Have you ever had a great idea for a ministry or ministry tool you wished your church would create for you? Well that’s where this started a couple years ago.
I didn’t grow up with Christian parents or in a Bible-preaching church, so I have relied heavily on faithful mentors, gospel-focused resources, and scriptural books especially as I teach my children in the ways they should go. There are SO MANY resources that it can be overwhelming to decide what to read, what to buy, what to use with my children! So, I had a brilliant idea that someone at Crossroads--you know, like a pastor, elder or ministry leader--could publish regular recommendations for parenting, family, and marriage resources; resources they have used, loved and seen produce good fruit.
When it was announced the CWM blog was being revived, I thought that maybe this could be the perfect place for someone to create this kind of resource. But like any of you who have had a wonderful ministry idea you wished your church would create, you may find that the ministry that is on your heart may be a ministry God is asking YOU to do.
So now, it is with great joy, I am taking on a role as compiler for Motherhood Mondays. I will refer to myself as the compiler because like I said, I am no parenting guru. I don’t have a lifetime of examples or teaching, and I have only been a mama for five years--and in that time I have found myself to be no expert! But I have been immensely blessed by godly women in my small group, Bible studies, and ministry, who have pointed me to gospel centered resources, books, truths. It is my hope to give a chance for the women in our body to be able to share tools that God used to help refine and equip them as mothers.
Here is some of my heart behind Motherhood Mondays.
I desire for these posts to be for every woman.
One of God’s first commands to His people was, to be fruitful and multiply. We can read this and think it simply means to have a ton of babies, but this command is for all his people including single, widowed and those who never have children. God knows that we are part of His family and in His family all of us have brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers and children. So I pray that while at times this may seem to speak directly to moms and dads raising children, that it will also be a blessing to those who are mentors, aunts, friends and teachers, or discipling others in any other way.
My heart is to compile from the body’s beautiful diversity of wisdom and experience.
Our church is filled with moms of many ages who are raising/have raised children faithfully for God. In my five years as a mom, I’ve been a biological, foster and adoptive mom. In ministry, I’ve served in missions care, children’s teaching and special needs. These things are near to my heart. Our body is full of women with a variety of experiences and ministries, and so I am excited to hear and share from a variety of women as God has taught them in their mothering and ministry paths.
My hope to increase opportunities for deeper community.
As I compile from many voices in our body, I pray it will help you to better know women outside your regular circle, to find women who can disciple you in your unique calling, to draw us into what unites us in purpose--to glorify Him and raise children who glorify Him.
Each month, we will post about favorite resources by which Crossroads women have been encouraged and challenged. We’ll share books, podcasts, articles, and other tools and resources that give practical wisdom to live out our faith in motherhood. We’ll also introduce some resources for children (books, shows, podcasts, toys, activities and more).
But there’s a catch. We need you to be willing to share from what God has taught you! Like me, you might feel that you are no expert, and this might tempt you to sit back and let others give the ideas. But we want this series to be for the body, from the body. If you have specific ideas for resources please reach out to me, or shoot the CWM team an email at cbcwomensministryla@gmail.com. And don’t be surprised if you hear from me, asking for your resources, experiences, and wisdom. I hope you will join me as we compile from women in all stages of life, with unique experiences in parenting and ministry to help each other as we teach the next generation to live for Christ!
In Him
Alex Hand
alexandra.r.hand@gmail.com
We are so excited to welcome Alex to the CWM blog team! You cannot converse with Alex without seeing her courage, compassion, and good sense. She definitely lives out II Timothy 1:7, " For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind." (Not to mention, she's a blast to be around!) Be sure to check back every Monday for her ongoing Motherhood Mondays series.
Great idea, Alex!
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