It’s borderline comical when you stop and think about all the people in the Bible who were simply going about their business only to have God completely “interrupt” their plans and completely change their course.     I think of Noah stopping life to build an ark, or Abraham leaving it all to go to a foriegn country, or even Mary switching her wedding plans to baby preparations.     Only God can take our ordinary days and make them extraordinary for his purposes—if we’re willing. It takes some real intentionality to hold our plans loosely and allow the Lord to interrupt what we have planned in order to accomplish what he has uniquely designed. And the same goes for our kids.     This week we’re praying that our kids live interruptible lives in which they (1) live with enough margin to have time for the things God has for them, (2) learn to hear God’s voice in the still small moments, and (3) live with a willingness to go wherever he leads.    Oh, and I have my own story of interruptibility that I share in today’s podcast—I hope it encourages you as we pray interruptibility over our kids this week. Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

There are certain lies we frequently hear in our culture that, if not addressed, we just might start to believe as truth. It’s interesting the lies I’ve bought into throughout my life that I now look back on and regret. Lies I’ve accepted in friendships, in marriage, in my identity—I could go on and on.   I’m guessing you’ve got a little of this going on too, so let’s take a little time to hone in on these lies the next few weeks. Today I have  Molly Stillman with us talking about a prevalent lie our kids are hearing about “following their heart.” When you really dig into scripture and consider what God says about our heart, the problem becomes very clear (see Jeremiah 5:7–13) with letting it become our guide.    Molly is a podcaster, author, speaker, wife, and mom. Extra bonus: she’s super funny.    Take a few minutes with me this week (and the rest of this month) to consider the truths of Jesus that overcome all the lies we’re tempted to believe.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 protection over our kids is probably one of the easiest things we pray for them from the day they are born. But this week in praying protection we’re doubling down on asking the Lord to watch over them physically, spiritually, and emotionally. One key point I try to pray over my kids relates to the messaging they receive about their identity and also the messaging they believe about God and their faith.     But anytime I get hyper focused on praying over the safety and protection of my family, I’m reminded of Francis Chan’s caution in his book Crazy Love.  He suggests that as believers we sometimes become obsessed with our safety and protection at the expense of asking God for whatever brings him the most glory and allows him to accomplish his purposes in our lives. Ouch.     I truly believe there’s nothing wrong with praying for protection over our families—and it’s important we do so. However, I wonder this week if we can also pray that God’s divine purposes are accomplished through our families, and he is glorified even when that’s at the expense of our earthly protection.     Lots to think about and pray over! Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

These people in my house want something to eat every single night and, well, it’s all together exhausting. Anyone out there with me?     Thank goodness we have creator, writer, TV personality, and mom Dina Deleasa-Gonsar joining us today to address this age-old dinner dilemma. Dina created a popular food blog called DishItGirl.com.   What I love about Dina is her commitment to her faith, her family, and making food meaningful without all the mom guilt attached. I also loved these things we discussed on today’s show:    The ministry behind a meal and serving our family well What to do when you fall into a cooking rut  Favorite “cheats” from Costco and Trader Joes Reminders that connection and intimacy happen around our kitchen tables   If you are tired of the every night dinner dilemma like I am, today’s episode is for 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

