Texting the Truth - Real Moms, Real Grace
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • BlogLovin
  • Email
Menu
Skip to content
  • Home
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Treasured Products
  • Contact Us

Author: Michelle Warner

Mom Win Wednesday: Kristen Steele McCall

11 / 16 / 167 / 23 / 18

mom-win-wednesday-header

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
Michelle

Today we are so excited to feature Kristen Steele McCall, our amazing web designer, as our first Gold Medal Mom. We can’t wait for you to get to know a little more about her!

image1

So Kristen, do you wear any other hats in addition to your [big, gigantic, hugely significant] Mom Hat?

Michelle
Kristen Steele McCall

Yes! I currently wear too many hats and I’m trying to pare down, haha! But I love them all. I’m a work-from-home mom of 2 with another one on the way.

I work part-time for LifeWay as a social media manager for Selma Wilson  where I manage and write on her blog, oversee her social media and host her podcast Selma on Leadership.

I’m also a multi-passionate creative entrepreneur as a blogging/social media coach, photographer and writer myself.

As I realize the immensity of almost having THREE kids, I’m looking to pare some of this down! 🙂

Michelle
Michelle

I hear ya about having a lot going on. I think that’s a definite challenge as a mom. Tell us more about your kids…

Michelle
Kristen Steele McCall

Little J and Miss Mighty M are 3 and a half and 15 months old and they are both quite a handful!

Little J is into anything transportation – cars, especially trucks, boats, trains, etc. He’s a nut and knows ALL the names, so we’ll be driving down the street and he yells, “Look Mommy! There’s a car transporter!!” It’s hilarious.

Miss M is 15 months old and I can barely keep up with her. She was an early walker and quickly went from wobbly steps to full out sprinting after her brother… leaving this pregnant mama panting to keep up!! 🙂

image2

Michelle
Michelle

Aw, love it! What is a recent mom win you experienced that took time and perseverance to accomplish?

Michelle
Kristen Steele McCall

This is both equal parts mom win and professional win, but I was so excited to help your Texting the Truth team build and launch this new website baby!!! It has been such a (sometimes looong) labor of love but one that I’m very, very proud to have worked on!

The big mom win is being able to somehow juggle – I don’t say “balance” because I think that’s a lie – two very active kiddos, several other jobs and launch a beautiful site.

A beautiful picture of this juggling act was when I was doing a final video conference call for the Texting the Truth blog team to show them all the ins and outs of the site a little before Halloween. Halfway through the call my sweet 3-year-old comes walking past my computer with his Elmo costume on and wanted to sit in my lap. So there Elmo and I were leading them on the video conference… and me trying not to burst out laughing.

Being a mom is a juggle for sure, especially when you’re trying to be “professional” but thank goodness I was on the call with fellow mommies who were super gracious and thought it was hilarious.

Michelle
Michelle

We thought it was hilarious, and yes, it was a total picture of the juggling act as moms! So what is a mom win that you would text your best friend?

Michelle
Kristen Steele McCall

When my son was born, I was going through a hard divorce and I was a single mom so I remember those days were filled with a lot of texts to my best friend like, “I made it! We’re both alive at the end of the day!” I had a lot of breastfeeding issues come up with him (tongue tie, lactose and soy allergies, etc.) so I remember texting, “He didn’t scream through the day today – it was a better day! We might be able to do this!!” haha. Ahhhh texts. One day I’ll have to look through them – I bet there are some hilarious ones.

Michelle
Michelle

Yes! I love how text messages are almost like our journal entries after a busy day! Anything else you want to share?

Michelle
Kristen Steele McCall

I’m really excited to see all the amazing content that I know will be shared here. God has been in this idea from the beginning and it’s how my girlfriends and I parent, so I know other mamas will love the honesty and wisdom shared here too!

Michelle
Michelle

We so so appreciate all of the time and energy you gave toward making this site what it is. We love it and love how you brought our vision to life! So just a little shout out – if anyone is looking for not only an amazing web designer but a wonderfully knowledgable blog coach and incredible person, please visit her website here.  We loved working with you, Kristen!! 

Michelle

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

Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email

Can Mama Get a Minute?

11 / 14 / 161 / 18 / 17

m2-selfishness

Michelle
Michelle

Ok, I just need to say this to a mom who would understand what I am talking about…

I hate to say that I get irritated when I am looking forward to some time to myself at nap time and then don’t get any. ? I want a little time to myself in a long day of togetherness!! ??

Michelle
Anna
Anna

I totally agree! I had no idea how much “me time” I actually had before kids — and how much I would miss it!

Anna
Michelle
Michelle

Exactly. I miss it. And I am also realizing that parenting is exposing some sides of me that I didn’t even know were there. ?

And more than that – sometimes even an entitled spirit. Like I didn’t know that I truly felt entitled to time to myself each day. Or even time to go to the bathroom by myself! ?

Michelle
Anna
Anna

Or two seconds to PUT MY UNDERWEAR ON before they need something!!!

Anna
Desi Kippes

What? You actually even get time to put underwear on?! ?

Anna
Anna

LOL ?

Anna
Michelle
Michelle

Haha, you guys crack me up! ?

Michelle
Desi Kippes

But I agree! I never knew the depths of my selfishness until I became a mom. In my early 20’s, I thought I was a rather generous, loving person. Then I got married.?? That began to expose this layer of selfishness, but motherhood really laid it open. So I hear you both!

Michelle
Michelle

Yes, I am realizing that motherhood has shown a side of me that I think God wants to shape and mold. Ugh, taking care of kids 24/7 is definitely bringing it to the surface! ?

Michelle
Desi Kippes

I hear ya. I’m trying to remember that God is working, and also that, in some ways, getting to see how “selfish” you are is a gift.

Michelle
Michelle

Hmm, tell me more…?

Michelle
Desi Kippes

Well, it’s a gift because I think that for every weakness, there is an opposite strength. If you can see this huge capacity for selfishness, that means God gave you that same huge capacity for love.

Anna
Anna

Deep stuff, Desi! ?

Anna
Desi Kippes

Now it is a matter of choosing which trait you want to grow.  I keep saying, “Here, Lord. Grow this ❤ because I certainly can’t do it on my own!?  

But you know what? It is not selfish to take some time to care for yourself or to not feel guilty for doing something like taking a nap instead of doing the laundry.

Michelle
Michelle

Totally.… But I think that is a text for another day about how we care for ourselves, ya know?

I do love this perspective you pointed out about asking God to grow my heart! ?  

I was just reading about this exact thing and this part stopped me in my tracks:

“Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness.”

Michelle
Desi Kippes

I like it! I’ve certainly got compulsions! ? What verse is this?

Michelle
Michelle

Ha, me too. It’s in Galatians about the fruit of the Spirit.

Thanks for talking this through with me…I feel like what I am realizing is — it’s my human nature to want what I want. And especially as a mom when I give, give, give all day, I don’t feel like it’s asking a lot to just want a little smidge of time to myself.

Michelle
Desi Kippes

Or for your kids to sleep through the night! ?.

Anna
Anna

Or to eat my dinner while it’s actually still warm!

Anna
Michelle
Michelle

Riiight!  

So we gotta ask God to give us the energy and love and selflessness that only He can give when motherhood requires us to keep giving what we don’t have.

Michelle
Desi Kippes

True. It’s going to cause some surrendering…

Michelle
Michelle

Yes. Like when I really want to work on my to-do list or even just get dinner ready but my girls need something else from me instead, and I can feel the frustration mounting…

Michelle
Anna
Anna

YES!? I really hate that feeling…It’s like frustration and guilt at the same time!

So instead…?

Anna
Michelle
Michelle

Taking a moment to pause and ask God to give me His heart in the situation rather than my me-centered, just-want-some-time-to-myself one. Not my natural response, but as you said, Anna, one that is smoothing out my rough edges.

