Families With Grace

Helping Christian moms create homes filled with grace, love & faith

Raising a Christian child in public school

Nurturing your child’s faith amidst everyday challenges

When my husband and I discussed plans for our children long before they existed, our conversation included school. We knew the options available and decided public school was the best choice for us. Both of us were raised as Christian children in public schools, and we knew it was possible to do just that.

Each family has to make their own education choices based on beliefs and practicality. But, for us and many other Christian families like ours, public school is the right and best choice. We had about a year and a half of virtual schooling during the height of COVID, because that was right for our family. At the end of that period, I knew public school continued to be the correct choice for our family.

However, raising a Christian child in public school does take some thought and intentions. I want my children to get a great education — and they are. I also want them to be grounded in their beliefs — which they also are. Together, my husband and I work to make sure their education at school and at home are the best they can be.

Cultivating a strong foundation of faith at home

As Christian moms and dads, teaching our children about God is our most important task. This is even more important for children going to public school. I know my children’s school isn’t going to teach them about faith. In fact, I’m glad for that! My husband and I along with our church have that responsibility.

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (ESV)

From the beginning of the Bible, God instructs us to teach our children about Him as we are doing everything. Raising a Christian child in public school starts with nurturing their faith at home.

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Working these things into your daily routines helps you instill them in your children even more. Family devotionals are a great way to spark conversation about God. Listening to Christian music shifts everyone’s thoughts to God. I especially love to hear my kids going around singing about Jesus because those are the songs in their heads!

We also make God a normal part of conversation. We encourage our children to ask questions, and we share with them how we experience God at work in our own lives.

Equipping your child for the challenges

My husband and I know our kids will face challenges as Christians in a public school. In fact, their school is not only a public school but is tied into a university and has more liberal leanings as a result. So, we use these things for open conversations and have ever since they were in kindergarten.

Educational material

While some parts of their education is completely fact based, like math and grammar, other parts are more up for debate. One great example of this is creationism versus evolution. Our family has had multiple discussions about this. We’ve spent time truly delving into what the Bible says and how science really does back it up.

As my children head into 5th and 8th grades this coming school year, they may continue to have educational topics arise that don’t align with what we believe. We will continue to talk about those things with them. I always want my children to feel comfortable questioning things. They challenge my husband and me to find answers sometimes!

One thing I’ve learned in all my decades as a Christian is that God stands up to questions. No matter what school is teaching my children, if we are exploring it from a faith-based perspective at home and examining the topic deeply, I know all answers lead back to God. If they didn’t, then He wouldn’t be worthy of my worship and devotion!

This all results in our children learning to ask questions and stand in their faith from an early age. We’ve found that they understand more then we expected so many times. As Christian moms and dads we need to do our best to listen to our children and really answer their questions. It will nurture our children’s faith and our own!

Classmates

Another issue that definitely comes up when raising a Christian child in public school is their classmates. Not everyone is going to come from a Christian home. In fact, I’d say my children are in a minority at their school. The majority of families don’t have strong religious beliefs. They’ve encountered issues as a result.

For example, this past school year, my son came home upset because he heard a classmate declare he hates Christians. So we talked about it. We talked about how his classmate was certainly entitled to his opinions, but saying those things out loud are hurtful. We used it as an example for how important the words we use are. In dealing with classmates and friends, we want to show love and be an example of kindness — not hurt feelings.

Having classmates from different backgrounds have brought up secular topics as well that we have discussed as a family. We share our beliefs and why we believe how we do. But, we always come back to the message of love. I want my children to love others. No strings attached. No judgment or condemnation. Love like Jesus is our message. I tell my kiddos that they have never looked into the face of someone Jesus doesn’t love.

These encounters also give us an opportunity to nurture our kids’ resilience. They are going to be met with adversity throughout life whether for their faith or something else. Learning to let go of that barb and move forward is a life skill they need.

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Friends

And then there are classmates that our kids grow close to. Friends can be both a blessing and a challenge. Not all of our children’s friends are Christians. We are OK with that. We continue with our conversations about different beliefs. Then we also talk about the usual parent things of making the right choices when they are at a friend’s house. For example, if the friend wants to watch something our kids know wouldn’t be allowed at home, then they say no and suggest something else.

All of my children’s friends know they are Christians. My kids have talked about God and their relationship with Him to their friends, in fact. While not all of them believe the same way, they have all respected my children’s beliefs.

Just like with anything else, talking about peer pressure and the challenges of friendship with others come into play. But, I think that would happen whether you are raising a Christian child in public school or raising a Christian child at a private school.

Partnering with the school

I may not be teaching my children myself, but I can still be involved in their education. We talk about curriculum. And we maintain an attitude of partnering with the school. Both my husband and I have volunteered for a variety of activities. In fact, I almost always go along as a field trip chaperone and volunteered at class parties when they were younger.

My children’s teachers know us. We maintain communication. Since my youngest is dyslexic, we have even more communication. We respect our children’s teachers, and they respect us in return. Having an attitude of partnership rather than adversaries only benefits our children.

And our school has been open to faith-based things. For example, my daughter has always been passionate about food banks. When she was in 4th grade, she held a food drive to benefit the food pantry at a local church. We were clear with the school where the food was going, and everyone was on board with it.

Embracing the mission field of the school community

When you’re raising a Christian child in public school, you really can think of it as a mission field. Honestly, anywhere we are is a mission field, right? But, this doesn’t mean going around preaching all the time or encouraging our children to do that. Nobody wants to be preached at!

Instead, we live our lives with integrity and an attitude of Christ that others may see — or they may not. One of my favorite things has been to send lunchbox notes to my children. I have themes for each day of the week, because otherwise I’d run out of things to say! Every Tuesday is what I call “Truth Tuesday,” and I put a Bible verse in their lunchbox note. I do this for my own kiddos to help them remember God’s Word.

However, it also has had an impact outside of my children. From at least 1st grade on, my daughter’s entire lunch table has read her notes. I didn’t learn about that until 2nd or 3rd grade. I knew they read the note sometimes, but I didn’t know it was daily. They continue to do that even now going into 8th grade. So at least every Tuesday, these kids are encountering a Bible verse as a result. Does that make a big difference in their lives? Maybe. I know God is powerful and can move in ways we don’t even know about.

Celebrating faith victories

Just like we talk with our kids about mistakes they’ve made, we also need to acknowledge the positive things they’ve done and celebrate with them. Take the time to point out when you see them acting in a Christian manner toward a classmate. Give them a big hug when they share about how they included a classmate everyone else was being mean to.

Of course you also want to celebrate any of their friends or classmates coming to know Jesus as personal Savior or having an interest in faith. We’ve experienced this with both of our children. And in maintaining open conversation with our kids about faith, we’ve been able to answer their questions as they are navigating talking about their faith.

Sharing our faith and living a life for Christ can be challenging even for adults. Celebrating the good things with our kids encourages and nurtures their faith. It reinforces lessons they will hopefully carry with them into adulthood.

Final thoughts

Raising a Christian child in a public school can be challenging, but with the right mindset and intentional actions, we can nurture their faith amidst the everyday challenges. By cultivating a strong foundation at home, equipping our children for the challenges they may face, partnering with the school, embracing the school community as a mission field and celebrating faith victories, we can make a lasting impact in their lives and the lives of those around them.

So, let’s continue to pour God’s love into our children, equip them to shine their light and trust that He will guide them each step of the way. Together, we can navigate the public school journey with confidence, knowing that our faith and love will make a difference in the lives of our children and the world they inhabit.

