The Shell by William-Adolphe Bouguereau
I used to believe that to give advice as an older woman, I needed to live a picture-perfect life – to be a perfect role model. But, if I gave in to the old lie that ‘I have no business giving advice because I am so flawed’, I would never do what I am commanded in the Bible to do: to ‘teach what is good’ and ‘urge the younger women to love their husbands and children’, (Titus 2: 3-4).
So even with all my personal imperfections, I still hope to communicate powerful truths through each quote and image. These principles are as relevant today as ever – and maybe more-so – for they are ever more needed today!
Some of the Best Advice I Know:
Biblical advice in paintings and quotes from others I respect:
“Womanhood is a wonderful thing. In womankind we find the mothers of the race. There is no man so great, nor none sunk so low, but once he lay a helpless, innocent babe in a woman’s arms and was dependent on her love and care for his existence. It is woman who rocks the cradle of the world and holds the first affections of mankind. She possesses a power beyond that of a king on his throne. …
Womanhood stands for all that is pure and clean and noble. She who does not make the world better for having lived in it has failed to be all that a woman should be.”
~Mabel Hale, Beautiful Girlhood: A Timeless Guide for Christian Adolescence
~~~~~~~
Sun Bath by Trisha Romance, 1988“The way we live life intentionally speaks volumes to our children. When we do not even really think they are listening, the small conversations, the friendships, the life shared is going into their souls. They do pick up our own commitments and convictions when their own soul’s have been filled and then they watch our lives and it whets their appetites. What a blessing to see the Holy Spirit moving in and amongst our normal moments of life and conversation.
“The spirit of a woman to speak light into darkness can change a whole family’s history.” ~Sally Clarkson, Someone Is Always Observing Our Lives
~~~~~~~
“If your life looks like a mess – to them — they whip out a measuring stick and feel confident of their own worthiness.
“If your life looks like a monument – to them — they whip out a measuring stick – and start cutting you down for their own empowerment.
“Everything isn’t a marker to make you feel behind or ahead; everything is a flame to make you see GOD is here.
“Walk through life with a measuring stick – and your eyes get so small you never see God.”
“Girls rival each other. Women revive each other.
Girls empale each other. Women empower each other.
Girls compare each other. Women champion each other.”
~Ann Voskamp, The Measuring Stick Principle
~~~~~~~
“Bowing in prayer … strengthens all the household for life’s activities.
Wisdom is sought and obtained for the decisions and plans of the day. Guidance is asked and received. Help is drawn down from the throne of God. The children go out under sheltering wings and are safe in danger, guarded by angles and kept by Christ Himself.” ~J.R. Miller, Home-Making
“Until you know that life is war, you cannot know what prayer is for.” ~John Piper
~~~~~~~
Dear Lord, I bring to Thee my son
Whose tender years have scarce begun.
In this wee frame I know full well
A living soul has come to dwell
Who needs Thee now at childhood’s gate,
Ere he shall grow to man’s estate.
I covenant through hours apart
To pray for him with fervent heart,
To teach Thy Word with winsome voice
By day and night until his choice
Be but Thy blood for sin’s deep stain,
And my small son is born again.
Then onward shall I pray the more
And teach Thy precepts o’er and o’er,
That he may grow, each boyhood hour,
By Thine indwelling risen power,
Lord, some small boys with none to care
Will never hear a mother’s prayer;
Prepare my son with love aflame
To reach them with Thy saving name.
And make him, Lord, a polished tool,
A learner in Thy highest school.
A mother’s part seems, oh, so frail!
But Thy strong arm can never fail.
To teach, to pray, to stand are mine;
Expectantly I yield to Thee
The little boy Thou gavest me.
~Louise B. Eavey
When I have a day filled with too much activity, am upset, or exhausted, I look to the following scripture fully written out across the tops of the south-facing windows near my kitchen where it is most visible to me. It is my best Titus 2 advice. I have it memorized and by closing my eyes can ‘read’ it no matter where I am:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” ~Matthew 11: 28-30
~~~~~~~
“Aim high, sweet mama. And when mistakes come, know they are covered by the One who holds all in His hands, and whose mercies are ‘new every morning!'” ~Sally Clarkson
~~~~~~~
Children need to run and play, get dirty and learn to clean up!
