Welcome to Little Shoots Deep Roots, where we help parents cultivate deep faith in their families, one small habit at a time! In this episode, host Christie Thomas sits down with special guest Sarah Ruth Owens to explore what it looks like to prioritize real family connection (both practically and spiritually) even in the midst of busy schedules and unconventional family rhythms.
Discover why togetherness matters for your children’s sense of belonging, how dads can step beyond the provider role to become central to family life, and hear simple but powerful tips that will help you connect intentionally with your kids every single day.
Whether your days feel jam-packed or you’re seeking meaningful ways to foster faith at home, you’ll leave this episode encouraged and equipped with ideas to deepen your family’s roots.
Here are my top 3 takeaways:
- Redefining Togetherness: Sarah Ruth’s family prioritized connection by intentionally structuring work and home life, demonstrating that togetherness isn’t about a perfect schedule—it’s about making room for meaningful moments, even in unconventional ways.
- Little Habits, Big Impact: Small, consistent practices—like eating most meals together, setting aside 10 minutes to join kids in their world, and making space for spontaneous hugs—create deep-rooted memories and relational security.
- Invite, Don’t Add: If you’re struggling for time, bring your kids into your daily activities. Whether it’s prepping a meal, running errands, or folding letters for work, these shared moments can become the foundation for connection.
Sarah Ruth also shared about her family devotional, Everyday Banquet, designed to help families cultivate faith and intentionality in simple, repeatable ways. 📖✨
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📝SUMMARY
On the latest episode of Little Shoots Deep Roots, I welcomed SarahRuth Owens to explore what it means to cultivate deep, meaningful connections within the family. SarahRuth, a mom to three boys living in the mountains of Northeast Georgia, shares her family’s counter-cultural journey toward togetherness, teamwork, and intentional faith, offering practical wisdom for parents seeking deeper roots with their children, no matter their season or circumstance.
Reimagining the Family Framework
SarahRuth candidly explains that her family doesn’t follow the traditional mold of a working dad and a stay-at-home or working mom, often seen in conservative Christian circles. Instead, both she and her husband work for themselves, intentionally designing their schedules to maximize family connection. This shift grew out of necessity and desire: her husband was unhappy and exhausted from long hours in a job he didn’t love, sacrificing opportunities to connect with their young sons.
A turning point came when both family needs and external circumstances aligned. After the premature birth of their third son and the closure of her husband’s workplace, SarahRuth encouraged her husband to take the leap into self-employment. This was a decision, she reflects, that dramatically reshaped their family life for the better.
Togetherness by Design: Mealtimes, Homeschool, and Being Present
A recurring theme in SarahRuth’s story is making family connection a conscious priority. One intentional way her family connects is by sharing meals together. About 90% of their meals, by her estimate, are eaten as a family. Her husband’s new work rhythm as a self-employed landscaper allows them to build their days around these anchor points.
Another significant area of connection has been homeschooling and their involvement in a homeschool co-op. SarahRuth organizes the co-op and her husband participates weekly, even spearheading a “Guild for Older Boys”: an apprenticeship program for boys aged 10 to 14. Through these activities, her husband is integrated beyond the traditional provider role, actively investing in their sons’ growth and community connections.
Small Moments, Lasting Impressions
SarahRuth emphasizes connection doesn’t have to be grand or time-consuming; it’s found in attentiveness to each child’s natural bent. Whether it’s snuggling with her early-riser son in the morning with a picture book, spending ten minutes admiring a Lego creation, or sharing a two-minute hug, she intentionally pauses to enter into her children’s worlds.
She notes, especially with boys, connection often looks less like face-to-face conversations and more like side-by-side engagement, like building things, drawing together, or creating art. Her advice: “Notice your children and then choose within however they’re bent to find those points of connection.” Even small, regular rituals (like not letting go first in a hug) can communicate deep love and stability.
Bringing Kids Into Our World
When time is tight, SarahRuth encourages parents and grandparents to invite children into their daily tasks. Whether it’s cooking dinner, helping with work at home, or simply running errands together, these shared activities foster natural conversation and closeness. She recalls fond memories of helping her own mother stuff envelopes for work, and cherishes the togetherness that resulted from those simple routines.
Rooted in Faith and Family Rhythm
For families seeking a framework to anchor their connection, SarahRuth introduces her book, Everyday Banquets—a family devotional designed around the idea of a weekly meal that genuinely brings everyone together. Inspired by her own Jewish-Christian heritage, it offers 52 devotionals with recipes, hymns, and open-ended questions, aiming to help any family carve out intentional space for faith, conversation, and togetherness.
Encouragement for Every Family
Together, we close with a reassuring reminder: there’s no one-size-fits-all formula for perfect families or perfectly connected children. What matters most is intentionality—choosing small habits and seizing ordinary moments to build lasting bonds. Whether it’s dropping everything for a quick cuddle, including kids in everyday tasks, or slowly reshaping family culture, these small shoots truly grow deep roots.
Ready to cultivate deeper connections in your family? Try noticing your child’s unique interests, pausing for a few minutes of true attention, or gathering around the table for a weekly meal.
Little habits, over time, yield the deepest roots.
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