In this special Mother’s Day episode of the Upside-Down Parenting Podcast, Matt Jones and Janel Greig sit down with author and speaker Rhonda Stoppe for an honest, deeply encouraging conversation about motherhood in God’s upside-down Kingdom.
Drawing from her book Moms of the Bible, Rhonda shares wisdom from Scripture and her own parenting journey to help moms move from guilt, comparison, and control toward faithfulness, surrender, and trust. Through stories of women like Jochebed, Naomi, and Lot’s wife, she reminds parents that God works through imperfect people who choose to model faith, teach truth, seek wise community, and trust Him with the next generation.
Whether you’re in the exhausting early years, navigating older kids, or wondering if your ordinary faithfulness really matters, this episode reminds you that motherhood is not wasted work. God sees the quiet sacrifices, daily conversations, faithful rhythms, and hidden moments that shape a child’s heart and worldview over time.
In this episode, we discuss:
* Why moms struggle with guilt, shame, and comparison
* The importance of mentors and “older women who know stuff”
* What moms in the Bible teach us about faith and failure
* Raising kids with conviction without parenting from fear
* Letting go of control and trusting God with your children
* Why faithfulness matters more than perfection
* The quiet influence of ordinary motherhood
If you’ve ever felt inadequate, unseen, or overwhelmed as a parent, this conversation will remind you that your adequacy comes from the Lord—and that He has equipped you for the mission field of motherhood.
You can find Rhonda’s book, Moms of the Bible: Life-Changing Lessons from the Fearless, Flawed, and Faithful, anywhere books are sold.
For more resources to help you grow as a parent with a plan for discipling your kids, head to summit.org/parents.