“Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.” — Oscar Wilde    Clearly this isn’t good doctrine, but it’s pretty funny and also relatable.    This week we’re praying for our kids to be quick to forgive others because that’s a central message of the gospel. We’ve been forgiven over and over by the Lord so we’re commanded to forgive others in order to stay in step with the Lord and not harbor bitterness.    As we consider forgiveness we will look at the life of Joseph who gives the ultimate perspective on forgiveness in Genesis 50:20: “You intended to harm me but God intended it all for good.” He trusted God’s authority over all places in his life (even the very hardest) which allowed him to freely and lovingly forgive those who hurt him most.    Take a few minutes today to pray forgiveness over your kids and consider the deeper questions of why we forgive, how we forgive, and how do we point our kids towards the freedom that comes from the hard places of forgiveness.Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Not only is Kirsten Watson the mother of seven kids (yes, you read that correctly) and married to former NFL great Benjamin Watson, but today she’s our guest and you’re going to love her. Talk about a lady who knows how to get things done while also living purposefully in her faith—she’s the real deal.    Kirsten and I chat about raising kids in today’s culture, the truth behind youth sports, and why talking about diversity matters to every one of our families. I also really appreciated her words on slowing down, being purposeful in the moment, and taking some deep breaths while leaning into God’s word.    Her new book is Sis, Take a Breath and it’s a great word for all of us in the throes of raising kids, while just trying to keep our heads above water.    Resources from today's show:  Sis, Take a Breath Parent Prayer Challenge Otter B Hopeful Parent with Purpose - A Perfectly Imperfect Christian Parenting Digital EventOur 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 declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9 NIV).   I remember when my youngest son was at the age where you’d ask what he learned at church and it was always one word: Jesus. Like anything I would ask, he responded with “Jesus.”     What was your snack today? Jesus.    Did y’all go to the playground? Jesus.     Did you hit anyone (listen to earlier podcasts for more on that one)? Jesus.   But as they get older your prayer really does become that of all the things they can learn about in life, let it be Jesus. He’s their savior, comforter, redeemer, and only hope in a world that claims lots of paths to eternal life.     This week as we talk about our kids’ salvation, I can think of nothing more important to be praying over them. And if your kids have already trusted Jesus as their Savior, thank the Lord for that great blessing and then join us in praying for the kids around us who also need this same message of hope and eternal life.    Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Shauna Niequest is with us today, and if you love New York City you’re going to love this show. Having moved to the city in the last several years with her family, Shauna’s learning to navigate a whole new way of doing things while also realizing there’s still some things (even as adults) that we don’t understand about life, and that’s OK.   Not only does she share her favorite things to do in NYC, but she also reminds us how to find new ways of doing things when the old ones no longer work. I love her thoughts on teaching our kids to live out their faith in the real world and the encouragement to find a life-long faith, even in the midst of faith disruptions.   Today’s show is full service for those of us who are still ironing out the hard places in our faith while also wondering where to go for the best pizza in New York.    Don’t miss it!   Resources from today's show:  I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet The Long Road Home Designed to Last Parent with Purpose - A Perfectly Imperfect Christian Parenting Digital 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

Praying good health for our kids is something most of us have intuitively prayed over them since the time they were born. As believers, we know that complete health and healing only come when we are in heaven with our Savior. But, until then, we will continue asking the Lord to keep our kids healthy and strong, protecting them from any illness that threatens their body or mind.    But in addition to praying for physical health for our kids this week, let’s also include their emotional health and everything from body image, depression and anxiety to the social media and friendship issues they all face.     Lastly, and most importantly, let’s not forget to pray for spiritual health for our kids. That’s asking the Lord to help them to truly know and trust him, exercising wisdom and discernment in all that they face each day.     There’s a lot to consider as we pray for health over our kids this week. Can’t wait to do it together.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 married, or hope to be married, or have kids that may someday get married—today’s podcast is for you!   