“The childhood shows the man
As morning shows the day.”
~John Milton, Paradise Regained
“Children are intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, and physically fed through imaginative play, outdoors and fresh air, free time – yes, even some bored time – so they can develop skills to use it wisely. Children need time for inner strength and wherewithal to form. Time to listen to the wind in the leaves, birds, rain on the roof, or simply feel the warmth of the sun on their shoulders with a good book. Time to swing real high for the sheer joy of it and to explore God’s creation in all its grandeur.” ~Jacqueline, Are We Starving The Hearts Of Our Children?
~~~~~~~
“I can interact with the members of my family in a constant state of dependence and prayer, asking God to work in me and through me, and resting in the fact that He will accomplish His will in spite of me.” ~Pam Forster at Doorposts, What Would I Do Differently, Part 1
Advice On Beauty
“Elizabeth Taylor will never again look like she did when she was 16 years old and starring in National Velvet in spite of all the cosmetic alterations she has undergone. She’ll never look that beautiful again.
“Our culture encourages women to cultivate a beauty that would only last for a brief amount of time. God encourages women to cultivate a beauty that will never fade. And it will only grow more attractive with the passing of time.
“God summons us to cultivate a beauty for His eyes only–a beauty that is of great worth in His sight. God bids us to aspire to the beauty of the holy women of the past who put their hope in God. The beauty our culture esteems…it may turn some heads. But, the beauty God calls us to cultivate…it will make a lasting impact.” ~Carolyn Mahaney’s advice in True Beauty.
Thoughts On Guilt
When you are doing your best, don’t dwell in guilt.
I daily rely on the verse that opens Romans 8: “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death…” As a woman and as a Mother, I hope you will grab hold of this verse, too, for it can carry you through the worst of trials and give you power, freedom, and a proper perspective to live life without the guilt of a performance driven-life.
I love you, and it’s my joy to pray for each of you, readers. Trust that the Lord knows your need and will supply it in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Call on Jesus today if you haven’t. He will show you what I’m talking about! He gives the best advice.
***For the Full Spike Protein Protocol (including NAC) to protect from transmission from the “V” and to help those who took the “V”, go here.
Deep Roots At Home now has a PODCAST! We are covering everything from vaccines, parenting topics, alternative medicine. Head over today and like, share and download a few episodes! https://buff.ly/3KmTZZd
I am once again being shadow-banned over on FB. I’d love to stay connected with you, and here is one way…
Censorship is real. My Pinterest account was just suspended; surprisingly, part of my main board is still available through this link, and it scrolls down a long way so all is not lost! BEWARE of the promotional ads in there! They are not placed by me. Pinterest now sells space in boards for these ads, and Temu is a scam. Do not download the app!
You can also find me on Instagram, MeWe, and Telegram.
And please join me for my FREE newsletter. Click here.
©2026 Deep Roots at Home • All Rights Reserved
Jane
Beautiful- the images, the quotes and the sentiment. I needed this today- thank you.
Jacqueline
So thankful it has been a help in time of need! That was my prayer! <3
kelly
I appreciate your blog. Thank you for being a Titus 2 kind of woman. Following after, Kelly
Jacqueline
Thank you, Kelly! It is really all the Lord! In Him alone is victory!
Blessings, new friend 🙂
Marci Ferrell
Beautiful Jacque <3. Thank you for the encouragement you are to all us Mama's – young and old ;). I love you xo.
Jedidja
Thanks for that beautiful quotes and paintings!
Cheryl Smith
This was a wonderful post. I just love the beautiful artwork depicting motherhood….definitely one of God’s greatest, most precious gifts to us! So thankful to be a mother after so many years of waiting and struggling with infertility. God is SO good!
