Whatever Is Excellent with Leanne Tuggle

Summer should be magical—carefree days with happy children, beachside memories, and starlit evenings. But halfway through summer, most of us are facing a different reality: sibling squabbles, constant noise, mounting messes, and our own fraying patience. That gap between expectation and reality is where our emotional triggers live.

When you're ready to scream if you have to break up one more fight or clean one more mess, you're experiencing triggers—emotional reactions to stressors that reveal what's truly filling our hearts. The beautiful truth is that these challenging moments aren't failures but invitations to grow in grace and connection with both God and our children.

Scripture offers us powerful guidance for managing our triggers. While we tend to focus on behaviors and Instagram-worthy moments, God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). He calls us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry (James 1:19-20). Yet these responses don't come naturally—they overflow from hearts that are regularly filled with God's truth and grace.

Practical strategies can help us navigate common summer triggers. Establish daily quiet time for everyone (even mom), practice and reward peacemaking behaviors, and hold summer plans loosely, recognizing God might have different—and often better—purposes. Remember, God's grace meets us in our weakest parenting moments, and His power is perfected in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

The next time you feel triggered by summer chaos, pause, pray, and choose grace—for your children and yourself. What trigger have you noticed lately, and how might God be inviting you to respond differently? Summer's challenges aren't just obstacles to endure but opportunities to experience God's patience, wisdom, and joy as you seek Him first.

Recommended Reading:

Triggers by Amber Lia and Wendy Speake

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

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Every parent faces that moment of dread – when it's time to have "the talk" with their children. The questions flood in: When should we have it? Who should lead the conversation? What exactly should we say? Most importantly, how do we frame these discussions within God's design?

This episode breaks down this challenging parental responsibility using simple who, when, where, what, why, and how questions to create a practical framework for success. Starting with the foundational truth that God created sex as something good and beautiful within marriage, we explore how to communicate this life-giving message to children of various ages. Rather than treating sex education as a one-time awkward conversation, we discuss the importance of ongoing dialogue that evolves as children grow – from teaching proper anatomical terms to preschoolers to addressing dating and relationships with teenagers.

The reality is sobering: most children are exposed to information about sex by age eight, often from sources that contradict biblical values. By proactively engaging your children in these conversations, you position yourself as their trusted source of truth. Even if you feel inadequate or have regrets about your own past, God's grace covers all, and His Spirit helps in our weakness. Excellent resources like the "God's Design for Sex" series can support your efforts. Remember Psalm 119:9 as you navigate these waters: "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word." What legacy will you build regarding how your children understand God's design for their bodies and identity in Christ?

Related Resources:

God's Design for Sex by Stan & Brenna Jones

How & When to Tell Your Kids About Sex by Stan & Brenna Jones

God Made All of Me

A Child's First Book About Marriage 

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

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Whatever is Lovely - Subscribe here to the weekly newsletter designed to encourage you with words of wisdom and relatable content. Be inspired to open your inbox again. 

The beauty of marriage often lies in the ordinary moments—the regular Tuesdays that make up a lifetime together. Thirteen years ago, my husband and I chose to get married on a Tuesday, a detail that perfectly captures the essence of what marriage truly is: not just a special occasion, but the beginning of countless ordinary days spent united as one.

Marriage isn't the perfect 50-50 split we often imagine. Sometimes one person carries more weight while the other struggles. There's no scoreboard in a healthy marriage—just two people committed to showing up completely for each other through every season. Your spouse brings incredible value to your life, but they were never meant to be your savior. Only Jesus can fill that role perfectly, allowing you to love your partner freely without impossible expectations.

The magic often happens in small moments—a note of encouragement tucked in a lunch bag, holding hands during difficult conversations, or celebrating your unique differences rather than trying to change each other. Cold hands meet warm ones. Type-A meets Type-B. Extrovert meets introvert. These complementary differences create a beautiful harmony when embraced rather than resisted. Through thirteen years of military moves, parenting challenges, grief, celebrations, and everything in between, we've discovered that prayer remains our greatest tool and forgiveness our most necessary practice.

