This beautiful, vibrant and God-fearing woman is a new friend I am beyond thankful to have met – even if only virtually and via email! Recently, I was honoured to have Heidi graciously endorse my Devotional for mothers and daughters, her words made my heart sing! She makes her home in beautiful British Columbia, and If you know me at all, B.C is in my blood! I was able to enjoy my early years in Abbotsford and then head back to attend Trinity Western University in Langley for 4 years. I can’t wait to visit when the ability to travel is a reality. Heidi has written another book (visit her site for more of her writing) that came out last year called Fresh Joy that will bless and encourage you in so many incredible ways. Her personal journey with pain and loss has become a place of resting in God through the trials that has brought her joy only Jesus provides. I highly encourage you to add this to your summer reading list! Heidi, it is a joy to welcome you to Sovereign Radiance!

 

Heidi has an unbridled passion to help women discover their full potential and inspire them to unleash their extraordinary beauty from the inside out.  For 25 years she has been doing this through Bible teaching, speaking at Conferences, Retreats, writing, mentoring or one-on-one conversations over a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

Heidi is an international speaker and loves to speak to women at Conferences and Retreats in Canada, the United States and in Europe. Presently, Heidi along with Grace Fox and Kelita Haverland, is a member of RADIANT, a team which conducts day conferences in Canada.  She is also a very active member of WOMEN TOGETHER, a Canadian team which networks and empowers women globally. As part of this team, yearly she hosts 5 Global Leadership Webinars designed to train women to be better leaders. She is also part of the Carol Kent Speak Up Team, the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association of American and The Word Guild for Canada. She is also the contributor of several blogs, magazines and writes devotionals for ARISE DAILY and THE STORY..

 

 

Our Voices

 

 

Voices come at us all day long. We have access to endless Podcasts, news reports, sermons, talk shows, coaches, teachers and motivational speakers.  But what voices actually move you, impact your life and shape you?

 

A mother’s voice has a profound impact on her children’s lives.  Sadly, I can still remember my frustrated, overfly shrill voice constantly telling my children: “Hurry up, we’re going to be late.” “Come on, don’t doddle.” “Why is your coat laying on the floor…again?” If I were to play the regret game, I could do an entire tour of my children’s growing up years and shame myself for the many ways I failed in the tone of my voice. One voice that I shall never forget, one that shaped my entire being, was the sound of my mother’s voice praying for me.

 

I was a ridiculously rebellious teenager. Often late at night I snuck into our house and tip-toed past my parent’s bedroom, hoping I missed all the creaks in the old tiled floor. Then I heard it. My mother’s gentle voice, rising and falling in her native German tongue, praying for her children.  It embarrassed me. I didn’t want her praying for me, I wanted her to leave me alone so that I could carry on like Frank Sinatra’s song, “I’ll Do It My Way.”  My mom knew she couldn’t control me so she prayed for me.

 

My mother never game up. I know she prayed me through difficult years in my first marriage and then her prayers took me to the cross at my ripe old age of 32.  Later in life when she was widowed, often I stayed overnight with her to assure her safety. Again, through her bedroom walls I heard the sound of my name, wrapped in the flow of love and prayers for her beloved family.

 

As I grew in my spiritual life, and through remembering the sound of my mother’s voice, I learned the power of prayer. “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results” (James 5:16 NLT). One of the first things I learned was to pray for my children and my family.  The tone of my voice did not always create the right atmosphere, but I know the voice of my heart in my earnest prayers had great power in shaping their precious souls.

 

My children are now grown, and the list of grandchildren expands and fills my heart. They all live at a distance and even when I can’t hug them, I embrace them with love through my prayers. They all know I pray for them constantly. Because I love them, and I tell them. It is my deepest prayer that some day they will also remember the sound of my voice praying for them and covering them in love. That’s a legacy I choose to leave.

 

How is your voice shaping the lives of your children? Is it creating an atmosphere of safety and love or fear and not meeting your expectations. We don’t always get it right but let your prayers and love cover a multitude of sins.

 

 

Heidi’s latest book on JOY is fabulous!

Fresh Joy is available on her site at www.heartconnection.ca, www.castlequaybooks.com and anywhere you want to find great books!

Be sure to visit her site for more of her books www.heartconnection.ca

Visit her on Facebook:  fb.com/heidimclaughlinauthor/

 

 

Here is a recent interview with Lori Hartshorn from  The 700 Club Canada you will enjoy! Be sure to visit Heidi for more interviews here.

 

 

2 responses to “Seasons of Motherhood: Guest Post with Heidi McLaughlin”

1. The legacy of prayer for our family so aptly reinforced by Heidi here. Because of her mother’s prayers she is where she is today! AND because of my mother’s prayers, I am where I am today. I love the picture our families have of my mother bowed in prayer . My heart is always bowed in prayer over our gifts of grkids

   Reply

   • Heidi beautifully shares her legacy of prayer. I am thankful for the legacy I have in you!

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