About

This week Chelsey sat down with her friend, Tabitha Deller. A seasoned wife, mom of 4 boys, and steadfast follower of Christ. She shares the duty of being a Godly mother and also how we are called to be spiritual moms to those God has entrusted to us!At the end of this week's episode, you'll hear all about the Mother's Day Giveaway and how to enter!! 1) Tell us about you, your family, and your ministry!I loves words — written or spoken. I am passionate about God’s Word and the life changing truths found in it. I love reading it, writing about it, and challenging others to do the same.I have had opportunities to do just that on several occasions through writing Bible Studies of my own and teaching them both in person and online, as well as through speaking engagements at events and retreats . Anytime I can write or talk about God's Word and His great love for us is such a blessing, and I always learn and glean far more than I teach or give.My highest calling is to know Him and make Him known. My heart’s desire is to do that everyday, first in my home, and then wherever He calls me to “go.” I want my words to go where even I can’t, and I want the way I live my life to always point others to His Word and the way He lived and died and rose again to bring everlasting and abundant life to all who believe and receive.I am a southern girl from North Carolina but have lived half my life in Pennsylvania. It was during my college years that my life was radically changed by my discovery of an ongoing, daily walk with Jesus through the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. It was through the ministry of Campus Crusade that I met my husband of nearly 20 years, Steve, during the summer of ’96. We were both on a summer project in Branson, MO that proved to be the impetus for passionately pursuing ministry opportunities throughout our marriage.We have four sons, Joshua (about to be 20 (was born the day after Mother’s Day)), Caleb (18), Nathan (16), and Isaac (14). We are in a mixture of educational stages — 2 in college, one in high school, and one in Jr. High. We’ve homeschooled, public schooled, dually enrolled, etc...I have always had a desire to teach and share God’s love with others. My passion for writing surfaced when I was as a mother of small children and would use writing as a way of praying, processing, and preparing myself for the future. When I'm not writing, teaching, or speaking, I can be found in the stands at one of my boys’ volleyball or baseball games cheering them on. I love cheering people on and am a natural encourager in every sphere of influence God has provided.I loves to travel and experience new things but am also a self professed creature of habit. I love routine but welcomes interruptions as I have learned those interruptions are oftentimes God’s divine interjections that lead to ministry opportunities and kingdom building.If you spend any time with me, you will understand very quickly just how much I love God, His Word, and His people. The deep abiding joy that comes from that love oozes out of me in conversation, and I welcome opportunities to share God’s love with others, in both word and deed. He has truly changed my life, and I seek to spend my life changing others’ lives every chance I get.Mother’s Day Interview Living with Less Podcast2) I’ve been so excited to sit down with you for this Mother’s Day episode to not only talk about being a physical mother of 4 boys but also as a spiritual mother for those entrusted to you. I want to first unpack the Biblical call of being a mother and how we are to called to steward well those God has given us. Can you share some scripture with us and talk through the role of being called Mom.Well, I know the Proverbs 31 Woman sometimes gets a bad rap, but I truly feel like she’s an awesome example to glean wisdom from. Things we are trying to “pass down to” or “teach” our children are more caught than taught. We must model them. A closer look at P31:NIVEpilogue: The Wife of Noble Character10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.NLTA Wife of Noble Character10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.11 Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.13 She finds wool and flax and busily spins it.14 She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar.15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. 16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.17 She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.19 Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.20 She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.21 She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm[c] clothes.22 She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.23 Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders.Mother’s Day Interview Living with Less Podcast24 She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.26 When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.27 She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.28 Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. 31 Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.ESVThe Woman Who Fears the Lord10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.13 She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.14 She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.15 She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. 16 She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.17 She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.20 She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.22 She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.23 Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.26 She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.27 She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:29 “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.Initial thoughts:We can feel like we have to be WONDERWOMAN OR SOME SUPER MOM after reading this passage...THESE HAVE TO BE FIRST DONE WITHIN THE HOME...YOUR PRIMARY PLATFORM, MISSION FIELD, BEFORE WE CAN BE OF EFFECTIVE SERVICE ELSEWHERE...A P31 Woman is:1. She is TRUSTWORTHY and CONFIDENT (GODFIDENT). (31:11)2. She is DILIGENT. (PRODUCTIVE not just BUSY) (13:13,15)3. She is GENEROUS. (31:20)4. She is SHREWD/PRUDENT. (PRACTICAL CLEVERNESS) (sensible, wise, on top of it) (31:21-22) 5. She is CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT SHE SAYS. (Offers words of wisdom to others...teaches) (31:26)3) You and I are on the same wave length on all levels. I think we have to address what we’re watching take place culturally in society. Culture wants to strip away the true meaning and value of women being mothers. For all those listening today, how would you encourage them with TRUTH to stand firm against this false, godless narrative in society?Be in the WORD, before you step foot in the WORLD. Learn and grow from HIS TRUTH, so you can recognize and reject the world’s lies. Surround yourself with LIKEMINDED women, mentors, teachers, prayer warriors. KNOW THE WORD, and wield your SWORD. It does no good to keep it in the sheath.4) As a mom of 4 boys you’ve seen a lot. I’d love to know what have the most important things the Lord has taught you through your journey as a mom?Be in the moment. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Always take time to listen. Laundry, dishes, and all other mom duties can wait. Prioritize them. They are your primary mission field.Shoveling the walk before it stops snowing is like cleaning the house before they stop growing.5) Being a mom to Cam has changed my world in the most incredible way. God has used it to sanctify me and glorify Himself. Through this though, I’ve been blessed to have several strong Christian women (mentors) come alongside me as motherhood has unfolded. I’d love to hear your heart on Biblical mentorship and how important it is!Titus 2:3-5 ~ Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.These three verses say it all...again, more caught than taught. Model it. Spend time cross generationally. You should always be learning from someone older and pouring in to someone younger. Watch, learn, ask questions, pray together, GROW in your walk with the Lord and in your motherhood.6) What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received through your years of being a mother?Don’t stress over the mess.Shoveling the walk before it stops snowing is like cleaning the house before they stop growing. If you want to see me and my family, stop by anytime, if you want to see my house, make an appointment.Mother’s Day Interview Living with Less PodcastMake time. Take time. Don’t waste time.Involve them in EVERYTHING.Pray. Pray. Pray. (for them, with them, over them...and let them pray for you, too). More caught than taught. Don’t just GIVE advice. LIVE wise.7) To wrap up I’d love to know if someone asked you what they needed to begin Living With Less of in regard to their relationship with the Lord what would it be and why?Social Media. Ugh. Such a time hog. Turn off the devices and tune in to HIM!! Less of the world means more time in the Word.8) How can everyone find you - IG, FB, website!www.tabithadeller.comhttps://www.instagram.com/tabdeller/ https://www.facebook.com/Tabitha-Deller-Author-Speaker-Teacher-101629781970442 Mother's Day Giveaway Details:Head to @livingwithless IG page!Like the Mother's Day Giveaway postPlease follow Oil of Joy, Tabitha Deller, and Entrusted By HimComment on the post for extra entires!