Self-Love: A Biblical Perspective

Growing up in the south, we ALWAYS heard “love your neighbor as yourself”.

In my life, it was often put in the light of “go above and beyond for everyone and put yourself last.” That’s the exact opposite of what Jesus is saying in that verse. I was shown over and over by other’s actions that loving myself and wanting to do something for myself or something that brings me joy=selfish.

You can’t take care of others if your cup is empty. You can not do the best for others if you do not do the best for yourself. You aren’t meant to work yourself to death, day in and day out to please all the people.
God did not create us to be used and abused by ill-intended people.
God created us for relationship with Him. He loves us. He cherishes us.

Loving your neighbor as yourself means loving yourself is NOT a sin. Taking care of yourself? Also, not a sin. You have permission to love yo’self! Jesus wants us to do the best to take care of us and our temple, and THEN we can love others the same way.

Just like on the airplanes we are taught to put our oxygen mask on FIRST, and then help others. That applies to ourselves in our day to day mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health as well.


I’d love to hear in the comments below how YOU fill up your cup and show yourself some love!

Finding Joy in Parenting: Overcoming Common Struggles

Can we do both? Is it possible to actually enjoy parenting?

Parenting is tough. If we all agree on that, I challenge you to answer some of these questions:
1. Do you find yourself yelling at your spouse and kids?
2. Do you worry about traumatizing your kids?
3. Do you want to stop the generational trauma you were raised in from continually being passed on?
4. Do you constantly second (and third) guess yourself when making parenting/disciplining decisions?

If you answered “yes” to any of those, then you are in the right place! Nobody with a decent heart wants to cause harm to their kids. The truth is, nobody is perfect (thank you Lord for Your mercy and grace!) despite how much we try.
When we mess up, we fess up. Apologies go a long, long ways. Admitting you’ve done wrong and showing your kids you are truly sorry and asking them for forgiveness not only makes YOU feel better, it teaches your kids a valuable lesson or two. None of us are perfect, it’s okay to mess up, and it is freeing to ask for forgiveness.

If you are really wrestling with any and/or all of the questions mentioned above, I would LOVE to have a complimentary 60 minute session with you. Why? Because you CAN find joy in parenting those kiddos of yours. The generational junk stops with you, friend.

Ready to get started on your new, fun, enjoyable parenting future? Email me at starkeycoaching@gmail.com and we will get you on my calendar!

SHAVING IT ALL IN NOVEMBER

I love to do the opposite of what is “normal.” I mean, isn’t that what the Lord has called us to do? LOL!
Instead of No-Shave November, I’m shaking it up. We’re shaving it all. But I don’t mean hair.



Mama. Motherhood is a blessing. You shouldn’t feel as if your life is in shambles and like you’re ALWAYS stressed out. That is NOT what He created you for. Momming is your #1 ministry, and I believe you can do that with grace-AND peace.

So for November, we’re shaving off the stress. All calls you get scheduled with me during November are only $27. Also shaving off the price! You can’t even take your family to eat at the Lord’s Chicken (that’s Chick-fil-A for those of you heathens who don’t know. 😛 ) for that cheap.

Family dynamics can be tough around the holidays. Let’s get CLEAR on what peace looks like and how YOU can achieve that in your home. When you are at peace within your household, all the other stresses in life just don’t hit you near as hard. Like the wild relative that’s always causing issues at holiday dinners.

Shaving stress. Shaving the price. What more can you ask for?

Ready to Pursue Peace? Click here to get you on the calendar today!

Being Present with the Kids

I despised it. There are so many things to do and soooo little time. I work for someone else part-time. I own my own business. I volunteer. I also have a home to run. My plate is FULL.

The LAST thing I wanted to do was sit in the floor and play with dolls. First of all, I don’t wanna crawl in the floor just to play a game I’m not interested in playing. Secondly, I need to be writing this blog post or cooking dinner, or doing laundry, or the never-ending dishes. Thirdly, every time I play with them, they don’t like how I am using MY imagination and then I get bossed around. BLEGH.

Then one day it hit me in my feels. They’re only little for a few more “minutes”. One day they’re going to storm past me and slam bedroom doors as moody teenagers, refusing to talk to me about anything going on in their lives. As I contemplated these things, I realized: it doesn’t have to be that way. I see my children ALL the time. We are WITH each other, as a homeschool family, all the time, but I was not being present. I would go to my room to work on my computer/my own business. I was the moody teenager! “I need to be left alone so I can work!” “No, Mommy can’t play because she has to work.” “No, Mommy doesn’t want to play.” When I wasn’t yelling at them, I was shutting THEM out. I felt so convicted, shameful and downright awful. I decided right then and there I was going to do things differently from here on out.

I started being super silly and fun again. I do sometimes play dolls with my daughter, but generally she’s pretty agreeable to ANYthing she gets to do with mom. I’m yelling less. The kids are fighting less. We all conversate better. It’s almost like, we are a peaceful, “normal” family now. Say what!?

Putting in a little bit of specific, 1:1 time with them NOW, just puts an awesome foundation in place for your relationship with your children for the rest of your life. You are making them feel as special as they are. They are feeling your love and your CHOICE to lovingly CHOOSE your child. That’s so awesome, Mama!

If you related to any of this at all, and know it’s being put on your heart to be more present with your kids but you don’t know where to start, grab my free 5 Ways to be Present with your Kids guide right here!.

Overworked & Underpaid

As a mom, you wear many hats. You are the cook, the maid, the chauffer, the butler, and if you homeschool, also the teacher. Ah, and let’s not forget you also have a husband. So many people wanting and needing so many things from YOU. All the time.

You can’t truly understand and appreciate all that moms do until you become a mom. I recently read that if mom’s were paid for ALL we do, we would make at least 133k per year. That we-YOU- work 98 hours per WEEK as a mama.

Let that sink in for just a second.

That is a lot of work for nobody to see all that you do.
God does. He sees you because He is walking with you.
He appreciates all that you’re doing for Him and your kids. He tells us we will be rewarded in heaven for our good deeds. What is “gooder” than being the best mommy for your kids!

You are amazing, courageous, loved, seen, and strong.
Repeat that to yourself today and every day until your brain starts to believe it!