Rhonda Stoppe
“I could have listened to Rhonda talk all night,” is what audiences say about guest blogger Rhonda Stoppe’s honest, humorous, engaging and biblical teaching. Rhonda is an award winning author of 7 books, including the best seller: Moms Raising Sons to Be Men. Rhonda is also the host of the popular podcast: Old Ladies Know Stuff. She is a sought after speaker who appears nationally and internationally on TV and radio. Rhonda’s Moms Raising Sons appearances at Focus on the Family were named in their 2021 & 2023 “Best of Episodes”. For 40 years she has enjoyed ministering along side of her pastor husband. Rhonda has experienced the challenges of balancing marriage, parenting, ministry and homeschool life, and she’s ready to share her insights with you! The Stoppes have 4 adult children and 15 grandchildren. To invite Rhonda to speak please visit: NoRegretsWoman.com
Sending your children off to school can feel like an emotional roller coaster, especially in today’s uncertain world. As a parent, it’s only natural to want your kids to feel secure. Teaching them that the Lord is with them when they are away from you serves as a helpful reminder for both you and them, providing a lifeline to calm any concerns they may have. It’s essential to develop ways to instill faith and courage in your children, especially if they have reservations about being separated from you.
Having raised four children to adulthood—some of whom I homeschooled, while others attended public and Christian schools—I firmly believe in prayerfully considering where the Lord wants each child to be educated each school year. Whether your kids go to school or learn at home, you can benefit from the effective principles I am about to share.
When my two youngest kids attended public school, I remember feeling a mix of love and anxiety every morning as I carpooled them to school. At that time, my husband worked in youth and college ministry, which often meant late nights spent visiting with teens and young adults. While it would have been easier for me to let my kids ride the school bus so I could sneak back to bed, their desire for my presence in the morning was undeniable. Every day, I willed myself out of bed, coffee in hand, and we headed out the door.
During our commute, I consciously transformed that daily drive into a sacred ritual—one woven with prayer and Scripture memorization, which anchored our children in a secure faith in Christ. We listened to Christian music, and our favorite was the comforting melodies of Steve Green’s album, Hide Em in Your Heart. The line, “When I am afraid, I will trust in You,” became our armor against anxiety. These words echoed a powerful truth: they were never alone in facing whatever obstacles lay ahead.
As we pulled into the carpool drop-off lane, I would pray with my children for God to guide and protect them throughout their day. In those precious moments, we joined our voices in prayer, creating an atmosphere of calmness and confidence—for them and me. I prayed earnestly for the Lord to guide their paths and comfort them, whispering excerpts from the Lord’s Prayer: “Lord, please lead them not into temptation, but deliver them from evil, and please lead them in the paths of righteousness for Your Name’s sake.” These nurturing encounters became a tapestry of faith, woven with hope and peace.
Now, three decades later, with 15 beautiful grandchildren, I find myself reflecting on the legacy of faith that began in the carpool lane. When I observe my grandchildren, I see the seeds of faith taking root, just as they did in their parents. My adult children instill comfort and strength into their own children by singing the same uplifting songs and memorizing Scripture. The time you devote to laying this godly foundation in your children can cultivate a resilient conviction that will become a legacy of faith they pass on to their children.
I share this story with passion in hopes of inspiring you to embrace the life-altering power of prayer and Scripture in your children’s lives. Your daily routines are not just about you; they impact your children—and, one day, their children. By creating practical ways to incorporate spiritual practices into your routines, you can turn mundane moments into meaningful opportunities for growth in faith.
I often reflect on those love-filled mornings packed with prayer as we loaded up the car for school. The prayer time in that sacred space became a source of strength amidst the challenges awaiting our kids. While I could have relied on the bus for convenience, I understood that my children weren’t yet prepared for the unpredictability it represented. Their fears were real, and I felt called by God to nurture a supportive atmosphere, starting their day with quiet time with Him.
I have marveled at how my children would quietly hum comforting words from the Christian songs we listened to during our morning commute. Little did I know then how deeply they would cherish the reassurance those melodies provided as they grew into adulthood. Now, my grandchildren are learning to comfort themselves with some of those same songs and Scriptures. Hearing our family’s next generation harmonize with promises of hope and faith fills my heart with joy. This legacy of faith is being passed down, just as God promised.
Guiding my children’s morning routine with Scripture was vital to their spiritual upbringing, and I believe this is God’s plan for your children too: “You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deuteronomy 11:19).
Each morning, our prayers were not just back-to-school rituals; they were lifelines that surrendered my children’s worries, hopes, and dreams into God’s care. When you realize that prayer and saturating your children’s minds with truth form the foundation of their faith and security, you may begin to celebrate morning carpool practices with joy.
As you navigate the beautifully chaotic journey of back-to-school routines, invest intentionally in establishing spiritual practices. By making prayer a cornerstone of your daily life, you prepare your children not only to face today’s storms but also to nurture a faith that stands strong in the face of future challenges. Ground yourself in God’s promises so that you can instill an unshakable legacy of faith that echoes through generations. This generation needs to be deeply rooted in His Word, and you have the power to raise them—one carpool, one Scripture, and one prayer at a time!
Remember, this time with your kids is a privilege that God has given you for a very short season in their lives—so lean into it. Don’t waste it. I promise you won’t regret it! For fun, you can listen to and watch a family slide show of a song my son, Brandon Stoppe, wrote about the influence of his years in the carpool lane and beyond, A Mother’s Love.
Bonus Gift:
Text NOREGRETS to 55444to receive a free video of Rhonda teaching:Saying Yes to What is Best
