Only Love Today-Testimonies and Resources for Christian Moms

Megan Estes-Expert Encourager, Author of "Loving the Mom God Created You to Be"
  • 5.0 (27)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Biweekly

Only Love Today exists to encourage Christian moms to "live like Christ" in their context by sharing testimonies, tips, tools, and resources to encourage Christian parents. Whether you're a stay at home mom, working mom, homeschooling mom, or all of the above, you'll be challenged and inspired to keep pursuing Christ in every season of Christian parenting.

  1. 1d ago

    056- Overcoming Shame and Finding Your Identity in Christ with Melanie Cox

    🎁 FREE RESOURCE FOR MOMS Wondering how God uniquely wired you? Take the free Spiritual Gifts Quiz for Moms — based on Ephesians 4 (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, Teacher) — and discover how your gifts show up in your everyday life as a mom.👉 onlylovetoday.com/resources SummaryMelanie Cox opens up about childhood hardship, shame, and self-hatred — and the moment she discovered who God says she really is. This conversation is for any woman who feels too broken, too behind, or too far gone to be used by God. Melanie's story (and her book, You Have to Know) is proof that God redeems broken timelines and makes His strength perfect in our weakness. 🎁 Looking for encouragement in your motherhood journey?👉 Download my free Only Love Today resources designed to help you step out of shame, reconnect with God’s truth, and walk confidently in your calling as a mom.  📺 ▶️Watch on YouTube:Prefer to watch this one? Catch the full conversation with Melanie on the Only Love Today YouTube channel — subscribe so you never miss an episode. Melanie Cox shares her journey from childhood hardship and shame into embracing her identity in Christ. She talks about the refining fire of trials, how she found God's truth in Scripture in a pivotal moment, and why ministry has nothing to do with having it all together — it's about who you already are in Christ. Melanie's book, You Have to Know, threads through the conversation. 4. Guest links:Melanie CoxWebsite: [https://melaniecox.org/]Instagram: [itsmelaniecox]Book — You Have to Know Related OLT episodes:[Link 1-2 past episodes on shame, identity, or ministry — let me know which ones and I'll pull the titles in] Takeaways: Your everyday life is your ministry, no matter where you areGod can redeem and restore any broken timeline or situationTrust in God's grace is the foundation for overcoming shameYou are never too broken to be used by GodWalking in relationship with God is about love, not perfectionPraying God's truth over your life can break shame's holdGod's strength is made perfect in our weaknessYou don't have to be perfect to fulfill your purposeGuard your thoughts and replace lies with God's truthYour calling is rooted in your relationship with Christ Timestamps: 00:00 — Introduction to Melanie Cox and her ministry02:23 — Melanie's childhood, hardships, and finding God05:28 — The moment Melanie discovered God's truth in the Bible08:02 — The meaning behind the book title "You Have to Know"10:02 — Melanie's journey to Christ and her faith story13:14 — The role of refining fire and trials in spiritual growth16:52 — Healing from shame and perfectionism20:28 — God's ability to redeem and restore the broken23:10 — The lie of not being enough and overcoming shame27:14 — Believing and trusting God's grace over self-effort31:13 — The importance of relationship over religion35:12 — Encouragement for women feeling broken or unworthy37:16 — Living out your ministry in everyday life Keywords:spiritual growth, motherhood, shame, God's grace, identity in Christ, healing, faith, ministry, encouragement, Melanie Cox, overcoming shame, ministry in everyday life Hashtags:#OnlyLoveTodayPodcast #IdentityInChrist #OvercomingShame #ChristianWomen #FaithOverFear #GodsGrace #MinistryInEverydayLife #ChristianEncouragement

  2. Aug 24

    055 - Anne Sey- Safe Library Books for Kids, How to Navigate Woke Libraries and Find Great Books for Christian Families

