True joy is often hard to find...
...especially when dealing with the unpredictability of motherhood. Our kids bring us lots of fun, laughter, and love, but at times - many times - we struggle.
We deal with loneliness, exhaustion, and feelings of inadequacy. Think of joy as a birthday candle. Sometimes it's burning nicely... until a breeze comes along, and poof - the flame goes out. Maybe that breeze is thre frustration of potty training or endless loads of laundry. Or perhaps it's something deeper, like the pain of miscarriage or feelings of grief and depression. That's when your joy candle can end up a sputtering mess.
If that sounds anything like your life, then "Mothering on Empty" is for you. God wants more for you than for you to simply survive the tough days. His joy is for now - not some distant future.
Think of this book as a heart-to-heart for disheartened and weary moms. It's part devotional, part memior, part Bible study, part inspiration - a collection of personal stories from Christian moms who know what it's like to struggle.
"Mothering on Empty" offers healing, strength, and encouragement for every mom, helping us connect with God and discover the joy available to us... today.
Songwriter, actress, Dove Award–winning recording artist, cohost of the Practice Makes Parent podcast, and author of Lasting Ever
Rebecca St. James
"There are days with my three kids when I’m very fulfilled and simply loving life as a mom. Then there are days when I’m discouraged and weary and wondering if I’m doing much of anything right! Mothering on Empty encourages the soul on those hard days and renews a mom’s sense of mission and joy when we feel unrewarded for our hard work. The authenticity, perspective, and biblical wisdom in these stories are desperately needed. With the power of the Holy Spirit, healthy community, and books like this one, we’ve got this, mamas!"
artist and author of A Light Brightly Shining and Finding God at the Kitchen Sink
Maggie Paulus
"Mothering on Empty is the encouragement I always needed, especially during the early years raising my kids when I felt exhausted and alone. Ashley and Kristen feel like two kind, wise friends who come alongside you to offer true compassion and practical help. It’s hard to take time to read when you’re raising little humans, but this book is worth picking up because it’s so
nourishing to a mom’s soul."
New York Times bestselling author, mother of six, and founder of moneysavingmom.com
Crystal Paine
"A gentle, grace-filled companion, Mothering on Empty is the book every weary mom’s heart needs. Through raw stories and biblical encouragement, Kristen and Ashley remind us that true joy isn’t found in perfect motherhood—it’s found in the presence of a perfect God. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, inadequate, or just plain worn out, this book will meet you with hope and point you to lasting joy."
author, speaker, and CEO of The MomCo (formerly MOPS International)
Mandy Arioto
"Mothering on Empty is a balm for the soul that weary moms don’t know they’re desperate for until they open its pages and exhale. Kristen and Ashley have created more than just a book—it’s a hand to hold in the dark and a whisper of truth when the lies of inadequacy are loudest. This book is a sacred patchwork of stories and Scripture that will help you trade shame for grace, guilt for joy, and burnout for sacred strength. If you’ve ever whispered, I can’t do this anymore, let this book be the voice that replies, You don’t have to do it alone. Take it in slowly, like a warm drink in a quiet moment. You’ll find Jesus on every page."
What this book was designed for
Know how the airline safety briefings say, "Always secure your own mask first before assisting others"? That's because they know we mamas tend to look out for the needs of our little ones before looking out for our own. Self-sacrifice is a necessary part of motherhood, but self-neglect shouldn't be. "Mothering on Empty" was written to help breath some much-needed life back into the sometimes undernourished parts of a mama's spirit.
Spiritual Resuscitation
Right out the gate, this book was written to let you know that you are not alone in your struggles. One of our Enemy's go-to tactics is to isolate us. No more! "Mothering on Empty" seeks to dismiss the lie of aloneness from the get-go and welcome you into the "club" with open arms.
Solidarity
The Bible itself calls the Word of God a sword (Eph 6:17). We know you've been beaten down, and we want to equip you to fight back - to fight for your spiritual health, to fight for your mental health, and to fight for the unquenchable joy that He offers you today through the power of His Spirit.
Scriptural Firepower
Here's the thing... I NEVER imagined I would become an author. I never really enjoyed reading. Never really enjoyed writing. But, when the Lord starting unmistakably speaking to me, I couldn't help but start writing it all down. (Get the full story in the "About the Authors" section of the book.)
Why would God choose a non-writer to write a book, you may ask? I think the answer is twofold.
Firstly, God is masterful at taking people who aren't trained in or qualified for a certain role and making them successful in it. The Bible is full of people like this (David, Moses, Peter,...just to name a few). It brings God glory to show that He's really the one making things happen!
Secondly, I personally feel like you get the best of both worlds: My co-author, Ashley Durand, IS a writer. She's always loved reading. Always loved writing. And she is professionally educated in said field. So, you get a book with the professional polish of an actual writer (Ashley), designed to cater to the short attention spans and do-I-really-have-to-read attitudes of a non-reader (Kristen). Win win!
How I Became an Author
