Motherhood Resource: Foundations Podcast

Last spring Erin Smith suggested I listen to Foundations podcast. It has been such an encouragement to me, I asked Erin more about how it has encouraged her here on Motherhood Mondays. 

Erin is a mama of two (almost three!), former teacher and serves in Crossroads' children's and adoption/orphan care ministries. She is passionate about being transformed by God's Word and loving people well. And, she's been a dear friend and sister to me!

Hands up for anyone who feels like they have failed as a parent this week? Today? In the last five minutes? I am so thankful that the Lord is gracious and just to forgive us every day, and every minute as we fail. Thanks to my consistent shortcomings as a parent, I am always on the lookout for scripture-saturated resources to not only encourage my own growth with the Lord, but also to point and guide me, as I guide my children towards the Lord. One of those resources that fell in my lap recently thanks to my beautiful mama was the Foundations podcast.

Ruth and Troy Simons are the hosts of this podcast, and also the parents to six young men. The podcast is aimed to “help you direct your family as you explore 12 key truths to connect your children’s hearts—and yours—to the heart of God.” Each episode explores one of the twelve foundations they have chosen to ground their home in God’s truth. Their consistent balance between realistic moments, scriptural guidance, and a desire to see their children live lives that glorify the Lord are the reason I keep coming back. Not only do they have a wide range of experience with a multitude of different ages and personalities, but they speak with much wisdom regarding training our children in the ways of the Lord. Scripture is never far from their lips as they speak of raising their children or interacting with others, which I think speaks highly of their character.


The surprising thing for me about listening to this podcast,was that it was not a parenting checklist. I never heard them give a definite “must” as parents unless it was straight from God’s word. This is a guide and an invitation to bring our hearts back in tune with God’s word, and in turn, guide our families in truth.


Picking a favorite episode was not something I could do, but the episode they recorded about keeping our hope in heaven (#11) was particularly timely, as they released it at the beginning of the covid lockdowns. I am a people person, an extrovert, and having my home messy but full of people is how I would prefer to spend my days. When covid, and morning sickness, simultaneously wreaked havoc on that identity I had built, I wrestled with God. Listening to their podcast and their encouragement to not only speak these words to our children of “keep our hope in heaven,” but to show them, when our comforts are taken or are lives veer way off from what we expected, our hope does not change. Our hope is secure. I knew that. But hearing someone give me a fresh perspective not only allowed me to examine my own heart and comforts, but to speak to my daughter as she wrestled with “Covid life.” I was absolutely preaching to my own heart as I began speaking into her struggles, and the Lord was gracious to refine us both.


I cannot recommend this podcast enough as a guide for not only your hearts, but to bring your family in agreement as they pursue the Lord. In this time when our world feels so disconnected, we CAN connect to Jesus, and we CAN connect to those in our home. I really think this is an excellent resource to pull you towards both.


You can find the podcast on spotify, itunes, or https://ruthandtroy.com/podcast/