    🎁 Looking for encouragement in your motherhood journey?👉 Download my free Only Love Today resources designed to help you step out of shame, reconnect with God’s truth, and walk confidently in your calling as a mom.  ***Are you tired of feeling like your library is too woke for your family?!? In this episode I talk with Anne Sey about how Christian and conservative families can navigate library collections, choose appropriate books for children, and advocate for their values in public libraries. They discuss practical tips for filtering books, engaging with library staff, and building a healthy reading environment for kids. Key topics The importance of filtering library books to align with family values How checkouts serve as votes for popular books in libraries Strategies for engaging with library staff and boards Using book lists and reviews to influence library collections The role of newer literature in children's reading choices How to handle controversial books and censorship concerns Building relationships with librarians and library boards Practical tips for advocating for faith-based and conservative books The impact of book covers and illustrations on children's choices Using technology and reviews to filter books effectively Sound bites "Never underestimate the power of your checkout as a vote." "Checking out a book is like casting a vote for its popularity." "Always review books before they go into your child's hands." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to navigating library collections 03:15 Anne Say's background and mission 05:14 The importance of filtering books for children 07:21 How checkouts influence library collections 09:57 Finding good books in a liberal library environment 11:23 Using book lists to influence library purchases 13:00 The process of reviewing and requesting books 15:23 Judging books by their covers and content cues 17:58 Engaging with library boards and staff 20:46 Building relationships with librarians 22:20 Advocating respectfully for your values 24:19 Filtering books for sensitive readers 27:29 Understanding mature content in children's books 30:05 Using AI and reviews to filter books 32:22 The challenge of too much low-quality literature 35:28 Encouraging summer reading and book love 40:24 The importance of relationship and respect in advocacy 43:41 Practical tips for connecting with library staff and boards 45:48 Closing thoughts and encouragement for parents Keywords children's books, libraries, conservative families, book filtering, advocacy, literature, parenting, faith-based books, library collections, book recommendations

  3. Aug 10

    054-Wendy Speake-40 Day Sugar Fast: What Happens When You Stop Reaching for Sugar

    "Fasting reveals what's already in our hearts." — Wendy Speake We reach for sugar when we're tired. When we're lonely. When the day has been long and we want something — anything — to take the edge off. Wendy Speake, author of The 40 Day Sugar Fast, says that reaching is telling us something. Not a food problem. A heart thing. In this conversation, Wendy walks us through what actually happens when you fast from sugar for 40 days: what surfaces, what breaks, and what God does with the space it leaves behind. This isn't a diet. It's an invitation — to stop turning to the pantry and start feasting on Him. 🎁 Discover how God wired you to serve.Every mom carries gifts meant for more than the grocery list. Take the free Spiritual Gifts Quiz for Moms, built around the five gifts of Ephesians 4 — Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, Teacher — and find your design.👉 onlylovetoday.com/resources ▶️ Subscribe & watch on YouTube.Don't miss a conversation — FOLLOW the Only Love Today show and be encouraged every month! ✨ In this episode: Where the 40 Day Sugar Fast started — and why it was never really about sugarHow to actually begin (the practical, non-overwhelming version)What fasting exposes: the triggers, the cravings, the heart underneathFeasting on Scripture in the space where the snack used to goWhy fasting with a community changes everythingMiracles, testimonies, and what happens after day 40The same principle applied to social media — the other thing we reach for 🙋 About Wendy Speake:Wendy Speake is an author, speaker, and Bible teacher whose work invites believers to trade their comfort habits for intimacy with Christ. She's the author of The 40 Day Sugar Fast and creator of the 40 Day Social Media Fast, and she writes for women who are hungry for more than another self-improvement plan.🌐 Website: wendyspeake.com📸 Instagram: instagram.com/wendyspeake 🔗 Resources Mentioned in this episode: The 40 Day Sugar Fast by Wendy Speake 40 Day Social Media Fast Wendy Speake on YouTube 🎧 More from Only Love Today: Leah Rohlf — Whole Food Nutrition and Lyme Disease (ep. 7)Eryn Lynum — Practicing Sabbath as a Family (ep. 13)Kelsey Wickenhouser — Kingdom Fit Moms (ep. 22)💡 Takeaways: Fasting isn't a diet plan. It's a spiritual practice with a physical doorway.What you reach for when you're depleted tells you what you're really trusting.Fasting doesn't create heart issues — it uncovers the ones already there.Empty hands are the point. Fill them with Scripture, not a substitute snack.You don't have to do this alone; community is what carries people to day 40.It's God's kindness — not shame — that actually changes us.⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Wendy Speake and her books01:57 The origins of the 40 Day Sugar Fast14:35 Practical tips for beginning a sugar fast15:10 How fasting reveals heart issues and triggers19:53 Feasting on God's Word during fasting24:59 Community support and shared fasting experiences29:59 Miracles and testimonies from fasting35:01 Living in a fast: lifestyle and ongoing practices39:54 Encouragement to pursue spiritual intimacy through fasting 🔎 Keywords: 40 day sugar fast, sugar fast, Christian fasting, spiritual detox, Wendy Speake, fasting and prayer, food and faith, spiritual growth, breaking sugar addiction, biblical fasting, social media fast, Christian women #OnlyLoveToday #40DaySugarFast #ChristianFasting #WendySpeake #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianWomen #FaithAndFood