Find more Christian parenting articles:

5 Characteristics of good mothering for Christian moms

Being a grace-filled parent

How Christian mothers can teach their children about God

Prayers for your children

10 Ways to have a family live filled with grace, love and faith

Grace-filled sibling relationships

Connect with other Christian moms just like you

55 Christian conversation starters for couples

Reignite romance and foster deeper connections

Talking with your husband is important for a good Christian marriage, but the busyness of everyday life can make meaningful conversations fall by the wayside. We get caught up in talking about household duties, children activities, work struggles and schedules. Conversation starters for couples can make it easier.

No matter how long you’ve been married, there are always ways to improve communication in your marriage. This list of Christian conversation topics for couples comes in handy for date night, marriage check-ins or even just regular weeknights. Because figuring out ways to connect with your spouse while raising children is a challenge!

Looking for conversation starters for your entire family? Check out this list of 50 conversation starters for your family!

30 General conversation starters for couples

While you and your spouse know each other well, you can still learn more about one another. These questions will deepen your bond and grow your relationship.

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Spiritual connection

  1. How has your faith grown or changed since we got married?
  2. What spiritual practices or disciplines have most impacted your life?
  3. What Bible verse or story has been meaningful to you recently? Why?
  4. How can we better support each other’s spiritual growth?
  5. Have you had any experiences where you felt God’s presence or guidance in our marriage?
  6. Are there any areas in our marriage where we could invite God’s wisdom and guidance more intentionally?

Personal growth

  1. What are some goals or dreams you have for yourself that you haven’t shared with me, yet?
  2. Is there a new skill or hobby you’ve been interested in pursuing?
  3. How have your priorities or values evolved over the years?
  4. Are there any books, podcasts or resources that have inspired you recently?
  5. Is there something you’ve always wanted to learn or experience but haven’t had the chance to yet?
  6. How can we support each other’s personal growth and self-care?

Memories and reflections

  1. What are some of your favorite memories from our early years of marriage?
  2. What milestone or accomplishment that from our marriage make you most proud?
  3. Which challenges or struggles are you proud we’ve overcome? Why?
  4. How do you think we’ve grown as a couple since we first got married?
  5. Is there a specific moment or event in our marriage that you think changed us for the better?
  6. What lessons from our past experiences can help shape our future?

Family and relationships

  1. How do you think our marriage has impacted our relationship with our extended families?
  2. Are there any new traditions or rituals we could establish to strengthen our bond as a family?
  3. How do you envision our relationship evolving as our children grow older?
  4. Is there something you’d like to do together as a couple that we haven’t done before?
  5. How can we be more intentional about spending quality time together, just the two of us?
  6. Are there any unresolved issues or challenges within our family or relationships that we need to address?

Dreams and goals

  1. Where do you see us in the next five years? What goals or dreams do you have for our future?
  2. Are there any adventures or trips you’ve always wanted to take together?
  3. In what ways can I help you achieve the dreams and goals you have for yourself?
  4. How can we align our individual goals and dreams to create a shared vision for our future?
  5. Is there a particular cause or social issue you’re passionate about and would like us to get involved in?
  6. How can we support each other in pursuing our dreams and goals while maintaining a strong marriage?

25 Deep conversation starters for couples

Getting into even deeper conversations can be hard in the midst of everyday life. These questions will help you delve deeper and connect with one another even more. And whether you’ve been married 25 years or 25 months, you’ll learn more about your spouse!

Identity and purpose

  1. How would you describe your truest self, beyond the roles and labels society assigns to you?
  2. What do you believe is your purpose in life, and how does it align with our marriage?
  3. Are there any fears or insecurities you would like to overcome?
  4. How can we support each other in living out our passions and pursuing meaningful work?
  5. Have you ever experienced a moment of profound clarity or revelation about your purpose?

Vulnerability and emotional intimacy

  1. Is there a specific area of our marriage where you would like to deepen our emotional connection?
  2. What are some of your deepest fears or worries, and how can I best support you in facing them?
  3. Are there any unresolved hurts or wounds from the past that still affect you today?
  4. How can we create a safe space for each other to express our true feelings without judgment?
  5. What is one thing you wish I understood better about your emotional needs?

Faith and doubt

  1. Are there any aspects of your faith or religious beliefs that you’ve been questioning or struggling with lately?
  2. How do you find solace or maintain hope in times of doubt or uncertainty?
  3. What is one of your defining moments in your faith walk?
  4. What is something you need prayer for right now? (Take time to pray together!)
  5. In what ways you are struggling to connect with God right now? How can I help you with that?

Legacy and impact

  1. What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind for our children future generations?
  2. How do you envision our marriage making a positive impact on the world around us?
  3. Are there any specific values or principles you want to instill in our children or future generations?
  4. How can we use our resources, time and talents to serve others and make a difference?
  5. Is there a particular cause or social issue that you feel called to address as a couple?

Intimacy and connection

  1. In what ways can we deepen our physical and emotional intimacy in our marriage?
  2. Are there any unspoken desires or fantasies that you’d like to share with me?
  3. How can we make our time together more meaningful and intentional?
  4. What are some ways we can create a stronger sense of unity and teamwork in our relationship?
  5. How can we continue to grow and evolve as a couple while maintaining our individuality?

Connecting as a couple

Using conversation starters for couples doesn’t mean you and your spouse are in trouble or have nothing to talk about. Instead, they deepen your connection and teach you more about one another even in the busyness of daily life.

After all, truly talking and listening to one another makes a good marriage great! And we all want that!

Download all 55 Christian conversation starters for couples!

Head over to the Families with Grace Etsy store to find these conversation starters on adorable cards you can print and use on date night, your anniversary or any time!

An image showing Christian conversation starter cards for married couples that are for sale on Etsy.

Check out these other related articles as well!

50 conversation starters for families

Free summer date ideas for parents

Couple goals every Christian marriage needs

What a grace-filled marriage looks like

How to have a happy married life in the midst of hard times

Real marriage advice: Stop casting blame

How to get better sleep for moms

5 Healthy sleeping tips for moms

This blog post about how moms an get better sleep comes from Charlotte Walker of HomeSafetyHub.com. Charlotte has some great suggestions for exhausted moms who need more rest. She has been passionate about safety her whole life and enjoys writing about topics related to homes and home life.

As a mother, you know just how tough it is to get a good night’s sleep, even once your kids are typically sleeping through the night! If family life is making it hard for you to sleep soundly, it might be time to change up your routine. Resources from Families With Grace can help you find solace in Scripture during chaotic days. Plus, these sleeping tips like how to work some exercise into your day, find balance in regards to your screen time and even redesign your bedroom can help you get a good night sleep and wake up refreshed.

Exercise during the day for better sleep

Perhaps it’s been a while since you’ve exercised — you’re so busy caring for your children during the day that you don’t know how you would find the time! But by sneaking in some gentle physical activity with your kids, like a daily walk, you can move your body without rushing to the gym.

If your own neighborhood lacks sidewalks or safe walking routes, you might want to bring your children to an area with a walk score of 70 or higher in order to get your daily steps in.

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Balance your screen time to get a good night sleep

Today, it’s tough for everyone to keep screen time in check. If you’re working from home, you might feel like you’re constantly staring at screens — either you’re sitting at your computer while you’re on the clock, or you’re using your smartphone and watching TV with your family when your workday is done.

