Okay, this podcast is a little different than any of the other episodes at Power of Moms Radio.
It’s simply a heart-to heart with me (April) early in the morning before my children got out of bed.
And why did I record it? Because I had this feeling that you needed someone to take care of you today–and there are a few specific ideas that have touched my life powerfully this past week that I thought could help you, as well.
Power of Moms is for mothers from all religious backgrounds–or no religious background, so I tried to communicate these ideas and feelings in the most principle-based way possible.
However, I need to be clear that my belief in and love for God is central to this podcast. And whatever your belief is in a Higher Power, I hope that these ideas will uplift you as much as they have uplifted me.
Respectful and insightful comments are always welcome, and I would love to hear from you!
Have a wonderful day, and I hope you enjoy this heart-to heart.Β π
Much love,
April
P.S. If you’re looking for more family-strengthening podcasts and want to join me and Eric at LearnDoBecome.com, we’d love to have you there, as well! There’s a simple audio and downloadable guide featured on our homepage called Five Life-Changing Habits Most People Overlook. Come sign up!
Thank you! This was definitely encouraging to me! I so enjoy hearing your podcasts. If he walks in while I’m listening, he often says, “Oh, you’re listening to your buddy, April!” You have a way to make it feel like I actually know you. I can relate so often to your stories and your heart, so I feel like we are buddies π
Thank you for sharing the verse from Isaiah. That is close to where one of my favorite verses is right now while raising my littles (3, 4.5, 7, & 8.5 yrs. old) Isaiah 40:11 says “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” I love the image of being gently lead…because I sure need it!
oops, it’s supposed to say: If “my husband” walks in while listening…haha! I edited it and didn’t read back over.
Thank you for sharing YOUR verse, Christie! I love that. I’m going to go mark it in my scriptures. π
And I am so glad that I am your buddy! Thank you for your kind words and for being part of our community!
xoxo
This really touched my heart. I felt like it was just for me. I was having one of those mothering/life days where I just felt like this is all too hard can I really keep going? Thanks for your wisdom, encouragement, and tips. What a tender mercy on a day when I really needed it.
My sentiments exactly! β€οΈ
Kim, I’m so glad this helped you, and thanks for leaving a comment. I’ve been kind of panicking inward today–thinking, “Did I share way too much? Do our listeners think I’m crazy?” Thanks for letting me know that these ideas help you like they help me. It’s so nice to know we’re not alone! Have a wonderful day!!
I’ve been wishing someone would come visit and tAke care of me. I haven’t listened yet but hope to soon
Lina, we all need some TLC. Sending you a virtual hug!
You are NOT crazy and you did not share way too much. Not was perfect!!! I’m so glad I got to start my day off with your podcast. I’ve been thinking of your words all throughout my day.
April, thank you.
Hi April! I know that Jesus is my advocate with my Heavenly Father…but I always pictured this only happening at the END of my life, not right in the middle of it, in my toughest moments when I need Him and Heavenly Father’s help the most. Thank you so much for this valuable insight. I love you and think you are amazing!
Alysann
Alysann, I feel like I have to relearn these things every day. So grateful this was helpful to you, and thank you for your strength!
Thank you for this encouragement and these reminders. I really needed to hear this today.
Thinking of you today, Julie! Hope that the day turned out beautifully!
Dear April,
Thank you so very much for listening to your call from God to “help the mothers”. You have certainly helped me! Listening to you has truly been an answered prayer. Life as a mother is so amazing and can be so overwhelming also. Your support and the Power of Moms website and podcasts are such a blessing to me (and my family). May God continue to bless you for your kindness.
With gratitude and love,
Maria π
Maria, that made my day to hear these kind words from you. I am SO aware of my inadequacies, and I’m grateful that Power of Moms is making a difference in your life! Much love!
April. I just LOVED your podcast. I had such a deep and spiritual prayer after it thanks to the verse you shared. You are an inspired and blessed woman April. Your podcasts have truly changed my life and in my prayer last night I prayed in gratitude for a woman like you who has had such a positive influence for good in my life. Thank you!!
Nelda, you made my day! (Today has been a hard one for me, and your words lifted me!) So grateful for you and the good you do in your family and in this community. Glad we’re friends. π
April, this was exactly what I needed today! Thank you! A scripture I have pondered a lot lately is Isaiah 49:15, where the Lord’s remembrance (and love) of us is likened to being stronger than that of a nursing mother for her child. As a current nursing mother, I am never apart from my baby for long and he so frequently needs care from me. This has really impressed upon me how much the Lord loves me, remembers me, and never forgets me.