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that” (1 Timothy 6:6-8 NIV).   Well that’s one way to put it bluntly, Paul. ⬆️   Today we’re praying contentment over our kids, and, let’s be honest, we probably need to be praying it for ourselves as well. Praying contentment for our children is praying they have an inner satisfaction and fulfillment no matter what their outside circumstances bring.    A great starting place is to pray that our kids live with gratitude, perspective, and inner peace— even when life brings the hard things we all face. Contentment seems most elusive when we’re suffering, but I believe Joni Eareckson Tada (an amazing Christian woman and quadriplegic) says it best in this quote: “When life is rosy, we may slide by with knowing about Jesus, imitating him and quoting him and speaking of him. But only in suffering will we know Jesus.”    Let’s pray this week for our kids to find contentment by pursuing and trusting Jesus no matter what life throws their way. Thanks for joining me as we pray this week, and please take a minute to share our podcast with a friend or two!Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As we’re approaching our 300th episode of Pardon the Mess, I am thrilled to welcome back our very first guest all those years ago: Janet Denison!    Janet is an author, speaker, mother, grandmother, and friend who has given me a whole lot of parenting advice over the years. She’s joining us today to talk about finding “a great calm” in our lives even when everything around us feels completely chaotic.     Here’s a few of my favorite topics we cover in today’s show:  What Christian families are struggling with in today’s culture How to build up the spiritual muscle of trust, especially in the hard times Learning to wait on God with confidence and humility Walking her own child through cancer and the middle of the night prayers   If you’re looking for some seasoned, biblical wisdom for raising kids no matter what you’re facing—you’ve landed in the exact right place today!    For a limited time, our listeners will get 25% off a premium Abide subscription, when you visit Abide.co/pardonthemess.      Resources from today's show:  A Great Calm by Janet Denison  Love God, Love OthersOur Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Perhaps the greatest gift my parents have ever given me is the gift of growing up in a praying home.    My parents have prayed before meals, before bed, and before every major decision for as long as I can remember. They’ve prayed over me more times than I can count, and I’m eternally grateful to them. That being said, I can think of many years in my own life where prayer was not a priority (and my life 100% reflected that).    I don’t want that same story for my kids, so this week is especially meaningful to me as we talk about raising kids with prayer-filled lives. We will consider not just the “how to” behind prayer but also the “why to.” Prayer is the perfect thing to recommit to in a new year, so join me in praying prayerfulness for our kids this week (quite the mouthful).Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Oh friends, I really, really can’t wait for you to hear today’s show with Tricia Roos. I’m so grateful to know Tricia personally and see first hand how the Lord is using her story to speak of his faithfulness even in the deepest places of loss.     Tricia was three months into her pregnancy when she received a call that her unborn daughter had a rare condition that would be fatal. Against the advice of her medical team, she resolved to have her baby despite a chromosomal condition called Trisomy 18. In the midst of the uncertainty and pain, Tricia’s wish for a healthy baby girl changed into something more beautiful than she could have ever dreamed of.     Tricia’s story is a reminder of how God’s transforming power allows us to love deeper, go further, and grow more than we could ever have imagined for ourselves. I especially love Tricia’s words on learning to live for something bigger than ourselves—a great perspective to consider in our parenting.  So glad you’re with us today!   For a limited time, our listeners will get 25% off a premium Abide  subscription, when you visit Abide.co/pardonthemess.      Resources from today’s show: When Wishes Change: What if the thing you feared most brings more than you dreamed? By Tricia Roos See more from Tricia on her website, follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Might I share with you one of my favorite quotes of all time?    “Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.” - Francis Chan    I heard that quote many years ago and it continues to guide how I look at the various things that occupy my days. As I pray for the Lord to show favor over my life and that of my families, I find myself asking him to not allow us to be successful in things that are insignificant.    This week as we’re praying excellence over our kids, I think this quote needs to be in the back of our minds as we consider how we pray. So often we want our kids to be excellent at the things the world holds in high esteem, yet those same things often distract them from the bigger purposes God has for their lives.   We’re called to do all things for the Glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31) and excellence is critical to doing that well. Let’s join together in praying for our kids to show excellence in all the things he calls them to.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’m kicking off the New Year a little differently this year with no guest joining us today. Instead, I’m sharing some of the things I wish I had known as a younger mom. I try not to live with regrets, but I also know the value that comes by taking inventory in our parenting and acknowledging the areas of growth as well as the struggles. The four things I’m sharing with you today began with an article I wrote several years ago from the perspective of “the oldest mom on the playground.” Since then, I’ve had opportunities to share these parenting truths to various groups, and the Lord has given me even greater clarity that I pray will encourage and challenge you. I have no doubt that your social media feeds (like mine) are packed with all kinds of weight loss and exercise challenges for a physically healthier 2022. But I would also encourage you to avoid “back-burnering” (assuming that’s a word) your parenting and instead take this week to consider what’s working, what’s not, where you might need to be encouraged, and where you need to encourage others. I’ll start us off with today’s podcast on the four things I would tell my younger parenting self. I would be so grateful if you would not only take a minute to listen, but then also share it with the other parents you’re walking alongside with each day. P.S. As we begin this New Year, one of our prayers is that Pardon the Mess will reach more and more parents. One way you can help us do this is to leave a review on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. It would be a great blessing if you could take just a minute and do that for me today! So grateful 💕 Resources from today's show: Abide: For a limited time, our listeners will get 25% off a premium subscription, when you visit Abide.co/pardonthemess.Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy