Unsung Stories

Nat felt like she could do it all - parent, serve, maintain her sense of self. What were these other mums talking about?! And then she had her second baby. Conflicting nap times and stretched capacity saw her inner rage monster rear its ugly head.

Nat was grappling for control and seeing sin come out - she was not the mother she wanted to be. On this weeks episode we chat through Nats experience of assessing her priorities and strategically putting practices in place to cultivate a life that reflected her biggest love, Jesus.

Have you left a review?  Please let us know what you think of the show!

Join us on Instagram @unsungstoriespodcast

Check out our website:

• Subscribe to our mailing list
• View Blog
• Show Notes
• Transcription of this episode

www.unsungstoriespodcast.com

"The rage monster. It reared in me. I'd go from experiencing these beautiful moments with my kids. And then a few minutes later, raging that they weren't behaving how I wanted them to a door shut too loudly when I'd just gotten the baby to sleep was enough to set me off".

"If I was telling my kids that knowing Jesus is the best thing in life, I wanted them to see that I was truly living that. So I knew I needed to orientate my days to show that he is my first love".

"I could come to him in this sorry, state, that he loved me enough to take me as I was. But he also loves me enough that he doesn't want to leave me in that place. And it's the same for anyone with any sort of sin in their life. And so I reconcile to pursuing Jesus wholeheartedly."

"I'll read it to tick that box off on my to-do list, but it won't sink into my heart and change me."

"Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere."

"There's no need to run away in shame from your maker and there's no need to remain stuck where you are."

Working mum, Crunchy mum, Helicopter mum... SAH, Breastfeeding, Attachment Based, Kmart, By The Book, Allergy, DIY, Workout, Small Business Slayer, Influencer, Anxious, Charity, Tired, Child Led, Martyr, Perfect, Packet Food, Competitive, Mimosa....

What kind of mum are you???

There are so many identifiers for us to associate with!
But what about us? What does it actually mean to identify as a Christian mum? 

And more than that, what about the different pulls we have that we WANT to identify as. The lures that appeal to us, that validate and give worth to what we value.

Today Sarah and I chat through our identity as christian women and the tension we have as we consider all the different labels we have as women today. We chat through the temptations we face.

Sarah provides a helpful framework of thinking as we align our feelings and experiences to be under christ - how the gospel is the lens that we look at everything through.

DO YOU WANT TO SUPPORT UNSUNG STORIES?
This can be through your prayers, finances, gifts and skillsets - or simply by rating and reviewing the show! Thank you for partnering with Unsung Stories in these ways. Please reach out through our website if you can offer something specific to this show.

Join us on Instagram @unsungstoriespodcast

Check out our website:

• Subscribe to our mailing list
• View Blog
• Show Notes
• Transcription of this episode

www.unsungstoriespodcast.com

 

"We have that inheritance. We are those children. We are the betrothed. We are the elected and adopted all of those words. That mean we, we are in Christ. Now. We are part of his kingdom. We are part of his purposes part of his church family. There's no waiting for those things. But other things that we chase after in our identity, may never come to fruition."

"Family and ministry and work and all of those things - they're  juggling balls. Some of those are made of glass that you can't drop. And some of them are made of rubber. You have to like bounce and let them go for a little while."

"There is enormous purpose in this life. When it is weaved for God and that his purposes are grand and beautiful and that he wants us to be part of those is just amazing."

"this life matters and the decisions that we make matter in this life - but they're also pale in comparison to what's comes next. And what eternity is and the peacefulness of, thinking about marriage and work and those things that are important, but they not everything."

We all have built up a picture, or standard, of what the ideal Christian mother looks like. But how much of what we strive for is actually what God asks of us in his Word?

Helen and I chat through her story and how she was challenged with this ideal when her hands became full with little people, and the guilt creep in that she wasn't doing "enough" - enough by our own imposed standard.

Helens reminder to be in Gods word and seeking to be faithful to him above all is a helpful reminder for us all as we wrestle with the root of our motivations and what we're actually striving for.

Thank you for leaving a rating and review. It is encouraging and helps this podcast succeed.

Join us on Instagram @unsungstoriespodcast

Check out our website:

• Subscribe to our mailing list
• View Blog
• Show Notes
• Transcription of this episode

www.unsungstoriespodcast.com

 

"He isn't pleased by me choosing the tasks that look impressive or achieves more. He wants my heart and for me to place him above anything else". 

"I am firstly God's child, his beloved daughter. And it's an amazing privilege to be a parent now and experience some of that relationship for yourself in a whole new way. He loves me more deeply than I can imagine".