Now, remind me of this when I am up changing the sheets for a potty accident at 3am.?

Michelle

truth to inhale

 

Soaking in the Truth

Scripture to encourage you:

    • Galatians 5:16-18, The Message: “My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways are antithetical [mutually incompatible], so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day.
    • Galatians 5:22,23 The Message:  “But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard–things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity…Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way.”
    • Galatians 5:22-24, ESV: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control…And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passion and desired.”

Music to inspire you:

    • “Holy Spirit” by Francesca Battistelli

Readings to come alongside of you:

    • Spirit-Led Parenting from Insight For Girls
    • A Slow Death To Selfishness from I Believe
    • The Treasures God Longs to Give a Mom by Alicia Bruxvoort
    • The False Advertising About Motherhood by Lisa-Jo Baker 

truth to exhale

 

Living Out the Truth

Ideas to try:

    • As moms we can wait too long to take care of ourselves because we don’t want to be “selfish.” There is definitely a difference and we don’t want you to feel any guilt out of taking needed time for yourself!
    • When you feel the frustration mounting or the entitled spirit creeping in, ask God to help you know where it’s coming from and how He wants you to respond.
    • On a practical note, one of the best tools to teach my daughter to stay in her room, was this clock that turns green when it’s time to get up. Sometimes mama needs 45 minutes of time to herself and this clock helps teach my daughter this truth. ?

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

Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email

Posts navigation

Previous Page 1 2 … 49 50 51 52 53 54 Next Page

About Us!

We don’t claim to have motherhood figured out. Actually quite the opposite. We’re a group of women who first and foremost love the Lord and want to honor Him with our lives and talents. And we decided that what better way for us to sort out this beautiful and messy thing called motherhood but to process it together in text messages? Our prayer is that as we share our real-life stories and honest experiences, every mom who visits our blog will receive tangible truth and experience real grace.

Connect with Us!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • BlogLovin
  • Email

Stay Connected

Enter your email address below to receive notifications of text messages by email!

Categories

  • #atasteoftextingthetruth
  • #autumn2019
  • #beautifulinHistime
  • #bemomstrong
  • #christmas2019
  • #Coronavirus2020
  • #newbeginnings2020
  • #simplechristmas
  • #smallshifts
  • #Spring2020
  • #summer2019
  • #summer2020
  • #thetruthaboutgrowingup
  • #thetruthaboutsummer
  • #warmthinthewinter
  • Anxiety
  • Being Honest
  • Brave Mom
  • Communication
  • Expectations
  • Friendship
  • Holidays
  • Let's Chat
  • Marriage
  • Me Too Moment
  • Mental Health
  • Mom Fails
  • Mom Fears
  • Mom Guilt
  • Mom Identity
  • Mom Life
  • Mom Memories
  • Mom Pride
  • Mom Time
  • Mom Win
  • Moms in Progress
  • Relationships
  • School
  • Special Needs
  • Tired Mom
  • Uncategorized
  • Working Mom

Search this Site



Tags

anger Anna Brink Anxiety balance Christmas comparison coronavirus discipline Easter faith Fear Forgiveness friendship God grace grief Humility husband identity Janelle Gibbs Jen Moore Jesus Jo Perkins juggling Katie Duh Laura Freytag marriage memories Michelle Warner Mistakes Mom Fail mom guilt Moms in Progress mom win Mom Win Wednesday perfectionism perspective prayer resentment rest Social Media summer surrender trust Virginia Forste

Recent Posts

  • “Mom-sters” Hungry for Peace and Laughter
  • Dream Big, Hope for More, and Don’t Settle
  • Leaving a Legacy
  • Thieves of Joy
  • Reflections on a Blog’s 4th Birthday

Share the Love ♥

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • BlogLovin
  • Email

About

Submissions

Contact Us

Disclosure

Advertising

We Believe

Site made with ♥ by Kristen McCall
Angie Makes Feminine WordPress Themes