Courtnaye Richard

                                         www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org

I get asked this question often enough, “Courtnaye, how do you balance it all?” To be honest, it’s not easy managing motherhood and blogging, writing books, singing, speaking, and coaching (which are all a part of my ministry work). Like many women, sometimes I get really overwhelmed and want to throw up my hands, cry, or take a long ride or extremely long shower. But I will tell you, I love what I do!

It’s the joy of being a mother and passion for helping others (like you) that keeps me going another day. It’s the prayers and the wisdom from God’s Word and His Spirit that sustains me. It’s the excitement that I love when I get to plan a day out with my kids or prepare a good devotion for them. It’s the exhilaration that I feel when I get a supernatural idea or opportunity for the next God-ordained assignment. It’s these combined components that help me live a more manageable life in the roles and responsibilities of motherhood and ministry.

With all of this being said, I know that you clicked onto this post to see how you can manage motherhood and ministry better. Well, that’s exactly why I was led to write this piece. I want to share with you a few tips on how I do it and hopefully these suggestions will help you manage life as a mother and woman in ministry better.

For starters, reassess where you are in this season of life. Do you have small kids or are your children teenagers or young adults (or grown and gone)? Are you married or single? Are you a ministry leader in church or an influencer (i.e. blogger, author, speaker, podcaster, conference coordinator, life coach, etc.)? All of these play a factor in how you manage life and manage it well.

Try these tips on Managing Motherhood and Ministry…

• Plan your week ahead (or day depending on what’s easier for you). If you have small or school-aged kids, plan their days out. Know what’s for breakfast and lunch, iron clothes early (or put them in the dryer), look at what extracurricular activities they have going on for the day or week at a glance. Plan out their devotional time with you or on their own (if they’re teenagers). And don’t forget to plan some fun stuff like going for ice cream, the park, mall, zoo, swimming, vacation, movies, family night, etc.

• Plan your dinner meals for the week. Personally, I like to cook at least three meals ahead of time. For instance, I’ll make baked chicken, meat sauce, and red beans and rice. The first meal would be red beans and rice, but after I finish cooking the other two meals in that same day, I’ll freeze them until I’m ready for them later in the week (make your starches the day you want to eat the frozen meals). Now, you can purchase frozen meals like lasagna or a meal in a bag. Whatever you do, know that this makes life so much more manageable when you’re working on a deadline, project, or have to go out of town. This helps the hubby or the sitter.

• Plan out your schedule the day before. Know what you need and want to get done before you jump into your day. See what appointments, meetings, or deadlines that you have coming up. Create a To-Do-List, but categorize your top 5 priorities and knock them out first. Then if you still have time left in your day, tackle just a few more. Be okay with not getting everything done. Remember, God knows the plans. Proverbs 16:9 says, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.”

• Plan a break in your schedule. Whether you work in the church (or workplace) or are a stay-at-home mother, you need a break. A break from it all. So, take one. If your kids are small, take a nap when they nap. If you work, take your 15-minute break (even if you work from home). Take a day break. Go to the coffee shop, park, your backyard, or sofa, and read leisurely or watch a good movie. Know that rest is very important. It’s all a part of having a good balance between motherhood and ministry.

• Plan to study the Word (especially because we’re talking about managing ministry). Where do you typically go to study the Bible for your lesson, topic of teaching or writing? Plan ahead for it. Is it your home office, kitchen table, local coffee shop, office at church, etc. Create a clean workspace, remove the clutter and the noise, and focus, my sister. Focus will be a major key to managing your ministry life. And get whatever it is that you’re working on done. This will alleviate so much unnecessary stress.

In a nutshell, managing motherhood and ministry is not easy. There are days when you feel sluggish, exhausted, unmotivated, and unsure about what to do next on both sides of the spectrum. In the past, you’ve probably shouted, “Where did my day go?” I’ve totally been there before!

