Today we are talking with Karen Hossink. Karen is a wife, mother, speaker and author. Her ministry, which truly is God-lead, is called Irritable Mother and her blog is called Surviving Motherhood. Would you like to receive a FREE copy of one of Karen’s books? Read on and leave your comments for a chance to win!
Karen what works for you in developing your ministry?
Do you want the quick answer? That would be GOD.
The longer version is this: I always wanted to be a mom, but once I had children I found out being a mom wasn’t going to be as easy as I thought. In fact, there came a time when I thought my children were “ruining” me – that I could be a nice person if it weren’t for them.
In time I began to understand that when my kids are grown up, they aren’t the only ones who will have changed. I discovered I am growing in this process, too. And I thought, “Maybe when I have a better understanding of this growth, I’ll see if I can share about it at MOPS.” [Mothers of PreSchoolers]
About two years and several thoughts later God used my mentor to finally push me over the edge and pursue that MOPS opportunity. My intention was to speak at my church, and that’s all. But I made contact with some other MOPS leaders and spoke for their groups, too. I think there were seven or eight that first year.
Then came the book, Confessions of an Irritable Mother: Hope for Overwhelmed Moms, and about 40 more groups each of the next two years. And now here I am in the middle of a speaking and writing ministry and I am loving every minute of it. My newest book, Finding Joy: More Confessions of an Irritable Mother will be released in October.
What works for you in keeping your relationship with God fresh?
Really? I think that’s His job. And He does it quite well. Though God never changes, He is constantly revealing Himself to me in new ways around new circumstances.
I think God keeps it fresh, but my job is to pay attention. I need to be alert – constantly watching for what He is doing and where He is moving.
What works for you in finding quiet time with God?
My first suggestion is to not expect uninterrupted time when you have little ones at home, and maybe not even much “quiet” time. But know that God can speak above the chaos and can minister to your heart even if you can’t sit down for 30 or 45 minutes of silent Bible and prayer time. In fact, sometimes He will use the struggle to speak to your heart and if you’re paying attention for Him, you will find joy. (You may be interested in my book, Finding Joy!) I have learned, even if I cannot have a quiet “time,” I can fellowship with God all day long by implementing a couple simple practices.
I carry a Bible verse in my pocket and refer to it several times throughout the day. Maybe you can’t sit down to read your Bible for 10 or 15 minutes straight, but you can probably read and think about one verse for a minute 10 or 15 times during the day.
I love going through a Psalm this way – one verse at a time, one day at a time.
I am going to be speaking to a moms’ group about quiet times in a few weeks. I wish you could be there, because I have so much more I’d like to say in response to this question. I’m feeling a blog post mini-series coming on!
What works for you in surviving motherhood?
I wrote about my top tips in the Irritable Mother’s Survival Kit, and you can sign up for a free copy on the homepage of my website: www.irritablemother.com
Can you see why this woman of God is a sought after speaker for women’s groups around the states (soon to be world)? Would you like to receive your own copy of one her books? Please let us know what you enjoyed most about this interview and which book you would like if you win. Winner will be announced Monday.
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For more tips from bloggers go to Works for Me Wednesday @ Rocks in my Dryer!
It’s nice to know we are all fallible. I also appreciate hearing the journey to where she is now, gives me hope.
I like the idea of constantly being on the lookout for what God is saying and speaking. He has spoken to me so many times through motherhood.
I would love to win a copy of this book! Thanks for the giveaway!
What a wonderful book. So encouraging !
I love that she is so freeing, instead of giving another unattainable goal. So nice to hear “your quiet times may not be quiet with little ones around” rather than “wake up at 5 am to spend time with the Lord”. I value my time with God, but I also have to sleep at some point!!
I would love to read any of her books!! Confessions of an Irritable Mother seems right up my alley :)
Oh, and I just made the above comment….my email is sarahw56 @gmail.com. Thank you!
I liked the way she informs mothers not to expect quiet times. that is REAL. So much about mothering I have found is not what we expect it to be, and false expectations keep us dislluisioned and disappointed-stealing our joy. I would like the Joy book…as a mother of 4 teenage sons…I think I could use it! LOL!
OOHhh, I wanna win! I know a couple of irritable mothers . . . lol.
Thanks for sharing!
Karen is such a blessing. I love her realness!
Oh my… I can totally relate to everything she said. I always wanted to be a mother but never thought it would be so challenging! There are so many blessings that go along with mothering as well but her story is so relatable to us moms. I would love either of her books! :-) Love your blog, Shane! Leslie
They sound like great books, and like books I could definitely use right now, although I think the first one would be most applicable right now.
I love the fact that Karen knows that it is God, not herself, that keeps the relationship “fresh.” I get so excited when I hear women (or anyone) making God central in their lives. It absolutely thrills me! Karen, I am so very encouraged to see (read about) your total dependence on our Father. Again, thanks so much for being real! I would love to have any of her books :)
Great interview! As I have recently been getting to know Karen, I have found that she is a very sweet lady with much insight and great sense of humor.
If I win, I would like Confessions of an Irritable Mother. Thanks!
I like her honesty! I’d love one of her books — maybe the first one since I haven’t read either. Thanks!
I love what she said about finding quiet time with God…that is always a struggle for me. I think either book would be fabulous…thank you so much!
Karen is such an inspiration to moms everywhere. I just love stopping by her blog.
Thank you for interviewing her!!
Hi. I am in the middle of Karen’s first book and it has been wonderful so far (plus the reflection questions at the end of each chapter are very thought provoking)
My ADHD Me
Thank you for taking the time to interview with Karen. I have truly been blessed by the wisdom the Lord has shown her. Many times I think she’s speaking about my life! But, PTL! we both know who’s in control! I’d love to get a moment and read her book(s)! Her latest book seems to be a good start, FINDING JOY.
I loved her bio, I used to think my kids were ruining me too. Then came the sad truth, that I was probably ruining them with my attitude. I also loved the format of your interview, asking “what works” for her. Thanks for this great post.
Both books sound amazing, and much needed! I would love to start with the first one if I won :) Thank you for your suggestions on “quiet time”. I struggle most in this area. Hearing realistic encouragement from someone who has been there is the best. Thank you!
yes!
I appreciate her wisdom that as mother’s we won’t always have an hour, or even a few minutes, for “quite time” but that’s no reason to neglect the bible. I’m going to write down verses each day and keep them with me as she suggests. I would be delighted to win either of her books (I suppose I should read her first book first) but if I don’t I think I’m going to buy them.
Karen has been a real inspiration to me. I have her first book, and love it! So I guess it would be cool to win her new book. I’ve been excited about it coming out!
Hi – I’d love to have her new book, as I am currently reading and enjoying her first book. Pick me, pick me! LOL!!
Wow, that sounds just like me. I will have to read more of Karen’s work. I would love to to have a copy of Confessions of an irritable mother.
Thanks
I liked her insite into spending time with God. The book I would love to win is Irritable Mother’s Survival Kit!
So true that maybe in this season of life we cannot sit down for 30 minutes of silence with God. However, we need to creative and expectations low and start small…10 minutes a day..praying in the car (they are strapped in…they can’t touch you:)! Great interview!
-Sandy toes
I am a BIG fan of Karen’s and love how she always gives it over to Him!!! She is such a precious and talented child of God’s…I am so greatful to have found her and am able to learn from her!!!
Great interview!
Many blessings-
Amanda