Rooted Moms
  • Home
  • Bible Reading Plans
    • R&G Bible-in-a-year Plan
    • Gospels 12-Week Plan
    • Acts & Epistles 20-Week Plan
  • Community
    • About RM Groups
    • Group Leader Resources
  • Resources
    • Devotionals
    • Podcast
    • Prayer & Fasting Guides
    • More
  • Donate
  • About
    • Our Vision & Mission
    • Our Beliefs
    • Our Board of Directors
  • Books
    • Rooted & Growing Bible Guide
    • Gospels Bible Guide
  • Rooted Kids
  • Home
  • Bible Reading Plans
    • R&G Bible-in-a-year Plan
    • Gospels 12-Week Plan
    • Acts & Epistles 20-Week Plan
  • Community
    • About RM Groups
    • Group Leader Resources
  • Resources
    • Devotionals
    • Podcast
    • Prayer & Fasting Guides
    • More
  • Donate
  • About
    • Our Vision & Mission
    • Our Beliefs
    • Our Board of Directors
  • Books
    • Rooted & Growing Bible Guide
    • Gospels Bible Guide
  • Rooted Kids
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

Devotionals

7/2/2024 0 Comments

His Plans Never Fail

Picture

​I consider myself a pretty laid back person. I can go with the flow and pivot when plans change. But there have been times when big plans don’t work out and I’ve been left feeling like a failure.


When I was young, I had a very specific plan for my life. I planned to marry my highschool boyfriend and have children in my early twenties. I planned to go to college and graduate in four years. I planned to move back to my hometown and teach kindergarten. I just knew that’s what was meant for me. Oh, how I couldn’t have been more wrong. In the midst of those plans falling through, I felt completely lost and scared.

I’m not the only one who’s life plan has been drastically different from God’s plans. Mary, Elizabeth and even Joseph had to move forward after their lives were changing in the most life-altering way— with a baby on the way.
When an angel of the Lord named Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her she would become pregnant and give birth to a son, when she wasn’t even married, her reaction was one of logistical confusion, not disbelief. Gabriel also relayed to Mary the news that her cousin, Elizabeth, who had struggled with infertility and was now older in age, was with child. He told Mary, “For nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37 NASB).

Mary chose to put her complete trust in God. “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38). She had faith that when she gave God her trust that nothing would be impossible, no matter the struggles she faced; there would be joy and victory in the end. 

It’s never easy to see the plans we’re excited for change completely, especially when those changes bring heartache. We aren’t promised that we won’t feel pain or sadness, but we’re able to cling to joy and peace during those times knowing that God has a perfect plan for us— even if it’s something we never believed possible.

Elizabeth loved God with all her heart, even when she believed that He wouldn’t bless her with the baby she longed for (Luke 1). Joseph was initially concerned about this situation and planned to end his engagement to Mary; he instead followed the commands of the angels of God and trusted the Lord’s plans (Matthew 1). Mary knew her future held heartache and difficulties as the mother of Jesus. But Elizabeth, Joseph and Mary trusted and listened.

When we put our full trust in our relationship with our heavenly Father, we’re able to fully experience how His plans are always greater than our own. At the end of Luke 1, Elizabeth rejoiced and we can rejoice along with her knowing and trusting that, “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (Luke 1:45).

Spoiler alert— I’m not a teacher. I changed my major three times. I didn’t marry that high school boyfriend, but I did marry my college sweetheart. I just had our third baby girl at the age of 34. I live an hour and a half from my hometown. I’m blessed beyond measure and this life God has built for me is greater than I could have ever imagined.

Our plans may fail and change, but His never do. Before making a plan all on your own, I encourage you to seek the Lord and prayerfully ask Him to guide you into the right direction. 

Seek him daily, with everything and trust that whatever His plans may be, that they are far better than you could ever imagine. 
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and future.’” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Picture
Picture

About the Author

​My name is Brittany Marlow. I have been married to my husband, Justin, for 8 years. We have three of the sweetest baby girls, Macy Jo (7) Shelby June (4) and Rosie Neil (1). I love spending time with family and friends at the lake, enjoying a big bowl of popcorn at the movies and working out. I have grown exponentially while being a part of this community. I believe it’s so important to walk through life with others. I am passionate about growing in my faith and helping other women do the same.
0 Comments

9/21/2023 0 Comments

Hope in God’s Promises

Picture
I was blessed with a mother-in-law who welcomed me into her family with open arms and an open heart. She has fully accepted me from the beginning and has never once made me feel as though I did not belong. She asks my opinion, includes me in everything, lends a hand whenever I need it and loves my children unconditionally. So finding out that she had been diagnosed with cancer left me completely devastated and hopeless. 

I read my Bible daily, pray constantly, am in a life-giving community and lead a podcast encouraging women to grow in their relationship with God. I feel as though I am rooted deeply and abiding in God’s word. Yet, when I heard this news, it took me a while to remember how powerful my God is. I was immediately blinded with thoughts of what our future looked like and the hard road ahead. I prayed for God to heal her and knew it was possible, but still let the fear and anxiety hold me captive. I grieved over what the future might look like for my family and over big plans that included our matriarch that had to be put on hold. I held on to the proverbial blindfold of my feelings over what I know God can do. 
In John 20, Mary Magdalene visits Jesus’ tomb and sees the stone rolled away and that it’s empty. Her mind immediately thinks his body has been stolen. Jesus cast seven demons out of Mary (Luke 8:2). She followed Jesus closely and listened to his teachings. Yet, when she saw his body gone she did not immediately hope for his resurrection, rather she panicked. She let her grief blind what she already knew and what was right in front of her. She relayed the news that his body was gone and two disciples came to see for themselves. John looked around the tomb and the Bible says “he believed”(John 20:8). There was nothing hindering his sight; he knew Jesus had risen and he didn’t need to see him for the proof. 

Just like Mary, instead of feeling hopeful for what God could and would do for my mother-in-law, I let fear and panic cloud my mind. I’m not saying that if I had immediately remembered the full power of God's healing over my mother-in-law that the road to her healing would have been smooth. Finding hope in God’s promises can overshadow the feeling of grief and provide peace during the storm. 

I encourage you today to root yourself in God’s word and remember the hope that is waiting for you when you remember the promise He has given us. Take time to pray today for God to lift what is blinding you, to release the blindfold tied over your eyes and to look for the hope of what He can and has done for you. Pray for God to guide you through the grief and fear that grips you and to fill you with the peace that only He can give you.
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”  2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV)
Picture
Picture

About the Author

My name is Brittany Marlow. I have been married to my husband, Justin, for 9 years. We have three of the sweetest girls, Macy Jo, Shelby June, and Rosie Neil. I love spending time with family and friends at the lake, enjoying a big bowl of popcorn at the movies and working out. I have grown exponentially while being a part of the Rooted Moms community. I believe it’s so important to walk through life with others. I am passionate about growing in my faith and helping other women do the same. ​​​
0 Comments

9/20/2023 0 Comments

Hitting Snooze

Picture
My alarm went off and I immediately hit snooze. Five o’clock in the morning was early for me. The night before, I set my alarm with the intention of getting up with enough time to work out, as well as do my quiet time before my kids woke up. Once the kids were awake, it would be a whirlwind of getting two small children ready and out the door in time for school, then it was a mile long list of “to do’s” until pick-up. This alone time in the morning was precious and much needed, but when my alarm sounded, I let my good intentions fall to the wayside and I hit snooze, missing that precious time.

I call that time precious and much needed because I was already feeling weary. The things in my world were weighing me down. Motherhood, wifehood, small group leader, groceries, finances, keeping up with friends, family illnesses, activities, and thoughts like “did I switch the towels to the dryer last night?” filled my time. The list felt never ending and my brain felt like a computer with 27 tabs open. I felt dry, exhausted and lonely. In that moment of hitting snooze, I was saying “no thanks” to God’s aid. I had missed my quiet time for a few days in a row, and when I did have it, I was putting in little effort to really connect and abide in His love. ​
In Isaiah 40:11, Isaiah paints us a beautiful picture of what Jesus is and will be when he comes. “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lamb in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young” (Isaiah 40:11). He promises to carry us close to his heart, protecting and guiding us! What could be more comforting than that. As a mother, when my children are scared or hurt, they immediately climb into my lap seeking hugs and shelter. They seek a comforting word from me that it will be okay and I always urge them to trust me, promising to protect them. I desperately needed this from Jesus, but by allowing that precious time with Him to pass by, I was pushing that comfort away. This time could have filled my heart and mind with peace and understanding but instead I was choosing chaos. 

Later in the chapter, Isaiah takes 3 verses to describe even further the love He has for us: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV). I think this is perhaps one of my favorite verses. I repeat it often and one I recall easily. However, I had no strength to remind myself of what God could do for me because I was choosing my world over His. I was selfish and greedy with my time instead of inviting God into my time to give me strength to exit out of those 27 tabs filling my brain with anxiety.