  4. Jul 27

    053 - Dr. Ashlie Andrew-Christian Working Moms: Work-Life Balance, Boundaries & Mom Guilt

    Balance is a lie we keep chasing. Dr. Ashlie Andrew — professor at Concordia University Irvine's Townsend Institute and mom of two — makes the case for something better: work-life harmony. In this conversation we trade the pressure to do it all for the freedom to do the right things now, name the mental load moms actually carry, and talk honestly about boundaries, burnout, and the grief no one warns you about when your career self and your mom self stop looking the same. If your teeter-totter never quite balances, this one's for you. 🎁 Discover how God wired you to serve. Every mom carries gifts meant for more than the to-do list. Take the free Spiritual Gifts Quiz for Moms, built around the five gifts of Ephesians 4 — Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, Teacher — and find your design. 👉 onlylovetoday.com/resources ▶️ Subscribe & watch on YouTube. Don't miss a conversation — subscribe to Only Love Today wherever you listen, and catch the full episode on YouTube so you can see it face to face. ✨ In this episode: Why "balance" is the wrong goal — and what work-life harmony looks like insteadThe stat that reframes everything: 71% of the household mental load falls on momGlass balls vs. plastic balls — how to know which ones you can't let dropModeling boundaries your kids (and your coworkers) can actually seeThe red flags of burnout, and the small daily tweak that buys back your timeMom guilt vs. mom grief — grieving your professional self without shame 🙋 About Dr. Ashlie Andrew:Dr. Ashlie Andrew is an assistant professor at Concordia University Irvine's Townsend Institute, where she helps lead the Organizational Leadership master's program. Her research centers on mothers in the workplace, boundaries, and work-life harmony. 🔗 Mentioned in this episode: Boundaries by Dr. John Townsend 🎧 More from Only Love Today: Ep. 5: Jill Savage — No More Perfect MomsEp. 51: Vivian Cumins — Burnt Out MomEp. 8: Mental Health for Christian Moms💡 Takeaways: Work-life balance is a teeter-totter, not an equation — aim for harmony you can live with.Having it all doesn't mean having it all at once. Let the timing be God's.Name your glass balls (family, faith) and let the plastic ones bounce.Model boundaries out loud — vacation honored, calendar blocked for the school assembly.Use technology and outsourcing to buy back 30–60 minutes a day.Give yourself grace. You're not showing up worse than before — just different. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 The balance of work and family life 07:16 Empowering moms in the workplace 13:43 Redefining work-life balance 16:32 The pressure of expectations on mothers 17:48 The mental load of motherhood 22:36 Establishing healthy boundaries 27:19 Finding work-life harmony 33:34 Recognizing burnout signs 36:44 Advice for working moms 🔎 Keywords: work-life harmony, work-life balance, Christian moms, working moms, boundaries, mental load, mom guilt, burnout, motherhood and career, faith and work, women in the workplace #OnlyLoveToday #ChristianMotherhood #WorkingMoms #WorkLifeHarmony #ChristianWomen #MomLife

