Faith & Devotionals Archives

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 🤍

Faith & Devotionals

Finding Faith, Family, and Balance: My 21-Day Journey Beyond Social Media

April 28, 2025 No Comments

Have you ever felt pulled in a million directions, with your faith, family, and personal time battling for your attention? As a mother, I know this struggle all too well, and I want to share a transformative experience that might just inspire you to reflect on your own priorities.

The Journey Begins

For 21 days, I decided to unplug from social media—a radical choice in our hyper-connected world. At first, it felt daunting. How would I keep up with friends? What about the latest news? But what unfolded during this time was nothing short of miraculous: I discovered a deeper connection with God and my family.

Imagine waking up without the urge to check your phone, where the day starts not with scrolling, but with prayer and a family breakfast. This journey revealed the profound impact of simplicity and intentionality.

In our fast-paced lives, especially as mothers, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. This blog post aims to explore how faith and family can coexist harmoniously, and how finding that balance can enrich our lives.

By sharing my story, I hope to encourage you to embark on your own journey toward balance. Each day offers a chance to reconnect with our priorities, to reflect on our faith, and to nurture the relationships that mean the most.

What are the biggest distractions in your life that pull you away from your family or your faith?
How often do you take time to engage in spiritual practices or family activities without digital interference?

These are questions worth pondering. Share your thoughts in the comments below; I’d love to hear your experiences!

The Balance of Life

Finding the equilibrium between faith and family isn’t a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Here are some strategies that worked for me:

Prioritize Daily Devotions: Start your day with a few moments of prayer or meditation. This sets a positive tone for the day ahead.
Create Family Rituals: Whether it’s a Saturday game night or a weekly church service, nurturing traditions strengthens family bonds.
Limit Screen Time: Designate specific hours where phones and tablets are put away. This creates space for genuine connections.
Reflect Together: Take time to discuss faith with your family. Share stories, read scriptures, or simply talk about your beliefs and values.
Seek Community: Engage with other mothers who share similar values. Surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals can provide support and encouragement.

Wrapping Up

In this era of constant connectivity, finding balance between faith and family can seem like a daunting task. However, my 21-day journey proved that it’s not only possible, but incredibly rewarding. By prioritizing God and family, we can create a nurturing environment that fosters love, growth, and joy.

Join the Conversation

I encourage you to take a step back and assess your own balance between faith, family, and the digital distractions that can creep in. What will your next 21 days look like?

💌 If you found this post inspiring, subscribe to my newsletter for more insights, encouragement, and resources on nurturing your faith and family life! Let’s embark on this journey together!

Your story and your journey matter. I can’t wait to hear from you!

xoxo Shelb

Faith & Devotionals

21 Days without Social Media: Focusing on God

February 4, 2025 No Comments

21 days without social media? Easy. Or so I thought. When I decided to fast from social media for 21 days, I was confident it wouldn’t be a big deal. Spoiler alert: I was wrong. This challenge turned out to be eye-opening—not just about my habits but also about how much noise I had been letting into my life.

Here’s what I learned:

I was on social media way too much. Embarrassing, but true.
It wasn’t just a time-waster—it was a joy-stealer. Jealousy, anxiety, and negativity had crept in through my endless scrolling, leaving my mind cluttered with things that didn’t matter.

The first week (and if I’m being honest, most of the second) was tough. Every time I had a spare moment, my brain automatically reached for my phone to check what the world was up to. But then, something amazing happened.

I realized I didn’t need it. I could do without it.

Instead of scrolling through other people’s lives, I started living mine. I used that time to research, write, and create—this blog is a perfect example of what came out of that newfound focus. Sure, there were moments when I felt like I was missing out (like forgetting my brother’s girlfriend’s birthday—oops!), but those moments were far outweighed by the benefits.

Without the distraction of social media, I refocused on God and strengthened my faith. I restarted my daily quiet time with Him, and it was as if my eyes were suddenly opened to doors He had already unlocked for me. I just hadn’t stepped through them yet.

I read more. I reset my mindset. I spent more intentional, meaningful time with my husband and daughter. And most importantly, I felt peace—real peace—in a way that endless scrolling never brought me.

Now that my 21-day fast is over, I occasionally check in to stay connected with family and friends, but the mindless doom-scrolling? It’s a thing of the past. My priorities have shifted, and my time is now spent on what truly matters.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, distracted, or distant from God, I encourage you to try a social media fast. You might just find, like I did, that stepping away makes room for what’s truly important.

Have you ever taken a break from social media?