My Season Jodie Berndt

We conclude our "Season Series" with a woman who is no stranger to many of us, Jodie Berndt.  Not only is Jodie a fabulous wife to one and mother to four, but she's also the author of several books, including Praying the Scriptures for Your Children and Praying the Scriptures for Your Teenagers.  AND, she taught the Changing Seasons Friendship Study this past summer.  You can watch her in action here.  So without further ado, here's Jodie...

Name:  Jodie Berndt
Age:  48
City:  Virginia Beach, VA
Current Season: Tired Mom

1.  What is one thing things you can't live without? 

 You know how if you go on the show Survivor they only let you take one personal item?  I am not sure I could choose between my Bible (although these days it doesn't work as well without reading glasses, which would mean I would have to take two personal items), or my lip gloss (Cover Girl "Wetslicks #340", which was featured five years ago in Shape magazine, and which I now stock up on in the same way that I have started hoarding non-environmentally friendly lightbulbs.)


2.  The current book(s) by your bedside table are...  

A decorating nightmare, as the stack is nearly as tall as the lamp.  The one on top is about India, but I can't remember the title.


3.  Your number one song played on iTunes is...  

I don't do iTunes.


4.  Fill in the blanks:  If I didn't have __________, I would be _____________.  

If I didn't have my husband; I would be an emotionally unbalanced, indecisive, stressed-out, anxious parent.  (Actually, I am that.  But he covers for me.)


5.  What do you like best about your current season? 

My husband, who--in addition to being the steadying influence in my life--is handsome, athletic, and fun.


6.  What is one difficulty or burden you've experienced/are facing in your current season?   

I am always busy with school functions, church activities, home projects and volunteer commitments, and I worry that I don't have enough fun with my kids.  Not that they'd want to hang out with me, anyway.  But if they did.


7.  Tell us one way you've seen or experienced God during the past year.   

God has provided a number of rich and unexpected friendships for me--a gift made all the more valuable when stacked against a season of life in which time for forging or strengthening friendships is not easy to find.


8.  What is one name of God you have come to appreciate lately? 

Joy-giver


9.  What's one Bible verse that has been a lifeline for you recently?  

Isaiah 61:1-3, which talks about how God will comfort those who mourn and provide joy instead of despair and heaviness, and how he will make us (and, I pray, my children) a "planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."

10.  Where do you go to be encouraged or inspired?  

Scripture.


11.  Do you have any advice for other women who are in, or may be entering your season soon?   

There's a country song that my daughter played recently played for me.  I don't know the title (although maybe the refrain IS the title), but it says, "You're Gonna Miss This."  Parenting teenagers is both a challenge (the sleep deprivation is worse now than when they were babies) and a delight (it's a blast to have adult personalities to talk and laugh with), but now that two of our four children are in college, I find myself missing the preschool and elementary school season of life.  Enjoy all those soccer games, parent-teacher conferences, and seemingly pointless science projects.  They go by fast!