A Joyful Motherhood Brunch – Building Community, Choosing Joy
I did a thing!
I finally took a step and did something that God had laid on my heart to do and it turned out beautifully....
This past weekend, I hosted a moms' brunch with the theme “Joyful Motherhood.” It was such a beautiful gathering; we talked, we laughed, we shared our burdens and worries, we exchanged godly knowledge, we read the bible and we prayed. The goal was more than just good food and pretty decor. The atmosphere created a safe space where moms could lean on each other; a place to speak truth, and remind each other that motherhood, even at its hardest, is still a blessing, not a burden. Especially now, when a growing “child-free” narrative tries to downplay the value of motherhood, I wanted us to re-center on God's perspective.
This vision was birthed by my experience when I became a first-time mom during the peak of the COVID pandemic in 2021. I was overwhelmed, isolated, and quietly battling depression. What I longed for most was community; a circle of women who had walked this path before me, who could offer wisdom, encouragement, and just a warm voice that assured me that I wasn't alone in my struggle.
That longing planted a seed in my heart.
As the day of the event approached, I took time to seek God's face and pray for direction, and one scripture that was laid on my heart was Genesis 21:6
“God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” — Genesis 21:6
Like Sarah, many of us have experienced unexpected joy in seasons of weariness. Joy is still possible, and it's worth fighting for.
Setting the Table: Simple, Beautiful, Intentional
The brunch took place in my home, and I wanted every detail to reflect warmth, intention, and care. Though I planned and decorated on a budget, I was genuinely surprised by how beautiful everything turned out (and so were the guests!)
We had a charming afternoon tea setup with bread, small bites, pasta salad, and an assortment of drinks: tea, punch, juice, and wine. The color palette was soft and elegant—pink and gold—with delicate bows on the wine glasses and thoughtful floral touches throughout.
I also had the absolute pleasure of preparing cute small party favors for each mom: pink scrunchies, pocket mirrors, and floral bookmarks printed with Bible verses. They were simple gifts, but each one was meant to remind every mom of her worth and her calling.
Breaking the Ice, Opening Our Hearts
We kicked things off with a fun icebreaker to help us settle in and truly connect. Each mom introduced herself and was given a unique hypothetical parenting question to answer. One of the questions was, “Your toddler keeps waking up every 45 minutes at night, and you have a big presentation the next day. What’s your survival plan?”
The questions sparked many conversations, and they were lighthearted at first, but soon our conversations went deep, in the best way.
No matter what the question was, a recurring topic emerged: how do we lovingly discipline our children while honoring God’s Word? We reflected on the boundaries our parents set for us while growing up (some healthy, some harmful), and how we now have the opportunity to do better with grace and intentionality.
We also talked about modelling emotional regulation, especially for moms whose kids are beginning to express big emotions of their own. These conversations were rich, raw, and encouraging. We were learning from each other, not judging each other.
Honoring the Work of Motherhood
While we were going around introducing ourselves, a few moms shared that they had stepped away from their corporate jobs or outside careers to focus fully on raising their children. Some said things like, “I’m just a stay-at-home mom” or “I don’t work right now.”
And I had to pause right there; because I think we all need the reminder: motherhood is a full-time job. It may not come with a paycheck or performance reviews, but the work we do in our homes is deeply valuable and eternally significant. I told them (and reminded myself!) that homemaking and mothering should be honored just as much, if not more than any job outside the home.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” — Colossians 3:23
Whether we’re managing a home, wiping little noses, or setting healthy boundaries, we’re working for the Lord—and that matters.
Faith Moments: Real Stories, Shared Grace
Some of the most moving moments of the brunch came when moms began sharing personal challenges. A few opened up about their children not hitting developmental milestones “on time.”
One mom was worried because her son didn’t speak until the age of two. Another shared how her child didn’t walk until about 17 months. In both stories, you could feel the pressure that comes with comparison. But through those testimonies, we were reminded that every child grows at God’s pace, and our role as moms is to trust Him deeply, not the timelines of others.
In all of our conversations, God's presence was clearly evident.
What I Took Away: You’re Not Alone
One of the most profound realizations from that day was this: so many women think their problems are unique. But when we speak up, we realize just how much we’re walking through the same things.
Community doesn’t just help us feel seen, it reminds us we’re not broken. We’re just human. We’re moms trying to honor God while raising whole, loved children.
I gave one of the moms the crucial task of sharing a short sermon with us. She reminded us of the importance of holding onto God’s promises over our children, and not allowing the world or our worries and anxiety to label them. That truth settled in my heart. We are stewards of our children’s destinies, and we must speak life and truth of God's word over them, no matter what.
She reminded us that motherhood can often bring thoughts of self-doubt and guilt, whispering that we’re not doing enough or not doing it right. In those moments, she encouraged us to let God’s Word be our weapon, to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
She also spoke about the importance of knowing who we are in Christ and leaning on the Holy Spirit, especially when motherhood feels too heavy to carry on our own.
Joy Is Our Strength!
If there’s anything this brunch affirmed for me, it’s this: joy isn’t circumstantial, it’s intentional.
Motherhood is hard. It stretches every part of us. But with God, and with each other, we can walk this road with joy. Not fake smiles, but real, rooted joy that comes from knowing we are not alone.
To every mom reading this, I want to say: You are doing holy work. And you don’t have to do it alone.
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” — Nehemiah 8:10.
I hope these highlights from the moms' brunch also encourage anyone who has ever had a vision and feels stuck , not knowing how to execute or accomplish it. My advice is to take a huge leap of faith, trusting that God, who has put the vision on your heart, will back you up with his word, power, and his presence. Again, I say follow the vision God has given you, take a wild leap of faith, and watch him honour your obedience!