I read a study recently that indicates our life expectancy is 79.3 years. When you’re young that number feels like an eternity as you consider the long road of life you have in front of you. And as you age, well, you realize how fleeting time really is and how important it is to make your days count.    This week we’re praying for our kids to live with urgency in their lives and number their days well. This happens when we realize that God is with us and for us so we have the freedom to live big, take risks, and make each day count.    Let’s ask the Lord to help our kids grasp the significance of every day—a day they were not promised—and use these days to follow the Lord, live by his Word, and pursue the things of eternity.    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!    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

What is that “thing” you know deep down you’re called to do?   What phone call are you supposed to make? What book does your heart want to write? What is the nagging feeling you’re pushing down even knowing God is calling you to step out a little further in faith?    Rebecca George is with us today to talk about this exact subject. We’re talking about doing the very things God created us to do and addressing our hang-ups that keep us from going full-force after it. It’s such an important topic, and I’m grateful Rebecca has some practical  advice for identifying your giftings and figuring out how they line up with God’s kingdom.    The world can be so hard right now, and those around us need hope. We can’t afford to shrink back and not do the things we’re empowered to do simply because we’re too busy, too afraid, or too insecure.    Don’t miss this great conversation, and start praying now that the Lord will tell you what “thing” he has for you to do. I’m praying over it for you!    Resources from today's show:  Do the Thing by Rebecca George Starved Camp Winshape Every Parent Wants To Know Christian Parenting Event  Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If you’re anything like me, the word “influencer” tends to leave a bad taste in your mouth. In this day and age of social media born superstars, it’s easy to discount our influence and feel like we can’t change lives because we don’t have the right platform, title, or following.    But this week we’re taking a deep dive into this idea of influence and praying for our kids to realize that no matter who they are or how they spend their days, they have the opportunity to be a difference-maker for the kingdom.     In a world that thrives on self-promotion and living in excess, let’s lay down those things and pray for ways our families can raise up others. Luke reminds us that “to whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48). Let’s use what we have well and point others to Jesus.    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!    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

The people have spoken.    Pastor Steve Frissell joined us last September for the very first time and you guys loved him so much that I begged him to come back again today! If you missed his first appearance, go back and listen because I promise it will reshape your thoughts on teens and dating relationships.    Today Pastor Steve is joining me to talk about our marriages and why it’s necessary to put in the hard and necessary work to love our spouses well. We talk about the importance of finding contentment in Jesus so that we aren’t asking our spouse to fill voids that only the Lord can fill, as well as practical ways to reconnect in our marriages.     Don’t miss this important conversation — your spouse will thank you! 💖   Resources from today's show:    Starved Camp Winshape   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

Raise your hand if you’re overwhelmed in some area of your life.    My fairly unscientific poll indicates that 9 out of 10 of us raised our hands. (And I’m guessing the rest of you thought the question was rhetorical. 😂)   If you’re anything like me, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by finances, family issues, parenting, and everything in between. The stress and anxiety that comes with being overwhelmed is not how God intended for us (or our kids) to live.    My sweet friend Kay Wyma joins us today with reminders of the many names of Jesus and how they speak to our deepest needs. We consider Psalm 55 and David’s advice to “cast” our cares to Jesus. Not just hold on to the problem and pray, or half-heartedly toss it aside but still worry about it all week. No, David says to literally throw our hardest places towards God and then wait for him to faithfully respond. And so that’s what we are praying for in our own lives and for our kids.    It’s always a great day when Kay Wyma is with us so take a few minutes and join us!  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

Almost weekly I’m asked about resources to help our teens grow in their faith. As much as I love the teenage years and all the crazy antics, I know these are also the years where time seems to be slipping away and our last ditch efforts of getting more Jesus into them kicks into overdrive. Or maybe that’s just me. 🤪   Laura Smith is joining us today to talk about our teens and everything from counseling, communication, and pointing them to Jesus very practically. She’s also written a new devotional that’s a great resource if you’re looking for ways to encourage your kids to spend time with the Lord each day.    Laura is a mom as well as a sought-after speaker and author. I’m thrilled to have her sharing a sweet word to those of us in the throes of raising teens (or kids who will be teens before we know what hit us).    Can’t wait for you to hear this conversation.   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