This can make it tough for you to fall asleep at night. To ensure that you’re able to wind down in the evening, make sure to shut down your computer at a specific time each day, work in only one room of your house and avoid consuming caffeine late in the day.

Choose cozy bedding for better sleep quality

Turn your bedroom into a sanctuary! When your bedroom feels like your own personal oasis, you’ll look forward to going to sleep every night. You can upgrade your bedding by investing in a few duvet covers, which you can change up to reflect your mood. Try shopping for unique patterns designed by independent artists. Consider ordering duvet covers to be printed on demand, which allows you to customize your prints, so you’ll never have to deal with prints going out of stock.

Implement a consistent bedtime to wake up refreshed

If your children are different ages, figuring out the right bedtime for everyone can be tricky! But maintaining one bedtime for all of your kids will definitely make it easier for you to head to bed at a reasonable hour, too. Try selecting a bedtime based on the time your children need to be out of bed in the morning — simply count backwards from that hour to make sure they are getting adequate hours of sleep.

Stick to a relaxing routine to help you sleep

Once your children are in bed, you deserve to enjoy some time to yourself. It can be tempting to simply watch an episode of a TV show, but consider turning to an activity that doesn’t involve screen time. A Mother Far From Home recommends soaking in a bath with Epsom salts, picking up a good book, writing in a journal or even doing a crossword puzzle. You could also move through a gentle, evening yoga sequence.

Finally, take some time to chat with your spouse about your day. When you’re parents, it’s still crucial to make time for each other.

When you’re raising children, it’s not easy to prioritize your own needs. But if you’ve been pushing your sleep routine to the backburner, it might be time for some lifestyle changes. With these tips, you’ll be ready to invest in new bedroom décor, get your screen time under control and get more exercise throughout the day.

Check out Charlotte’s other guest posts:

How to keep your family organized

How to start a business as a new mom

Dealing with addiction in marriage

House hunting? Here’s how to figure out what you want

8 Prayers for your husband

Powerful prayers for your husband and marriage

Of all the things we can do as Christian wives, praying for our husbands is one of the most important. I see my husband’s challenges and struggles more than anyone else in the world — as it should be. Because of that, I can pray specific prayers for my husband and perhaps even prayers he doesn’t think to pray for himself.

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Turning to Scripture can help us know what to pray for our husbands. The Bible reassures us that we can know God hears what we ask of Him (1 John 5:15). And that makes it all the more important to make sure you pray for your husband.

You can pray Scripture prayers for husband to meet his needs at work and in your marriage while also asking for protection and blessings for him.

What the Bible says about prayer

Even before we get into the prayers for your husband, I would be remiss if I didn’t start with the Bible. In the verses about prayer I looked up before writing this post, some verses in Jeremiah stuck out to me. Many Christians are familiar with Jeremiah 29:11, which says in the NIV, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

I love God’s promise to secure our futures as His children. I love it even more to know He’ll secure the future of my own children. But, the two verses that follow this one really jumped out to me.

 “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NIV)

God doesn’t just have a plan for your husband’s future, and He also listens to us and makes Himself available to us when we seek Him. It’s with that in mind that I want to enter into this period of prayers for our husband.

Prayers for your husband at work

No matter what kind of work your husband does, he needs prayer for it. Chances are good he spends more awake time at work than anywhere else. And work is probably a stressor of some sort to him as well. Praying for your husband at work is important.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” – Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

Father, I ask that you be with my husband as he is working. Help him to have a good attitude like he is working for you and not for his boss. Look out for him at work. Give his wisdom and discernment in his work. Protect him from those who don’t intend good for him at work and are looking to block his path. Remind my husband of your faithfulness and presence at his work and everywhere. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” – Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)

Lord, I commit my husband’s work and plans to you. Establish his plans. Guide and direct him in the decisions he makes about work. Bless the work of his hands, Lord, to provide for our family and to glorify you. Give him strength to maintain his integrity in all that he does. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Prayers for your husband’s protection

Of all the things I pray for my husband about, his protection is probably what I pray for the most. In my struggles with anxiety, I can imagine all sorts of harmful things befalling him. A few years ago, I went through a very hard time where I assumed every time my husband left the house, that would be the last time I’d see him.

Praying for your husband’s protection not only protects him but also gives you peace of mind. It helps you remember that you can let go and trust that God is always with your husband.

“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV)

Father, I ask that you remain faithful in watching over my husband. Strengthen and protect him from the evil one. Give him the ability to resist temptation that he faces. Keep him safe from the roadblocks Satan puts in his way. Put a hedge of protection around him to keep him safe in every way. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)

Lord, give my husband strength and courage. Remind him always of your presence and that you won’t leave him. Protect him from struggles both in the world and in his own mind. Surround him with your peace, love and protection. Father just continue to watch over and direct him, guide and protect him. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Prayers for your husband and marriage

Whether you’ve been married 20 years or 20 days, praying for your marriage is important. Having a married relationship is challenging because we have to learn to think of the other person’s needs and wants. And, quite frankly, our own needs and wants can often seem more important!

Bringing your husband and marriage to God in prayer can help you stay focused on the blessing of your relationship and grow stronger in your marriage.

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” – Romans 12:10 (NIV)

Father, thank you for the blessing of my husband. Help us to stay devoted to one another every day. Give us the strength to put each other before ourselves. Continue to ignite and grow in us the love we have for one another. Strengthen our bond and relationship so that it remains strong. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” – Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV)

Lord, thank you for putting my husband and me together. Help us to not be overpowered and be able to stand in defense together against the challenges that come our way. Remind us that you are with us in our marriage keeping our bond strong. Fortify us against attacks on our relationship and happiness. Sustain us as we go through challenges and help us to always remain on each other’s side through everything. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Blessing prayer for your husband

We might thank God for His blessings, but we might also be less inclined to ask for His blessings. Asking God to bless your husband is not only fine, but it’s Biblically sound.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Matthew 7:7 (NIV)

This doesn’t mean that everything we ask for will be given to us. But what we ask for in accordance with the will of God will be given to us. Many Bible verses encourage us to seek God and ask of Him.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Luke 6:38 (NIV)

Father, I ask that you bless my husband. Help him to have a giving heart and spirit so that you will give to him abundantly in return. Please give him more blessings than he even expects or think to ask for. Keep him motivated to give to you and those in need around us. Return his blessings to him in full and then some. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” – Number 6:24-26 (NIV)

Lord, bless my husband. Keep him in every way. Father, shine your face on my husband and be gracious to him. Turn your face toward him and give him peace. Hold him close and bless him physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. May his love and joy overflow and may he be filled with the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Scripture prayers for your husband

These eight prayers are a great way to get started and spark ideas about prayers for your husbands. You can make declarations over your husband and pray any Scripture that speaks to you for him. Ask God to guide you to the right verses to pray for your husband, and follow His guidance.

While you don’t have to always pray Scripture prayers, there is power in them. These prayers also get us into God’s Word more and help us to focus our prayers and requests for Him.

Embrace the power of prayer in your marriage journey. Remember, you have a direct line to the One who created your husband, and He longs to hear your heart’s desires for him. So, whether you’re praying for his work, protection, blessings or your marriage, don’t hesitate to bring it all before the Lord.

These eight Scripture prayers are just a starting point, so feel free to personalize them and make them your own. Trust in God’s faithfulness and watch as He works wonders in your husband’s life and in your marriage. Keep praying, keep believing and keep loving fiercely.

