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Ruth Schwenk and I talk about all things motherhood. She is so fiercely connected with moms of all seasons of life that throughout her ministry, The Better Mom, Ruth shows us Christ’s desire for our role in motherhood. The Better Mom Devotional will assure you: No matter what you’re going through, you will find purpose, will have focus, and are complete in Him.
Parenting is a lifelong journey and yet the pinnacle of parenting flies by so quickly. We talk about grieving the seasons of childhood as they end. Who wants their babies to grow up? It’s easy to be tearful of the end of a phase in life, but Ruth takes joy in the next season. She shares how she gets excited for the next new adventure her kids will take on, (even if it’s a little unnerving to actually have a child in the house that can drive!).
Parenting older children is a totally different scenario when it comes to personal accountability and how we’ve been teaching our kids about their behavior as they are also now aware of our own behavior. There’s so much more at stake once our kids are watching and understanding our shortcomings. Ruth says it’s so good for kids to see us mess up. We’re not going to be perfect. But in a Constantly Under Construction theme, we are ALWAYS needing to say sorry for our mistakes, we are always becoming better by becoming more like Jesus.
Ruth and I discuss our identity when it comes to our role or our professional work. Her perspective was changed once she realized that her mission was motherhood. When we push that idea of mission into any sort of work, it totally changes why we do what we do.
Ruth encourages us to embrace the current season, whatever it may be. Her most practical advice was to encourage us that a season is just that: a season. It won’t be forever, good or bad, so take the most positive parts of those sessions and find the joy in the present moment. The pressure is there to “be great,” but at the end of the day, it’s a simple act of obedience. Do the simple acts of parenting, without worrying if it’s approved by someone else, but just please the Lord in your parenting.
Ruth gives me a peek into what that looks like when parenting bigger kids. Her first act of obedience is spending time with the Lord. As simple as it sounds, it’s not always easy and can affect the day.
Her second act of obedience is just showing up for her kids. Even when she’s tired, even when the to-do list is overwhelming, Ruth makes space in her day and her heart to invest in her children’s lives. Now that her children are older, she finds that she needs to be even more intentional to connect with her children. Sometimes that can seem mundane or unfruitful, but Ruth highlights that these times really matter.
Throughout all the seasons of parenting, there’s opportunity for God to do some of His greatest work in you! In time, with prayer and scripture, you can be sure to see amazing changes in your role as a mom and in your relationships with your family.
Ruth is passionate about all things family! Check out her books on marriage and parenting.
