Ep 62 - Ruth Chou Simons & Troy Simons: Untraditional Callings, Role Reversals and Being On Mission

The Paula Faris 'Faith & Calling' Podcast

Imagine being parents to six kids - all boys, ages 8 to 20 - and ALL the laundry, cleaning and cooking that goes with it. Now imagine those six boys doing the majority of it all - ALL on their own! Sounds too good to be true, right? But that’s the everyday reality of Paula’s special guests this week, who also are extremely gifted in leading, encouraging and following the call on their lives. Ruth Chou Simons and Troy Simons are joining Paula this week for a personal conversation about what it looks like to be a family who is on mission together, both in the peaks and valleys of life – and honoring one another along the way.

Ruth is an entrepreneur, speaker and bestselling author of Beholding and Becoming (https://ruthchousimons.com/beholding-becoming/) and GraceLaced (https://ruthchousimons.com/gracelaced-book/) . She shares her journey of God’s grace intersecting her daily life with word and paintbrush through an online shop at GraceLaced.com (https://gracelaced.com/) and her Instagram community of more than a hundred thousand. Her work has blossomed into a wildly successful space, making her the breadwinner for their family, while Troy takes the lead on things at home with their boys. However, just a few short seasons ago, those roles were reversed with Ruth juggling pregnancy, nursing and raising their young boys, while Troy worked as a full-time pastor and headmaster at a school he co-founded.

The Simons open up to Paula about what it was like when Troy was called to back away from his work at the school and how they chose to pivot and make the most of what they’d already been given through Ruth’s artistic giftings that she had been quietly honing in the odd hours of the night. Hear how they’re currently navigating the crossroads of their untraditional callings, the shifting spotlight in their family and getting their boys involved each step of the way. For the moms and dads out there – hear why they say encouraging your kids to realize “the excitement of growing up” is the game changer when it comes to growing their responsibilities.

Ruth and Troy offer up their life experiences with grace and generosity in this conversation. If you’re feeling like it’s taking a while to feel at home in the role God has for you, let this episode serve as your personal reminder that you’re not alone and encourage you to find what’s still in front of you to be grateful for today.

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