Find more prayers:

Prayers for your children, part 1

Prayers for your children, part 2

Prayers for moms

Prayers for graduates

Moms with Grace: Dr. Real N. Kunene

Christian encouragement for single moms

The “Moms with Grace” series takes a look at modern Christian moms and how they handle daily life with raising children. You’ll find monthly posts from married and single moms with older kids, younger kids and all those in between. Let real-life moms encourage and uplift you!

Affiliate links are used in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase via my link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support my blog. Thank you for your support! Read my full disclosure here.

A couple of months ago, I first connected with Dr. Real N. Kunene in a social media group for Christian mompreneurs. I was honored to participate as a speaker in her recent summit on successful parenting. As we connected, I knew Dr. Kunene would be a perfect fit for the Moms with Grace series.

Dr. Kunene’s background

Dr. Kunene is a single mom (since 2016) of two kiddos who are 8 and 10. She’s also an international human rights policy analyst and a diplomacy and protocol specialist who consults on policies and procedures related to protocol, diplomacy and human rights compliance.

Moms with Grace with Dr. Real N. Kunene: Christian encouragement for single moms

This passionate leader holds a Ph.D. with a discipline in leadership and business. She is also a highly sought after, energetic, certified Les Brown international speaker. Dr. Kunene empowers motivated professionals and entrepreneurs with the tools they need to rise to greater heights as they start, grow and scale their business. Her vision is to motivate and empower audiences with a fresh perspective while inspiring them to pursue success and drive sustainable outcomes, in a seriously funny way.

Dr. Kunene is an award-winning, international bestselling author with 10 number one books on Amazon. Her bestselling book “Rise to Greater Heights” has inspired and empowered many to pursue their personal and professional passion to become go-getters.

As a trainer, diplomacy protocol officer and strategist, Dr. Kunene believes we are in full control of our choices. Her mission is to meet the needs and transform lives of her clients and her audience. This change-maker, trailblazer and revolutionary is pushing boundaries and creating a real change worldwide. Like a phoenix that never accepted defeat and rose from its own ashes, she wants to challenge you to unleash your greatness and rise to greater heights.

Dr. Kunene is inspired by Hebrews 11, Psalms 27 and Psalms 40 to stay motivated and continue pursuing her dreams. She took time out of her busy schedule to share profound words of wisdom for single moms, especially. But no matter your marital status or phase of parenthood, I know you’ll be blessed and encouraged to rise to greater heights!

How have you changed from the beginning of your mom journey until now?

Motherhood has been such an adventurous journey. I so wish I could still sleep in on weekends and wake up at 11a.m.! From the beginning of my mom journey until now I’ve learnt how to let go of things by establishing limits and boundaries between family and work.

We must create boundaries of protection between our work and family, which will give us space for other thoughts and ideas to emerge. Trying to be everything to everyone only ensures failure; but, cutting ties with the outside world occasionally allows us to recover from weekly stress. Boundaries hold the line to protect your work from the distraction of family. Taking time to unwind is critical to success and will help you feel more energized when you’re on the clock.

Cut out the things in your life that are stressing you out. Then also protect your family involvement from the obligations at work. With clear boundaries, we often find the weight lifted was heavier than we realized. We are also able to have clearer discernment in both our work and personal lives.

How do you find balance day to day?

Daily I remain open to redirect and assess my needs in order to find balance. Sometimes I have to let things go because taking on more work when I’m already stressed out has a negative effect. If we do not make the conscious decision to achieve balance, we will most likely fail along the way because we are not clear on what we expect ourselves to accomplish. We must make an effort to provide ourselves the opportunity for balance, so when we leave the office, we avoid thinking about upcoming projects.

With my struggle to attain the perfect balance between work and family, I’ve learnt that those who do maintain a successful balance often have flexible work schedules. The dilemma of balancing family and work has no easy solution. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Employers must make it a priority to grant employees access to a wider variety of benefits, because balance is a very personal thing, and only you can decide the lifestyle that suits you best.

Work-life balance will mean different things to different people because, after all, every person and family must find specific solutions to their issues depending on their own preferences and needs. There is nothing wrong with working hard to gain some of the finer things in life, because we all have different life commitments that fit our individual needs and improve our health and well-being.

What are some challenges you’ve faced as a mother? How have you worked to overcome them?

After my divorce in 2016, I found myself inundated by financial demands and my added responsibility posed an even steeper challenge. The main struggle I had was juggling a lot and working long hours trying to find the time and the energy to do all that I needed to do. For me, I used to worry about money constantly, asking myself how anyone can start a business when broke.

The concept of hustling is not a new one. So all the single mothers who are holding down the fort and raising a family by themselves, can start and sustain multi-million dollar organizations given the opportunity.

Raising kids alone is exhausting, as I juggle work while trying to spend as much time with my kids as possible. Lack of support was a reality for me and seeking a balance between finding a babysitter or doing something myself has become an intrinsic part of my life.

The quest for the perfect work-life balance is what hindered me from starting my business. I was terrified. The first few weeks I became a single mom, I felt like I was pulled in a trillion different directions. Trying to do everything on my own left my spirit totally depleted and my nerves on edge. My children and I were having daily meltdowns, and I realized that being a single parent can make the most patient person lose their entire jar of marbles!

Becoming a single mom wasn’t an easy journey, but I had to learn to guide and shepherd my children’s hearts. I know we all make mistakes. I couldn’t survive without the supernatural peace and strength of Jesus. It’s important for me to every day entrust my children’s care to the Lord. And I know I can trust in God to keep His promises and encourage me when I am feeling low.

What business lessons have you learned as a single mom?

When people heard I was a single mom, they thought I could not be successful. These toxic influences are people who tell you that business is hard and you can’t build anything worthwhile. Toxic influences are those people who always remind you that you are a single mom. They assume because you’re a single parent, you must be struggling. I couldn’t change the fact that I was a single mom. However, I could get of all toxic influences out of my life — those people who thought the only thing I should do was take care of my kids without telling me how.

Moms with Grace: Dr. Real N. Kuene Christian encouragement for single moms Pinterest image 6

For this reason, I am on a quest to break the stereotype of a single parent and all the negative connotations associated with it, instead of spending time with toxic people who invade my confidence and bring me down.

I showcase to the world that I can be a single mom and still have it all by setting goals for my business and for my life. I was convinced that there are numerous single moms with great experiences, so I decided to wear the hustler hat and created work that is profitable but not visible. The truth is, yes, you can be a single parent and make millions whilst raising your little ones. One essential tool for success in business is confidence and people can smell a lack of it on you.

It wasn’t always easy, but I started strong and self funded by being a certified hustler, and I operated on a budget.

In what ways you have and do you share your faith with your children?

While raising children alone can be a struggle at times, I hold on to God’s Word, which gives me the strength I need to keep going. Being a single mom is not a handicap. Instead of fighting my circumstances, I had to learn to accept it. The Lord is a helper to give wisdom and insight on ministering to our children. He’s available all the time to hear our prayers and act on our behalf.

My children know that prayer is our weapon of warfare. We put God first in everything. They’ve learnt to give and expect nothing in return as we feed the homeless on a quarterly basis. The Lord had always met all of our needs. I learned to find joy through Christ in the midst of a difficult situation.

The Lord embraces the single mother with His incredible love. Through the Holy Spirit, I hear words of truth from the Bible to help me keep pushing ahead. My heavenly Father is lovingly keeping an eye on my children to accomplish great things for the kingdom of God. Thus, my strength in the present is the investment in my children that will reap a beautiful return in the future.  

What are some of your favorite parts of motherhood?

As a single mom entrepreneur, I encouraged myself not to be marginalized by society and looked down on. Very rarely do we see positive images of single parents who are self-sufficient, successful contributors to society. In fact, being a single mom comes with an inbuilt capacity for business success. Because being a single mother is not an easy task, you discover inner strengths and capabilities you never knew you had.

Life is all about learning. Being a single parent is twice the work, which makes you stronger than ever before. Don’t get me wrong, I know raising a child on your own can be difficult. However, don’t let the perception of this lifestyle count you out before you even count yourself in.

Overall, being a single parent comes with a wealth of skills that do well in entrepreneurship, and success means being the best parent your kids can have and living your dreams while at it. Through my determination and preservation, I took all my pains and the difficult times to learn and grow stronger. In my kids’ eyes, I turned into a superhero. Being a single parent is not a setback. You have to own your single parent status, find what you love and do it.

What advice do you have for a single mom who wants to start her own business?

Normally, being an entrepreneur is a daunting task, but many men and women are incredibly successful while still looking after their own children by themselves. They’ve learned that when you have an unusual goal, you need an unusual way of thinking. That way of thinking takes you outside your comfort zone, especially when you are broke.

Use the wisdom of other people to help you. Make note of all the things that frustrate you in your daily life, then research creative ways to address those inefficiencies.

Also, look for inspiration everywhere: business coaches, people in networking groups or whoever has knowledge you might need. All it takes is an idea to create a product that changes the world.  

How does grace play a role in your daily life? Do you have any tips or advice for how moms can show more grace to their families?

Life is not about always being spic and span and perfect. I appreciate myself and give myself credit for the way I am bringing up your children. I am happy and content in life. The imperfections of life give life character and show your children your love. They can see what efforts you are putting in for them. Take time to realize how amazing your children have turned out to be and give yourself a pat on the back.

Of course you will have your highs and lows. Just take a look at the way you have brought up your children and remember your children have you and you are more than enough.

Our words have so much power over how our children see themselves, so I lean into the Word and apply it to my everyday life to guide me. Without a doubt raising kids on your own requires an unbelievable amount of strength and courage. But, that single parents can function just as fine or even better than whole families is an accomplishment of itself.

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4:12-13

What are you most proud of as a mom?

I’m raising God fearing children.

How have you grown from your failures?

At the end of the day, failure should not be our undertaker. Instead failure is an opportunity to begin again, as long as you learn from it. Single mom, you must know what you want from life because you are solely responsible for your success and your failure. Remember that your dreams are valid and all you need to do is fight for them. Beware that the way you think about a fact may defeat you before you ever do anything about it. Focus instead the actions needed to be taken and fail fast so you learn what not to do.

And the sooner you realize that failure is a temporary detour, you’ll keep on trying and build the right attitude. Blaming others of not reaching your goals in life can paralyze you and make your dreams become impossible. Please handle failure with dignity because you will not succeed in life without first failing.

Connect with other Christian moms for support and encouragement in the private Facebook group, Moms with Grace!

Read more in the series:

Rachael Belle

Linda Mendible

Mandy Farmer

50 Conversation starters for your family

Improve your bond with these family conversation starters!

Finding time and ways to connect with our family and improve our bond is important. Whether you’re sitting at the dinner table, in the car or lounging on the couch, sometimes you need conversation starters for your family to get everyone talking.

50 Conversation Starters for Families Pinterest image 5

We do a monthly check-in night with each of our children about what is going on in their lives. My kids tease me that I always have questions for them, and they end up talking when they didn’t think they had anything to say! That’s the power of good questions. As a journalist, I know the importance of asking good questions. I’ve carried that over into my family life.

For our family, we’ve found that once the conversation gets going, we usually have follow-up questions and keep chatting away. Having some conversation starters for your family to kick off with can get the flow started.

Fun family conversation starters

One of the easiest ways to kick off family conversation is with fun topics and questions. These questions are fun to answer. I am often surprised at my family’s responses to questions like these. And they usually spark some friendly debate as well!

  1. What superhero power would you choose and why? (Bonus: what is your superhero name?)
  2. Share one of your most embarrassing moments.
  3. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
  4. Which historical figure would you most like to have dinner with? What would you talk about with them?
  5. What three items would you take with you if you were stranded on a deserted island?
  6. If you created your own ice cream flavor, what would it be and what ingredients would you use? (Bonus: name the flavor!)
  7. Which animal would you choose to be for a day? Why?
  8. Share your favorite family vacation memory.
  9. What kind of robot would you create to help you? Why?
  10. Tell a silly joke you’ve heard recently that made you laugh.

Daily dinner table conversation starters

Though any of these conversation starters for your family can be used at the dinner table, these questions in particular are great for connecting with each other daily. Work them into your regular dinner table conversation to stay up-to-date with what’s going on in each other’s lives.

  1. What was your favorite part of the day today?
  2. What was the most challenging part of your day? How did you handle it?
  3. Share something that made you laugh or smile today.
  4. Did you learn anything new today or recently that surprised you? What was it?
  5. How are you feeling emotionally today? Do you have anything you’d like to talk about?
  6. What upcoming activity or event are you looking forward to? Why?
  7. Who made your life easier today? How?
  8. Name three things you’re grateful for today.
  9. What did you accomplish today that makes you feel proud?
  10. Is there something you’re struggling with today? How can we help you?

Family conversation starters with young children

Family conversations don’t have to wait until your kids are tweens and teens. These conversation starters for your family work for even the youngest family members who can talk!

  1. What is your favorite toy right now?
  2. If you could have any animal as a pet, which one would you pick? Why?
  3. Sing a song you know. (Bonus: add in dance moves!)
  4. What’s your favorite food? What’s your least favorite food?
  5. If you could make up a new holiday, what would it be? How would you celebrate it?
  6. What do you like to do when you have free time?
  7. Come up with an idea for a new toy and how it would work.
  8. Which book character would you want to hang out with in real life?
  9. Share about someone who was nice to you recently and how they were nice.
  10. What is something that always makes you feel happy?

Deep questions about family

Of course, there are some times that you want to go deeper with your conversations. These deeper questions work well during one-on-one time with your children or serious talks. You can make them part of a family meeting once a month or whatever works best for you.

While I always want to have fun with my children, I also want us to be able to talk about deeper emotions and challenges together. In order to make that happen, we have to be intentional.

  1. How do you feel our family cares for each other during challenging times? What can we do to improve that even more?
  2. What is your favorite family ritual or tradition we have? Why do you enjoy it?
  3. In what ways do you think our family communicates well? How can we improve our communication?
  4. Are there any unresolved conflicts or issues within our family that you think we need to address?
  5. How do you feel about the roles and responsibilities within our family? Are there any adjustments or changes you would suggest?
  6. What can our family do together to make an impact on the world?
  7. If you were the parents in our family, what would you do the same? What would you do differently?
  8. Share your hopes for our family for the next year.
  9. Tell each family member one character trait you most admire or appreciate about them.
  10. Are there any routines or activities that aren’t working so well right now and we need to address? If not, what is working well that you enjoy?

Faith conversation starters

Finally, as a Christian family, you want to connect about your faith. I have been surprised at the depth of faith conversations our family has had with our children. They have great insights and questions. Use these faith conversation starters any time or work them into your regular family devotional time.