Looking to strengthen your marriage? Consider implementing regular check-ins, prioritizing date nights, serving one another daily, and remembering that above all, love covers a multitude of mistakes. Marriage brings together two imperfect people making many missteps, and yet love carries us through when we choose it deliberately every day. What might it look like for you to love your spouse earnestly this week?

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

Episode Sponsors:
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Whatever is Lovely - Subscribe here to the weekly newsletter designed to encourage you with words of wisdom and relatable content. Be inspired to open your inbox again. 

What does true hospitality look like when your home is a work in progress? Join us as we welcome Bonnie Ivester from "Embracing Outdated" who shares her journey of transforming an 80s fixer-upper into a welcoming haven while nurturing a heart for hospitality.

Bonnie reveals how her understanding of hospitality was shaped by watching others create "revolving door" homes where people felt genuinely welcome without pretense or perfection. These formative experiences—from impromptu dinners with neighbors who combined whatever ingredients they had on hand to receiving meals after her first baby—taught her that meaningful connection happens in the midst of real life, not in picture-perfect settings.

As a mother of four living in what she describes as "the most outdated 80s home," Bonnie offers practical wisdom about creating beauty within budget constraints. "We all live within a budget," she reminds us, noting that limitations simply invite creativity rather than excuses. Her constant decluttering provides peace amid the chaos of family life, while her willingness to welcome neighborhood children stretches her type-A tendencies in unexpected ways.

Perhaps most refreshing is Bonnie's perspective on comparison in our social media age: "There's always going to be a prettier house than yours." Instead of chasing perfection, she encourages listeners to seek what God has specifically for their homes and families, recognizing that we all possess creativity as image-bearers of our Creator. By focusing on making spaces functional, expressing gratitude for what we have, and embracing the process rather than rushing to completion, we create homes that genuinely welcome others.

Ready to transform your perspective on homemaking? Follow Bonnie's journey on Instagram @embracingoutdated and discover how to create a home that reflects God's love and hospitality—even with pink sinks and dated cabinets.

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

Episode Sponsors:
Rodan + Fields - Take this brief quiz to find your customized skincare routine!

Whatever is Lovely - Subscribe here to the weekly newsletter designed to encourage you with words of wisdom and relatable content. Be inspired to open your inbox again. 

Remember that magical feeling when summer break begins? The promise of adventure, quality time, and freedom from schedules? I certainly did when my daughter finished kindergarten during our time in Japan. We started with pedicures and garden walks, but soon reality hit—I still had work to accomplish while wanting to be fully present with her.

This familiar parenting tension led me to discover something beautiful about balance. Rather than seeing work and play as opposing forces, I found they could coexist in harmony. When I invited my daughter to join me at the kitchen table—explaining how my work served others—she began creating watercolor paintings for friends while I typed emails. Side by side, we worked for an hour before taking breaks to play or share a snack. These parallel activities, punctuated by focused connection, created a rhythm that honored both responsibilities and relationships.

The biblical foundation for this balance comes from God's own example. Genesis shows us that God both worked diligently and rested intentionally. By blocking time for productivity and playfulness—and being transparent with our children about these rhythms—we teach them valuable life lessons. Summer provides unique opportunities to blend work and play through family projects or even involving older children as "summer interns" in appropriate ways. When the inevitable feelings of being unproductive or overwhelmed arise, we can lean into God's grace, remembering that His "power is made perfect in weakness." Perhaps the most important realization is that ten focused minutes of engagement with your child can go remarkably far for both of you. Whether in work mode or play mode, being fully present in that moment creates the meaningful connection we're all seeking.

What would change this summer if you viewed both work and play as opportunities to honor God with excellence? How might you invite your children into this sacred dance of summer rhythms?

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

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Do you dread the long, unstructured days of summer with kids at home? You're not alone. That well-meaning quote about "only having 18 summers with your kids" often creates more anxiety than inspiration for parents already feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility of filling endless summer days.

Seven years ago, I felt exactly this way—anxious about managing preschoolers and twins without the support system school provided. Today, I genuinely look forward to summer break. What changed? I discovered that creating a simple, flexible framework transforms summer from chaotic to peaceful. Children naturally thrive with predictable rhythms, and structure doesn't mean strictness—it means security.

