Welcome to the Simply Joyful Podcast Episode #006 with Heidi St. John Show Notes: KristiClover.com/006   Biblical Encouragement for Busy Moms   Motherhood is not easy. We all can use encouragement along the way. Well, Heidi St. John is a master encourager! What I love about Heidi is that she’s not afraid to be very real and vulnerable about her “busy” life as a wife, mom of seven, and ministry leader. Heidi’s passion is sharing biblical encouragement — and boy, does she share a lot with us today.    Heidi is a dynamic speaker and has a very popular blog called The Busy Mom. Equally as popular is her podcast, The Busy Mom. You’ll hear more about how Heidi inspired me when I first heard her speak over seven years ago.   On a “Simply” & “Joyful” Note… Heidi has some great advice on how she simplifies…she shares it right after she laughs at me for asking the “busy mom” how she lives more “simply.” Ha! Hey, even busy moms can find ways to simplify their lives…and she has some great advice.   (Warning: This interview was so long that this part is shared in part two. So, make sure you listen in to that episode, too! It will release Monday, February 27th!)   In This Episode: In this episode Heidi and I chat about the struggles facing moms today. We discuss joy stealers like busyness and playing the comparison game. This podcast interview was so awesome…and long…that I split it into two episodes. That’s what happens when you put two chatty people together. What’s really funny is that we chatted for about 15 minutes before we started recording. Just think how long it would have been if I’d started recording that, too. I know you are going to just love this incredibly encouraging episode with Heidi!   Highlights from This Show & Words to Remember: Heidi’s passion is biblical encouragement and turning the hearts of parents back to the Word of God for the direction of their families and for raising their children. I share about my backstory on how Heidi inspired me to start writing and blogging on homeschooling. I mention my insomnia story in this episode. I share all about my 20+ year insomnia story HERE. We talk about busyness — of course! — and the importance of spending time in the Word and our need to consult the Lord!   “If you want to get something done, ask a busy person.” —Heidi St. John   “My version of sane is someone else's version of crazy. It all comes down to what God's called us and equipped us to do." —Heidi St. John   “We get messed up when we get busy doing things that God has not called us to do.” —Heidi St. John   "Women need more time than we give ourselves…to hear the Lord and be still.” —Heidi St. John   The comparison trap is a joy stealer. We also talk about some of the common lies that women listen to — even women in the Bible! (The story of Sarai & Hagar)   “One of the lies that moms fall for is the lie that our kids have to be doing everything.” —Heidi St. John   "It's a game changer when we begin to pray and bring things to the Lord. It makes a total difference in my day when I don't take my stuff before the Lord.” —Heidi St. John   Busyness can interfere with our time with God and can affect generations to come.   "Everyone is working backwards with priorities. (Moms) fill their schedules, which makes their whole lives busy, then they focus on their kids…and maybe on their husbands next. Then God is absolutely last." — Kristi Clover   "Those are the priorities that God lays down in His word. People say, “Where did you come up with that?” I didn't. God came up with it. Don't shoot the messenger!" —Heidi St. John   We also talked about how legalism can push the younger generation away from the Lord.   "Due to legalism, kids are walking away from the Lord, rejecting the faith of their parents because they were raised with rules and not relationships which is a departure from the word of God.” —Heidi St. John   Satan can make himself look small and insignificant so we don’t notice him. (1 Peter 5:8)