  5. Jul 13

    052- Nick Stevens Sr. - Raising Resilient, Brave, and Risk Taking Kids

    🏔️ "The most important thing about any person is what they think about when they think about God." — Nick Stevens Sr. quoting A.W. Tozer Summary After losing his daughter in an avalanche, Nick Stevens knew that he needed to share his experiences with other fathers and men. What does it look like to raise brave kids in a world that begs us to play it safe? Nick Stevens Sr. knows something about risk — on mountain faces, in grief, and in the everyday work of fathering. After walking through the loss of his daughter Lygon, Nick found that trusting God and letting our kids stumble aren't opposites. They're the same act of faith. This conversation is about roots and wings, holy risk, and the God who holds us steady on the hardest climbs. 🎁 Before you listen — discover how God wired you to serve.Every mom carries gifts meant for more than the carpool line. Take the free Spiritual Gifts Quiz for Moms, built around the five gifts of Ephesians 4 — Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, Teacher — and find your design.👉 onlylovetoday.com/resources ▶️ Don't miss a conversation.Subscribe to Only Love Today wherever you listen, and watch the full episode on YouTube so you can see Nick tell it in his own words. ✨ In this episode: How losing his daughter reshaped Nick's faith and his fatheringWhy "roots and wings" both require letting kids fallReading God's character in His creation — biblical principles through natureThe mindset shift that turns anxious parenting into brave parenting🙋 About Nick Stevens Sr.Nick is a father who has learned to trust God through both summits and sorrow. He is passionate about encouraging and equipping fathers and grandfathers to lead their families well.🌐 Website: https://nickstevensauthor.com/📘 Facebook: facebook.com/nickstevens 🔗 Mentioned in this episode: Cairns for the Climb from the Journals of Lygon Stevens — https://nickstevensauthor.com/shoppingStillwater Cattle Company — https://www.stillwatercattlecompany.com/Nick Stevens —https://nickstevensauthor.com/🎧 More from Only Love Today:Ep. 10-4 Habits of Raising Joy-Filled Kids with Chris Coursey Ep. 26 - Intentional Parenting; Building Self-worth, Resilience and Connection with our Daughters- Nellie Harden Ep. 11- Built From the Ashes of Adversity - Elizabeth Mmbone 💡 Takeaways: Trusting God means risking the unknown and loosening our grip on control.Kids need safe places to fall — that's where resilience is built.The outdoors is a classroom for biblical truth and trust in God's design.Grief, as heavy as it is, can deepen faith and pull a family closer.Letting kids take real risks grows real confidence.⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 Prayer and spiritual guidance02:50 Nick's journey and family background05:41 The impact of loss on fatherhood15:12 Lygon's life and legacy19:08 Trusting God amidst risk and fear20:59 The transforming power of grief24:36 Navigating family dynamics through loss24:45 Encouraging risk-taking in parenting26:35 The importance of roots and wings33:12 Creating opportunities for growth35:10 Teaching biblical principles through nature45:26 Mindset shifts for raising brave kids50:59 Discovering your God-given gifts51:36 Equipping for service and God's glory 🔎 Keywords: faith, fatherhood, risk-taking, mountain climbing, loss, grief, trust in God, parenting, resilience, raising brave kids, spiritual growth #OnlyLoveToday #ChristianMotherhood #FaithfulParenting #RaisingBraveKids #TrustGod #risktakingkids

  6. Jun 29

    051 - Vivian Cumins- Burnout Is a Silent Epidemic — Faith, Restoration & Finding Balance

    🎁 FREE RESOURCE FOR MOMSWondering how God uniquely wired you? Take the free Spiritual Gifts Quiz for Moms — based on Ephesians 4 (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, Teacher) — and discover how your gifts show up in your everyday life as a mom.👉 onlylovetoday.com/resources ➡️ Looking for a rancher you can trust to provide great food for your family? Check out: https://www.stillwatercattlecompany.com/ 🎧 Enjoying this episode? Subscribe to the Only Love Today podcast so you never miss a conversation, and watch the full episode on YouTube for the complete experience! Overview Have you ever pushed so hard for so long that your body and soul just… stopped? Vivian Cumins knows that feeling — and she knows the way through it. In this episode, Vivian shares her remarkable journey from a full career in the Air Force and Forest Service into retirement, ministry, and a calling she couldn't ignore. She gets real about burnout, mental health, perfectionism, and what it actually looks like to surrender control to God and let Him restore you. If you're running on empty, this one is for you. Her honest story of hitting rock bottom with burnout — and what God said when she didWhy perfectionism and control are quietly exhausting women everywhereThe role of journaling in hearing God more clearly and understanding yourself betterHer 52-day devotional format designed for busy women who need real encouragement fastPractical, scriptural steps to avoid burnout before it takes you downWhat the story of Nehemiah teaches us about restoration and rebuildingSources Mentioned Vivian's website: viviancumins.com📸 ⁠@viviancumins on Instagram⁠📖 The Book of Nehemiah — Vivian's scriptural anchor for restoration00:00 — Introduction and Background03:01 — Transitioning to Retirement05:55 — Career Journey and Experience09:07 — Launching a New Ministry12:02 — Navigating Burnout and Mental Health15:01 — Finding Balance and Setting Boundaries18:11 — Prayer and Spiritual Insights21:10 — Personal Testimony of Restoration28:09 — The 52-Day Journey of Restoration30:10 — The Power of Journaling for Clarity33:16 — Understanding Burnout in Women36:34 — The Role of Perfectionism and Control39:09 — Scriptural Insights on Balance and Burnout42:13 — Seeking God in Chaos48:18 — Practical Steps to Avoid Burnoutretirement, burnout, ministry, balance, mental health, personal growth, spiritual journey, women empowerment, life transitions, self-care, burnout recovery, women, journaling, Nehemiah, perfectionism, faith, scripture, restoration

  7. Jun 15

    050- Chelsea Fains- Don't Let Your Hard Season Be Fruitless" — Faith, Healing & God's Redemptive Plot

    ✨ Do you know your top spiritual gifts? Take my FREE Spiritual Gifts Quiz for Moms — based on Ephesians 4 (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, Teacher) — and discover how God uniquely designed you to love your family and serve His kingdom. 👉 Take the free quiz → https://www.onlylovetoday.com/resources Have you followed the Only Love Today Show? Loved this episode? Subscribe to the Only Love Today podcast so you never miss a conversation, and watch the full video on YouTube. Your follow helps more moms find this community. 🙌 SUMMARY Chelsea Fain is the award-winning author of The Divine Plotline, a worship leader, teacher, and mom of four. In this conversation she gets raw about the hardest year of her life — a miscarriage that nearly took her life, the healing journey that followed, and how God used her lowest moment to rewrite everything she thought she knew about Him, her past, and her daughter's future. If you're in a hard chapter and wondering where God is — this episode is for you. 🔗 Resources mentioned: 📖 Book: The Divine Plotline by Chelsea Fain Connect with Chelsea: 🌐 Website: https://chelseafain.com 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/chelseafain More Episodes You'll Love: Ep. 49- Shayla Huber-10 Things I Hate About My Husband Ep. 35- Kris Reece-Toxic Relationships Ep. 33- Chris Coursey- 4 Habits of Joy-Filled Marriages ✨ Takeaways: 1. God meets us in our weakest moments — not after we've recovered, but right in the middle of the mess. 2. Don't let your hard season be fruitless. Pain has a purpose, even when you can't see it yet. 3. The intimacy with God that forms in trials can't be cultivated anywhere else — and it's worth it. 4. Instead of praying your child out of pain, pray for God to reveal Himself to them through it. 5. God loves us in both the joy and the ugly cry — He cherishes both places of worship. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Chelsea Fain and her journey 02:35 The power of prayer and spiritual warfare 04:06 The Divine Plotline: a journey of healing 11:32 Finding God in the midst of hardship 15:57 The journey of healing and intimacy with God 19:17 Finding purpose in painful seasons 22:18 The role of motherhood in understanding God 25:35 Trusting God as the author of our lives 33:35 Sharing vulnerability and the power of testimony --- 🔍 Keywords: faith, motherhood, healing, miscarriage, divine plan, prayer, trust God, testimony, Christian life, resilience, abusive marriage recovery, trusting God in hard seasons, Christian mom, The Divine Plotline, Only Love Today podcast