This episode shares four practical approaches to establishing a life-giving summer schedule: creating a loose weekly framework with morning routines and afternoon activities; theming your days (Make-it Monday, Take-a-trip Tuesday); implementing a daily "room time reset" for everyone to recharge independently; and remembering to extend grace when plans inevitably change. You'll learn why incorporating both work and rest mirrors God's design and how summer offers unique opportunities for discipleship when we're intentional with our time.

Remember, you're not a cruise director responsible for orchestrating every moment of summer fun. Your mission is to cultivate peace and provide purpose for your days together. As Isaiah 26:3 reminds us, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you." What atmosphere do you want to cultivate in your home this summer, and how might a simple rhythm help make space for that?

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

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Rodan + Fields - Take this brief quiz to find your customized skincare routine!

Whatever is Lovely - Subscribe here to the weekly newsletter designed to encourage you with words of wisdom and relatable content. Be inspired to open your inbox again. 

Remember that time when life suddenly shifted beneath your feet? Maybe it was a cross-country move, a new job, or an unexpected loss. Now imagine experiencing that as a child, without the emotional vocabulary or life experience to process it.

Transitions are inevitable in family life. As parents, we're entrusted not just with navigating these changes ourselves, but with guiding our children through them with grace and wisdom. Drawing from my experiences as a military spouse who moves every few years, I share how even well-prepared children struggle with change.

Children sense when change is coming, often resulting in behavioral challenges as they process confusing emotions. Rather than shielding them from these transitions, we can engage them in age-appropriate conversations that acknowledge their feelings while pointing to unchanging truths. When we had to change our daughter's school shortly after moving to California, including her in our discussions helped her not only accept the change but recognize God working through it. Her own words—"Mom, I think God is closing the door to this school"—reflected a spiritual maturity born from being invited into our family's discernment process.

Scripture offers powerful anchors during transitions. Hebrews 13:8 reminds us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever"—a comforting truth when everything else feels unfamiliar. The biblical stories of Abraham leaving everything behind and the Israelites setting up memorial stones after crossing the Jordan provide templates for faithful responses to change. By keeping a "journal of evidence" documenting God's faithfulness in previous transitions, we create tangible reminders our families can revisit during future changes.

How might you use your family's next transition as an opportunity for discipleship? Instead of simply saying "kids are resilient," consider how you can intentionally help them cultivate that resilience by modeling trust in God's unchanging character amidst life's inevitable changes.

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

Episode Sponsors:
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Whatever is Lovely - Subscribe here to the weekly newsletter designed to encourage you with words of wisdom and relatable content. Be inspired to open your inbox again. 

The search for stability in an ever-changing world resonates with all of us, but perhaps none more deeply than military families. In this heartfelt conversation, Emily shares her fourteen-year journey as a Navy spouse that has taken her family through eight different homes across multiple continents.

With refreshing honesty, Emily begins by revealing how she once declared she'd never marry someone in the military—only to fall in love with a Navy man just months later. What follows is a rich exploration of how constant relocation transforms one's understanding of what "home" truly means. From the practical challenges of decorating new spaces to the deeper spiritual questions about where we find our security, Emily's story touches on universal human longings for belonging and permanence.

The conversation takes a profound turn as Emily reveals how her military lifestyle has deepened her understanding of heaven as our ultimate home. Drawing from Scripture, particularly John 14 and 2 Corinthians 4, she articulates how fixing our eyes on the unseen provides stability when everything visible keeps changing. Her vulnerability about struggling with their latest move to Hawaii—despite its paradise-like setting—reminds us that beautiful surroundings don't automatically create a sense of belonging.

What makes this discussion particularly valuable is Emily's practical wisdom for anyone feeling uprooted or disconnected. Rather than offering superficial solutions, she suggests leaning into those uncomfortable feelings and bringing them before God. Through her own wrestling, she discovered how she had been idolizing previous homes and missing the gifts of her current situation. Her insights on finding community through church groups, Bible studies, and military spouse organizations provide tangible steps for others in transition.

