From Survival to Purpose: How God Transformed My Life Through My Children

From Survival to Purpose: How God Transformed My Life Through My Children

For years, I thought I knew what it meant to be a Christian. I grew up in church, went every time the doors were open, and did all the “right” things. But when I left home for college, everything changed. I walked away from church, hurt by how I saw Christians treat others and disillusioned by the lack of authentic relationship with Christ.

I told myself I was done with church.

But God had other plans.

When Motherhood Changed Everything

After having my first child, something stirred in me: I need to raise her in church. My husband (a lifelong Catholic) and I (a Baptist girl) began “church shopping,” looking for something that combined strong teaching and authentic worship. We found a church we liked, but we went sporadically. I was still unsure, still guarded.

At the same time, I was running an in-home daycare with seven kids under the age of three. It was exhausting. I was angry, overwhelmed, and sinking fast into depression.

When my grandmother passed away, she left me a book — Praying God’s Word by Beth Moore. Out of desperation, I picked it up and began journaling and praying again, something I had done years earlier. I prayed one specific prayer: Lord, please let me quit this daycare.

An Answer I Didn’t Expect

Two months later, I found out I was pregnant with my third child. When I told my husband, his first response was: “Well, I guess you’ll have to quit the daycare now.”

It wasn’t the answer I expected, but it was an answer. God had heard me. And in that moment, I knew I needed to press into Him more deeply.

So I did.

I devoured Scripture. I listened to podcasts. I read every book I could get my hands on. And for the first time in my life, I discovered something life-changing:

God speaks to His children. Personally. Intimately. Directly.

No one had ever told me that before.

Replacing Lies with Truth

As I read the Bible for myself, I realized how many lies I had believed:

• Nobody likes me.

• I’m all alone.

• I’ll never be good enough.

But the truth of God’s Word told me something entirely different:

• I am chosen.

• I am adopted.

• I am redeemed.

• I am His workmanship, created for good works (Ephesians 2:8–10).

This was more than encouragement. It was identity transformation.

Discovering My Redemptive Gift

During this season, I also discovered the Redemptive Gifts of Romans 12 — a biblical framework for identity. While the world offers personality tests like Myers-Briggs, Enneagram, or StrengthsFinder, Scripture gives us something deeper:

• Prophet

• Servant

• Teacher

• Exhorter

• Giver

• Ruler

• Mercy

Each one reveals how God designed us to partner with Him in bringing redemption to the world.

For me, this was revolutionary. I began to understand that I wasn’t “broken” or “less than.” God had specifically designed me with a redemptive gift and a calling prepared in advance.

And it changed everything.

From Survival to Purpose

No longer was life about just “getting by.” Now I knew I was created with purpose — to partner with God, bring redemption where I go, and teach my children to do the same.

Because here’s the truth: our kids are not just here to survive childhood. They were created to hear God’s voice, walk in His identity, and fulfill their Kingdom calling.

As parents, it’s our responsibility — and our privilege — to train them, equip them, and then release them like arrows into the world (Psalm 127:4).

Why I Started This Podcast and Ministry

This testimony is why I do what I do.

No one ever told me I could hear God’s voice. No one ever told me I had identity and purpose beyond “getting by.” I refuse to let the next generation grow up without that truth.

That’s why I started Family Room Mission, to help families raise up the next generation of Christ-followers, right from their own home. Equipping Christian parents to heal their homes, raise Kingdom leaders, and build identity and legitimacy. 

If this sounds like something you are interested in and you want to take the next step:

• 🎯 Take the free Redemptive Gifts Quiz to discover your God-given design.

• 📖 Join the Redemptive Gifts Course to learn how to live out your identity and teach your kids to do the same.

• 🤝 Explore Redemptive Gift Coaching if you want one-on-one guidance for yourself or your family.

• Check out lots more resources at www.ashleytilford.com

Your identity in Christ changes everything. And it changes how you disciple your kids, too.

Listen to the full testimony on the Family Room Mission Podcast