Blog - Light & Clay

Welcome to Light & Clay

May 20, 2025 No Comments

Hey there, friend — welcome to Light & Clay!
I’m Shelby — a wife, mama, and small-town girl learning to navigate life with grace, purpose, and a whole lot of Jesus.

For the longest time, I felt a quiet nudge to start writing. Not because I have it all together (I really don’t), but because I needed a space where I could show up fully as I am — messy, learning, growing — and share the journey with others who might feel the same.

This blog was born out of two things: A desire to grow stronger in my faith, and
A hope to be real about the beautiful, chaotic seasons of motherhood and marriage.

I named it Light & Clay as a reminder that we’re all works in progress — being molded and refined, lit up by His grace even when we feel worn down or uncertain. Clay is messy, soft, and shaped with love. Light brings warmth, direction, and truth. And this space? It’s a little mix of both.

What You’ll Find Here:

Faith-filled reflections as I rebuild my relationship with God
Honest talk about motherhood and the daily highs and lows
Thoughts on marriage, growth, and grace in relationships
Some lifestyle favorites — cozy finds, products that help, mom fashion, and family activities

Why This Blog Matters to Me:

I’m not an expert, an influencer, or anyone who has it all figured out.
But I am someone who wants to live more intentionally. I want to create a life that’s meaningful — not picture-perfect, but purpose-filled.

And maybe… just maybe… you’re here because you’re craving that too.

So consider this blog a soft space to land. A cozy digital couch where you can breathe, be seen, and feel understood — no matter what season you’re in.

Let’s Do This Together

If this resonates with you, I’d love it if you stuck around.
Read a post, leave a comment, or subscribe to updates.
You’re not alone in this journey — and I’m so grateful you’re here.

With love and light,
Shelby

Motherhood

Finding Myself Again After Motherhood

May 23, 2025 No Comments

Motherhood changes everything—in beautiful, chaotic, and sometimes overwhelming ways. Somewhere between the night feeds, the snack runs, and the endless ‘Mama!’s, I realized I didn’t recognize myself anymore.

This post is for the moms who’ve felt lost in it all. For the ones who want to feel like *them* again—not just someone’s mom.

1. Naming the Loss (and Knowing It’s Okay)

There’s a quiet grief in realizing you’ve put your passions, dreams, or even your personality on hold. The first step for me was naming it: ‘I miss who I was.’ And that’s not a betrayal of motherhood—it’s honesty.

2. Making Space to Be More Than ‘Mom’

I started doing one small thing a week just for *me*. Maybe it was painting my nails. Maybe it was sitting alone at a coffee shop with my Bible. We are allowed to exist outside of our roles. Making space reminded me I’m still here.

3. Letting My Child See Me as a Whole Person

I want my daughter to see that I’m not just her caregiver—I’m a woman with hobbies, faith, dreams, and goals. That’s part of how she’ll learn to value those things in herself too.

4. Reconnecting with My Faith (For Me)

When I returned to my faith journey, something shifted. It became less about what I ‘should’ do and more about being filled again. God reminded me who I am—fearfully and wonderfully made, not forgotten or sidelined.

5. Redefining What ‘Me Time’ Really Looks Like

It doesn’t have to be spa days or weekend getaways. It can be journaling for 10 minutes. Reading a few pages of a book. Drinking hot coffee while it’s still hot. Those moments matter. And they add up.

Final Thoughts

Rediscovering myself hasn’t happened all at once. But each little step feels like a deep breath. If you’ve felt lost in motherhood, I hope this post reminds you: You’re still in there. And you’re worth rediscovering.

Have a small way you’ve started finding yourself again? I’d love to hear in the comments or connect with you on Instagram!

Motherhood

5 ways I’m Strengthening My Faith as a Busy Mom

May 23, 2025 No Comments

Motherhood is a lot. And lately, I’ve felt God gently nudging me to stop letting the chaos keep me from Him. This post isn’t about perfection — it’s about presence. These are 5 ways I’ve been strengthening my faith in the everyday moments of being a mom.

1. Listening to Faith-Filled Podcasts While Cleaning

Some mornings I don’t get quiet time. But I *do* get dishes, laundry, and messes. So I started turning on faith-based podcasts while I clean.
My favorites right now:
– The Daily Grace Co.
– Risen Motherhood
– She Reads Truth

Even five minutes helps center my thoughts on truth.

2. Keeping a Mini Devotional in the Kitchen Drawer

I tucked a 5-minute devotional next to my oven mitts. Why? Because when the spaghetti’s boiling and the toddler is yelling, I can flip open a page and catch a breath of peace.
You’d be surprised what God can do with two minutes.

(Optional affiliate plug: Share your favorite devotional here with your Amazon link.)

