Rebecca Chandler gets vulnerable with Emily in this podcast episode. This episode addresses the beauty of raising a child with Down Syndrome and the grace Rebecca found within her experience. As she walks through her story, Rebecca reminds us that even in the unknown, the works of God will be revealed. He will work everything out for His Glory. Once Rebecca changed her perspective, she began to view her son, Silas, as undeserved, beautiful grace from God. Sometimes God gives us something tangible to understand His true grace and beauty. Rebecca admits that while her motherhood journey is not the way she plan, God allowed for it to be beautiful, good, and grace-filled. 

Sometimes God takes us to a different place than we expected. But that’s okay. Your journey may be different but it’s not less than, there is still beauty in it.  If you spend your time thinking about what could’ve been, you’ll miss the beauty of what you have. 

Encouragement & Advice for moms:

Tips & Thoughts when approaching Down Syndrome:

🤍Check out the poem “Welcome to Holland.” It is one Rebecca holds close to her heart. 

🤍Be sure to read John 9

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In this episode, Emily addresses the question, “How do you want to be remembered when you die?” It is an important question to ask if we want to leave a legacy for the generations to follow.  Emily dives in and shares how we should all aspire to leave a God honoring legacy behind. She shares three important things to focus on when leaving your legacy in the now. 

🤍 Ephesians 3:16-17

🤍 Galatians 6:4

🤍 Colossians 2:6-7

🤍 Colossians 3:23-25

🤍 Galatians 6:7-10

This is countercultural, but it is so important. As we go through every season, choose to walk with the Lord. Leaving behind a beautiful legacy in the future comes from living an intentional life for Christ in the present.

There is an importance in having scripture written upon your heart and life. In this episode, I share the three life verses that have been pivotal in my walk with Christ. I also share the verses I have prayed over my children since I was pregnant with them. My prayer is for God to lay a verse on your heart and mind that can help you navigate the season of life you are in.

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Emily sits down to share a conviction that caught her attention. Diving into the book of Ruth, she points us to the heart of Naomi. As we study this story, we can see that Naomi was too caught up in her bitterness to notice the goodness of God. Emily challenges us by asking, “How often do we do that?” She encourages us to look at everything God is doing in our life instead of what He isn’t. Don’t miss the blessings in your life because of the hard season you’re in. We have to change our focus from what we don’t have, to what we are blessed with. God is always moving but we can easily get caught up in the physical. We miss the spiritual movement because we are too focused on what is physically in front of us. Emily closes by challenging us to choose to magnify Gods goodness and joy in all things.

A Naomi heart can hinder us from seeing the blessings our Father has poured out on us. Don’t miss what God has for you. Find His goodness in every season and remain in His promises.

🤍 Read the book of Ruth

🤍 Check out the study based on Ruth by the Daily Grace Co.

As we are reflecting on the past year, we can prepare our hearts for what He has next. We don’t know God’s full plan, so we have surrender control to Him. This year we encourage you to allow God to move in your life. Be expectant of His power!

🤍 Jeremiah 29:11-13

Seek the Lord with your whole heart.

Mediate on the word.

Deepen your prayer life.

Be intentional with worship.

You will find Him as you seek Him.

Reflection on the past year:

Reflect in gratitude over the past year.

🤍 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Reflect on the hard seasons. Even in our hard moments, God can still move in them.

🤍 Psalm 46:5

Reflect on your year with God. Look at your relationship, see how your trust in Him can deepen.

🤍 1 John 2:3-6

Reflect on your priorities. Evaluate if God is on top of everything.

🤍 Proverbs 31

Reflect on the answered prayers! He is always working, look at the past year and praise Hom for the blessings.

🤍 Psalm 145:3

Verses on being expectant:

🤍 Psalm 62

🤍 James 1:2-4

🤍 Philippians 4:6-7

Be purposeful & intentional. Expect God to do big things. Set realistic goals and work towards them. Focus on your calling. In everything, remember that God is good!

Emily shares a conviction the Lord laid on her heart for the holiday season. In this episode she discusses Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her obedience to the Lord. Mary knew the trials Jesus would face. She knew where His ministry would lead. She knew He would have to die. Yet, Mary chose to trust God and support her son as best she could. Mary believed her son was the promised Messiah and she saw Gods promise in her life fulfilled.

In whatever season you’re in, if you feel like there is no hope, there is. God can heal any circumstance. He meets us where we are and brings great things out of our obedience to Him. We have to let Him in. We have to surrender and let Him make us whole. During this holiday season, may we never lose sight of how it all began. With a simple virgin, who trusted God. With a tiny baby a manger, who was the Savior of the world. Without the beginning, we wouldn’t have the beautiful redemption story.

May your holiday be filled with great joy and centered around Christ.

🤍 If you get the chance, listen to “Welcome to our world” by Elevation Worship, the song that inspired this episode.

🤍 Read the Christmas story in Luke 2

Living in Contentment While Dreaming

I always thought if you ask God to help you accomplish your dreams or ask God for more, it meant you weren’t content – this is not true!

Philippians 4:12 says “ I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.”

I am very content right now! I may not be Paul but I know if I had it all or if have less of what I have now, I am content because I have the Lord. But we aren’t to stay stagnant – we are to follow Him and all that comes with that. We have to be intentional to further our relationship with Him and further the Kingdom.

 Don’t let your dreams dictate your worth or dictate your relationship with Christ

I have some big dreams!

What is the heart behind your dreams? Think about it this way - why do I want to see my dreams fulfilled? 

If you answered yes to any of those questions, time to examine your heart. 

A few words of wisdom…

It is not wrong to hope for a better life, great things for your church, family, friends – but your heart has to be right!

John 10:10 says “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life”  

Summing it all up this way - 

Yes, this dream is what I want but even if I don’t get it, blessed be Your Name! 

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5 Tips for studying your bible

1.   Find the right bible for you

a.   My bibles are all on this resource list (INSERT LINK) 

b.   I love a journaling bible because I love to write dates, prayers, thoughts, etc.

c. Use more than one translation

d.   If you need a new bible, start with a study bible

e.   Make it your own!

2.   Find a tool to help with your study time

a.   Proverbs 31 and The Daily Grace Company have great bible studies. Great for all kinds of studies

b.   Word search – but bible verses!

c. YouVersion – online bible and bible study plans

3.   Make it personal

a.   Make your quite time, your quiet time

b.   Don’t get trapped in comparison

c. Do what works for you

4.   Reach out to others

a.   Make sure you aren’t comparing!

b.   Get recommendations

c. Ask about verses for when you are struggling with certain things

d.   Ask the godly women in your life - How do you study their bible, when, where?

5.   Give yourself grace

a.   We are our worst critics

b.   If you miss a day, get right back up and get right back in God’s word

c. Put your phone away and turn off the tv to help avoid distraction

Click here to read the blog post that this episode is based off of.

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