Christian life coach and business owner, Latoya Edwards, is a busy single mom with 4 children, but she managed to carve out some time to talk with me recently. Make sure you get comfy and ya’ might want to grab a notebook and pen, while you’re at it.
With all that she has on her plate, LaToya first tackled the question “How do you get it all done?”
Part of her plan is to teach her children how to contribute to running the household from a very early age. Plus, she doesn’t even try to “get it all done.”
Takeaways on raising capable children:
Create opportunities for your children to be responsible even while they’re young (her 6-year-old has been able to scramble eggs by himself since he was 4!) “Kids are really capable of doing more than we give them credit for…”
Be protective of your time - say “No” to unnecessary demands, limit outside activities
Help your children learn to establish priorities “I tell them we have church, and then you can each have one thing outside of that. And be picky about that one thing because that's it! So as they grow up they realize if there’s something else they want to do, they have to learn how to plan things.”
And then we got deep, as LaToya shared a portion of her “backstory” with us. (8:21)
“I met my ex-husband in the church. He was really involved and everyone was “propping him up.” And I grew up in the church. Now while I wouldn't say that I grew up sheltered, there was a lot I had no idea about because it wasn't something that was talked about. I didn’t know about abusive or controlling or manipulative people. It finally took my mom to see that something wasn’t right, that I didn’t feel safe, that I wasn’t ok. Because on our own, we don’t really want to go there: that things are not healthy, or the way they’re supposed to be. But then I started to panic, as I thought of the children…”
LaToya goes on to describe her turning point: how her thoughts and mindset were transformed over time as she recognized and embraced who God says she is...rather than succumb to the worldly “hot mess” in which she found herself…
Takeaways on overcoming an abusive relationship:
We need to have people around us who are sticking by us and asking important questions.
We need to be the truth-tellers in others’ lives, too.
If you’re walking this road: go with your gut. Don’t let shame and guilt keep you from seeking the help you need.
Don’t assume your church is a safe place. Seek help from trained professionals first to educate yourself.
Forgive yourself. Domestic violence is not your fault...or a figment of your imagination.
Get as close to God as you can.
And do hang around towards the end (30:57) as she talks about how to really use devotionals in your Scripture studies, when you shouldn’t, and easy ways to get started digging into the Word.
Listen to the entire power-packed episode below.
Connect with LaToya at WomenFindingGod.com and on IG @womenfindinggod
LaToya shares more of how healing from abuse drew her closer to God in her book Come to the Well --> https://www.amazon.com/Come-Well-Connect-through-Journaling-ebook/dp/B07MWCHRRP
LaToya Edwards is a Christian life coach and writer. She helps Christian women develop bold & courageous faith so they can walk fearlessly and hope-filled through trials, knowing God is with them, every step of the way. You can learn more about LaToya on her blog, Women Finding God.