3. Praying Out Loud in Front of My Kids

It’s usually messy and unrehearsed — but I’ve started praying out loud when we’re driving, when someone’s upset, or when I’m overwhelmed.
I want my daughter to grow up knowing that prayer isn’t fancy. It’s just real.

4. Setting the Tone with Worship Music in the Morning

Instead of cartoons or silence, I started putting on a soft worship playlist while we eat breakfast or play. It changes the tone of the whole day.
Music invites peace — and that’s something I want our home filled with.

5. Giving Myself Grace, Like God Does

This one is hard. I used to beat myself up for not reading my Bible daily or skipping devotionals. But God isn’t keeping score — He’s calling me closer.
I’m learning to show myself the same grace He shows me. Every little yes matters.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a mom feeling stretched thin and distant from God — you’re not alone.
These small shifts have helped me feel connected, grounded, and a little less scattered.
I hope they give you a starting point too.

Want a printable of my go-to prayers during busy days?

Faith & Devotionals

Welcome to Light & Clay: My Faith and Motherhood Journey Begins

May 1, 2025 No Comments

Welcome to Light & Clay

Hey there, friend — welcome to Light & Clay!
I’m Shelby — a wife, mama, and small-town girl learning to navigate life with grace, purpose, and a whole lot of Jesus.

For the longest time, I felt a quiet nudge to start writing. Not because I have it all together (I really don’t), but because I needed a space where I could show up fully as I am — messy, learning, growing — and share the journey with others who might feel the same.

This blog was born out of two things:
A desire to grow stronger in my faith, and
A hope to be real about the beautiful, chaotic seasons of motherhood and marriage.

I named it Light & Clay as a reminder that we’re all works in progress — being molded and refined, lit up by His grace even when we feel worn down or uncertain. Clay is messy, soft, and shaped with love. Light brings warmth, direction, and truth. And this space? It’s a little mix of both.

What You’ll Find Here

On this blog, I’ll be sharing content from my heart including:

Faith

Reflections from my growing walk with God — what He’s teaching me, where I’m struggling, and how I’m learning to trust Him more deeply.

Motherhood

The beautiful and chaotic parts of being a mom. You’ll find real talk, toddler life, activities, encouragement, and everything in between.

Marriage

Lessons I’m learning as a wife, including faith-based insights, communication, and grace for the messy moments.

Lifestyle

Useful product finds, mom-friendly fashion, simple routines, recipes, and cozy homemaking things that make life a little lighter.

Why This Blog Matters to Me

I’m not an expert, an influencer, or anyone who has it all figured out.
But I am someone who wants to live more intentionally.

I want to create a life that’s meaningful — not picture-perfect, but purpose-filled.
And maybe… just maybe… you’re here because you’re craving that too.

So consider this blog a soft space to land. A cozy digital couch where you can breathe, be seen, and feel understood — no matter what season you’re in.

Let’s Do This Together

If this resonates with you, I’d love it if you stuck around.
Read a post, leave a comment, or subscribe to updates.
You’re not alone in this journey — and I’m so grateful you’re here.

With love and light,
Shelby

Lifestyle

Rediscovering Myself: My why

April 30, 2025 No Comments

A Journey of Faith and Motherhood Awaits You

Have you ever felt lost amidst the chaos of motherhood, wondering if you’re doing enough for your children, your marriage, or even for yourself? You’re not alone. As a mother, the struggle is real, and I’ve been there too. That’s why I’m excited to share my journey with you through this blog—a space where we can grow together, celebrate our victories, and navigate the challenges of life with faith as our guide.

What Can You Expect?

In this blog, I’ll dive into my personal experiences of navigating motherhood, marriage, and my faith journey. My mission is to create a community where mothers of all stages can find encouragement, support, and understanding. Here, you will discover:

Honest reflections on my growth as a Christian.
Tips and insights on being a better wife and partner.
Parenting strategies that resonate with my faith-based values.
Stories of struggles and triumphs that remind you that you are not alone.

Are you ready to embrace your journey alongside me?

Engage With Me

As we embark on this journey together, I’d love to hear from you! Here are a few questions to ponder:

What challenges do you face as a mother in your faith?
How do you balance your roles as a wife, mom, and individual?
What does “enough” look like for you in your parenting journey?

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments; your insights might just inspire someone else!

Let’s Recap

This blog is more than just a personal diary—it’s a heartfelt invitation. My aim is to create a nurturing environment for mothers who seek community and affirmation in their daily lives. With every post, I hope to share the lessons I’ve learned and the faith that keeps me grounded. Together, let’s rediscover ourselves as we grow in our faith, strengthen our marriages, and nurture our children.

Join Our Journey

I can’t wait to share this adventure with you! If you’re ready to explore faith, motherhood, and everything in between, subscribe to my newsletter for updates, encouragement, and exclusive content. Together, we’ll build a community where we can uplift one another and thrive as mothers.

Let’s rediscover ourselves and our faith, one blog post at a time!