Jacqueline
Boy, I resonate with that, Cheryl. Please pray along with me that it will encourage some dear weary and overwhelmed Mamas along the way. 🙂
((Hugs))
Toni
This is a beautiful post, Jacqueline, and the quotes you used so aptly describe our dilemmas and the solutions. The quote by John Piper is so true – this life is truly a battle. I’m so thankful for God’s Word everyday as it’s all we need to overcome the battles. Love the images, too, especially Family Traditions. 🙂 Keeping you and your dear blog in my prayers.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Toni
Jacqueline
Oh, I can’t tell you how much your prayers mean to me, Toni. You are such a wonderful friend, even if we have never met in person. Love you, and I’m praying for you, too! <3
Christy C
Wonderful! Such an encouragement, as always. I read this post this morning after spending 30 plus minutes in prayer for my family and friends. I am prepared, with the Lord at my side, to guide my nesters and grands today.
Looking forward to seeing you at home school conference next month! My teens are excited to work with the other teens this year!
Hugs and prayers for you!
Christy
Jacqueline
I am so glad and can’t wait. I think they will have a grand time 🙂
Maybe I can get to meet your family!
JES
Just beautiful and encouraging. Thank you!
Jacqueline
Thanks, JES. So you are to me, sweet friend and Mama. I love you always in the Lord 🙂
Charlotte Moore
AMEN!!! Great post!!! I wish I could say I had done all these things when my children were small.
Jacqueline
Oh, Charlotte! Me, too! I think I felt like the worst Mam on earth so many times and still do occasionally! it is our desire to be wonderful, nurturing mothers that drives us to our knees!
Love you, dear friend <3
Jang
What an encouragement especially the mother’s prayer poem. So timely for me..
Jacqueline
God knows our every need, Jang! I praise Him!!!
Blessings today and always, friend.
Nicole
I really like the “Family Traditions” by Morgan Weistling. What a busy happy picture!
Jacqueline
Oh, Nicole~ me, too! It is my favorite of the bunch 🙂
Stephanie
Beautiful pictures and encouraging words.
Nisha
This was indeed timely and beautiful. Thank you. 🙂
Jacqueline
Thank you, Nisha! I’ll come visit you 🙂
Jacqueline
Thank you, Nisha!
I’m coming over for a visit 🙂
Tara
Hi Jacqueline,
I was wondering if you have any advice for this burnt out, stuck in a rut homeschooling mum. I am a sole parent with no real support network and don’t have many friends since becoming a Christian. (I was saved a few years after I left my children’s dad.)
We have been homeschooling for 2 years now with the ACE curriculum. My children are so bored of it, and so am I to be totally honest (and also tired of the constant battles to get them to do the work, which I always lose), but without it, I just know that I couldn’t continue to homeschool them.
I love having them at home (even though every day is a constant battle) and I love being a mum that can stay home with my children. I want to continue doing this, but I’m so disenchanted with life I guess you could say. We just seem to be stuck in a rut of butting heads over just about everything. They have completely worn me out and I don’t know how to ‘fill the bucket’ again, so to speak.
We attend a church, and have made a couple of friends there, but that’s about it. We don’t get out too much because of the vicious circle we are in of me wanting them to do their school work in order to do the ‘fun stuff’. Since they rarely do their work, we rarely go out and do fun things. I’ve tried doing the opposite, of just quitting for the day and doing something else, but to them, they see it as them winning and getting the day off.
I’m sorry to be blurting this all out here, but the friends I do have don’t really understand my position and think that I’m having a pity party because I’m so down about our circumstances. The only conversation with adults I get is at church once a week, and at our sports on the weekend (which don’t run all year round).
It’s a pretty lonely existence, which is partly my fault due to only wanting fellow Christian friends who are like-minded and have similar convictions as me.
I just don’t know how I can change things so they get interested in doing their school work and so that I can get over the dreariness of each day.
(I hope I don’t sound like a complete miser, but I just don’t know what else to do.)
I’ve tried praying about things, but I guess God deals with things in His timing, not mine.
Any advice on how to put the fun and interest back in the mundane would be much appreciated. 🙂
Karen Lossing
Dear Tara, I just want to say I am praying for you, and have added you to my prayer list. I also want to encourage you in this time of trial as well. I would love to be your prayer partner, and would be so thankful if you would consider sharing that with me, or messaging me on facebook, as I am also available there.
Homeschooling is a gift and one that is done for our Children’s Benefit. If we are struggling, I believe it’s because we have come off course. Jesus has told us that His Yoke is Easy and His Burden is Light Matthew 11:30. If you can set back and re-access your expectations and your priorities, this might help you. I love to teach our Children in the way they should go, as we are told in Proverbs (Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.), I believe this place is a biblical assurance to us, that if we follow the leading of what God’s Gifts are in our Children’s lives, then we will see success. And I have several examples of using this in our own Children’s lives, and we have seen how effective this has been for them as well, as we have several adult Children, already finished with their schooling years. We are also in the midst of schooling our last four younger Children. When I say school your Children in their bent, that means when they have a love of something, spend all your studies focusing on this gift. One of our Daughters loved horses, we spent our studies focused on horses, all things horses. We learned breeds, we studied colors, we studied muscle groups, uses, functions, working breeds, training horses, therapy horses, drawing horses, writing horse stories, reading fiction and non fiction horse stories….etc! This love of horses turned out to be the best way to school our Daughter because SHE LOVED SCHOOL! When we are able to teach our Children what they love, they will retain it, and enjoy it and do something we want more of, A LOVE OF LEARNING. And this is just one example and very little shared of what we did, but you can see where I am going with this way of teaching..Yes our Children will need to do other subjects, such as math and more…but you can also gear that to your favorite subject of your gift, and then you can also shorten the amount of time spent on the subjects that bring the hardest trial, and pray often for God’s Wisdom, He promises us wisdom in James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
He does lead us, and will lighten our load, when we ask and BELIEVE He provides faith. Bless your Children as much as you can, pray over them every day, especially while they are sleeping, and when they are awake, seek prayer time with them. God Bless You Dear Momma as you press on!
Tara
Hi Karen,
Thanks for replying.
I too have a horse lover here. 🙂
I have decided to ease up and try to somehow refresh myself and recharge myself because I’m burnt out, so it’s mostly my fault that these children of mine aren’t doing their work. I’m too drained most days to fight the battles with them, so I just let it slide.
We are just about due to start school holidays here, so I will take this time to try to put myself back together and come back next term with the energy and motivation to get back on track.
🙂
Jacqueline
Dear Tara,
I am praying for you, dear one. I trust when you call on the Lord Jesus for help, He will give you the strength you need or carry you for a while. I stand with you in this! 🙂
Tara
Thank you Jacqueline.
All prayers are very much appreciated, and I appreciate your kindness. 🙂
Lord bless you.
Jacqueline
Dear Tara,
I am praying for you, dear one. I am away from home and not able to reply more than this right now. May the Lord of Lords, give you a deep peace regarding all you are facing at this time. Keep crying out to Him. This scripture means so much to me and I share it with you here: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11: 28-30 I will continue to pray!
Tara
Thank you Jacqueline.
That’s a good verse to remember in these trying times. 🙂
Leanne
I really appreciate the wholesome information I get on your blog. The artwork I see on your site is great! Where do you find it all? I wondered if you could tell me the name of the artist and the name of a particular painting I’ve seen on your site. It’s of a Mother hanging up her laundry outside with her children. I love that.
Thanks!
Jacqueline
Hi, Leanne,
I search ‘mother and children’, ‘mother’,’paintings’, ‘family’, etc. The names of the artwork in that post is right below each photo and so you can copy that into your search bar and see what else comes up… If you go to my DRAH FB site where you saw the laundry photo and click on the cover photo, it will enlarge. Then right click on it and you will see a link where it says ‘search Google for image’ you should find it then. I hope that helps 🙂 I’m thankful they bless you 😀
Blessings!!!
Leanne
Yes, now I remember — it was on your FB Site that I saw the Clothesline Painting. I tried doing as you said (clicking on the cover photo, then right clicking to see the ‘search Google for image’ link) but ‘search Google for image’ didn’t show up. And, there was nothing I could click on to help me find info about this painting. How else can I find the name of this painting and the name of the artist?
I’d really appreciate your help.
Thank You so much!
Jacqueline
Hi! Leanne, I’ve take and few minutes to google and search, but am not finding a solid name of the painting. I googgled: mother clothes on the line painting and I googled mother sheets on clothes line painting.
I’ve looked at Pinterest boards, but found everything but that painting. I’m sorry! I suppose you can take it over now 🙂 I hope you find it, friend! Have a great week!