  8. Jun 1

    049-Shayla Huber-Author of "10 Things I Hate About My Husband"

    ✨ Do you know your main spiritual gift? Take Megan's free Spiritual Gifts Quiz designed just for Moms — based on Ephesians 4 (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, Teacher) — and discover how God uniquely designed you to love your family and serve His kingdom. 👉 Take the free quiz → https://www.onlylovetoday.com/resources --- Love this episode? Subscribe to the Only Love Today podcast so you never miss a conversation, and watch the full video on YouTube. Your follow helps more moms find this community. 🙌 YouTube: @onlylovetodaymom Instagram: @onlylovetodaymom SUMMARY In this heartfelt interview, Shayla Huber shares her transformative journey of marriage, faith, and self-discovery with the broken parts of her heart that God needed to heal. What started as a list of grievances became a doorway to deeper love — and Shayla is honest about every messy step of the way. Together we talk about resentment, perfectionism, attachment styles, and what it actually looks like to choose your spouse on their worst day. If your marriage needs a breath of fresh air (or honest CPR), this episode is for you. 🔗 Resources mentioned: 📖 Book: 10 Things I Hate About My Husband by Shayla Huber → 🌐 shaylamariehuber.com Connect with Shayla: 🌐 Website: https://shaylamariehuber.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaylamariehuber 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shaylamariehuber More Episodes You'll Love: Ep. 29-Healing Your Marriage, Cara Nitz Ep. 33-4 Habits of a Joy-Filled Marriage, Chris Coursey Ep. 35-How to Set Boundaries in Toxic Relationships, Kris Reece ✨ Takeaways: 1. Resentment doesn't have to be the end of the story — honesty and forgiveness can rewrite it. 2. Perfectionism in marriage often masks fear. Letting go of the ideal opens space for real love. 3. You can choose to be "unoffendable in love" — not by ignoring hurt, but by anchoring yourself in something bigger. 4. Understanding your attachment style changes how you fight, communicate, and forgive. 5. Gratitude and perspective are practical tools — not just feel-good advice — for a healthier marriage. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Shayla Huber and her journey 03:07 The reality of rodeo life and family dynamics 11:13 Resentment and the journey to forgiveness 14:58 The impact of perfectionism on marriage 16:16 Confronting disagreements with love 17:06 The power of unconditional love 18:57 Seeing your partner through new eyes 20:45 Forgiveness and healing in marriage 22:31 Understanding attachment styles 24:41 Communication and vulnerability 26:50 Addressing bitterness and critical spirits 29:22 The journey of self-forgiveness 31:32 Navigating conflict with grace 34:12 Finding hope in disappointment 37:36 Practical steps for a healthier marriage 🔍 Keywords: marriage, faith, forgiveness, personal growth, transformation, Christian living, marriage advice, healing, gratitude, spiritual journey, attachment styles, communication, unconditional love, Christian mom, Only Love Today podcast

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About

Only Love Today exists to encourage Christian moms to "live like Christ" in their context by sharing testimonies, tips, tools, and resources to encourage Christian parents. Whether you're a stay at home mom, working mom, homeschooling mom, or all of the above, you'll be challenged and inspired to keep pursuing Christ in every season of Christian parenting.

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