The holiday season often brings festive activities and get-togethers for many, but it also means that finding time to rest can pose as a challenge. Join Michelle Nietert as she speaks with author and sister, Melissa Spoelstra of Total Family Makeover, on what Scripture says about rest and what restorative activities may look like for you and your family, especially during the busy holiday season.
Melissa explores what true rest may look like for families and how modeling restorative activities for your children can impact not only them, but the entire family as well. More importantly, she places importance on finding rest in your relationship with Jesus and how he modeled that for us. Jesus took time to rest during his ministry and so should you!
Why is rest so important? What does it look like in your family? Rest often gets the most pushback from children—but it's essential to create that margin that works for your family to allow your soul to be restored through rest.
God took the last day to rest when he created the world—he modeled rest for us! The fourth commandment also told us to take Sabbath. Jesus was never racing from one thing to another and had a relaxed attitude toward life. Even though we're not bound to Sabbath by law since Jesus fulfilled the Sabbath, it's still important to take time to rest.
We need to value rest in a culture that values productivity. Don't confuse rest with leisure. Ask yourself, does my soul feel restored? Is it just escape or truly restful? Find what works!
Proverbs 14:30 states a relaxed attitude lengthens life!
Does this activity draw me closer to the Lord or further?
How does this leave my mind, body, soul, and spirit at the end of it?
Did it produce anything? True rest doesn't produce anything but solely resting.
What are you modeling for your child?
Has blending families proven to a much bigger challenge than you anticipated? The key to a harmonious life may just be a perspective shift away.
In this episode, Michelle and author Gayla Grace (stepparentingwithgrace.com) breakdown five myths about stepfamily life that can help adjust expectations and bring the contentment you've been searching for.
Links
5 Myths About Step Family Life
Step Parenting with Grace
For additional show notes and resources discussed in this podcast, please visit michellenietert.com/podcast.
In this episode, Michelle and Dr. Michelle Bengtson discuss having a hope that prevails in the midst of depression. Visit Michelle's blog at MichelleNietert.com/blog for more details and resources.
Both parents and students struggle with perfectionism especially when it comes to academic performance. Join counselor Michelle Nietert as she talks with author and mom of 5 adult children Jill Savage about the 10 Dangers of the Perfection Infection and some helpful antidotes.
In this episode, Michelle and Lee Nienhuis (bravemomsbravekids.com) discuss answering God's call in your everyday life to prayer. They discuss the momsinprayer.org movement and how we can offensively make a difference in the culture that surrounds our children. Lee also shares her tips regarding being BRAVE. Visit Michelle's blog at MichelleNietert.com/blog for more details and resources
Joining Michelle Today is Suzanne Eller. Suzie is a Proverbs 31 Ministries writer, bestselling author, and listed in the Top 100 Christian women bloggers three years in a row. Releasing this week is her new bio, "Come With Me: A Year of Walking With Jesus" which we are focusing on and for every woman who pre-orders a copy, she is giving one to a woman in need. We hope you enjoy as they talk about criticism, rejection, divorce, and the power of forgiveness!
Joining Licensed Professional Counselor Michelle Nietert today on Counselor Thoughts is Mary DeMuth, author of 30 books translated into 5 languages and the founder of the Restory Conference, a local event coming to the DFW area on September 16th. In this episode, Mary and Michelle discuss the idea not only of reframing a life event but also seeing the hope that comes when we heal from our past. Whether it involves traumatic relationships, divorce, a move or ending of a relationship or friendship we once held dear, many of us long to restory our lives so that we can create a new story filled with belonging, freedom and new life. The discussion also includes practical ways a parent can coach their children towards healthy friendships and specific ways they can pray for their children as they face life struggles.
If you’d like more information on Mary and her resources please visit http://www.marydemuth.com. The Restory Conference is a Saturday morning event and ticket prices will increase on September 8th. I’d love to see you there and you can learn more about the conference and purchase tickets at https://www.restoryconference.us.
Thanks again for joining Counselor Thoughts. If you have questions for Michelle or suggestions for future episodes, feel free to contact her - michelle@counselorthoughts.com and if you are enjoying this podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and tell us and others what you think by leaving a review.
Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God: Encouragement to Refresh Your Soul (Hearts at Home Book) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0736915001/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_8gnQzbKP2V7MG
Building the Christian Family You Never Had: A Practical Guide for Pioneer Parents https://www.amazon.com/dp/1400070317/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_iinQzb0AY710C
In this episode licensed professional counselor is once again joined by Cory Bertrand, another professional counselor and staff member at Community Counseling Associates.
As they discuss healthy relationships, topics are covered such as:
The conversation closes with prayer suggestions regarding character, resilience, discernment, and mutuality in relationship.
Thanks again for your interest in the counselor thoughts podcast. We invite you to check out the show notes post at michellenietert.com for resource links.
If you are interested in local counseling services in the DFW with Michelle, Cory or one of the CCA staff, please visit communitycounselingassociates.com.
It's hard to let go of our kids and watch them face the struggles of this world. In this episode Michelle and her guest Proverbs 31 speaker Lynn Cowell discuss practical ways to instill independence and confidence in your child(ren) as they develop throughout childhood all the way to releasing them as leave the home. We want our kids to know even as they continue to become more independent that we are on their team and available to them. This episode discusses the importance of not doing everything for them but still being available to encourage their hearts and be their safety nets when they truly need one.
As the episode continues they discuss and challenge all of us to model confidence and trust in God to our children empowering them to embrace that as well. We can have confidence knowing that God not only goes before them but works in and through them in all aspects of their every day lives.
Lynn is the author of Brave Beauty, a new book releasing for tween girls in the coming week.
Listeners can discover more about Lynn at http://lynncowell.com/.
The book can be purchased at Amazon by following this link: bit.ly/2bravebeauty
You can find more formation about the book by going on social media and searching for #bravebeautybook
Be sure to visit http://michellenietert.com/blog/ as often Michelle posts additional resources she discusses in her podcast episodes such as the one today.
If you are local to the Dallas area, and looking for additional support. Michelle and her staff would love to assist you. You can find out more information about their services at http://www.communitycounselingassociates.com/.
Thanks for listening to today's episode. If you like what you hear we encourage you to subscribe and leave a 5 star review with your thoughts.
In this episode, Michelle discusses how to develop great socials skills in your child with guest Cory Bertrand, Licensed Professional Counselor at Community Counseling Associates in the Dallas Fort Worth area.
Counselor Thoughts equips you with life solutions for you and your family. Each session we focus on providing a discussion with a professional Christian counselor to take on the challenges of parenting, faith, and anything that life brings your way.