When you hear the word joy, what comes to your mind?    I’m guessing your answer is more profound than mine since I instantly start humming that old VBS song “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart. Where?”    Anyone else with me?    This week we’re praying for our kids to experience joy in their lives. It seems especially important when considering how deeply our kids’ generation struggles with anxiety and depression.    One of my favorite verses is Psalm 30:5 that says, “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” What a wonderful reminder that no matter what we’re facing in this season, there is still joy to be found on the other side of it.    Let’s take a few minutes today to consider how thankfulness, hope in Jesus, and even walking through places of suffering are pivotal to joy in our kids’ lives.   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.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mark Batterson is back, and I’m slightly giddy.    You know how much I love his books, and when I tell you this conversation brought me new life . . . well, it’s true. I have a notecard on my desk at this very moment with some of my favorite quotes from today’s conversation titled “Batterson bullet points.”    Pastor Mark reminds us that if God can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20), we’re actually honoring him by praying bold prayers and trusting in faith for his answer. You’re going to love hearing how God has been answering the bold prayers of his church, which most recently has included buying property on Capitol Hill he only dreamed of years ago.    Lastly, Pastor Mark shares the three words he believes are the greatest predictors of our success in life: please, sorry, and thanks. He’s so sure of the significance of these words that he wrote an entire book on their importance. Lots of practical life and parenting advice you won’t want to miss today.    Resources from today's show:  Please, Sorry, Thanks: The Three Words That Change Everything by Mark Batterson The Best Worst Day Ever by Mark and Summer Batterson  Winnie The Early Years Every Parent Wants to Know: A Christian Parenting Digital Event   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

As I think back to even my youngest years, I can pinpoint the friendships that have impacted my life. I’ve been blessed with solid, faithful friends who have prayed for me and loved me even when I’ve been somewhat unloveable. And then there have been other friendships that have been more difficult and left me with bumps and bruises along the way.    Our friendships are important because God created us with a deep need for connection. It’s in those very connections where we are so often drawn closer to Him and better equipped to walk the hard places we will inevitably face.    So this week we’re praying over friendships in our own lives as well as the lives of our kids.    (insert player)   It seems appropriate in talking about friendships that I have one of my very dearest friends, Brandie Rodgers, joining us today. As long as I’ve known her (and it’s been many, many years), she’s been praying over her family’s friendships, and the Lord has faithfully provided.    Let’s take a moment today to consider the friendships our kids need and ask the Lord to provide them. And, of course, let’s also ask the Lord to teach our kids how to be good friends to others by showing kindness, loyalty, compassion, and respect.    Friendship is a big one—let’s pray it together!   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

Body image is a topic that has major implications in our lives, yet we tend to avoid talking about it because it’s so personal and oftentimes sensitive.  I’m so thankful my friend Rachael Gilbert is bravely speaking into these body image issues through her new book, Image Restored. She addresses our most common body image pitfalls and, as a licensed counselor and mom, comes at it both professionally and practically.    Here’s a few of the topics we cover: Signs we’re dealing with body image concerns that need addressing Core beliefs impacting our body image Ways to reframe our body image biblically Current health trends that are red flags for healthy body image Parenting healthy body image with our kids  I hope you’ll take a few minutes to listen to this important conversation today. I also pray each of us will ask the Lord to reveal the places in our lives where we need to reframe our attitudes towards our bodies, not only for our own benefit but also for our families.      Resources from today's show:  Image Restored by Rachael Gilbert imagerestoredbook.com Every Parent Wants to Know: A Christian Parenting Digital Event When I Talk to God, I Talk about 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