Heidi, I love that scripture, too! I remember one day when we were moving, and I had my new infant barely out of the NICU, sitting in his infant seat while we were moving boxes. I TOTALLY forgot him for about 10 minutes, as I was distracted by the needs of the move, and as soon as I did, I remembered that scripture where it said, “she may forget,” but the Lord won’t. π That was the only time I forgot a nursing child, though…
So happy this podcast was helpful for you. And thank you for sharing your love for God! xoxoxo
April, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and for starting Power of Moms. You are truly mothering the mothers. I keep thinking when I’m listening to your podcasts how happy my mom would be about the messages I’m getting from them. I am fortunate to still have my mother, but I know there are many others who do not, and the things we learn from Power of Moms are just the kinds of things our mothers want us to remember: that we’re doing okay, not to stress out so much, that our kids love us just the way we are, that we can always strive to be better but that we are enough and we are loved.
Your reminder that we are never alone truly touched me, and your words reminded me of something a sweet young mother shared at church today- she said that she was truly stressed out one day with her two little ones at home, and she finally fell to her knees in prayer, seeking guidance, wanting to know how to do it “right.” She said in that moment, God spoke to her heart and said, “I don’t expect you to do it right! This is your first time being a mom. It’s okay to not do it perfectly. You’re doing just fine. Just keep going.”
It’s so hard for us to remember sometimes that every day as a mother is a job we’ve never had before. Right now my oldest is 11- he’ll be 12 on Tuesday. So on Tuesday it will be my first time being the mother of a 12-year-old. On Wednesday it will be my first time being the mother of a 12-and-1-day-old. And so on and so on. Combine that with the changing ages of my other 3 (who are girls- ha, whole other can of worms there!) and the landscape of my mothering changes so much with every passing day. How can I expect to even dream of doing it perfectly?
Fortunately, we’re moms, so we know that’s the job, and we were literally made for it, so we can handle it. It just takes some trust in God, some long conversations with Him, and then some more trust in Him.
Again, thank you, thank you for mothering us mothers. Happy Mother’s Day to you and all the other incredible moms who make Power of Moms possible. We love you!
Oh my goodness, Kasey, that was such a sweet message you shared! Thank you for strengthening me today. I feel so privileged to be a part of this community.
Much love, and thank you for being with us! Have you looked into being an author? The comment/perspective you shared is awesome and would make a great post! (Check the “authors” link at the bottom of the page…)
xoxo
Yes, I have- I will check into that more. By the way, I am currently taking my morning off from mothering! Your podcast about running away just hit me like a ton of bricks and I wish I would have realized sooner how much of a no-brainer it is that I need time off. I don’t know, though, I might not have had the guts to ask for it at any other point in my life. But I put up a blog post about it (and about your podcast with a link back to it) on the Mormon Mommy Writers blog today. Thanks so much for inspiring me!
http://mormonmommywriters.blogspot.com/2016/05/hey-moms-you-need-day-off-and-not-just.html
April, thank you so much for this podcast and for all you do through Power of Moms. I’m at that point in my life where I’m pregnant with my third, already struggling to keep up with the demands of my toddler and 8-year-old, and barely getting out of the house other than for errands. I so miss the company of women since I have very few friends out here, so your site has become a lifeline to me. It’s true, listening to you is like having a close friend to relate with and encourage me through all the joys and hardships of motherhood. God bless you for all you do to support us mothers. I truly do believe empowering mothers and women really will change the world!!! ?
Margo, thank you so much for your comment this morning. I’ve been sitting here at my desk–asking God for help, feeling inadequate in the work I feel called to do, and wondering if I have it in me to keep going (but at the same time knowing that He IS helping me, and of COURSE I can keep going, and that I simply need to listen carefully to what He has to tell me). It means so much to hear that my small contribution can make a difference for another person. And please know that the work you are doing is noble and beautiful and is literally what keeps the world going. Sending you a big virtual hug…
Dear April, thank you SO much for your kind, generous words. I was having a really hard day when I listened. The vision of Jesus kneeling next to me proved to be SO strengthening. I got home from my walk and dropped to my knees. You do so much to make me feel that I’m not alone in this sometimes difficult journey of motherhood.
Masha, your kind words meant so much to me today! You are definitely not alone. So grateful you’re here at Power of Moms so we can strengthen each other. Keep up the great work! xoxo
This has been on my reading list for a long time & I finally just listened while working in the kitchen. Thank you for following your inspiration to share this! Just a few days ago I was tearfully telling my husband “I just want to feel taken care of. I take care of everyone and everything, but who’s there to take care of me?” Not 100% true, but it’s the way I was feeling.
I got a little emotional when you said you felt directed to take care of the mothers. I have felt that same thing myself, and much of what I’ve been able to do for myself and other moms is because of things I’ve learned or people I’ve met through Power of Moms. So thank you so much, for all of it!
Thank you for your beautiful message! I am so grateful to know this was helpful. If you feel inspired to strengthen mothers, as well, please do!! We’d love to have you submit a post for the site! Thinking of you and your family today! xoxo
Thank you! Maybe one day I will.