But I believe when we pray and plan (while committing our plans to the Lord as Proverbs 16:3 instructs), that’s when we’ll see that managing motherhood and ministry can be done, well. It’s through God’s supernatural strength, wisdom, grace, and His precious Holy Spirit that we get things done effectively and without feeling completely depleted at the end of the day. When we pay attention to the workload inside and outside of the house and see them as opportunities to make an impact on the lives that have been entrusted to us, then managing motherhood and ministry becomes more of a blessing than a handful. You’ve got this, sis! ;-)

Before I close, I want to suggest a few resources that I think will be helpful for you. They are Slow Down Mama: Intentional Living in a Hurried World by Patty H. Scott, The Busy Mom’s Guide to a Happy, Organized Home by Kathy Peel, The Power of a Praying Parent and The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children by Stormie Omartian.

Stay tuned for next week’s post on Managing Marriage and Ministry. Don’t miss that one! Until then…

Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!

~Courtnaye

QUESTION: Do you find it hard to manage motherhood and ministry, or the workload that you have, sis? Let me know! ;-) Also, if you need prayer on this topic or something else, you can email me directly @ insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you and praying for you. 

*Have a women's conference or event, let me know and let's connect on the details! For more information on booking me to speak in 2019, Click here!

Order your copy of IDENTIFIED from Amazon TODAY!

*Tune in every Monday at 7:30am for new posts, “Like” my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutWCourtnaye), and follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/InOutwCourtnaye. Also, share this blog with friends, family, co-workers, or your women’s group or ministry. I’d love to stay connected and help more women grow in the Lord! Thanks again and may God be with you!

                                www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org

There comes a time in all of our lives, when we need to rely heavily on what God’s Word says over tough circumstances, people, our own emotions, and especially our great enemy, Satan. It’s usually a time when we feel like hope is losing ground, faith is a little shaken, and we feel so broken that we can't seem to find our way through it all…and quite frankly, we wonder where is God in it all? Have you ever been there before? Are you there now?

Sometimes the challenges of marriage, kids (whether young or older) and financial struggles can weigh the heaviest. I would say the next big challenges would be working through the loss of a loved one or the uncertainties of life. And of course, there are the challenges of strained relationships and work or church related issues. The thing is, when you and I are hit with these types of challenges, that’s when we need to stand on the promises of God.

We have to, sis.

Sometimes when times are hard and the trials are beating up against you, it’s hard to pray. It’s hard to understand the meaning of it all. It’s hard to see your way through the tears welling up in your eyes. It’s hard to open up the Bible. It’s hard to wonder if things will ever change or get better. I get it. I’ve totally been there. But that’s also when God’s promises have to override our feelings and renew our mindsets.

Simply because the promises of God were written to help us in our time of need and to encourage us, but also to know God's amazing character. And we are instructed to pray without stopping-even if we can’t see our prayers being answered right away or the way we would like them to be answered. His promises are true regardless to what we see, feel, or think. We’re also called to trust the Lord even when we don’t understand. I know that can be the hardest hurdle, but again, we must, sis.

With all of this being said, I want to share with you some promises written straight from the Bible that you can stand on in your time of need. My only hope for you is that you rely on them no matter where you are today or tomorrow. Here they are...

Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose.”

Isaiah 40:29, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”

Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Psalm 31:24, “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”

Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 54:17,“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, says the Lord.”

1 John 1:9,“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Philippians 4:19,“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

Isaiah 26:3,“You will keep in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

1 Corinthians 10:13,“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

Psalm 34:4,“I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

I also highly recommend that you purchase a book on God’s promises or research a list online and begin reading them over and over again. Write them on your heart. Write down the ones that speak loudly to you in this season and let them minister to you. Also, know that the Holy Spirit will be really good about reminding you of those promises. They are there for reassurance, comfort, strength, increased faith, need, and getting to know the God that we serve and who loves us dearly (and cares about all that concerns us).

I pray that this post has encouraged you, sis. I also pray that you will choose to stand on His promises, no matter what you go through in this life. And I will do the same….no matter what. We're in this faith walk together.

Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!

