Today is a big day for Pardon the Mess! We’ve got an announcement that we’re so excited to share with you. At the end of May, Cynthia will be leaving Pardon the Mess and passing the mic to our dear friend Courtney DeFeo. Courtney is a wife, mom, author, speaker, and 100% the authentic and hilariously real friend we all need.    Our show today is a super-fun conversation with Cynthia and Courtney giving a deep dive into these exciting changes at Pardon the Mess. You will get to know (and love) Courtney DeFeo as well as hear the who, when, where, what, and why behind Cynthia’s move.   These next two weeks will be a big celebration of where we’ve been and where we’re heading towards on Pardon the Mess. And above all, we want to be sure YOU have all the scoop on the amazing things coming your way.    Continue to connect with Cynthia Yanof here: MESSmerized Podcast  FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM    Resources from today's show:  Love God Love Others Classical Conversations   Pardon the Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual guidance to help you grow into the perfectly imperfect parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Having an inaccurate view of who we are to God is one of the enemy’s greatest weapons for keeping us discouraged, defeated, and ineffective for Kingdom purposes.    Today we’re praying for our kids to have the heart knowledge (not just head knowledge) of who they are in Christ. We’re praying they understand at the deepest levels how they were designed perfectly in the image of God and nothing can change his great love for him.    Join me in praying Psalm 139 over our kids and ask the Lord to shelter our families from anyone and anything that calls our value and significance into question.    Can’t wait to pray with you! P.S. We would be so grateful if you’d consider sharing Pardon the Mess with a friend. Encourage those you know and love to join us in praying each week by forwarding this email or sending a link to the show. Thank you! Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Emily Ley is always such a delight and today is no exception. She’s a master planner and creator with a knack for organization within the boundaries of real life. It was so fun to get a peek into her morning routine and a few ideas for keeping ourselves sane in the upcoming summer months.    I especially loved her words on being comfortable with who we are, while also being comfortable with who we are not. And reminders that taking care of ourselves matters, and we have permission to set routines that work for us and then stick to them.    Her new devotional is 🔥and a great way to start our days off right.  Can’t wait for you to hear from sweet Emily.    Resources from today's show:  Sure as the Sunrise devotional  All things related to Emily’s products and podcast can be found here!    Adventures in Odyssey   Pardon the Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

“Faith thrives in holy discomfort. The greatest moments in life can often result from some of the most uncomfortable decisions being made. Nothing worth having comes without a cost.” - Louie Giglio    This is one of my favorite quotes and it speaks perfectly to life in the middle of the struggle. Sometimes perspective is the key to handling life’s biggest struggles and knowing that God always controls the larger picture.    This week we’re praying for our kids to know God is compassionate towards them, fully aware they are doing life without him physically present in a world with real struggles. Let’s ask the Lord to remind them that some of our greatest God-given opportunities arise from the ashes of our hardest struggles.    Can’t wait to pray with you!   P.S. We would be so grateful if you’d consider sharing Pardon the Mess with a friend. Encourage those you know and love to join us in praying each week by forwarding this email or sending a link to the show. Thank you! Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Lisa Whittle is joining us today and she’s an amazing speaker, podcaster, and author. We’re talking about the chasm between our head knowledge and our heart knowledge and how only God fills that gap. He knows our every worry, anxiety, and daily routine. Why does this matter? Because he loves us and so desperately wants to use us for His glory.    Lisa also cautions us to watch out for things that mimic the real experience of God, and very practically gives us pointers on figuring out the difference in dreams versus goals for our lives.    Heck, we even talk about our tendency to want to “payback” those who hurt us . . . and who doesn’t need a good word on that.   So glad you’re with us today.    Resources from today's show:  Lisa Whittle’s Book  Adventures in Odyssey   Pardon the Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Life gives us lots of good days while also throwing in some bad ones along the way too. As adults we know life is hard on this side of heaven, and knowing where to turn in our hardest moments is critically important.    This week we’re praying for our kids to know what David knew in Psalm 13—trusting God means trusting Him even on the hard days.      As parents our knee-jerk reaction is to try and eliminate the source of our kids’ pain. But so often that same hard place is the greatest opportunity for them to know that Jesus is their only hope. Join me in praying this week that our kids turn to God instead of drugs, self-harm, or anything short of God’s best when they are facing hard times.  P.S. We would be so grateful if you’d consider sharing Pardon the Mess with a friend. Encourage those you know and love to join us in praying each week by forwarding this email or sending a link to the show. Thank you! Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I recently attended the IF: Gathering and had the privilege of worshiping through music with the amazing Christy Nockels. I’ve always been a huge fan of her music, but in recent days I’m an even bigger fan of her heart for the Lord.   Today is super fun because we get a glimpse into the creative process behind her latest album, This is the Hour. She talks about coming to a place of complete exhaustion and how the Lord spoke rest into her life. We even have a super honest discussion about yelling at God when it feels as if life has become too much.    I can’t wait for you to hear this amazing conversation because I know you’re going to love Christy as much as I do!   Resources from today's show:  Christy Nockels new album Christy Nockels podcast  Adventures in Odyssey Classical ConversationsOur Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sometimes, the worst advice comes from the most well-intentioned people in our lives. I don’t know about you, but I’ve definitely given and received lots of bad advice over the years.    Today we’re considering King David’s model for giving advice, which is simply pointing people to the Lord through our words and actions. In Psalm 31, David advises that in life’s very hardest places we are to love the Lord and put our hope and trust in him. Plain and simple.    Let’s pray this week that we learn to use discretion in whom we allow to speak into our own lives and the lives of our families. Let’s also pray that our kids only take advice from those who have prayed about it, searched Scripture, and ultimately point them back to Jesus. Talk less, pray more. Seems like the next right step.    Can’t wait to be with you this week!  P.S. We would be so grateful if you’d consider sharing Pardon the Mess with a friend. Encourage those you know and love to join us in praying each week by forwarding this email or sending a link to the show. Thank you!    Pardon the Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org  Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Many of us are at the stage of caring for our aging parents. If you are not, it’s probably headed your way in the not too distant years. Undoubtedly it can be a hard topic, but loving our aging parents is a really important one we’re tackling today.    Sarah Smith joins us today to share her journey of caring for her mom who was diagnosed with early onset Alzhemiers. Sarah is honest about the challenges they have faced on this road, but also encourages us to draw closer to the Lord and trust him every step of the way.   Here’s a few of the topics we cover on today’s show: Being realistic in expectations Overcoming guilt when considering healthcare facilities Supporting our friends who are caring for their parents Allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in patience and love Don’t miss this important conversation with Sarah Smith.    Resources from today's show:  Broken Beauty So God Made a Mother The Dad Tired Q&A Mixtape  Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Over and over again we’re called to live differently as followers of Jesus. The way we defend ourselves is one example of living counter culturally and exactly what we’re praying for this week. When we are wronged the world returns the favor with equal vengeance. But the reality is that real justice only comes from the Lord, and we’re called to wait on him who is faithful, upright, and just. (Deuteronomy 32:4).   Join me in praying this week for our families in all the places where we are tempted to defend ourselves. Let’s be reminded that the Lord is looking for opportunities to be gracious to us, and only in him will we find true rest and strength from the enemies we face.    Can’t wait to pray with you this week!   P.S. We would be so grateful if you’d consider sharing Pardon the Mess with a friend. Encourage those you know and love to join us in praying each week by forwarding this email or sending a link to the show. Thank you!    Pardon the Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual guidance to help you grow into the perfectly imperfect parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy