Michelle Warner | Texting the Truth

As a mom, you may not have qualified for the Rio Olympics, but you certainly deserve a spot on the podium in our eyes. There are no “perfect scores” in motherhood, but if you had a discipline breakthrough, managed a meltdown, or found time in your day to pursue a dream, then we want to take a moment and celebrate alongside you. Even the little “victories” add up to be big wins in the long run; so let’s champion each other. After all, we’re on the same team.

Michelle

Today we are so thrilled to feature the amazing graphic designer on our team, Lisa Langenhop!

Hi Lisa! Will you introduce yourself with a photo?

Lisa

Sure! I chose this photo because the sun flare hides the bags under my eyes 😉 No, I chose this photo because, if I’m going to get real here about being a mom, I want to show me really being a mom.

Michelle

Love it. So I know you are amazingly talented but will you share what other hats you wear in addition to your [big, gigantic, hugely significant] Mom Hat?

Lisa

I am a contact graphic designer that specializes in small business branding and event design. I’m in local MOPS leadership, and belong to a few random-ish clubs.

(If you want to follow on social media: IG : @lisalangenhop, FB : Lisa Langenhop Designs, W : lisalangenhop.com)

Michelle

I know I speak for the team in saying how grateful we are that you use your gifts on our blog. The images you create are astoundingly beautiful and you seem to do it all with such little effort. So tell us about your cute kids…

Lisa

My oldest, Audra, is effervescent, highly emotional, and goofy to the extreme. She’s almost three, and since she struggles to use words, she compensates with expressions and drama in the most lovely way. My son Fletcher just hit the five month mark. To date, he smiles at anyone who will look at him, and already tries to break free and move around (help we are in trouble.)

Michelle

So funny! What is a recent mom win you experienced that took time and perseverance to accomplish?

Lisa

When my son was born, the rest of our life was saturated with dark situations. My nephew had a tremendous health scare, two good friends were going through extreme marital issues, my husband’s dear friend was being forced into a major life change…people we care deeply about were in trouble. In fact, the afternoon we came home from the hospital, we a house guest stay with us that night! Any plans I had to ease into a second child were suddenly less relevant than other things. We were completely baffled as to how to handle these things – but we knew we wanted to be excellent parents and excellent friends. That time stripped away petty annoyances and unjustified expectations, and it gave us clarity on where to put our energy. My husband and I praise the Lord that he grew us in the ability to commit to what was at hand, and let go of the rest.

Michelle

It’s amazing how those hard situations will change our perspective. What is a mom win that you would text your best friend?

Lisa

I am texting the world whenever I successfully talk my daughter down from a tantrum situation!

Michelle

Ha! Yes! What are you learning as a mom right now?

Lisa

My motto for the last few months is to err on the side of love. Instead of being cautious or calculating (my specialties when it comes to emotion), I’ve wanted to lean in to the situation or relationship. The more I learn about what Jesus valued, the more I see my own tendencies to wall-up or overcrowd my heart and mind. Turns out those tendencies can deplete the richness of the Lord’s plans! So I’ve tried to go after them in the little things.

When my kids go to bed, I want to pick up the phone to text a friend. When we are getting ready for bed, I want to give that last kiss to my husband. When the opportunity comes to meet up with a friend, even when I feel like watching TV, I want to meet her. I still get it wrong all the time, and I ignore my motto more often then I’d like to admit, but I know that I have never once regretted a single decision I made while my new motto in mind..even if it took more energy or investment.

Michelle

I so appreciate that about you! Thank you for making an intentional investment in our blog as well. We are all better for it!

And a little note to anyone interested in contributing photos for us to use on our blog: use our contact form and Lisa will get back to you on more info. 🙂

If you would like to be featured as a Gold Medal Mom or you know someone who would, please contact us here!

Michelle

So my parents came by and picked up Sophie this afternoon and I am going to meet them in a couple of hours. But I am not kidding you, right when I closed the door, I had an intense wave of panic come over me – what if something happens to her?? ? Do you ever feel this? Please talk me off the ledge.?

Jessica

Absolutely! I do sometimes get the uncontrollable, irrational fear about my kids, and I’m not even a fearful or worrisome person.

Ash

This is so me! It’s not a matter of if I worry about her, but how much and how irrational it’s gonna be.

Laura

Michelle, when I put Jesse on the bus I have this thought. Not everyday or even every week, but every now and then there is that thought about what could happen. But I am learning if we don’t face this fear head on we will not be able to show our kids we trust them to fly on their own. Or that we trust God to take care of them.

Michelle

That trusting God with my babies is the challenging part if I’m honest and some days it is super hard–like right now. I just keep praying and asking God to protect and watch over her, and asking Him to speak peace to my heart. Oh, and walking around the house in circles. ?

Jessica

Well, I know what you mean…this may seem random but I’ll be honest that sometimes I have this heart-stopping fear that pops up randomly about a shooting happening while I’m at church. That probably makes me sound like a weirdo or totally morbid. ?

Michelle

I have weird fears about that too!

Laura

I actually don’t think that’s weird. I think that is God’s wisdom to know what to do if something like that happens so you respond quickly and out of a rational plan instead of fear.