Friends, I urge you to stop hitting that proverbial snooze button, whatever it may be that’s hindering your walk with Him. When we make spending time with the Lord a priority, He gives us the strength to push through the weariness of this world. He will give us strength when we ask for it. He can give us peace, when we ask for it. He offers us comfort, when we ask for it. But we can only ask for these things when we seek time with Him and his word. Make time for God, just as you make time for all the other “to-do’s” on your list today. 
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)
Picture
Picture

About the Author

My name is Brittany Marlow. I have been married to my husband, Justin, for 9 years. We have three of the sweetest girls, Macy Jo, Shelby June, and Rosie Neil. I love spending time with family and friends at the lake, enjoying a big bowl of popcorn at the movies and working out. I have grown exponentially while being a part of the Rooted Moms community. I believe it’s so important to walk through life with others. I am passionate about growing in my faith and helping other women do the same. ​​
0 Comments

9/18/2023 0 Comments

Giving Our Plans to God

Picture
When I was pregnant with my first daughter, I had visions of going into labor at Target. I would be strolling the aisles of Target and all of a sudden my water would break. I would call my husband in a panic and drive myself to the hospital to meet him. Then we would welcome our baby girl into the world together, easy breezy. Oh, how that couldn’t have been further from reality. To my surprise, I would never actually go into labor. I would develop a condition called HELLP Syndrome, where in order to save my daughters’ life, as well as my own, my doctor would perform an emergency c-section at 35 weeks. That is how we welcomed our 4lbs. 8 oz. baby girl into the world. 

I wouldn’t say I had a specific birth plan, but I can tell you that was not even close to what I had envisioned for myself. I had friends, with the best intentions, encouraging me that even though I had a c-section, I still labored and brought that child into the world. And although I couldn’t produce food for my child, it didn’t make me any less of a mother. Well, “duh,” I thought to myself.
“Of course, I was just as strong as every other mother whose birth went according to their plan.” It wasn’t until those sleepless nights set in and the fifth reflux outfit change of the morning that the questioning started. Why? Is this really the plan for me?

​While reading Job, I sympathized with him. After multiple disasters fell upon his life, Job was left asking why and only receiving solutions from his well-intentioned friends, but those solutions never addressed the heart of the issue. They were all pointing to what Job must have done wrong. 
​

In the midst of suffering, it can be hard for us to remember that God is still there, which makes it so easy for us to turn to those around us instead of turning to Him. Job knew God wasn’t allowing this to happen because he was sinful, just like I knew I was a mother no matter how my child was brought to me or how she was fed. But just like Job, I asked God why such circumstances were happening to me. “Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant me what I hope for…” (Job 6:8). If only God would explain to me why these were my circumstances, then I would understand and things would be easier. 

God never gave Job specific answers to his questions, but He did remind him of the almighty God that He is. He reminded Job of what He had done and that he was the only one who could do such things. God reminded him of His promises and that He was always there, leading him through the valleys. 


While I was busy asking why, I was also busy missing God’s presence in my life. He was always there, right beside me, waiting for me to trust and have faith. Instead of waiting for an explanation, take time to pray and seek God’s presence and peace within your life. An explanation won’t bring peace, but trusting in God and His plan will. Although this present was hard, He was blessing me with a future better than I could have ever planned for myself.

Would you believe that my daughter never spent one second in the NICU and that she was discharged from the hospital before me? I wouldn’t change her birth or the hard road after for anything because God was teaching me to trust in His plan above my own.  I didn’t make this child, God did. I didn’t bring her into the world, He did. And as much as I want to plan for her life, He has a better one. What God brings to our life is always good; He is never against us. But he also doesn’t promise a life without struggle. Friend, give your plan to God and trust in the promise that what He has in store for you is greater. 
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
Picture
Picture

About the Author

My name is Brittany Marlow. I have been married to my husband, Justin, for 9 years. We have three of the sweetest girls, Macy Jo, Shelby June, and Rosie Neil. I love spending time with family and friends at the lake, enjoying a big bowl of popcorn at the movies and working out. I have grown exponentially while being a part of the Rooted Moms community. I believe it’s so important to walk through life with others. I am passionate about growing in my faith and helping other women do the same. ​
0 Comments

12/9/2022 0 Comments

Hope in God’s Promises

Picture
I was blessed with a mother-in-law who welcomed me into her family with open arms and an open heart. She fully accepted me from the beginning and never once made me feel as though I did not belong. She asks my opinion, includes me in everything, lends a hand whenever I need it and loves my children unconditionally. So finding out that she had been diagnosed with cancer left me completely devastated and hopeless. 

I read my Bible daily, pray constantly, am in a life-giving community and lead a podcast encouraging women to grow in their relationship with God. I feel as though I am rooted deeply and abiding in God’s word. Yet, when I heard this news, it took me a while to remember how powerful my God is. I was immediately blinded with thoughts of what our future looked like and the hard road ahead. I prayed for God to heal her and knew it was possible, but still let the fear and anxiety hold me captive. I grieved over what the future might look like for my family and over big plans that included our matriarch that had to be put on hold. I held on to the proverbial blindfold of my feelings over what I know God can do. 
In John 20, Mary Magdalene visits Jesus’ tomb and sees the stone rolled away and that it’s empty. Her mind immediately thinks his body has been stolen. Jesus cast seven demons out of Mary (Luke 8:2). She followed Jesus closely and listened to his teachings. Yet, when she saw his body gone she did not immediately hope for his resurrection, rather she panicked. She let her grief blind what she already knew and what was right in front of her. She relayed the news that his body was gone and two disciples came to see for themselves. John looked around the tomb and the Bible says “he believed” (John 20:8). There was nothing hindering his sight; he knew Jesus had risen and he didn’t need to see him for the proof. 

Just like Mary, instead of feeling hopeful for what God could and would do for my mother-in-law, I let fear and panic cloud my mind. I’m not saying that if I had immediately remembered the full power of God's healing over my mother-in-law that the road to her healing would have been smooth. Finding hope in God’s promises can overshadow the feeling of grief and provide peace during the storm. 

I encourage you today to root yourself in God’s word and remember the hope that is waiting for you when you remember the promise He has given us. Take time to pray today for God to lift what is blinding you, to release the blindfold tied over your eyes and to look for the hope of what He can and has done for you. Pray for God to guide you through the grief and fear that grips you and to fill you with the peace that only He can give you. 
Memory Verse: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” - 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV)
Picture

About the Author

My name is Brittany Marlow. I have been married to my husband, Justin, for 6 years. We live in Georgia and have two of the sweetest baby girls. I love spending time with family and friends at the lake, enjoying a big bowl of popcorn at the movies and working out. I have grown exponentially while being a part of this community. I believe it’s so important to walk through life with others. I am passionate about growing in my faith and helping other women do the same.
0 Comments

8/31/2022 1 Comment

Communication is Key

Picture
​My first daughter was a terrible sleeper. While trying to keep my eyelids propped open and a baby from falling out of my arms, my husband snored happily one room over. It infuriated me. Why didn’t he offer to change her diaper when I had just done it? Didn’t he hear her crying in the middle of the night? Why didn’t he offer to make dinner every now and then? My anger would build all night until both my daughter and I drifted off to sleep. Why couldn’t he just do these things? 
 
I wanted him to know exactly how to help me and to know exactly what I needed, when I needed it. How could I expect him to know when and how I needed help if I wasn’t being clear? I realized I wasn’t asking for his help and when he did offer, I wouldn’t let him. We needed to be working together but guess who was hindering that? I’ll tell you right now, it wasn’t him. We weren’t united as one because I was dividing us.
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he explains to them to “live worthy of the calling they have received” (Eph. 4:1) and to do so with humility, making every effort to stay peacefully unified. Paul later relates this concept to marriage: that as man and wife you should be unified “as one flesh” (Eph. 5:31). 
 
After reading this, I felt called out, rightfully so. In the struggle, I was looking to myself to do everything when I should have been looking to God who would have pointed me to my husband. I was trying my best to live out my calling of being a mother, but I wasn’t putting the same effort into my calling of being a wife. I wasn’t humbling myself or submitting myself to my husband, so how could I expect any sort of peace?  
 
I was sitting in that chair at night wishing my daughter would sleep better or that my husband would read my mind. Instead, I should have been communicating with God on how I could communicate better to my husband. It was easier for the enemy to attack me in my sleep deprived state, feeling alone and upset, because I was cutting myself off from God’s guidance and my husband's support. 
 
God doesn’t want us to do everything ourselves. The Bible explains that we are all part of the body of Christ with different functions and to be able to function properly, we have to work together (1 Cor. 12:12-28). We need our brain to tell our feet to move forward so we can walk. In this way, we need our communication to help our families work as a cohesive unit. When we fail to communicate, it is easier for negativity and resentment to bubble to the surface. The doubts and anger from the enemy start to seep in. Paul encourages the Ephesians to “speak the truth” and not to “give the devil an opportunity” (Eph. 4:25-27). 
 
If you’re feeling alone and unsupported, maybe it’s because you’ve cut yourself off from the other parts of the body within your support system. By not communicating the truth of your feelings and needs, you rob your support system of living within the calling that God has given them. Live worthy of your calling and humble yourself to allow others to live worthy of theirs. 
 
