What kind of faith are we actually passing on to our kids?

In this episode of She Is His, Lyndsay sits down with writer, speaker, teacher, and mom Wendy Lynne Smith for a conversation about building a legacy of faith in the middle of ordinary motherhood.

Together, they talk about the small, everyday moments that shape our kids more than we realize: reading Scripture together, creating family traditions, opening our homes, choosing encouragement, apologizing when we get it wrong, modeling forgiveness, and simply making time to enjoy the people God has placed in front of us.

Wendy also shares the powerful story of a journal she bought for her adopted daughter before she ever came home—a journal that years later became a way to remind her daughter of God’s hand on her life, her identity, her belonging, and the truth that she is deeply loved and chosen. 

This conversation is especially for the mom who feels tired, busy, stretched thin, or worried she isn’t doing enough. Legacy doesn’t require a perfect home, a platform, or elaborate family discipleship plans. Often, it is built quietly—around the dinner table, in five-minute conversations, in shared work, in laughter, in repentance, and in the consistent message:

I love you. I see you. I enjoy being with you. And Jesus is at the center of our home.

Wendy describes this kind of influence as a “whisper quiet legacy”—the kind built through ordinary moments like cooking, gardening, playing games, creating together, and simply being present. 

In this episode:

• Building a legacy of faith in ordinary family rhythms
• Why the small moments often become the memories our kids carry
• Helping children develop a faith of their own
• Reading Scripture together without making family discipleship complicated
• Creating traditions that communicate belonging and love
• Wendy’s adoption story and the journal she created for her daughter
• What adoption can teach us about belonging in the family of God
• Encouragement for working moms who feel like they only have small pockets of time
• Letting your children see you work with joy and purpose
• Changing your attitude when motherhood feels exhausting
• Why your kids need to see you apologize
• Modeling forgiveness, repentance, and reconciliation
• What to do when you’ve pursued reconciliation but the other person isn’t willing
• Building gratitude, laughter, and joy into the culture of your home
• Why you don’t need a platform to leave a meaningful legacy

One of our favorite takeaways from Wendy: “Faith becomes a legacy when God is at the center of your home.” 

Connect with Wendy Lynne Smith

Wendy encourages listeners to connect with her through her website, blog, Facebook page, and Instagram. 

Website + Blog:⁠https://wendylynnesmith.com⁠

Facebook:⁠https://www.facebook.com/WendyLynneSmith⁠

Instagram:⁠https://www.instagram.com/wendylynnesmith_/⁠

Wendy’s writing has also been featured with organizations including Guideposts, Focus on the Family, and Keys for Kids. 

Scriptures discussed:

Ephesians 1:4–5 — Chosen and adopted through Jesus ChristActs 17 — God determines the times and places in which we liveRomans 12:18 — “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”Colossians 3:23 — Doing our work wholeheartedly as unto the Lord

Connect with Pretty & Wise

The Pretty & Wise Co. exists to encourage women to passionately pursue Christ, confidently live out biblical truth, and intentionally disciple the women around them.

Website:⁠https://prettyandwise.com⁠

Follow She Is His wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this episode with a mom who needs the reminder that the ordinary things she is doing today may become part of the faith her children carry tomorrow.