I’ve heard over and over again how amazing Gary Thomas is, and today’s the day we get to have him on Pardon the Mess. I can’t get over how much marriage wisdom is packed into our conversation, and here’s a few of the topics we covered:  Is the goal of marriage to be happy or holy The misnomer of being in a “hard marriage” What if I married the wrong person Red flags and critical conversations to have with your kids about dating   I can’t wait for you to hear these important words from Gary about our marriages. And I’ll leave you with a great quote from the show: “A great marriage is not something you find, it’s something you make.”    Take a minute to listen to today’s show and then forward it to your spouse!    Resources from today's show:  All things Gary Thomas  The Long Road Home Parent Prayer Challenge Parent with Purpose - A Perfectly Imperfect Christian Parenting Digital EventOur Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week we’re praying peace over our kids, and this seems especially relevant considering  the state of our world today. Peace for our kids means they are not consumed with fear and worry, but instead live filled with the peace of God which transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7).    We will spend a few minutes in Psalm 9 considering King David’s formula for living in peace. We’ll see how even in the turmoil he so often faced, he always came to the Lord with (1) praise, (2) perspective on God’s bigger picture, and (3) a healthy memory for God’s past faithfulness in his life.   It’s all about peace on Pardon the Mess today—so share it with a friend!Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Have I told you this week how much my family loved Duck Dynasty all those years ago? If not, let me reiterate our love by sharing a few of my favorite Duck Dynasty lines:   I live by my own rules (reviewed, revised, and approved by my wife) . . . but still my own. —Si Robertson    You can talk any redneck into a challenge. That’s why so many rednecks die in strange ways. —Jase Robertson    My advice is: Don't take yourself too seriously, laugh a lot, enjoy your time with family, and appreciate the unique talents of others. Trust in God, love your neighbor, say you're sorry, forgive, and work hard. —Willie Robertson    Knowing my love for this family, you can appreciate how excited I am to have Missy Robertson joining us today.  We’re talking about loving our kids unconditionally and her new children’s book written about this important subject. Our conversation also comes at a very interesting time in her life as she and Jace were unexpectedly given custody of a newborn and are working through the details of that.    Missy has a great word on standing in the gap for people around us and how their family has tried to live missionally before, during, and after the platform of Duck Dynasty. Her words on the importance of the nuclear family (and the attacks on it) are so good, and I’m grateful for the passion she has to speak into it.    Having talked to so many of the Duck Dynasty crew in the past, I’m now grateful to meet Missy, and I know you’re going to love her!    Resources from today's show:  Because You’re My Family Average Boy’s Above-Average Year Parent Prayer ChallengeOur Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week we’re praying for our kids to be marked by a heart that longs to serve those around them. Not only are we literally serving Jesus when we do so, but we get a beautiful new perspective on life.   There are so many ways to serve others well, but we’ll focus our time on praying that our kids share the gospel, befriend the marginalized, and actively find ways to serve others in our homes and our churches.      We’re also going to spend time praying for Ukraine this week. It feels overwhelming and oftentimes words even fail us. But with all that’s going on in the world, we can trust that where two or more are gathered—the Lord is with us and hears us.       Thank you for being so faithful to pray with us each week. Pray for your kids’ eyes to be opened to the needs around them so that serving others becomes second nature in their daily lives.Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We spend a lot of time in these parts talking about the importance of praying over our kids. But this week we’re giving it a little twist and talking to Stephanie Thurling and Sarah Holmstrom about raising prayerful kids. Said differently—how do we raise kids who pray?    As with all things when it comes to parenting, intentionality is the key, and today’s show is full of practical yet intentional ways to incorporate prayer into your kids’ daily routines.   Sarah and Stephanie have a powerful book on teaching your kids how to pray—and let’s just say when they refer to starting a “prayer chain” it’s what you’re thinking of from the ‘80s with lots of serial phone calls and casseroles.    So glad you’re with us today! Be sure to share this with a friend. Let’s work together to raise kids who spend time with their Savior in prayer.   Resources from today's show:  ❤️ Raising Prayerful Kids ❤️ Average Boy’s Above-Average Year ❤️ How Much Is A Little Boy Worth? ❤️ Parent with Purpose - A Perfectly Imperfect Christian Parenting Digital EventOur Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy