Podcast: Play in new window
She wrote out all her wedding plans and hoped to have a big ceremony. Her high school friends said she would be the first among them married. She longed to birth her own children. She is now in her 70s. What she expected in her life hasn’t happened the way she thought it would, but God has gifted her with the joy of relationship, motherhood, and fulfillment in a way that only He could. Today, I’m talking with Johanna Fisher, who I affectionately call “Aunt Jo”. She is a long time member of my home church and has been around cheering me on since I was little girl.
When Aunt Jo as a single woman and a desire to mother without prospects for marriage, she considered adoption. She dreamed of being the mother to one little girl. But God had other plans. Over the years, the Lord has sent Aunt Jo not one, but EIGHT spiritual daughters and she has intentionally poured into these women and mothered them over the past thirty plus years.
In this episode, Aunt Jo shares the joy she’s experienced watching her wonderful daughters grow up, develop, and bless her life in ways she never could have imagined. But she also shares the real struggles and disappointments that singleness can bring and the wrestling that happens with God when you’re wondering why not me.
Do you have plans penned down that aren’t playing out as you would have hoped? If so, it’s understandable that you might be struggling with disappointment or frustration. Aunt Jo says, we get to choose if we change for better or for bitter and today’s podcast might help you see your circumstances in a new light. Bitterness can cause us to miss the blessings God has in His plans for us. Is surrendering our plans easy? No. Will feelings of disappointment still arise? Absolutely. But the desires of your heart will be met, even if those desires come packaged vastly different from what you would have expected.
Don’t miss the wisdom, encouragement and honest truth that Aunt Jo offers on this episode.
Highlights from Today’s Episode:
- Spiritual mothering as a single
- Cultivating mentorship in your circles
- What spiritual motherhood looks like in different seasons of life
- Ideas for planning gatherings with spiritual daughters
- Dealing with feelings of disappointment
Quotes:
- Look for where God is already at work and get involved. – Johanna Fisher
- What kind of legacy are you leaving? – Johanna Fisher
- Mercifully, God has held me in His arms, even when I didn’t want to be held. – Johanna Fisher
- We change through the years and we get to choose if we change for better or for bitter. – Johanna Fisher
Resources From Today’s Show
- I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
- Purchase Adorned by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
==> General Links
- Have you grabbed this month’s freebie? It’s available for the month of May here.
- Did catch my chat with Susie Davis on Finding and Being a Spiritual Mom? Listen here.
- Want to subscribe to the blog and grab a freebie? CLICK HERE
- Grab my latest book, She’s Still There!
- Take a look at Kingdom Woman by Chrystal Evans Hurst and Tony Evans
Let’s Talk!
After you’ve listened to the podcast, I’d love to continue the conversation. Be sure and leave a comment!
- Where in your life can you cultivate mentorship? Do you know someone who needs a spiritual mother?
- Do you need a spiritual mother/mentor? Who in your life can you connect with in a natural way? Where are you engaged or involved in your spiritual community to foster connections?
- What plans have you penned down that haven’t panned out as you expected? How can you ensure that you respond in a way that will change you for the better and not make you bitter?
Connect with me…
How to Listen to The Podcast
If you’re new to podcasts, think of them like little radio shows that you can listen to at your convenience. They are perfect to listen to and learn from as you workout, fold laundry, wash dishes or conquer the world.
1. Listen right here on the blog. Click the little play button at the beginning of this post.
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You have been so great to join me on the journey here on the blog, I hope you jump right in and do the same on the podcast!
I have a lot of opportunities to mentor young women through my role of small group leader for P31 OBS. Also I have signed up at my church to be a mentor. Haven’t been connected with anyone yet.
It will happen. It’s so great that you are WILLING!
This was an amazing conversation. But this is also when of my biggest fears it does so loudly of rejection too me in someways but this is very encouraging.
Yes, I can understand what you are saying but be encouraged. What is for you is FOR YOU!
Hey Chrystal! Great chat! So you know this podcast got me over here with tears stinging my eyes for two reasons: 1) the Lord is so gracious and kind to me that he has provided me with an awesome spiritual “Mutha” and 2) He has allowed for this season in my life to be available to “mother” by fostering. The other side of the tears is the realization that there is still disappointment (that I struggle with sometimes) of the life that you feel is out of reach. Great episode! Proud of you!
Love you Reesie!!!
Clarise,
That is awesome that you are fostering. I am attending a luncheon about fostering this Friday. Do you have a blog/social media where you have detailed your journey or any resources/insights about fostering you can share? Thank you.
See Clarise! You are supposed to be writing about this!!!!
Thank you SO much for this podcast. I am 41 and I am still single with no kids. I have prayed and ask God about my legacy. When motha said and I heared your mother say…..look for ministry opportunities where you are. I have been a social worker for 11 years and I have many opportunities to pour into these children’s lives. I don’t have the notebook like motha has but I still have a desire for marriage. I was in tears listening to this message. I was reminded that God’s way is the best way. Thank you so much. Please tell MOTHA I have been challenged to trust God and accept His will for my life. Everyday is not easy. All my friends are married, dating and have children. I often say….What about me God? Then I do what your mother said….look at myself in the mirror and remind myself who I am in Christ!!! Thanks
I love listening to Ms. Jo. She was unhurried and careful with her words and full of wisdom. I meet with my mentor once a week 6am and then I have another mentor who has been in my life around 15 years. This podcast has caused me to really want to press in to the amazing opportunities I have with these ladies. My mentor asked me this week if I would be a part of a mentoring group that she feels like the Lord is calling her to start and I shared with her that I had just listened to this podcast. I love how God connects things in our life.
Love this!
Please thank “Aunt Jo” for giving voice to the longings and disappointments of so many of us while also acknowledging our awareness of and gratitude for His provision in His own way. The podcast made me cry, but in a good, cathartic way. Listening to her share made me feel “heard,” if that makes any sense. I imagine many others felt “heard” after listening as well.