~Courtnaye 

QUESTION: Are you needing to hold onto God's promises right now? Are you hurting, struggling, dealing with some uncertainties in your life at the moment? Need prayer? If so, you can email me directly @ insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you and praying for you.

ALSO, my NEW 8-Week Study Guide and Video Teaching Series from my book, "IDENTIFIED: Knowing Who You Are in Christ & Moving Forward in Your Purpose” is FINALLY available!!! Purchase here.

*Tune in every Monday at 7:30am for new posts, “Like” my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutWCourtnaye), and follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/InOutwCourtnaye. Also, share this blog with friends, family, co-workers, or your women’s group or ministry. I’d love to stay connected and help more women grow in the Lord! Thanks again and may God be with you!

                                            www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org

I want to start this post off by saying, God is with you. He promises in His word that He will never leave you nor forsake you. And remember Jesus’ words before He ascended into heaven, “For I will be with you always, even unto the end of the age.” So, no matter what you’re thinking about or experiencing right now, when fear grips you, remember these promises, my sister.

From personal experience, knowing this helps me to settle down and trust Him beyond my fears. The promises are there to remind us of who God is to us, but also for what He promises to do for us. And understand this…God knows there will be times when we feel afraid, sis. Yet, when those times occur, that’s when we need to do what we know to do which is pray, ask Him to calm the storm or help us, seek His word for assistance or immediate relief (backup against the enemy), and kick into trust mode.

And trust me. I know trusting God isn’t always easy. Because when fear grips you, your mind starts to focus on the what if’s and imaginations. You can begin to feel anxious, paralyzed, easily agitated, and even start to panic. However, when fear begins to grip you, you’ve got to kick into a new gear. You’ve got to cast down those imaginations as 2 Corinthians 10:5 states. And you’ve got to fight to trust Him with everything in you and believe by faith that He’s with you and that He’s got you, no matter what.

Faith is huge to the Lord. Remember when the storm was raging and the disciples were afraid, but then Jesus said, “Why are you so afraid? You have so little faith.” (See Matthew 8:23-27) I believe that what He was saying in so many words is, “I’m here. I am with you in this storm. Just trust Me.” And what happened next? He calmed the storm.

Faith is all about believing that He’s bigger than the problem, issue, pain, circumstance, and especially the enemy when he comes in like a flood! I actually have a T-shirt that I bought many years ago that I have hanging up on my closet door that reads, “Relax, God is in control.” Whenever I need a reminder, the Holy Spirit leads me to read the words on that shirt, because He’s got this!

And He’s got you too, sis. That means, anything that concerns you, He’s got you. So whenever fear tries to grip you in any given situation like fear of loss, tragedy, sickness, fear of the unknown, lack of finances, death, separation, divorce, or failure - kick in a new gear and pray, search the scriptures on fear, and turn your focus on trusting the Lord.

I want to give you a few Bible verses to help you when fear grips you…

“But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3-4

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

“So say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Hebrews 13:6

“Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ.” Philippians 4:6-7

Hold onto these verses, my sister and know that God is a really big God. He is with you and He has you. So, relax and trust Him when fear grips you, because He really is in complete control.

Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!

~Courtnaye

QUESTION: Has fear gripped you lately, sis? Do you need prayer today? If you need prayer on this topic or something else, you can email me directly @ insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you and praying for you.

P.S.

I'm hosting my FREE online class entitled, "Woman of Impact"on this upcoming Wednesday, April 24, 2019! It's going to be awesome and LOADED! Don't miss it, sis! Reserve your spot here...

*Have a women's conference or event, let me know and let's connect on the details! For more information on booking me to speak in 2019, Click here!

Order your copy of IDENTIFIED from Amazon TODAY!

*Tune in every Monday at 7:30am for new posts, “Like” my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutWCourtnaye), and follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/InOutwCourtnaye. Also, share this blog with friends, family, co-workers, or your women’s group or ministry. I’d love to stay connected and help more women grow in the Lord! Thanks again and may God be with you!