Jessica

I’ve never really thought of it that way, Laura. When that fear comes up, I tell myself that it is possible, but I also remind myself that thousands upon thousands of churches meet every week without any issues at all.

Michelle

Okay, you just put to words what I am trying to tell myself right now about Sophie. I am realizing I need to acknowledge this fear but also talk myself through the logical side of things. But most importantly, give it all over to God and trust Him with my babies. (But easier said than done, ya know??)

Ash

Yes, so hard! But I think It all comes down to trust. It’s that whole I’m-not-in-control-thing that is at the root of my fears.

Jessica

I agree. If something were to happen (God forbid), I realize I have absolutely no control over it. So I usually just say a prayer to calm my mind and God reminds me that I can’t live in fear because I can trust Him. God doesn’t want me living in fear and missing out on the great stuff this life given to me has to offer.

Ash

Yes! When I’m struggling with trusting God in the middle of my crazy worries, I remind myself of the verse in 1 John that says that perfect love casts out fear. God’s love for us is perfect and He loves Millie even more than I do. That helps me get off the worry train because I can rest in that love.

Michelle

So good. I talk to Sophie all of the time about being brave and I need God to continue to help me be brave. I feel like it’s another layer of fear that God wants me to uncover and trust Him with. I thought I already did that. ? ☺️

Ash

Well, I’m learning the journey to bravery is a lifelong process! And how many times are we learning God’s truth right alongside our kids?

Jessica

So true. I think being brave involves a choice to invite God in. It’s not just something you acquire and you’re good with it. It requires a conscious effort each time you are faced with fear.

Laura

And when you’re faced with the fear, What’s your strategy to fight back? I tend to fight fear with practicality. If the enemy tries to give me something to fear, I say, ok, let’s say that happens, what would I do? If I have a plan or better, God has wisdom to show me a plan, then there’s no foothold for fear.

Ash

And also it seems like part of fighting fear is not letting it influence all of our decisions or how we live our lives. It seems there’s a connection to the truth we have in our heads that then takes root in our hearts!

Michelle

Y’all are wise friends.☺️

What keeps going through my mind is something I heard Beth Moore say— go to the end result. Obviously with the fear of losing a child I don’t even want to think about it but her point is God will walk you through every step even the very worst thing.

And I think it was also her who said that God doesn’t give you the grace to walk through something that is just a fear in your mind because you’re not actually walking through it. But if you do go through a hard thing (like my cancer) God will give you the grace and strength you need to walk through it. Now to transfer that to my heart.

Laura

Right!! Have you ever read The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom? Her father said the same thing. That God keeps our “train ticket” with Him until just before we get on the train. The ticket is grace and the train ride is the circumstance. So put that in heart: you’ll never get on a train without a grace ticket from Him!

Michelle

I really needed to hear that truth today . Thank you so much, friends!! ❤

Soaking in the Truth

Scripture to encourage you:

“There is no fear in love because fear has to do with punishment and the one who fears is not made perfect in love.”1 John 4:18.
“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” Philippians 4:6-7(MSG)
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear…” Psalm 112:7-8

Music to inspire you:

“Good, Good Father” Chris Tomlin
“Cast My Cares” Tim Timmons
“Cast All My Cares” by Psalty the Singing Songbook (Note: I grew up listening to Psalty and now my daughter loves watching it on Youtube. It’s cheesy but a great message.)
“When I Am Afraid” by Steve Green (Note: You can find more about this CD/DVD on our Treasured Products page.
“You are the Rock” by Kathy Shooster, a Messianic Jew in Philadelphia. (Note: The words are so comforting. And Yeshua is Jesus.)

Readings to come alongside of you:

“What If” by Thrive Moms Blog
“A Prayer for the Worried Mom’s Heart” by Christina Fox
“What to Do When You Worry” by Jeannie Cunnion
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
“Becoming a Brave Mom: Attack Anxiety” from Insight for Girls Blog
“Jump I’ll Catch You” from Insight For Girls
“Ruminating on the ‘what if’s’ is an unhealthy way of meditating that invites fear. When we do this, there’s no room left in our thought closets for truth. Most worry thoughts begin with the words what if.” by Jennifer Rothschild from Me, Myself, and Lies

Living Out the Truth

Ideas to try:

Pray! That’s obvious but the number one strategy to help me in my fearful moments is calling on God to help me. You could try a prayer like this: “Father, give me your peace now and ensure me of Your care for my child(ren). Build in me a supernatural confidence in You, so I can trust You with all things. And allow my child(ren) to see You working in me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Write out the Scripture verses above and put them in a place you will see often. On my very anxious days, I take the notecards with me everywhere I go and repeat the verse as many times as I need to get into my head.
Text or call a friend and ask them for prayers. I have found just asking for prayer takes the power out of some my panic.
If you find yourself dealing with fear often, take an inventory of how you are spending your time and what role those activities might be having on your fear. I know when I am most fearful it is usually when I am most connected to watching news media or scrolling often through social media.

{These suggestions are ideas from novice moms. Sometimes our life situations need more. In that case, seeking out professional help is the right call.}

Author: Michelle Warner

Mom Win Wednesday: Lisa Langenhop

Finding Peace in Panic