  1. Who is one of your favorite people in the Bible? Why?
  2. How do you spend time with God regularly?
  3. What are some ways our family can share our faith with those around us?
  4. What Bible story do you enjoy most?
  5. Do you have a favorite Bible verse? If so, share it and why it’s your favorite. If not, share a Bible verse you remember and what it says to you.
  6. How does your relationship with God impact your daily life?
  7. What three questions would you ask God right now if you could?
  8. How can we worship God together as a family?
  9. What’s one of your favorite hymns or worship songs? What do you like about it?
  10. In what ways can we show God’s love and compassion to those who believe differently than we do?

Download a free PDF with a list of all these questions!

Download a free PDF of the 50 conversation starters for families

Summer fun ideas for families

70 Summer family activities to do at home

Ah, summertime. The warmer temperatures. Children happily playing outside while adults sip lemonade in the shade. Wait. What?! That’s not how it goes. If your family is anything like mine, it’s a precarious balance between planned activities, downtime and pesky things like work and chores. And that’s not even including the mom guilt that kicks in during summer break.

70 Summer Family Fun Activities to Do At Home Pinterest Image

But you don’t have to make every moment of summer break Instagram fabulous to make good family memories. Lots of summer fun ideas for families are easy to pull off and create fabulous memories for your entire family.

Whether you’re looking for rainy day activities for families, outdoor family fun activities or a mix of both, we’ve got you covered!

Affiliate links are used in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase via my link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support my blog. Thank you for your support! Read my full disclosure here.

Outdoor summer fun ideas for families

One of the great things about summer is beautiful weather. For those of us here in the Midwest, we enjoy the warmer days that aren’t too humid and hot to be outside. Check your local weather forecast and figure out when these outdoor summer fun ideas will work best for your family. Don’t forget that mornings and evenings can be great for being outside, even on blazing summer days.

Launch rockets

From rockets you stomp on for smaller kiddos to building rockets for older kiddos, this can be a great summer family activity that works in some science to boot!

Stomp rocket for younger children
Set of two rockets, Estes Tandem-X Launch set
Dinosaur rocket launcher
National Geographic Light-Up Sky Rockets

Water toys

Nothing says summer family fun more than cooling down outside with water. You can have a blast as a family with water toys. Be sure to leave some towels by your door for when you go back inside all wet! We usually follow up water play outside with showers, PJs and a movie.

Twister Splash game
350 rapid-fill water balloons from Zuru Bunch O Balloon
Nerf Super Soaker Toss 'N Splash Cornhole set
Extra large splash pad at 90.5 inches or 7.5 feet
Octopus sprinkler
3-pack water guns

Family yard games

Playing games as a family is always fun. We love tabletop games year-round, but summertime is the perfect time to get outside for some fun. Whether your looking for traditional field day activities or a classic croquet set, these yard games are terrific summer fun ideas for families!

Giant Sorry! game to play outside
Find and seek scavenger hunt card game to play outside (or inside)
Glow in the dark outdoor lawn darts with soft tips
Outdoor ring toss game
Beanbag toss game
237 Minute Challenges

Sporty summer family fun activities

If there’s one way to encourage kiddos (and adults!) to be more active, it’s by playing a game. These sporty games and activities are a great way for your family to have fun this summer as well as get in some cardio!

Obstacle course in a box
Light-up capture the flag game
Laser tag is a great summer fun idea for families
Pop, pass, catch ball game for families

Indoor summer fun ideas for families

These family fun indoor activities will keep your family entertained and having fun inside when it’s too hot to be outside. They’re also perfect rainy day activities for families and really can work any time of year. Who said you have to be outside all the time to have fun?

Educational and fun STEAM toys

Learning doesn’t sound super fun over summer break, but these STEAM toys are actually fun for the family. And they help your kiddos hone things like problem-solving skills, physics concepts and more.

60-piece set of magnet building tiles are great indoor family fun
Snap Circuits' Junior electronics exploration kit
National Geographic Earth Science kit
National Geographic mega magic set with more than 75 magic tricks
National Geographic Stunning Science chemistry set
Lego City Express Passenger Train Set, remote-controlled toy
K'Nex 3-in-1 classic amusement park building set
ThinkFun Freefall marble maze game
Bio Chem Creatures STEAM Lab Kit from Klutz
Circuit Blox Glowing LED FM Radio building kit
Melissa and Doug cardboard building blocks
Magna-Tiles Builder Magnetic Construction Set

Imaginative play toys

Most family have a decent amount of toys around for imaginative play, but adding some new ones to the mix can turn into a great family fun indoor activity. Imaginative play is not only good for our kiddos’ brains, but it also gives your family a chance to interact together in new and different ways. Take time to play!

Melissa and Doug Super Smile Dentist Kit Play Set
StikBots posable action figures set of 6
Coastal Living building blocks miniature house kit
Supermarket cash register toy with scanner, play money, pretend credit card and play food
Dinosaur play mat with dinosaurs and trees
A set of dinosaurs, farm animals and ocean animals
Teacher role play set from Ben Franklin Toys
Vet clinic and doctor kit with pet carrier and pets

Care for living things

Without springing for a new puppy, you can still have a great time this summer taking care of living things with your kiddos. From plants to easy pets, these ideas are perfect family fun indoor activities!

National Geographic light-up terrarium dinosaur habitat
Insect Lore Ladybug growing kit
Giant Butterfly garden
National Geographic flower growing kit

Crafts for your family

I am pretty inept at crafts and art, but with the right craft kit, I can hold my own. These craft kits and ideas are perfect rainy day activities to keep your family entertained. Work on them together and see what kind of masterpieces you can make!

National Geographic paint marbling craft kit
Pixicade Pets virtual pet creator
Magnetic mini tiles art kit is a great rainy day family activity
Monster hand puppet craft kit
Make your own clay handprint bowls kit
Mix and mold your own stepping stones kit with paint and more to decorate
4-pack DIY birdhouse assembly and painting kit
DIY Magi Bouncy Balls kit
Make your own felt succulents 61-piece set is a great summer fun idea for families!
Create your own window art kit
Make your own gem keychains kit
Sew your own felt animals craft kit: woodland animals for kids 7 to 12
National Geographic pottery wheel for kids with 2 pounds of air dry clay
Make a wind chime kit

Puzzles and games

Puzzles and games are perhaps the most quintessential rainy day family activities. And there’s a good reason: they’re fun! Make some snacks and prepare for a good time with these puzzles and games!

Melissa and Doug Pattern blocks and boards
United States map 500-piece puzzle
Glow in the dark space 500-piece puzzle
Spider-man 400-piece puzzle
Kids vs. parents game: How well do you know your family?
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza game
What do you meme? Family edition
Charades for kids card game (no reading required)
Trivial Pursuit: Family Edition
Left Center Right Dice Game
Family Faceoff
Hasbro Trouble Game

Summer fun ideas for families

With so many outdoor and indoor options, you family can have lots of fun this summer. Make memories whether it’s a rainy day, hot day or gorgeous day with any of these 70 ideas!

Find more great family fun ideas in these posts:

Bible verses about gratitude

24 Bible verses about being thankful

Most years, I have a word or phrase that represents my focus for the year. I don’t come up with these at the beginning of the year, but develop them as I go based on what lessons God is teaching me. For example, a few years ago my word was “Grace” — and that’s turned into this site!

This year, my word is “Gratitude.” God has continued to remind me this year about the importance of being thankful and grateful even during difficult times. It came more into focus with the release of “The Christian Woman’s Gratitude Journal.” Since then, I have not only benefitted from working through the journal myself but also discussing it in the private Facebook group, Moms with Grace.

