Whatever Is Excellent with Leanne Tuggle
Encouragement and Inspiration for women choosing to rise above the “just survive” mentality and instead set their mind on thriving in all that they say and do. The ultimate goal is to equip you to pursue whatever is excellent in the midst of your ordinary life and in all that you say and do.
Whatever Is Excellent with Leanne Tuggle
31: Embracing Excellence in the Midst of the Mundane
Ever noticed how different cultures approach their work? During my years living in Germany, I was struck by something extraordinary—the profound sense of pride and excellence people brought to their jobs, regardless of title or status. From butchers to plumbers, each person approached their work with remarkable intentionality and ownership that transformed ordinary tasks into expressions of dignity.
This revelation couldn't have come at a better time, as my first child was born while we were abroad. It shaped my entire approach to motherhood. In this season opener, we're exploring how to bring that same intentional excellence to the sacred work of raising children. The truth is, motherhood doesn't come with performance reviews or quarterly bonuses. We rarely see immediate results from our daily investments. Yet Colossians 3:23-24 reminds us that whatever we do—including changing diapers, wiping noses, and discipling little hearts—is kingdom work done for the Lord.
The core message hinges on an important distinction: the difference between pride rooted in identity versus pride rooted in performance. When our sense of value comes from knowing who we are in Christ rather than how perfectly we execute our daily to-do lists, we discover a sustainable joy in our calling. I share practical ways to prepare your heart and body each morning for the work God has set before you, recognizing that how you begin your day reflects how you value the work itself. Whether you're a seasoned mother or just beginning your journey, this episode offers a fresh perspective on finding dignity and purpose in the beautiful marathon of motherhood. After all, what a privilege it is to end the day tired from hours of loving service to those who matter most.
Reading Recommendations:
Disciple Them Like Jesus by Barrett Johnson
Parenting by Paul David Tripp
Hard is Not the Same Thing as Bad by Abbie Halberstadt
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Welcome back, friends. After a brief pause, we are back with Season 3 on. Whatever is Excellent, and I am really excited about this season. Season 3 is focused and intentional, with wisdom and practical tips that you can apply right away. Since this season will be recorded during the summer months, when schedules and routines are sometimes a little bit different, these episodes will be short and sweet, and yet full of encouragement, just for you. So, without any further ado, let's get this season started.
Leanne:One of the benefits of living overseas is getting the opportunity to see how other countries and cultures live and work. While we were living in Germany, one of the things that really stood out to me the most was the intense pride that each person took in their work, and not just those with the white collar jobs like doctors or lawyers or teachers. I was struck by how intentional the plumber and the hairstylist, and even the butcher, were to their work. There was this sense of ownership and commitment to excellence that was evident in everything that they did, even down to the tiniest detail, and no job was considered unworthy or unimportant. It's like they all knew that every job was needed for the collective good of the society. It was incredible and powerful to observe, and this pursuit of excellence has stayed with me all of these years later. Perhaps there is a reason why God allowed my first child to be born in Germany, so that I could embrace this role as a mother in a place that took such pride in their work. And while the highest calling for women is to do all things for the glory of God, motherhood is an incredible honor and an important calling. In honor of Mother's Day, I invite you to consider this how do we take pride in the sacred work God has given us, and how does the way we start our day reflect our heart toward it? Colossians 3, 23-24 says Whatever you do, work heartily. As for the Lord, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward, you are for the Lord, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. This means that all your work as a mother, including changing diapers, wiping noses, making meals and discipling Little Hearts, is kingdom work.
Leanne:I recently saw a quote on Instagram that said what a privilege it is to end the day tired from hours of mothering, and I find this sentiment so lovely because it perfectly illustrates the incredible beauty and sacrifice that is motherhood. We live in a world that values external achievements and monetary gains. Our culture likes to be able to keep track of progress in a tangible way. Motherhood is a lifelong calling. It doesn't have a clear end, and the process of raising children takes so long. Barrett Johnson puts it this way in his book Disciple them.
