thing about God. He uses the weak things of this world to shame the wise (1 Cor. 1:27). And when we call on Him in repentance and humility, He hears (2 Chron. 7:14).

And He makes us strong (Isaiah 40:31).

So, new mom, don’t be afraid. Turn to God. He will help you figure it out. He will be with you as you step into the unknown.

And to the mom who’s been at it a while, remember the One who helped you at the very beginning. He’s still there. And He delights in making the weak strong.

.

Isaiah 40:27-31

Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God”?
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable.
He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.

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Messy Faith

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I was trying desperately to get out the door. The clean dishes were unloaded from the dishwasher and replaced by the sticky ones from breakfast. Oatmeal that was vehemently clinging to the carpet had been scrubbed clean. I wiped cheerios and spilled milk off a high chair tray and dashed to the bathroom to apply two minutes worth of make-up and throw my hair in a ponytail.

I picked up two little people one by one, wiped down their sticky hands and faces, changed their diapers, and put on their outfits. While searching frantically for a matching pair of shoes, as if on cue, breakfast hit their tiny tummies. I undressed them, changed their diapers, and redressed them. The lost shoe was found in a toy bin. As I packed the diaper bag, I turned to find my oldest curiously digging through a bag of trash. I moved the trash, took her hand, and started loading both of the girls in the car.

I went around to one car seat, click, click, click. And then around to the other, click, click, click. I went back inside, grabbed my purse, and took a final look around the apartment. As hard as I had tried to leave everything clean, it was still messy.

With the apartment now locked up, I got in the car and immediately a voice in the backseat cried for “lovey” which was most certainly left inside.

I looked at the time. Fifteen minutes late.

I glanced at the two sweet faces in the back seat, one who was crying. Should I even try to go where I was headed? Maybe I should just go back inside. It would be naptime before long.

I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the headrest. Why couldn’t I get it together? 

I spent the next few minutes of that morning beating myself up for not being an always on-time and organized kind of mom. Essentially, I was asking myself, why am I not perfect?

I’ve had many mornings like the one I described above and I am sure I will have many more in my future as long as I am alive and breathing.

Even though these kinds of mornings aren’t my favorite, I am learning to embrace them because they are a regular reminder that I am, indeed, far from a “perfect” mother.

What is a perfect mother any way?

As I grow in my understanding of what it means to raise little ones, I have been freed by a simple truth that I heard while taking a counseling class for seminary wives last semester: “God has not called you to be perfect, God has called you to be faithful.” 

In our DIY and Pinterest-perfect culture, sometimes it’s easy to start comparing ourselves or wondering how all those women out there in the blogosphere do all the things they do so beautifully. While these things (whatever it may be: fashion, crafting, home-decorating, etc)  have their place, as soon as we start making them our primary focus, we can get lost very quickly. After all, people only post their best anyway.

As women, we are often hard on ourselves for things that we shouldn’t be: Why can’t I be as crafty as her? Why can’t I decorate my home like she does? I wish I were musically talented like that. If only I could get up as early as she does. How does she keep in such great shape?

But we are soft on areas where we should be tough. We say we are “stressed” or “frazzled” instead of confessing anger or self focus before the Lord. We are lazy and do not work hard to keep our house clean and say, “That’s just not my thing” or “I just didn’t have time,” even though we made time for watching TV or browsing the Internet. We snap at our husbands and then make excuses, “Well, I had a long day.” Or “You have no idea what my day was like.” We gossip and say, “I just needed to vent.”

And the list goes on.

At the end of the day, as hard as it may be to imagine, God doesn’t look at your vacuumed floors or your color coded closet (if someone out there has one of those), he looks at your heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

Were you faithful with the time you had? Were you faithful to confess sin? Love your husband? Love your children?

God doesn’t call you to be perfect, but He does call you to be faithful. He calls you to call sin, sin, and to love Him with all your heart, soul, and strength and love others as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39).

And while you will never do these things perfectly, you have a faithful God who will grow you as you try.

When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.

When things aren’t the way you want them to be young mother, run to the Faithful One, and find your perfect acceptance in Him.

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Before You Were Born

Processed with VSCOcam with x1 presetToday I share over at the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission regarding the sanctity of human life. I tell a little bit of what my mom went through when she was pregnant with me, the meaning behind my name, and God’s grace in preserving my life. God has used the faith of my parents and His gracious care for me before I was born, to help shape the way I view life in the womb.

I hope it’s an encouragement to you.

You can read it here:

Before You Were Born

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The Pain is Worth It

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Today I shared over at CBMW about both the pain and the joy that come with motherhood. If you read this blog, you will probably recognize it, it’s a modified version of something I wrote last year.

My post is part of a series on childbirth that is beginning on the women’s channel of CBMW, so I would encourage you to read the upcoming posts. I’m sure you will be greatly encouraged!

The Needle and the Joy

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The Long Days

littlegirl4x6I pulled my two-year old onto my lap several nights ago. It was past her bedtime and it had been a long day. Normally, our days together are so fun and fly by way too quickly. I can hardly keep up with all there is to do with two little girls ages two and under.

But on that day, well, it had been a hard day. I had overslept my alarm and felt behind the moment the day began. My two-year old obviously felt the same way. Every little thing became a struggle. Our trip to the library started and ended in disobedience. Lunch was a battle. And nap-time was strongly protested. Grant was busy, busy, and busy. I felt tired.

And so there we were, finally, at bedtime. I looked at her and she looked at me. “It’s time to go to sleep, AudreyKate,” I whispered as I held her close. “Rock you, minute?” she asked.

I told her to lay her head on my shoulder and we rocked. I was so tired that I didn’t want to sing our usual songs. Instead, the words to a lullaby I’d long forgotten came to my lips. It was a song my mom sang to me when I was a little girl.

Where are you going, my little one, little one

Where are you going, my baby, my own?

Turn around and you’re two, turn around and you’re four

Turn around and you’re a young girl going out of my door

As I began to sing, most of the words and tune came back to me. AudreyKate lay completely still as she listened to me sing this new song.

Turn around, turn around

Turn around and you’re a young girl going out of my door

As we rocked back and forth, memories of my own mother singing this lullaby flooded my mind. I always felt so safe and secure in her arms and I thought she had the most beautiful voice in the world.

Even as a child, the words to this song made me feel a pang of sadness. I would imagine a little girl growing up and leaving her mom.

Where are you going, my little one, little one

Little sunsuits and petticoats, where have you gone?

Turn around and you’re tiny, turn around and you’re grown

Turn around and you’re a young wife with babes of your own

Turn around, turn around

Turn around and you’re a young wife with babes of your own

As we rocked together, I couldn’t believe things had come full circle. I felt like I was just the little girl in the song, but now I am the “young wife with babes of your own.” The song had come true.

And one day, Lord willing, it will come true for my daughters.

I held AudreyKate tighter as we rocked and I listened to her little voice sing, “tun awoun, tun awoun…” A tear trickled down my cheek as I thought about her growing up so very quickly.

My mom has often reminded me that in mothering, the days are long, but the years are short.

I want to treasure even the long days, because one day I will turn around, and they will be gone.

As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.

But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children’s children,
to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.

Psalm 103: 17-19

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A Few Lessons On The Road of Motherhood

photo-90I just celebrated my two-year anniversary of becoming a mother. As I watched my oldest daughter blow out her birthday candles, I felt a wave of gratitude for all God has taught me since I became a mom. Two is a big milestone for my little girl, but it is for me as well. Each year that goes by is another mile marker of God’s faithfulness to me as a young mom. The lessons I am learning through motherhood are many. Here are just a few I have been recently reflecting upon.

Motherhood grounds me, it simply does. I cannot travel the world now that I am a mother, at least if I am going to be a good one. I cannot head to a coffee shop for a leisurely latte’ mid-morning, run a lengthy errand at the drop of a hat, or head to the gym for a spontaneous workout. Evenings out must be planned, and even then, I am often thinking about my girls while I am away. There are many factors to consider each and every day; decisions that include car seats, baby carriers, which child to put in the car first, and so on. The grounding that motherhood brings, prompts me to consider what is really important in my life. It forces me moment-by-moment to lay my selfish desires aside and put little eyes, hands, and feet first. When I can’t run out the door whenever I want to, I am reminded that my primary calling as a wife and a mother is in my home, not somewhere else. When I embrace my calling in the home, I find myself fulfilled because I am doing exactly what God has called me to do (Titus 2:5). And as a young mother, I am discovering that nothing else comes close to producing the joy that walking in obedience to God’s design brings.

Motherhood teaches me to be a servant. Grant and I were married only 10 months when we found out we were expecting our oldest daughter. When I look back on the time in our marriage before she arrived, I have such fond memories. It was a wonderful and special time. However, it wasn’t until she arrived that some of the most meaningful growth in our relationship began to take place. Suddenly, we were both dependent on God to not merely take care of ourselves and love one another; we were responsible for a whole other person.  As I lost sleep and struggled in all the ways new mothers do, I realized I am a very selfish person. I often do not want to serve my husband or my two little girls in the ways they need to be served. But what I am pondering anew every day, is what Nancy Leigh Demoss says so well in Lies Women Believe, “We are never more like Jesus than when we are serving Him or others,” and “There is no higher calling than to be a servant.” Matthew 20:28 says, “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve…” I never thought cleaning a toilet or changing a diaper would leave a lasting impression in my life, but it has. There is great joy in the lowly tasks, because it is there that I learn what it means to be like my Savior.

Motherhood drives me to my knees. Just a few months ago, I crept into my daughter’s room after she had fallen asleep. I had struggled with her behavior that day. I felt discouraged. How could I get across to her the importance of obedience? I kneeled beside her crib and asked God to give me wisdom. How could such a little person cause me to feel so helpless? Day in and day out, motherhood prompts me to pray because there is so much I cannot handle in my own strength. Throughout the day I find myself calling out to God, “Lord, help me!” Motherhood causes me to realize that just like my daughters are dependent on me for everything, I desperately need the Lord in order to be the type of mother who points my children to Jesus.

Motherhood forces me to trust God. I read recently about a precious little girl named Daisy who died of cancer. I cannot fathom the pain her parents are experiencing right now. It literally tears my heart to pieces to imagine one of my girls being diagnosed with cancer. There are many fears I could dwell on each and every day. But I am learning that it doesn’t help to worry about the things I cannot control. I have a Heavenly Father who loves my daughters more than I do. I love the many ways God’s heart for children is revealed through Jesus in the Gospels. For instance, when Jesus raises Jairus’ daughter from the dead in Mark 5, He uses tender words to address her, “Talitha, arise.” Talitha means  “little girl lamb.” As I read God’s Word, I see over and over again that Jesus has a tender care for children. I must trust that no matter what happens, He is a good and loving Shepherd who welcomes them into His arms.

Motherhood reminds me that every day is a gift. I think about this on days that are difficult. I am not guaranteed tomorrow with my girls. In light of that reality, how will I choose to mother? Will I be half-hearted about it? Will I brush off my children’s questions, sigh at their cries, or get frustrated that they need me constantly? I want to be like the Proverbs 31 woman who pours her whole self into God’s calling on her life in the management of her home. Because of her devotion to her family and her home-centered heart, her husband not only praises her, but her children rise up and bless her as well.

My husband, Grant, was two years old when his dad died in a tragic plane crash. Grant’s memories of his dad are few and faint, but I am amazed that he remembers anything at all. I believe this is because his dad was fully present as a father. Whenever I see an old photograph of Grant’s dad, it reminds me just how suddenly death can occur. I don’t want to take today for granted. I want to find joy in washing my girls’ hair, changing their dirty diapers, cleaning their spills, savoring their messy kisses, and soaking in each moment as if it were my last – because it just might be.

I am convinced that motherhood is one of the greatest teaching tools any woman can experience. I’m new at this, but I want to learn these lessons well so that I can be a mother who not only smiles at the future, but also at the well-worn path stretching behind me.

More lessons to come…

I wrote this several days ago on a rainy afternoon…

It was Friday, two days before AudreyKate’s second birthday. As I got her ready for bed that evening, I noticed she felt a little warm. I took her temperature, and sure enough, she was running a fever.  I gave her some Tylenol and put her to bed, hoping she’d sleep off whatever it was her little body was fighting. The next morning, she was not any better, only worse. Later that afternoon, Grant and I went on a hunt for a clinic since our pediatrician’s office was closed for the weekend. It had been a very busy week, and Grant and I had planned on spending Saturday afternoon hanging out together. After getting turned away from the first clinic we tried because AudreyKate was under the age of two (she was ONE day shy of turning two!), we finally found a Walgreens clinic. AudreyKate cried hysterically as the doctor checked her ears and throat. The doctor told us that AudreyKate had a double ear infection and a sore throat, and sent us home with an antibiotic. Once Grant and I got both the girls to bed that evening, we sat down and sighed. This was not what we had planned for our Saturday. I didn’t know it at the moment, but the whole weekend would be a very sleepless one for me as I spent hours rocking, singing, and snuggling with my toddler who was even too sick to eat her birthday cake.

Life is made up of these kinds of moments, and motherhood is filled with them. Moments when things do not go as planned or as expected. Sometimes it’s a small thing like an ear infection, while other times its something much more serious. Maybe its dealing with disappointment over something that we hoped and prayed would happen, but instead God closes the door. These are moments where discouragement can loom big and joyfulness seems far off.

I am currently taking a class for seminary wives at Southern Seminary, and my professor, Dr. Plummer, recently said, “The things we often think are holding us back are pushing us forward.” He was speaking in regards to our spiritual lives. Sometimes we think if that “one thing” would just go away or be solved, we would be able to follow the Lord more fully or be set free from worrying over it. But, it is often that “one thing” God is using in our lives to push us forward spiritually and help us become more rooted in His Word. It is in the midst of difficulties, that we often find God’s Word so real to us its as if we can taste it.  Psalm 34:8 says, “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good, how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” Through His Word, God reminds us of His faithfulness and assures us that He is working out all things for our good and His glory. We need only to take refuge in Him. When we accept His will for our lives instead of our own, we find that instead of withering up under the weight of trials, we flourish.picstitch-4

This morning, I found myself driving to the pediatrician’s office once again. AudreyKate started running a fever yesterday, and I knew that she must have another ear infection. This will be her fourth one since Christmas Eve. It was pouring rain, and as I drove, the song, “As Long As You Are Glorified” started playing on my Pandora station.  As the wipers vigorously fought the rain off the windshield, I could not think of a more appropriate song to meditate on: “Shall I take from Your hand Your blessings, yet not welcome any pain? Shall I thank You for days of sunshine, yet grumble in days of rain?” It’s easy to wish for the sun when the raindrops are falling, but I always want to remember that God chose the rain along with the sun to cause good things to grow.

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Learning About Jesus

I’ve always loved children’s books. When I finished my student teaching in college, I graduated with a huge pile of them. I felt the need to restrain myself from buying children’s books for a long time, but now that AudreyKate is a toddler, I have an excuse!

I’m thrilled that AudreyKate is such a big book lover. I am especially thankful that she is already so interested in reading the “Byebull.” Grant and I read to her from one of her children’s Bibles every day. I thought I’d post a few of our current favorites here!

The Big Picture Story Bible by David HelmImage

This one just came in the mail today, so I haven’t read it with AudreyKate yet, but I can’t wait to!  Grant and I have heard great things about this Bible and Grant recently had the opportunity to hear David Helm preach (Grant then came home and ordered this Bible). What I love about this Bible is its focus on helping children understand that the Bible is one big book telling one big story – the story of Christ.

Read Aloud Bible Stories by Ella K. Lindvall

ImageI just love these books. We have the first two volumes (there are four). What I love about these is how they are written in short, storybook format. They are really beautifully written and fun to read. The only thing about them is that Jesus’ face is never pictured. I guess the illustrator thought it would be better to leave Jesus’ face out of it so little kids wouldn’t think Jesus looked a certain way. However, I think it’s a little difficult at times when I’m trying to explain Jesus to AudreyKate and I’m having to point to the back of his head. These are awesome books though and I plan on purchasing the other volumes.

God’s Story for Me Bible Storybook: 104 Favorite Bible Stories for ChildrenImage

This one is more of a traditional children’s Bible that my parents gave AudreyKate for Christmas. What I really like about it is that it’s on a toddler level. I love The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones, but it’s really over her head at this point. This Bible is also gentle and simple in its language while staying true to the story. Grant reads to AudreyKate from this Bible every night and they are working their way through the whole Bible. This is also AudreyKate’s favorite book to “read” during her independent reading time every day.

I’m so thankful that there are a variety of children’s resources available that are biblically sound! And I’m having fun learning the stories of God like a kid all over again.

For a more complete list of age-approriate and theologically sound children’s Bibles, I would encourage you to check out this list.*

“I know you are looking for Jesus. He’s not here. He’s not dead anymore. Go tell His friends. Jesus is alive.” – the angel, Vol. II of the Read~Aloud Bible Stories

*I trust this list (put together w/the help of one of Grant’s profs who is a professor of N.T. Interpretation), though as a parent, I always want to be immersed in the Scripture myself so that I am able to discern if the accurate intent of the passage/story is being conveyed.