Episode 153
Ruth Chou Simons is an artist in so many senses of the word. Her latest book Pilgrim: 25 Ways God’s Character Leads Us Onward is stunning and inspiring. It’s a beautiful exploration of God’s character and faithfulness and is bursting with Ruth’s signature watercolor art. It’s a gift for the eyes and the heart.
Years ago I had a friend say to me, “I think Jesus was a great person and someone worth striving to be like. I don’t like all the religion and church stuff, and I wouldn’t call myself a Christian, but I do think that Jesus was real and someone worth striving to be like.” Pilgrim is the book I wish I had to give her in that moment. Understanding the character of God in a biblical context where we can start to break down who He is and what His works show us is important. Understanding His character helps us understand His strength—it gives us not only something to lean in to, but an example of compassionate character to strive toward.
We’re on a journey, a path that we travel every day and I can tell you that walking a path set out for me by Jesus is a lot easier than trying to create my own. As mothers, we need strength for our daily journey. It’s available to us. Sometimes we need reminders that nothing separates us from God’s love. Pilgrim is a beautiful reminder of that. Pretty enough to leave out on the table as our daily reminder that God’s provision and grace is available to us.
Ruth is wonderful. If you already know who Ruth Chou Simons is, you’re going to love this interview. If you’re hearing about her for the first time here, know that I am so honored to be the one to introduce you to her and her work.
Ruth’s Bio: Ruth Chou Simons is a Wall Street Journal bestselling and award-winning author of several books and Bible studies, including GraceLaced, Beholding and Becoming, and When Strivings Cease. She is an artist, entrepreneur, podcaster, and speaker, using each of these platforms to spiritually sow the Word of God into people’s hearts. Through social media, her online shop at GraceLaced.com, and the GraceLaced Collective community, Simons shares her journey of God’s grace intersecting daily life with word and art. Ruth and her husband, Troy, are grateful parents to six boys—their greatest adventure.
In this episode, Ruth & I talk about:
- Ruth reads her own audiobooks (really well!)
- Founder of Grace Laced
- Her 25 years of marriage
- Being a pilgrim and what that means
- Her latest devotional
- Every step of our journey is mapped out by a good, good Father
- God goes with us on our journey
- Our current culture is noisy and filled with lies
- Recognizing God’s way in a noisy world
- Remembering the character of God
- We don’t have to be the hero of our own stories
- God is the author and leader of our stories
- Returning to our bibles
- Wasting our time weaving straw instead of leaning on the rock
- Guideposts
- Longing for satisfaction in our lives
- Social media seems to be a promise of satisfaction—it’s a mirage—escapism at best
- Struggling with too much social media
- Boundaries on time
- Replace social media with something better
- So much of life is cultivating an appetite for things that don’t come naturally to us
- Ways to deal with worry
- Not living in our own strength
- We have needs
- Having a robust in-person life and not just an online life
- Meeting our needs with meaningful activities
- Practical ways to lean into God’s strength
Episode Sponsored by:
Nourished Motherhood: Today’s episode is sponsored by Nourished Motherhood. Nourished Motherhood is a 16-week program that uses a personalized approach to health and wellness. It’s created with a homemaking and homeschooling mama in mind—as a mom who fits that description & who is enrolled in the program, I can tell you I appreciate that distinction. The “one size fits all” model to health and wellness does not work for me. Nourished Motherhood is personalized 1 on 1 weekly coaching for 16 weeks with the creator of the program, Evgenia, as you focus on creating fundamental habits that will work in the season that you’re in while keeping life-long goals in mind. I want to stay healthy and active for my kids and one day my grandkids. I’m grateful for Evgenia’s personalized suggestions and genuine, consistent encouragement. She’s really opened my eyes to so much about healthy habits and lovingly shown a light on my personal hang-ups—allowing me time and space to discover them for myself and make intrinsically motivated changes that will last.
This is not a cookie cutter program where you will have to deplete yourself or follow maddening advice. It’s a truly personalized approach to health and wellness. I’m grateful to have a fellow homeschool mom who “gets it”…someone who is in my corner and genuinely cares about my health. That in and of itself is so encouraging. You can find more information and sign up for Evgenia’s wait list at atnourishedmotherhood.com
Ruth’s Link:
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