Friends, today I’m excited to talk to my friend Rebekah Hargraves. We’re talking about her book Lies Moms Believe … and wow, there are a lot of them! I know you’re going to love my conversation with Rebekah. We share the lies that we often have to dig out of our hearts.

Lies Moms Believe (and How to Refute Them)

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I also have something exciting to share: my book Heart Happy is now available for pre-order! If you’d like immediate access you can also join my Heart Happy Insider Launch.

Here is an excerpt from Heart Happy that ties in perfectly with today’s talk:

Stop Trying to Get Caught Up

What do you think of when you hear the term “caught up?” For me, it’s this idyllic place somewhere in the future where most of my work is finished, most of my chores are done, and where I can spend an afternoon going out to coffee with a friend or spending a few hours in a backyard hammock reading one of the novels on my huge to-read pile. Of course, I don’t have a backyard hammock, and I rarely allow myself to take off an afternoon. I take time to go to coffee or lunch with friends, but usually, it’s when I’m away speaking, and I don’t have all the pressing commitments that come with being at home.

My guess is that your number one hindrance in taking time to draw close to God—and making your heart happy in the Lord—is that you don’t have time. I understand. As a mom of ten, grandma of many, and wife, there is always someone who needs something from me.

I manage both a home and a business. I am a full-time homeschooling teacher and writer. I am responsible for my kids’ education, and I write on average four books a year, in addition to speaking, blogging, and podcasting. If I were to work sixty hours a week (I don’t!), I’d have something to fill every minute, and then I’d still have more.

My guess is that you feel the same. Maybe you’re a mom who never feels as if she has one minute for herself. You thought things would get easier when your kids got older, but then came traveling and sports. Perhaps you’re caring for an ailing family member or you’re facing health struggles of your own. Maybe you’re in a job you don’t love, or you’re waiting and praying for a spouse. Or perhaps everything seems okay in life, but you’re dreaming of “something more.” The truth is that you don’t have to be a mom of ten to feel overwhelmed and worn out. It happens to all of us.

If we are honest, there will never be a time when we’re caught up. And so we keep plugging forward and pouring out. We give more and more. Do more and more. Yet there will always be more to do. Always. But it doesn’t help to do more if we don’t do it from a happy heart. We feel empty because we’re spinning our wheels and getting nowhere.

Whenever I’m asked my “secret to doing it all,” I always land on this: I take time to be with Jesus. I spend time reading His Word and in prayer. I spend time in worship. I get my heart and mind focused on the right things, and then everything about the day works better. Having the right priorities, the right attitude, and the correct motivations come from my time with Jesus. And they only happen when I make the time to nourish my soul.

Yes, Bible reading takes time, prayer takes time, worship takes time, rest takes time, choosing to be creative and enjoying your God-given gifts takes time—but I know from experience that this time is redeemed tenfold.

The worst thing you can do is try to “catch up” on all your numerous tasks before focusing on soul care. I promise you will NEVER catch up. Your work will never be complete—whether it is working inside the home or outside of it. When you finish that to-do list, there will be twenty more things you can immediately add.

When you take time for soul care and making your heart happy, you might discover that things you thought you needed to “catch up on” aren’t priorities at all. As you spend time with God, your priorities might even shift to something completely different. (They probably will.) And because Jesus loves you and has good plans for you, the new priorities will most likely be the right ones, and they will lead you to an abundant life.

I can’t tell you the number of times God has given me a new book idea—or a simple way to connect with a troubled child—as I’ve sought Him. Jesus has led me to beautiful, transforming changes when I’ve taken the time to spend with Him.

I hope you enjoyed that excerpt from Heart Happy! I know you’re going to also enjoy this talk.

Scripture to ponder

But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts]. Galatians 5:16 AMP

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Rebekah Hargraves

Lies Moms Believe (and How to Refute Them)

Scripture to ponder

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