Whether you're a military spouse, someone facing major life transitions, or simply longing for deeper security, Emily's perspective will help you reframe your understanding of home and discover how God might be using your very instability to draw you closer to Him. Listen now to find encouragement for your journey toward making your heart at home wherever you are.

Connect with Emily via email -> [email protected]

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

Episode Sponsors:
Rodan + Fields - Take this brief quiz to find your customized skincare routine!

Whatever is Lovely - Subscribe here to the weekly newsletter designed to encourage you with words of wisdom and relatable content. Be inspired to open your inbox again. 

Beauty isn't some elusive standard we chase—it's woven through our very design as image-bearers of God. Are you caught in a cycle of comparison, always feeling you fall short of some impossible ideal? What if true beauty radiates most brilliantly from a heart transformed by grace?

We journey through the layers of genuine beauty in this soul-stirring exploration. Starting with inner radiance, I share the unforgettable story of Helen whose wrinkled face housed the most captivating beauty I'd ever encountered as a child. Her eyes sparkled with divine light, her words saturated with scripture—a living testament to beauty that deepens rather than diminishes with time.

Scripture offers us a transformative perspective through passages like 1 Peter 3:3-4, which redirects our focus from outward adornment to "the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit." Yet this doesn't negate caring for our physical selves. Stewarding our appearance—through simple skincare routines, thoughtful dressing, and healthy habits—becomes an act of gratitude rather than vanity when our motivation is excellence for God's glory.

The beauty conversation extends beyond our bodies to the spaces we create. Our homes can reflect divine values of order, rest, and hospitality. Small acts—clearing countertops, eliminating clutter, introducing fresh flowers, creating soft lighting—transform our environments into sanctuaries of peace that bless rather than impress others.

Every time you choose truth over trends, presence over performance, and peace over perfection, you become more radiant with the kind of beauty this world desperately needs. As Isaiah 61:3 promises, God gives "beauty for ashes" as we fix our gaze on Him. Where in your life—your soul, body, or space—might God be inviting you to reflect more of His beauty today?

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

Episode Sponsors:
Rodan + Fields - Take this brief quiz to find your customized skincare routine!

Whatever is Lovely - Subscribe here to the weekly newsletter designed to encourage you with words of wisdom and relatable content. Be inspired to open your inbox again. 

Ever noticed how different cultures approach their work? During my years living in Germany, I was struck by something extraordinary—the profound sense of pride and excellence people brought to their jobs, regardless of title or status. From butchers to plumbers, each person approached their work with remarkable intentionality and ownership that transformed ordinary tasks into expressions of dignity.

This revelation couldn't have come at a better time, as my first child was born while we were abroad. It shaped my entire approach to motherhood. In this season opener, we're exploring how to bring that same intentional excellence to the sacred work of raising children. The truth is, motherhood doesn't come with performance reviews or quarterly bonuses. We rarely see immediate results from our daily investments. Yet Colossians 3:23-24 reminds us that whatever we do—including changing diapers, wiping noses, and discipling little hearts—is kingdom work done for the Lord.

The core message hinges on an important distinction: the difference between pride rooted in identity versus pride rooted in performance. When our sense of value comes from knowing who we are in Christ rather than how perfectly we execute our daily to-do lists, we discover a sustainable joy in our calling. I share practical ways to prepare your heart and body each morning for the work God has set before you, recognizing that how you begin your day reflects how you value the work itself. Whether you're a seasoned mother or just beginning your journey, this episode offers a fresh perspective on finding dignity and purpose in the beautiful marathon of motherhood. After all, what a privilege it is to end the day tired from hours of loving service to those who matter most.

Reading Recommendations:

Disciple Them Like Jesus by Barrett Johnson

Parenting by Paul David Tripp

Hard is Not the Same Thing as Bad by Abbie Halberstadt

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

Episode Sponsors:
Rodan + Fields - Take this brief quiz to find your customized skincare routine!

Whatever is Lovely - Subscribe here to the weekly newsletter designed to encourage you with words of wisdom and relatable content. Be inspired to open your inbox again.