Pardon the Mess with Courtney DeFeo - Christian Motherhood, Biblical Parenting, Raising Christian Kids

Attention❗️: If you have children born between 1997 and 2010, today’s podcast is especially for you!    We’re talking about all things Gen Z, and even if your kids aren’t technically a part of Gen Z age-wise, please take a few minutes to listen to this fascinating conversation with Grant Glover. He does an amazing job breaking down how Gen Z views the world as the first generation of kids with 24/7 access to technology. We get a peek behind the curtain on their inner-narrative and the loneliness so often associated with this age group.    His insight on raising kids in a post-Christian culture and how that impacts their feelings about church is so, so good. And although I love this entire conversation with Grant, you have got to hear the very end where he shares the one thing that has had the greatest impact on him staying the course in his faith.  This is a podcast that is going to stick with me for a long, long time. I know you’ll agree!    Resources from today's show:  Off the Clock with Grant Glover Talk About from Awana - Try one month FREE with promo code: PTM The Biggest Story Bible Storybook  Our Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code MESS for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

My mom (aka Dorothy) is joining us on the show today to talk about humility, and I promise you don’t want to miss the chance to hear Dorothy share some wisdom.     It’s easy to skip over humility when praying for our kids because we live in a world that thrives on self-promotion and performance. But the Bible is full of warnings about pride and reminders that we are called to live each day with humility. It’s a foundation of our faith because it’s difficult to know your dire need for the Lord if you don’t have the humility to acknowledge it.     We will also talk about the importance of teaching our children to put others first, seeking to build them up and not just working for their own self-interests. That’s a big one when it comes to social media and raising kids who use it with humility and grace.    Join me and my mom today as we pray for humility for our kids! Our Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code MESS for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jen Wilkin is a speaker, podcaster, author, and someone who really knows how to study the Bible and lead others in doing the same. I am thrilled to have her joining us today to talk about the “why” and the “how” behind studying the Bible.    Bible literacy matters not simply because it’s how we know God (which is a big one), but it also matters in our parenting because our kids need to learn to measure cultural truth with biblical standards.    As summer approaches it’s easy to lose our routine and also the discipline of spending time with God. Let me encourage you to get a plan in place now so that doesn’t happen.  A great way to do this is to gather friends and do a Bible study like Jen’s in community.    Don’t miss these practical yet significant words on studying your Bible.   Resources from today's show:  God of Freedom Famous at Home The Biggest Story Bible StorybookOur Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code MESS for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Kay Wyma is joining us today to talk about purity and thoughts to consider as we pray for our kids. Praying purity definitely means we’re praying for our kids to pursue it in their dating relationships, internet searches, music choices, clothes, and pure groups. However, we also know that purity is rooted in our identity, and when we know our worth it makes purity less about checking a box and more about trusting our Savior.     I love how Kay reminds us that through the blood of Christ we are all clothed in righteousness, and that nothing our kids have done (or that has been done to them) can take that away. There’s a whole lot of soul issues around the notion of purity, and I’m grateful Kay is joining us today to break it down in ways we probably haven’t considered before.     It’s hard to believe we’re in our last month of praying through the school year! Finish strong and join us in praying today! Our Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code MESS for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Do you ever struggle with the deep pain we feel in our lives and how to reconcile that with God’s loving character? I am guessing the answer for all of us is a resounding yes—I think we’ve all been there at some point or another.    Alexandra Hoover is on Pardon the Mess today to help us set up a framework of seeing God both in the hard places and the highlights of our lives. She shares her own Ebenezer-stone moments and walks us through a process of finding our “starting stone” as a beginning place for remembering God’s faithfulness.    This is such an important topic for each of us as believers who will inevitably face pain on this side of heaven, but it’s equally important for our kids. If we can begin to lay these foundational stones of God’s faithfulness in their lives, it will help them remember his goodness in the storms they will face in the future. You’re going to love Alexandra Hoover!   Resources from today's show:  Eyes Up: How to Trust God’s Heart by Tracing His Hand    Talk About from Awana - Try one month FREE with promo code: PTM A Great CalmOur Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code MESS for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

There’s no question that we (as parents) have the greatest influence on our children in the early years of their lives. However, more and more they will begin leaning on people outside of our home, and that’s why we’re praying for Godly mentorship over our kids this week.     Lisa Clark is a dear friend who has mentored me in so many ways, and she’s on the podcast today sharing her thoughts on what mentorship is, what it’s not, and why it’s so important.  And let me say, she gives us a lot to consider when it comes to praying for our kids to be godly mentors to others as well.     Can’t wait for you to hear these great words from Lisa Clark today as we pray for our kids' mentors. And don’t miss a little bonus at the end of the show as she gives her best parenting advice.  Our Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code MESS for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today, for the first time ever, we have Ann Voskamp on the show!   I doubt there’s much need for a formal introduction, but I’ll try to give you a few highlights. Ann is a New York Times Bestselling Author, speaker, wife, and mom of 7 kids who lives on a farm with a mass of pigs. She has the most amazing voice and speaks unique truth as someone who has raised a college kid while simultaneously changing diapers. Sounds familiar. 😳   But I really love her vulnerability in sharing some of the hard places she’s faced and how it has changed her perspective and how she lives out her days. One example is learning to live from a perspective of grace in her parenting and her marriage, and it’s a word we probably all need to hear.    If you’re walking some difficult roads (or know someone who is) please take time to listen to Ann’s powerful message on finding the miracle in the middle of the obstacle. Lots of good truth today that I know the Lord will use to speak into your life.    Resources from today's show:  Waymaker Parent Prayer Challenge Otter B HopefulOur Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code MESS for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

“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 Everyday Dose and use my code MESS for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* 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 Everyday Dose and use my code MESS for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* 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 Everyday Dose and use my code MESS for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy