Whole 09: Let Go of the Beachball + What Forgiveness Is (And Isn't)
Release Date: 04/03/2024
Risen Motherhood
Well, friends, is our final show of the Risen Motherhood Podcast. After 260+ episodes and nearly 10 years of ministry, it’s hard to find the words for this bittersweet gospel goodbye. And yet, we know that the Lord will continue to work in and through his people—what a gift that he never changes! In this final episode, Emily and Laura share their hope and prayer for the R|M community. From a few practical tips for living out a risen motherhood to their prayer for you as we part ways, we hope this show points you to the God who is faithful to complete the good work he began in you, dear...
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It’s no secret that the Internet has changed and shifted multiple times over since Risen Motherhood kicked off in 2016—as technology moves at an ever-faster pace, Emily and Laura thought it would be fun to think about what the future of motherhood in the digital age will look like. More importantly, they share a few practical thoughts on how we as Christian moms can think wisely about the way we consume content from online influences. The cherry on top? They end with a few fun predictions for one another: what their future projects may look like, how the Lord will continue to work in and...
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Over the years, so many moms have shared that our Scripture shows on the podcast have been ones they go back to time and again, remembering the truths of God’s Word as they wash dishes, head to school pickup, and more. As we think about the legacy we want to leave at Risen Motherhood, it’s so important to us that we remember this was never about us; it was about Christ. We hope this Scripture show encourages and emboldens you, dear mom, to keep coming back to God’s Word and rooting yourself in the truth of the gospel—because it changes everything. Scripture quotations are from the...
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When we’re organizing the family calendar, packing lunches, or making a snack for our toddler, it can be tempting to feel as though no one sees our work as moms—but here’s the thing: God does see. God cares! Loving our children and faithfully tending to the tasks in front of us is a way we live a life of worship and make a Kingdom impact. In this episode, Emily and Laura unpack the phrase “every moment matters”—not because we’re expected to be perfect in every moment, but because no act of love and service is ever wasted. When we recognize that seemingly unspiritual, everyday...
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Anytime you produce something public, you open yourself up to criticism—and Risen Motherhood was no different. Over the years, we received feedback of all kinds: encouraging, loving, constructively critical, and at times, hurtful. Maybe you’ve experienced the same in your own ministry work, or simply in everyday life. In this episode, Emily and Laura unpack some of these critiques and share their hearts for why they did or didn’t make certain decisions throughout the life of the ministry. Honestly, R|M wasn’t for everyone. But the gospel is for everyone, and we’re so grateful for the...
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We know these moments come rarely: when a season of life has such a clean end that you get the opportunity to stop and reflect on all that God has done. As we had a chance to serve in this capacity over the years, we were also deeply changed. Even though we haven't shared all the details publicly, trying to faithfully deliver quality content, lead a team, and navigate the online world with grace shaped us tremendously. God has worked through his Word on our hearts too, and today we want to take some time to share a bit about those lessons we've learned. No matter the season God has placed you...
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You know that simple, encouraging text that comes through at just the right time, or that run-in with a dear friend that lifts your spirits, even if you only had five minutes to chat? That’s what we hope this episode is for you today, mom. If you’re feeling worn down, exhausted (that’s all of us, right?), or wondering if God is working where he’s placed you right now, we hope these entries from Emily and Laura’s newest book, “A Million Tiny Moments,” remind you that God‘s working in your everyday moments—even when it doesn’t feel like it. (Psst! They also share some fun...
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So let’s just say we reach a point where we’re pros at this gospel + motherhood thing… what do we do if it all starts to feel a little stale? As believers living in a fallen world, we know that the process of sanctification is often challenging—which is why we need more than just a framework or a system to keep us going; we need the Holy Spirit. In this episode, Emily and Laura share what they’ve learned personally through the ups and downs of pursuing gospel motherhood, encouraging us to keep coming back to the Lord time and again. Take heart, friend: our God is gracious and he will...
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We’ve spent a lot of time in this series looking at how gospel motherhood brings freedom—so what do we do when our freedom feels in conflict with another mom’s preferences? (Oof. Tricky, right?) In this episode, Emily and Laura discuss how we can honor moms who think differently than we do by asking questions while holding to our own convictions, being charitable, treating others the way we want to be treated, and prayerfully trusting the work of God in another mom’s life. Loving one another well often requires patience and sacrifice, but by God’s grace, we can learn to love other...
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Many of us know it from memory: “the heart is deceitful above all else” (Jer. 17:9). So in a world that shouts we should “follow our heart,” what does it look like to be in the world—acknowledging our human interests and passions—while not being of the world, pursuing these things at all costs? In this episode, Emily and Laura share a few examples and questions we can consider when evaluating our heart motivation behind decisions big and small. The application will look different for all of us, and that’s the beauty of it! God has wired each of us differently, and he knows our...
info_outlineLet’s talk about the elephant in the room when it comes to the Christian life: forgiveness. It’s hard, right?! But as we see with every command God gives us, the act of forgiveness is for our own good and flourishing. Many of us have seen how unforgiveness doesn’t stay contained; it seeps out until it permeates a lot of areas of our lives, including motherhood. That’s why Emily and Laura spend this show taking a hard look at forgiveness: what it is, what it isn’t, and why it matters. In this world, we will have trouble—but our Redeemer has overcome it all. In him, we find the power and freedom to forgive as we’ve been forgiven.
*Note: We know this is a broad topic and understand we couldn’t possibly cover all of the intricacies and experiences at play for you personally. Our hope for this show is to provide you with a few thought-starters and Scripture references to understand forgiveness, but if needed we encourage you to reach out to a trusted friend, pastor, or counselor to speak into your personal situation and circumstances as you work through forgiveness in your own relationships.
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Find the free download (Whole: Reflection and Prayer Journal), discussion questions, links, and related resources from our Whole series here.