Tessa Brown is my guest today on the podcast. She's a wife and a mom to two boys ages 2 and 4. She's also an artist and has a beautiful Instagram accountwhere she shows her incredible talent of artwork depicting motherhood and Jesus Christ. She has learned to embrace the spiritual gifts God has given her and has found a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ as she pleads for help in becoming the mother He wants her to be.
Show RecapTessa relates the story of Moana facing the lava monster and how this story helped her in motherhood to know who she is and who God wants her to be. Tessa tells how she found painting early in motherhood to give her a place to focus so she could go back to her family and give more.
Growth MindsetTessa has developed a growth mindset about motherhood and shares some doable ways she has developed that mindset in her life.
Her advice to other moms is to figure out what makes you feel love for yourself, for God and for your kids and then to be aware of those things and seek them out. Tessa says to notice the times when you feel love and focus on those things.
LoveFor Tessa, what always speaks the loudest in motherhood to her is to just love her children. She knows the only thing that lasts is love. What motivate is love. "Christ makes me feel that I am more than I am. ... I want my kids to feel that from me."
Tessa shares beautifully how she developed a deeper relationship with the Savior. She used to picture Christ standing over her shaking his head as a disappointed coach. Now she views Him as a cheerleader and friend who encourages her throughout her day, no matter what has happened.
Tessa feels it is important not to compare the way you show love to the way another mother shows love. "You have a divine way to love your kids." Own it.
ArtworkThrough her artwork, Tessa hopes mothers will feel love and that they are enough.
"I would love my art to bring mothers back to those moments when love was really all that matters because I feel that really is all that matters. If you do a lot of things wrong, but you get the love part right, I think you and your kids will have a great relationship. That's what we're striving for."
Spiritual GiftsThroughout the interview, Tessa talked about spiritual gifts and how a mother can use the gifts she's been given in motherhood. We had a great discussion about owning your gifts and not being afraid to claim them. Tessa shares a great insight on using what you've been given and why don't have to be "everything" to your kids.
Show NotesAt the beginning of the episode I shared how YOU can be part of a future episode of the podcast. Each month I will be asking listeners to share their answer to a specific question about motherhood and spirituality. If you want to participate in the November episode, here's how to do it:
At your convenience, call this number 480-525-7145. Leave a message starting with your name and where you are from. For example, "Hi, this is Darla from Arizona." Give your answer to the question: How have you seen and felt God as your partner in motherhood?" Feel free to share a specific story or experience. Please keep your answer to under 3 minutes so I can share as many answers as possible. Submit your answer/message by Sunday, October 28th.If you're hearing or reading this after the deadline, call the number anyway to hear the current question and give your answer.
Follow Tessa:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tessaleeart/
Website: tessaleeart.com
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Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