Leanne:Like Jesus, with most any other endeavor, we have the satisfaction of receiving regular feedback on our progress in the form of small successes and victories. You get very little feedback in parenting. When was the last time you received an evaluation of your success as a mother? Perhaps that tired feeling at the end of the day is the best indicator we have of a job well done, that we did everything to the best of our ability and unto the Lord. Motherhood is kingdom work, and we do best to avoid the trap of minimizing our housework or mom work as less, simply because we do not have something external to show for our day's efforts.
Leanne:The Proverbs 31 woman rises while it is yet night. She takes her work seriously, not because she needs to prove herself, but because she chooses to honor God with her work. Galatians 6, 4, and 5 says but let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor, for each will have to bear his own load. When we talk about taking pride in our work as mothers, it is important to distinguish the difference between pride that is rooted in identity and pride that is rooted in performance, that is rooted in identity and pride that is rooted in performance. Pride that is rooted in identity is healthy, grounded and secure. It comes from knowing who you are in Christ and recognizing that the work you do flows out of that identity. It sounds like God has entrusted me with this role and I am honored to steward it. I am deeply loved and chosen by God, and that gives meaning to everything I do. Even if no one sees it, god sees it and that's enough. This pride isn't about being the best or being applauded. It's about honoring God with the gifts and assignments he's given you and finding joy in being faithful. The truth is simply because I am God's beloved, I can do this work with dignity and confidence.
Leanne:Now, pride that is rooted in performance is fragile, striving and comparison-driven. It depends on how well you think you're doing or how others perceive your efforts. It sounds like if I can keep everything perfect today, then I'll feel like I'm doing a good job. I need others to see that I'm what I'm capable of and that I'm on top of everything. If my kids behave, my house is clean and I check everything off my list, then I can rest. This pride is often accompanied by fear fear of failure, judgment or being seen as not enough. It tends to produce burnout or resentment, because it is fueled by a need to prove rather than a response to love. The fear at the core of this is if I don't perform well, I'll lose my value or worth. Goodness, I'm preaching to myself with this today. Even with all the Bible reading and countless parenting books, I still need to be reminded that my worth is rooted in Christ alone, and I think we can all benefit from a heart check here. Ask yourself am I taking pride in my motherhood because I know I am walking in the calling God gave me, or am I trying to earn my value by how perfectly I perform today? The good news of Christ is that we can take responsibility and ownership of our role as a mother with joy, because we feel good about the work we get to do, without comparison or striving.
Leanne:Ephesians 6.11 says Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. How you get ready for your work matters. It's not about vanity, it's about intention, and how we get ready sets the tone for our day, even if it's at homework. How you get dressed, wash your face, brush your hair, spend time with God it is all acts of readiness and preparation for the work God has before you each day. Your physical routine, paired with your spiritual preparation, is how you equip yourself for the work God is calling you towards. Practically speaking, this means establishing rhythms that honor the work you do, things like starting the day with scripture, getting dressed with intention, even if it's comfy clothes choose them purposefully Speaking declarations or scriptures over your day and, as you're, over your role as a wife and a mom, inviting your children into this habit. Let them see you prepare your heart and your body for the day. Let them see you take pride in being their mom.
Leanne:Zechariah 4.10 says For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. I love that this verse reminds us to rejoice in even the smallest of tasks like measuring the water levels with a plumb line. No matter how small or seemingly insignificant the task of your day may seem, invite God into your work. He sees and values all of the details. Every morning you have the opportunity to say Lord, I receive this work again today.
Leanne:Your work matters deeply to God. Every morning you get to wake up and prepare like a woman on a mission, not for approval or feedback or validation, but because your work is worth it. To close this episode, I want to leave you with a verse to meditate on and a question to ponder. Colossians 3, 17 is my favorite verse for women who choose to show up with excellence, and you've heard me say this verse before. It says and whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God, the Father, through him. Something to ponder this week. What's one thing you can do tomorrow morning to prepare your heart and body for the work God has set before you?