Reflection and Projection: Remembering What God Has Done + Trusting Him With What’s Next
The Intentional Parents Podcast
Family season changes and gratitude
Elizabeth reflects on their kids' new seasons and how family stages prompted gratitude and perspective.
In this end-of-year episode, we reflect on 2025 and look ahead to 2026 through the practices of reflection and projection, rooted in Scripture and focused on formation rather than pressure or performance. We revisit meaningful moments from the year, both personally and within Intentional, including the Motherhood Retreat, Intentional Fatherhood, and the launch of Sowing a Hidden Seed. Reflection helps us tell the truth about our lives with God, while projection invites us to trust Him with that truth as we move forward, anchored in the hope of Hebrews 11:1.
The conversation explores Scripture’s repeated call to remember, naming remembrance as an active, embodied practice that leads us toward gratitude, courage, and faith rather than fear. Remembering is not only about the past, but about how the past shapes the present and forms the future — helping us remember, return, and reorder our lives. Elizabeth shares openly about living with chronic pain, reflecting on how the most difficult season of her life has also been deeply formative, and how remembering past suffering can give us hope for what God is able to do with our current and future pain.
Drawing on Dallas Willard’s wisdom, the conversation turns toward projection: how we look ahead to 2026 through simple, faithful habits. Faith is described not just as belief, but as action: praying bold, repeated prayers, reading Scripture regularly, and obeying what God commands us to do. The episode closes with a prayer over you, reminding us that unoffered prayer is the greatest tragedy, that prayer moves the hand of God, and that we are invited to partner with Him through both reflection on where we’ve been and projection toward where He is leading us.
Prayer:
God, as we stand at the edge of this year, we slow ourselves before you. We look back over 2025 with honesty, joy, the loss, the prayers answered and the prayers still open. Help us notice where you were faithful, even when we didn't see it at the time. Let remembrance form trust in us. As we step into the new year, we lean forward with hope. Teach us to pray without giving up, form our habits — not just our intentions — and help us act as though your kingdom is real, because it is. We release what we cannot carry forward. We receive the grace we will need for what lies ahead. Make us people who remember well and hope faithfully. Amen.
Scripture Mentioned: Hebrews 11:1, Luke 18:1, Romans 8:22, Romans 8:26-27 + Hebrews 11
Book Mentioned: The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson
Submit Questions: Send a voice recording to hello@intentionalparents.org, mentioning your name and where you’re from.
Reclaimwell Prayer Challenge: This January, we invite you to do one simple thing: pray for your child every day. Use your own rhythm or Intentional’s 31-day devotional, Sowing a Hidden Seed, as a helpful guide. The book includes a daily verse, a quote and a prayer on topics like mental health, shame and discernment, plus you’ll receive five bonus days on your child’s digital redemption. Sign up for Intentional’s daily “verse of the day” text and spend just 5 focused minutes in prayer. Download the Reclaimwell app and join the challenge!
Intentional’s Year-End Match Campaign: Every $25 equips a family for a full year of spiritual formation. All gifts given through December 31 are matched up to $200,000. Make a donation to double your impact!
Intentional Fatherhood Retreat: February 19-21, 2026 in Costa Mesa, CA
Intentional Motherhood Retreat: April 23-25, 2026 in Franklin, TN
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