"Even in all of your weakness and brokenness, he just wants you to come to him".

"Do away with your standard and start completely afresh. Go  back to the Bible and understand what God's standard for your life is. Focus on that - pray that God would reveal more and more of himself to you".

Stacey and Shane have 2 little boys who both have special needs. Her days are spent in different therapies, advocating for her kids and managing their different health concerns.

As a teacher and lover of kids herself, Stacey's idea of motherhood and her experience are very different and she wrestles with navigating this new world she didn't anticipate for her family.

She helpfully reminds us all of the main priorities in our parenting (special needs or not) and that is salvation, for both us and our children. I love her reminder to cast all our cares and anxieties onto God, we can trust Him with our troubles, He cares for us.


Dear Listener,
Would you consider partnering with this show?
Primarily, by prayer, that we would be faithfully serving the listeners and loving them well.
Secondly, through subscribing and reviewing the show, or engaging with online content such as the blog or on Instagram @unsungstoriespodcast.
Thirdly, do you have skills or finances to help further the reach we have? Please email or DM to chat about how we can work together.
Much love,
Laura x

Join us on Instagram @unsungstoriespodcast

Check out our website:

• Subscribe to our mailing list
• View Blog
• Show Notes
• Transcription of this episode

www.unsungstoriespodcast.com

"But there just came a point where I went, you know, what, how much am I focusing on my boys' salvation? Because at the end of the day, that's all that matters."

"When I guess the world sees hopelessness, the beauty as a Christian mom is that I can see God's power on display."

"I think we often hear at church that, you know, you need to trust God in the storm. At least personally speaking, that is one of the easiest times to trust God, because all else has failed and falling around you."

Kylie and James have three beautiful children, Byron, Indiana and Cove. After the birth of Byron, Kylie unexpectedly got post natal depression and anxiety. Through this experience, she learnt great things about putting her pride aside and coming to Jesus, as well as how he is truly the only one who understands us and can offer peace.

Early in Indi's pregnancy, Kylie and James discovered she had Turners Syndrome, coupled with the statistic that a mere 1% of these daughters are born alive. For 13 weeks, Kylie carried Indiana, entrusting her life to Gods hands, and knowing he had already planned out all her days. Sadly, at 25 weeks, Kylie birthed Indi who had already gone to be with our Lord.

The last few years, though joyous with the arrival of Cove, have been full of heartache, grief, big questions and being moulded and shaped by God. Kylie is generous and vulnerable with sharing her story. It is beautiful and encouraging to see a woman, utterly dependant on God and finding comfort and peace in him in her darkest time.

*TW this episode covers topics like Post Natal Depression and Anxiety, as well as Infant Loss. There is always help. PANDA Australia, Beyond Blue and Lifeline are great resources to seek out*

Your rating and reviews are encouraging. Thank you for supporting the show in this way.

Please continue to support this show by engaging with us online and sharing episodes with your friends.

Join us on Instagram @unsungstoriespodcast

Check out our website:

• Subscribe to our mailing list
• View Blog
• Show Notes
• Transcription of this episode

www.unsungstoriespodcast.com

"My tears aren’t wasted and that the pain isn’t for no reason".

"I cant keep them safe from everything and that I need to trust that the days God has ordained for each of my children is his perfect plan. Because whether they are in your womb or in your arms, their lives are completely in his hands." 

"It's okay to struggle, it's okay to ask for help and its okay to be vulnerable. I am sinful and I mess up, I fail my kids, I get anxious and angry, I fight with my husband, I need help from others, I cant do it alone nor was I designed to." 

"God ordains everything for a purpose, every season of suffering, every trial, every heartache, every struggle means that it isn’t all for nothing."

"Every struggle has ultimately drawn me to God, whether that be falling on my knees and admitting I need his help or just collapsing at his feet and allowing him to hold me in my brokenness and speak truths into my heart. He showed me that he is truly the only one who can make sense of the sorrow and give me peace when I'm trusting in his plans."

"His compassion never falls short, and I clung to the fact that he gives us everything we need for each day – which is so comforting when you go to bed and think, I cant do it again tomorrow – theres nothing left, but God says that he will provide anew every thing you need the next morning."

Renee and her husband Tom have three beautiful children, Olivia, Levi and Julian. Their story has been a difficult one. Tragically, Levi had passed away a few weeks after their 20 weeks scan. God kindly blessed them with another little boy, Julian. At 33 weeks, Renee went into the hospital as something didn't feel right, and was met with an emergency c-section, 9 weeks in between hospitals with a preemie baby, a toddler missing her mummy and a diagnosis of down syndrome. As Renee shares her story, it is beautiful to witness her unwavering hope she has in Jesus and how the power of prayer has carried her through the suffering they were enduring. As you listen to the events of the last few years, you can't help but see the peace and comfort God provides them and know that he is with them through it all.