All of this has prompted me to put together a list of Bible verses about gratitude. These are verses to remind us what God’s Word says about the importance of gratitude in our own lives. They encourage us to maintain a grateful heart for all God does for us.

What gratitude is and isn’t

Before we get into the Bible verses about gratitude, we need to talk about what gratitude is and isn’t. It’s important to note that we don’t have to be thankful for difficult circumstances. Instead, we are to be thankful even in difficult circumstances.

I’ve spent decades managing chronic pain. In fact, I’m typing this right now with a heating pad on my back, and it’s one of three heating pads I keep in my house in various locations. Never once in my journey have I felt thankful for my pain. It just isn’t natural or normal. However, I have felt thankful even in my pain. I’ve bene grateful for friends, support, love and encouragement. Sometimes I think dealing with ongoing pain has helped me be even more grateful in appreciating everyday things that others often take for granted.

So, gratitude isn’t being thankful for the hard stuff. Don’t beat yourself up or think you have lesser faith because you don’t feel thankful for a challenge. Use God’s Holy Spirit to lead you to find how to be gratitude even in the challenge.

Bible verses about gratitude

These 24 Bible verses about gratitude will help you stay focused on giving thanks to God even during difficult times. When we focus our gratitude on the One who takes care of us, we stop focusing on the things that are troubling us.

(All Bible verses are taken from the NIV Bible unless otherwise noted.)

  1. 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
  2. Psalm 107:1, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
  3. Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
  4. Psalm 100:4, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
  5. Ephesians 5:30, “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
  6. Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
  7. Psalm 95:2,”Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.”
  8. 1 Chronicles 16:34, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
  9. Psalm 118:1, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
  10. Psalm 136:1, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.”
  11. Psalm 105:1, “Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.”
  12. 1 Chronicles 16:8, “Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.”
  13. Jonah 2:9, “But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the Lord alone.”
  14. Colossians 3:15, “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”
  15. Psalm 28:7, “The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.”
  16. Psalm 30:12, “That I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!”
  17. 2 Corinthians 9:15, “Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!”
  18. Revelation 4:9, “Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever.”
  19. Psalm 9:1, “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”
  20. Psalm 30:4, “Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.”
  21. Colossians 4:2, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
  22. 1 Timothy 4:4-5, “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.”
  23. Hebrews 12:28, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”
  24. James 1:17, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

You can get all 24 verses as FREE Scripture cards to help you focus on them. Sign up and download them today!

Image of the 24 Free Scripture Cards about Gratitude

Looking for a resource to help you keep track of your gratitude and prayers? Check out “The Christian Woman’s Gratitude Journal.”

"The Christian Woman's Gratitude Journal" cover image

Other posts of Bible verses you don’t want to miss:

Beef enchiladas with salsa recipe

Salsa is an easy way to add flavor to these beef enchiladas!

One cuisine my entire family agrees on is Mexican food. Even my most particular eaters in the house have lots of Mexican favorites. While the guys would be happy with tacos or nachos all the time, my daughter and I like to shake things up a bit more. I tried making beef enchiladas first with a meal kit, and now I’ve made the recipe my own.

These beef enchiladas are super easy to put together and have a delectable Mexican flavor your whole family will like. You can make them as spicy as you like. My kiddos and I aren’t big on spicy food at all, so I got mild with ours, but there are easy ways to increase the spice like by using medium or hot salsa.

You can also make other variations on this enchilada recipe as well. I use ground beef, because that’s what the majority of my family prefers. But you can also use chicken or ground pork. I actually made a couple of the batch I photographed with cheese and onion, because I’d been craving a cheese enchilada.

On the stovetop

This recipe starts on the stovetop. Put about 1 tablespoon of vegetable or olive oil into a large skillet. Add 2/3 cup of diced onion and sauté the onion over medium-high heat for 3 minutes.

Onion cooking in a skillet

Next add in 1/2 to 1 pound of your meat. You can use chicken or ground turkey. I use ground beef. I usually use about 1/2 pound, because my family isn’t big on eating meat. But you can do up to a pound to make enough enchiladas for four people. Crumble the meat into small pieces and cook it completely through.

Browned ground beef in a skillet with onion

Once the meat is cooked, then you need to season it. I use 1/4 cup (or one packet) of taco seasoning. Mix the seasoning in with the meat without adding water.

Cooked ground beef and onion with taco seasoning added on top

Stir in the taco seasoning and then add 1 cup of salsa to the meat mixture. I use mild salsa, but you can go for whatever heat level your family prefers. (If your family doesn’t like chunks of veggies in their salsa, use a food processor or blender to puree the salsa before adding it in.) Feel free to also add salt and pepper to taste.

Salsa added to the meat mixture

Let the meat mixture simmer on the stovetop for 2 to 3 minutes. Then remove the meat mixture from the heat.

Build your beef enchiladas

Now you’re ready to build your beef enchiladas. I usually get out a paper plate to build mine on. Dollop 1 to 2 tablespoons of the meat filling into taco-sized flour tortillas.

A beef enchilada on a paper plate ready to be rolled

(Honestly, if I were making these for just me, I’d add a sprinkle of cheese to the inside of each enchilada as well, but my crazy family doesn’t like melted cheese as much as I do. So I refrain. Sigh.)

Roll the tortilla and place it seam-side down into the 9×13-inch baking dish that’s been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Put them right next to each other to keep them from opening up.

(You’ll notice in the photo below that the enchiladas on the far right have cheese already. This is because I made a couple of cheese and onion enchiladas as well and wanted to “mark” them.)

Rolled beef enchiladas in the baking dish

Pour about 1 cup of salsa over the top of the enchiladas.

Enchiladas topped with salsa

Sprinkle the top of the enchiladas with shredded cheese. You’ll notice that mine increases in cheese amounts as you go to the right, because I can’t give up all melty cheese just because my family doesn’t like it as much as I do!

Prepared beef enchiladas covered in salsa and shredded cheese

Place the baking dish in the oven and turn the broil on low. Broil the beef enchiladas for 3 to 4 minutes until the cheese is melted, lightly browned and bubbly.

The beef enchiladas fresh from the oven with melted cheese

Serve immediately. We love to put sour cream on ours. Mexican rice from a box goes well with these beef enchiladas as do tortilla chips.

A beef enchilada on a plate topped with sour cream

Beef enchiladas with salsa

The use of jarred salsa makes this beef enchilada recipe an easy one to pull of for any weeknight. Even picky eaters like it!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil vegetable or olive
  • 2/3 cup onion diced
  • 1 pound ground beef chicken or ground pork also work
  • 1/4 cup taco seasoning
  • 2 cups salsa divided
  • 8-10 flour tortillas taco sized
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions
 

  • Put 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add in the onion, and sauté for 3 minutes.
  • Crumble and add the ground beef, cooking it with the onion until it is cooked through and no longer pink.
  • Add 1/4 cup (one packet) of taco seasoning. Mix it well.
  • Add 1 cup of salsa. Mix it well, and let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Remove the meat mixture from the heat. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons to a flour tortilla.
  • Roll up the tortilla, and place it seam-side down in a 9×13-inch backing dish that's been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Repeat until all the meat is gone.
  • Pour 1 cup of salsa over the top of the rolled tortilla shells.
  • Sprinkle 1 cup of cheese over the top of the salsa.
  • Place the pan in the oven and broil on low for 3 to 4 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. Serve with sour cream, if desired.
Keyword enchilada, family cooking, family dinner, family friendly, kid friendly, salsa

Don’t miss these easy weeknight family dinner options as well!

Find other family friendly recipes like this one in the FREE “Favorite Recipes from Families with Grace” cookbook!

Favorite Recipes from Families with Grace cookbook

Moms with Grace: Rachael Belle

Tips for Christian moms with a good dose of encouragement

The “Moms with Grace” series takes a look at modern Christian moms and how they handle daily life with raising children. You’ll find monthly posts from moms with older kids, younger kids and all those in between. Let real-life moms encourage and uplift you!

Sometimes when you get introduced to someone, you realize you are on the same page right away. That’s how it was for me with Rachael Belle. Rachael publishes a quarterly magazine called “Healing Home” that focuses on Biblical homemaking. She also maintains a related blog and a second site, Healing Home Recipes, where she posts healthy recipes for families.

Along with her online ministry, Rachael is a wife of nine years to Danny and a mom to three boys: Wyatt (5), West (3) and Wylder (8 months). Needless to say, she’s one busy mama! She and her family live on 40 acres in Minnesota where they homestead with gardens, bees, pigs, chickens and turkeys.

Recently she took time out of her jam-packed schedule to answer a few questions for the Moms with Grace series.

Affiliate links are used in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase via my link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support my blog. Thank you for your support! Read my full disclosure here.

Can you share a little bit about your marriage?

It’s hard to talk about our marriage without mentioning a turning point that happened for Dan in 2005. At the time Dan was living a very different life. In God’s true sovereignty, He issued Dan a wake-up call in the form of a tree. The only problem with this tree is that it met Dan’s head as he was going 60 MPH on a brand-new Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Dan was found dead on scene. He died again in the ambulance and again on the operating table.

But God is gracious, and he saved my future husband’s life.

Dan’s life changed that night. He woke up with virtually no memory and had to relearn how to walk, talk, write, eat and everything else. Although I was not there during this tumultuous time, I have heard many of the stories. And to this day I marvel at God’s goodness in saving Dan’s life.

I met Dan in 2013 at our church, and we were married the next year.

How have you changed from the beginning of your mom journey until now?

The change in me could be summarized in one word: sanctification.

By no means, do I claim that I have arrived at any ending point of development, but again God is gracious. Motherhood and marriage reveal the sin nature in us in ways that nothing else has for me.

After I had my second child, I found myself seething in anger over the smallest of things. I never would have considered myself an angry person, but those little sinful boys triggered my own sin battle with bitterness, angry and resentment.

The beauty of the gift of motherhood is that God does not leave us helpless as we stand there wondering where all this sin is stemming from. He gave us His Word, other sisters in Christ, community and the church.

The biggest change in me from the beginning of my mom journey until now is God’s grace in my life revealing sin in me and His work in me as I learn to lean into His will for my life.

What are some challenges you’ve faced as a mother? How have you worked to overcome them?

The biggest challenge I have faced in motherhood is learning how to be a wife and a mother.

When Dan suffered his brain injury in 2005 it left his brain with certain damages. The section of our brain that allows us to feel empathy was greatly impacted. Our children need our empathy. When they are crying on the floor in frustration, our empathy is in part what allows us to offer them grace when it is needed.

When I married Dan, I thought I fully understood his brain injury, but I didn’t. I didn’t understand how his brain injury would impact our parenting. In our marriage vows I said, “I love you for you were, who you are and who you will become.” To this day that is the only section of our marriage vows that I remember, and it’s because God has brought them to my mind time and time again. He knew I would need that vow consistently in my head as I learned the balance of being Danny’s wife and my boy’s mother.

Your marriage is a covenant between you, your spouse and God. Your motherhood is a gift.

Out of the deepest of respect for my husband, I will be vague concerning this, but I have shed many tears of frustration and cried out to God in desperation as I have tried to learn the balance of parenting my children with grace when my husband’s brain significantly struggles to connect with empathy.

Yet at the end of the day, God is sovereign. He knew we would face this struggle before the beginning of time. I truly believe that if Danny is pursuing Jesus, I am pursuing Jesus and we are united in our love for our boys, we can conquer anything. If you are struggling in your marriage and parenting, do a deep dive into God’s sovereignty. I believe you will be blessed by the study.

In what ways have you and do you share your faith with your children? (I’d love examples!)

This past year we have started something that has been our number one discipleship tool! We make breakfast together and sit down as a family to enjoy a hearty breakfast and have family devotional time.

My husband can be home on Friday, Saturdays and Sundays, so on those days we sit down as a family of five. Most days we cook farm fresh eggs, bacon and some sort of sourdough bread or roll.

We eat and do a Bible reading or devotional. Our three favorites right now are: The Laugh & Grow Bible for Kids by Phil Vischer, How Great is our God by Louie Giglio and The Really Radical Book for Kids by Champ Thornton.

Sharing our faith comes in seasons, but in all the seasons we should be intentional. I have also used our drive time to listen to kids’ Christian podcasts and have discussions afterward. Our bookshelves are filled to the brim with books by Godly authors like R.C Sproul. His book The Priest with Dirty Clothes recently sparked some truly delightful conversations about our faith! Our faith is woven throughout our day and conversations. We are intentional about showing our kids that our affections should be for Jesus.

What are some of your favorite parts of motherhood?

I have endless favorite parts of motherhood, but truthfully my absolutely favorite part is simply watching them have fun.

Last night we were able to sit on our deck finally after such a long winter. My oldest son was in our field with a toy sword, and he was chopping down the tall grass and pretending to fight a dragon. My youngest was playing by a water table on our deck, and he looked over at me with such a big smile it melted my heart. Finally, I looked over at our middle while who was oblivious to the world. His hind end was sticking up in the air as he was trying to look inside a gopher hole.

It was absolutely perfect. Those are my favorite moments. It’s the moments I just get to enjoy watching them.

How does grace play a role in your daily life? Do you have any tips or advice for how moms can show more grace to their families?

I’m not perfect. Far from it. However, one of my prayers with my mothering is that in the moments where my weakness shows through that God’s strength would be evident.

Grace is a necessity in parenting. I need God’s grace to sustain me throughout the day, and my children need to see grace in my parenting. Grace is not the absence of discipline, but the evidence of it.

I often tell my children when I’m extending grace. It might sound something like this:

Wyatt, mommy messed up today and God extended me grace and forgave me. Right now, you directly disobeyed me, but I want to give you grace like Jesus did for me. Can we both repent and move on with our day?

What are you most proud of as a mom?

Right now, I’m just proud that my children seem receptive to what we have taught them about the Bible and Jesus.

Do you have any resources that help you be a mom with grace? (Music, books, websites, etc.)

I love podcasts and right now one of my favorites is The Art of Home: A Podcast for Homemakers by Allison L Weeks. She has great wisdom as a seasoned homemaker and mother.

Speaking of homemaking, I would love for you to join me in the most important step of my day, Bible reading! Inside my Homemaker Binder Planner (updated monthly) there is a Bible reading section. It has been a JOY to read my Bible with other mothers and homemakers. (P.S. You can still call yourself a homemaker even if you work another job!)

It would be a delight if you decided to join the monthly homemaker planner and joined me in the Bible reading challenge. During the month of May we have worked on reading a Proverb a day.

Do you have anything else to add that we haven’t talked about?

Your home can be a healing place! Allow Jesus to be the builder of your home and abide in him.

Connect with other Christian moms for support and encouragement in the private Facebook group, Moms with Grace!

Read more in the series:

Linda Mendible

Mandy Farmer

Families With Grace
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