Single Mom Smiling | Arming Warriors in the Battle for Marriage & Family

Who gets to define you?

For many of us, the answer has been other people. Their expectations, their criticism, their rejection, their approval, or the wounds they left behind tell us who we are.

But what happens when we build our identity around people who are themselves imperfect and wounded?

In this episode, I talk about a moment when I had to choose between going along with something wrong to gain the approval of someone I loved and standing firm in what I knew was right.

That experience helped me see something deeper: 

When we don't know who we are, we become vulnerable to other people's definitions of us and begin making choices based on those definitions.

But human identity begins somewhere else, with someone else.

We were created in the image and likeness of God.

If we want to understand who we are, we need to know who God is.

That's what we explore today.

God Bless...

Kerri

Let's Keep in Touch...

What happens when what you believe about yourself is no longer true?

This is what happens to those caught in the battle over marriage and family.

They believe they are living out vocations as wives and mothers when a husband walks away, a child turns her back, or a loved one treats her as less than. 

When we place our identity on other people's opinions, on what the world values, or on our circumstances, we are build our worth on shifting parameters. 

In today's episode, we look at what Our Lord teaches us through the wisdom of the Catechism about human identity and worth.

Spoiler Alert:  It's really good! 

We look beyond positive affirmations and temporary circumstances to the deeper truth of our identity in Christ: created in the image and likeness of God, given a spiritual and immortal soul, and made for eternity.

Join me as we explore identity and what it means to be formed in Christ rather than defined by the world.

God Bless...

Kerri

Let's Keep in Touch...

What if some of the things you've believed about yourself for years simply aren't true?

In this episode of Fiercely Formed, Kerri Bishop explores growth mindset, Catholic metanoia, and what it means to allow Christ to transform the way we see ourselves and our lives.

You are not finished yet.

God Bless...

Kerri

Let's Keep in Touch...

Have you ever given in to something and later regretted it? If so, you are not alone!

In a world that is increasingly hostile to marriage, family, faith, and freedom, it is difficult and vital to stand up for God's plans, and that seldom begins in the heat of big battles. 

It begins with little things we do ourselves when no one else is watching. 

Join me as we launch Fiercely Formed, training women to answer the call of 1 Corinthians 16:  be on guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong, and do all things in love.

God Bless...

Kerri

Let's Keep in Touch...

My husband suddenly walked out on me on Mother's Day 2009.

I had been a stay at home mom.

I had no job, an expired teaching license.

I followed a checklist in my faith.

I was also 5 months pregnant with our fifth little boy when my husband suddenly left.

Broken-hearted and faced with an unwanted divorce, I was forced into an unjust court system and through the Catholic annulment system before I knew how to stand firm for myself, my family, my freedom, or my faith.

Now, 17 years later, I move onto the next chapter of Single Mom Smiling.

In today's episode, I reflect on where I started and stories that touched my heart and helped shape my soul.

Next week, I am open a new page in this single parenting journey, one not confined solely to single parenting either.

I've come to realize over these many years that our battle truly is not against man. It is not of flesh and blood but against darkness and powers of this world.

When we are thrust into unwanted confrontations with evil, Our Lord is asking us to follow Him, stand firm in whose we are, and become Fiercely Formed.

This is the final episode of Single Mom Smiling.

Next week, we begin the Fiercely Formed podcast where each week we will study one way women can fight our battles, not in anger, fear, or bitterness but with courage, strength, love, and yes, joy in the face of adversity.

Follow the links below and sign up for Fiercely Formed's encouragement, Scripture, and community.

This faith-filled women's movement has begins now.  

Let's Do This!!!

God Bless...

Kerri

Let's Keep in Touch...

This summer flew by!

Maybe you had a list of things you wanted to get done. Maybe you were looking forward to some downtime, peace, or family vacation, but time got away from you and you feel like you missed your chance.

Whether your ex changed children's schedules, life got complicated, or time simply slipped away faster than you hoped, there are reasons to be thankful for this summer and hope for change in the fall too!

Join me in today's episode to reflect on summer goals and hidden wins and start a new plan for the Fall. 

God Bless...

Kerri

More Goodness for Your Story:

If you feel alone after suffering a break up, you're not the only one.

It happens to all of us in the beginning. Even after years, it can sneak up on us in unexpected moments after we think we have healed.

The scars of rejections, abandonment, infidelity, betrayal, and abuse can cause us to isolate. What we think will protect us makes us feel incredibly lonely instead, but there is hope!

Jesus raised Mary to Heaven in her glorious Assumption.

She now sits at the head of the battlefield as our general. She sees more clearly than we can while we are still in the fray. She shows how to win our battles and proves we are not alone! 

God Bless...

Kerri

More Goodness for Your Story:

Hearts break in divorce.

When you are blindsided by the breakup or when your husband suddenly abandons you and the family, the pain is unimaginable.

Many women cry out to God for help. They wonder why the Lord doesn't step in and fix things right away.

In today's episode, we look at Sunday's Gospel from Matthew 13 and the harvesting of the weed among the wheat. This passage offers understanding and peace to those who wish their exes would be disciplined quickly and harshly.

This episode was originally scheduled for July 12th and got set aside. I'm posting it for today in preparation for the changes coming to Single Mom Smiling. Stick with me as we head into The Next Chapter! :) 

God Bless...

Kerri

In This Episode:

God Bless...

Kerri

More Goodness for Your Story:

So often we think the other person is the problem. We fight the same battles over and over again and wonder why.

Whether we are talking about our exes, estranged children, or someone else entirely, the other person is not our biggest problem.

We face an unseen, spiritual enemy who wants us to focus on darkness.

To win the battle, stop fighting the person in front of you and start doing these 5 things instead. 

If this episode encourages you, please leave a review and share it with a friend. Then, go to the show notes and sign up for the weekly newsletter to receive encouragement, insight, and exclusive insider opportunities.

God Bless...

Kerri

More Goodness for Your Story:

Summer can be a lot of fun, but too much alone time over the summer can lead to negative thinking and even depression.

For single parents, kids going with their other parents for extended visitation and exciting vacations can be particularly difficult to deal with.

In today's episode, women's strength leader, Kerri Bishop, helps you understand what is happening spiritually in these moments. She shows you how to eliminate lies the enemy uses to hold you down and helps you see your alone time is not abandonment but invitation.

If this episode encourages you, please leave a review and share it with a friend. Then, go to the show notes and sign up for the weekly newsletter to receive encouragement, insight, and exclusive insider opportunities.

God Bless...

Kerri

More Goodness for Your Story: