A monthly spotlight to celebrate real motherhood, anchored in grace.
Meet Our Featured Mom:
Name: Kristin Kepler
City/State: Austin, TX
Kids’ Ages: Son 12, Daughters 10 and 8
Her Story & Calling
How has motherhood shaped your relationship with God?
When I became a mother, I was actually not walking with the Lord. I grew up a devout Catholic and then stepped away during my first years in college. I always knew God existed but I wanted to pretend He didn’t. All 3 of our kids attended a Baptist preschool (only because our friends were there) and after a few years of hearing “Jesus loves me this I know” in their precious voices, I felt the Lord calling me back to Him. I did my first ever Bible study 6 years ago and it was on the book of Hebrews. My eyes were opened to a truth that had evaded me all my years of a Catholic upbringing – God wanted a direct relationship with me! At that time, the world also started feeling overwhelmingly dark and I knew our children needed a solid foundation of truth and righteousness on which to stand and that truth can only be found in God’s word. My husband spent the first 40 years of his life as an atheist, mocking God. During my road back to God, the Lord worked His biggest miracle and drew him in, he was baptized on 12/31/23! Parenting is how God drew both of us to Him, He knew that we needed Him to raise our children. We are now actively involved in our church and take part in any activity there we can. All three of our children attend a collaborative Christian school where we get the blessing of spending more time with them as we homeschool them part time. The Lord called us very specifically to this spot and I am so glad our ears and hearts were opened to hear Him.
What part of your identity have you had to rediscover (or release) in this season?
A lesson from last year’s MomQ really spoke to me as far as identity goes. I often wrap my identity in my children, but mostly when they are not at their best. I’m so proud of them when they accomplish great things or I catch them being kind to one another but when they fail, I take that as a personal hit to my job as a mom. I had such a lightbulb moment during that lesson! I saw how I need to let go of those feelings and remember that my identity only lies in Christ. I still slip up (especially as I navigate my feisty middle child and her outspoken personality) but I am working on doing my best to guide them on the right path without becoming personally offended or embarrassed by their less than ideal actions.
Is there a Scripture that’s grounding you right now?
Galatians 6:9 – Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. I have to remind myself of this often (and usually have the verse near my kitchen sink as a nudge). The day to day grind of parenting and homeschooling can get me down but I know this is what God has called me to, He will equip me and I know we will see the harvest of our labor. Parenting is like a life long harvest – sometimes the harvest is plentiful and other times we don’t see the growth we hope for.
Faith in the Everyday
What does quiet time look like for you lately? Messy, sacred, or both?
I wish I could say that I am faithful to read my Bible every morning with my hot coffee but that isn’t the case. My kids are home 5 days of the week so quiet time can be hard to come by. They will often help by saying “Mom, I haven’t seen you do your Bible study in a while…” Ouch, that is a good hit of accountability! I fit it in where I can but I know it should be a higher priority, even when the actual “quiet” part is hard to find.
How do you see God show up in the ordinary moments of your day?
I try to wake up every morning with a thankful heart, thanking God for a few specific things. That really helps me see Him throughout the day as well. I know He sends me winks – either to let me know we’re on the right path or to convict me when I’m not being the nicest mom. I may or may not yell at kids 😉 and then hear a lyric from a song that really hits in just the right spot to show me how I handled that poorly. He also weaves lessons together. My kids’ school has chapel and so often the chapel lesson will be the same lesson or verses that I’ll read that day in a Bible study or hear that evening in church. The more I look for Him, the more I see Him and I love how that guides me to glorify Him.
What prayer have you been praying most often?
Lord, give me the love, patience, and compassion to be a better mom. Help me love my children the way you love me. Help me correct them the way you correct me. Help me see their hearts the way you see them. And please give them your Holy Spirit to guide them.
Grace Over Perfection
When was a recent moment you had to give yourself (or your kids) grace?
We had a moment with our oldest where we messed up big time. I was worried that we ruined him for life but after dealing with the initial emotions of it all, I leaned into the truth that God can redeem anything and anyone. As my husband and I talked through it, we could see how God lined everything up so perfectly for us to step in and how He opened a door of communication to hard things that may have never been opened otherwise. Even in what felt like a disaster, God was so kind to guide us and give us the opportunity to find the road to redemption. We are still on that road but I know He is on it with us.
What would you say to the mom who feels like she’s not doing enough?
It’s so easy to compare ourselves thanks to social media, which can lead us to feeling inadequate. At the end of the day, focus on the good moments from your day and rest in those. Did you laugh with your kids today? Did you feed them, clothe them, help them? Focus on the good moments and know the Lord gave you these children for a specific purpose and He knew what He was doing when He made you their mother. But also, was there a moment you wish you could have handled differently? If so, think of how you can handle it better next time and pray for the Lord to help you with that.
What’s something God is gently teaching you right now?
The Lord is currently teaching me to love my children and have compassion towards them as He does for me. My girls battle fears (that I do as well) and when it’s been a long day, I want to brush them off and rush them to bed. The Lord is showing me how He shows me empathy and compassion when I come to Him and I need to do the same for my kids.
Wisdom & Legacy
What do you want your children to remember most about you?
I would love for them to remember all I do for them, that is my selfish answer, haha! But I would also love for them to remember how I filled our home with God’s word. We listen to Christian music, guard what they watch on TV, make church a priority and pray together every night. I pray those efforts see a harvest of a lifelong devotion to the Lord for my children that they will continue with their own kids.
What’s one truth you return to when things feel heavy?
God is in control. I definitely have trouble letting go of control but if I can speak this over myself, I get that sudden wave of peace that only God can provide.
Finish this sentence: “Being a mom with faith means…”
Looking different from the world. It’s too easy to get wrapped up in current culture, which is often the opposite of God’s word. We are meant to be in this world but not of it. We are meant to be set apart and look different. I don’t have teenagers yet but so far, our kids know only this life. The life of worship songs on repeat and church being a place they want to be. It takes work and effort but it is very much worth it!
If you could write a note to yourself 5 years ago — or 5 years from now — what would you say?
To myself 5 years ago (which was the beginning of my journey back to Christ): God sees you and He loves you. He made you to worship and glorify Him. Look around and see every person He put in your life to bring you back to Him. Do not be afraid, He is calling you and your family back into His loving arms. The Lord will equip you with what you need for the road ahead. He called you to parent these children so savor the moments with them, memorize the way they mispronounce words and the sweet sound of their voice. Be present in the moment with them, let the dishes sit a little longer. It’s ok if your house is messy because your children’s hearts are full. Pray over your children and husband, always.
Favorite Scripture or Prayer
Romans 12:2 is my life verse. “Do not be conformed to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” As mentioned above, we are not meant to conform to the patterns of this world. We sacrifice a lot to live this verse out but when I see the world, I know it is worth every sacrifice. I pray that as believers, we moms can stick together against conforming to this world. Let us lock arms with fellow believers to wait until teenage years for cell phones, save dating for late high school, play outside instead of staring at a screen, listen to Brandon Lake instead of Taylor Swift. Let’s look different together so that others may see our good works and give glory to our Father who is in Heaven!
At MomQ we believe that motherhood is a calling from God. While it is both a privilege and an honor, it is by no means easy! Moms have a lot of questions/concerns and need caring support along their journey. Whether you are a brand new mom or a little more seasoned, MomQ is here to help you fulfill your God given role. Don’t see a group in your area? Contact us today about starting one in your community!