*TW This episode discusses Renee's experience with Infant Loss and preemie babies. If triggering for you, please skip this episode. PANDA Australia, Beyond Blue and Lifeline are great resources if you are needing professional assistance with processing these concerns*

Your rating and reviews are encouraging. Thank you for supporting the show in this way.

Please continue to support this show by engaging with us online and sharing episodes with your friends.

Join us on Instagram @unsungstoriespodcast

Check out our website:

• Subscribe to our mailing list
• View Blog
• Show Notes
• Transcription of this episode

www.unsungstoriespodcast.com

"I hang on to knowing that there's a future, with no more death or separation or pain. The greatest thing that we could hope for our children is their eternal inheritance and that they would know God. Levi is with God. He has eternal life! That is all I could want for all of my children. We will be reunited in heaven one day.  Even if I live a very long life, it still won't be enough time with my family. Isn't that a testimony to this life? It isn't meant to be enough. There is an eternity where we won't have to say goodbye."

"I don't know all the answers, but I know God does."

" I just wanted God to put his hope in me and to know that in that hope I would not be put to shame."

"I struggled to pray and if I did, it was mostly prayers of help, please help. It was all I could manage."

Skye and her husband were pastoring a rural church, in the thick of four young kids and were feeling the need for some deep friendships. So, they committed to praying for one. God was kind and generous in bringing a christian family to their area, and that friendship was a blessing to both women as they walked through a hard season of life together.

Skye shares her experience with anxiety and depression, and how God just kept showing up in the unseen details of walking that road.

In a world that emphasises "finding your tribe", Skye acknowledges the difficulty of doing that, and strategies she uses to deepen friendships as christian sisters encouraging each other.


Your rating and reviews are encouraging. Thank you for supporting the show in this way.

Please continue to support this show by engaging with us online and sharing episodes with your friends.

Join us on Instagram @unsungstoriespodcast

Check out our website:

• Subscribe to our mailing list
• View Blog
• Show Notes
• Transcription of this episode

www.unsungstoriespodcast.com

"Sometimes we need help in holding firmly to our faith. The body of Christ can help us hold on". 

"I thought I had to do more - read the bible more, pray more, talk with people more, be more brave in sharing the gospel. It was always "do this, do that". But in the debilitation of becoming anxious and depressed to a significant level, all that ability was stripped away. I had to depend on God, and my christian friends, to get me through".

Our last episode for season 2!

This episode, we chat to Mumma Roz, a mum of two biological children and a foster mum as well.

Putting aside her fear of judgement, sharing openly and honestly, we hear how Roz has worked through her heart issues that arose through motherhood, specifically being a foster mum.

*TW* This episode has sensitive topics like child neglect, child abuse and the pain that comes with broken legal and government systems. Our hope that chatting through this will offer solidarity from one mum to another struggling with these things, however, there can be wisdom in protecting yourself and not listening if you think it might be too much.


Join us on Instagram @unsungstoriespodcast

Check out our website:

• Subscribe to our mailing list
• View Blog
• Show Notes
• Transcription of this episode

www.unsungstoriespodcast.com

This week on Unsung Stories, we're chatting about finding God in the little things. Mandy, a mum to three boys - including twin toddlers - shares how her unexpected journey of motherhood taught her to see God in everything, big and small. From a surprise twin pregnancy to a mid-pandemic move, join us as we dive into the delights and blessings of Christ-centred community, and the importance of trusting God to take control of our lives.

"When we place our need for control within His hands, we become the reflections of His glory and steadfast love"

"Our relationship with God is a relationship of the heart."

"It's good to make our plans, but also to know that God's will be done. He's going ahead of us, and He does have control, and He's watching over us."


Join us on Instagram @unsungstoriespodcast

Check out our website:

• Subscribe to our mailing list
• View Blog
• Show Notes
• Transcription of this episode

www.unsungstoriespodcast.com

This week's episode is about anger. Fiona chats to us about her experience of anger in motherhood and how she's learned to trust God's love and grace in the midst of her emotions.

 Whether we struggle to control overwhelming anger or other powerful emotions, Fiona's story reminds us that God has given us the tools and truth we need to learn how to process our emotions well and move forward with hope.

Join us on Instagram @unsungstoriespodcast

Check out our website:

• Subscribe to our mailing list
• View Blog
• Show Notes
• Transcription of this episode

www.unsungstoriespodcast.com