In the quiet moments (and the loud ones), I encourage you to pray fervently. After all, communication is key. Let God’s grace and gentle guidance lead you to those around you when you need help and encouragement. Submit to your spouse in love and respect and feel the peaceful unity God has graced upon both of you. 
Memory Verse: “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3
Picture

About the Author

My name is Brittany Marlow. I have been married to my husband, Justin, for 6 years. We live in Georgia and have two of the sweetest baby girls. I love spending time with family and friends at the lake, enjoying a big bowl of popcorn at the movies and working out. I have grown exponentially while being a part of this community. I believe it’s so important to walk through life with others. I am passionate about growing in my faith and helping other women do the same.
1 Comment

8/31/2022 0 Comments

Whispers of Purpose

Picture

​What I wanted most when I grew up, was to be a wife and a mom. God was gracious enough to allow that to become my reality but in the midst of the postpartum struggle with my first daughter, I felt a longing for something more. I thought maybe I needed a new job and prayed for God to bless me with a new title. One where I could say I’m a mom but I’m also insert fancy job title here. I prayed and searched and that job with a shiny new name placard never came. 
 
While waiting, I joined a Bible study group with a group of women who started to encourage me on a whole new level. As I rooted myself in His Word, dreams I didn’t know I had started to unfold. 
​Recently, my daughter’s class was asked to dress up for community helper day as something they would like to be when they grow up. My darling first born baby girl thought for a while and said she wanted to go to school dressed just like me, a mommy. That’s when God whispered, “I’ve already given you one.” He was referring to the fancy title I’d asked Him for. God knew I didn’t need a new job or title; I needed a different perspective: His perspective.
 
In 1 Kings, Elijah was fearless in approaching the king and stayed steadfast in his calling from the Lord. Elijah just defeated the Baal priests, but Jezebel became enraged at this and threatened his life. Fearfully, Elijah ran. In his weakest moment, God not only provided food and drink, but also called out to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9). Elijah was ready to throw in the towel, completely defeated.  Elijah answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Armies, but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they’re looking for me to take my life” (1 Kings 19:14). Elijah waited for a tremendous answer like he had previously received, but that’s not what came. God brought mighty winds, an earthquake and a blazing fire, but His voice was heard in the small, gentle whisper.

​God’s whisper and signs were the encouragement Elijah needed to hear and see from God’s perspective. His confidence came from God and God alone. Nothing in this world can sustain us other than our God. The Lord asked him once more, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:13). Elijah felt God’s presence with him and he was humbled. His words were the same and his situation unchanged but he was renewed by hearing God’s voice. God’s whisper helped Elijah exchange his doubt for trust. 
 
Elijah was waiting for God to answer him with a miracle; instead, He sent Elijah a whisper. He didn’t change his path or his calling. He gave Elijah a shift in perspective. Through that seemingly small answer, Elijah remembered his God given purpose. He was confident and courageous again. He rested in his confirmation from the Lord. 
 
Instead of asking for a change in circumstance, pray for a change in perspective. Pray for your doubt to be exchanged for trust in the Lord’s unfailing love and promises. I encourage you to shift your perspective of how you view yourself to the same lens God uses. The deeper I become rooted in God’s Word, the easier it becomes to step into the identity of who God says I am and to step out of the identity of who the world says I am. God has given you an assignment and if you’re listening, you’ll find guidance and confirmation in His sweet whispers. 
​Memory Verse: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”  Colossians 3:1-2
Picture

About the Author

My name is Brittany Marlow. I have been married to my husband, Justin, for 6 years. We live in Georgia and have two of the sweetest baby girls. I love spending time with family and friends at the lake, enjoying a big bowl of popcorn at the movies and working out. I have grown exponentially while being a part of this community. I believe it’s so important to walk through life with others. I am passionate about growing in my faith and helping other women do the same.
0 Comments

    Devotionals by Author

    All Abby McDonald Alexa Gearhart Angi Morrison Anna Bearden Anne Say Audra Powers Breanna Faith Spearman Brenna Kurz Brittany Marlow Caroline Hultgren Courtney Filippin Dana Schaefer Danielle Biddy Debbie Burns Heather Kenny Jannetta Cox Jessica Parker Jess Ridgeway Joan Lavori Katelyn Wilson Katie Gibson Kelly Orlowski Kerri Barfield Keryn Stokes Kristen Williamson Laura Pendley Lindsay McNeely Lonette Baity Martha Rudolph Nancy Ehlinger Renee Robinson Saretta Wells Tara McGill Taylor Watkins Tierney Nashleanas Wendy Gerdes

    RSS Feed