How to stop overthinking with Jon Acuff

But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too (Mark 11:25 NLT)

Forgiveness is an art. We coach our kids to forgive others by modeling confession and forgiveness ourselves and by using their sibling conflicts as examples, but it takes a long time and a lot of patience. Few things are as frustrating as one child giving an apathetic, Im sorry paired with an eye roll.

But forgiveness is so important because it is one of the main themes of the gospel and its such a powerful way to share Gods love and grace with the people around us. Just as Christ forgave us of our sins, we must forgive others! James 2:17 goes so far as to tell us that faith without deeds is deadmeaning faith that does not produce good fruit is not faith at all. So if we claim to follow Jesus, we must follow his example of forgiving others! So it is really important that our kids learn to forgive others well. 

God made forgiveness an important command and the cool thing is, he did not do it haphazardly. Forgiving others releases us from grudges and resentment, but forgiveness is also good for your mental and physical health! I love the way God cares for us so intentionally! Luckily, we dont have to forgive on our own. We can ask God for strength to help us forgive others, the way that he has forgiven us. 

This week, lets pray that our kids will generously forgive others and reconcile broken relationships. 

Lord, I pray that ____________sees forgiveness and reconciliation at home and learns to do it well. May they experience a holy unrest when they sin, may they freely confess, and seek to reconcile. When others offend them, may they be quick to forgive and offer mercy. I pray they are a model of forgiveness within their friend groups so that they can show Christs example of forgiveness and grace to those around them. Amen.

Do you have a tween? This episode is for YOU! Jonathan is one of my very favorite dads on the planet. Hes a pastor, husband, dad of one young adult, 3 teens and a one year old! Youve heard him on Pardon The Mess before with his beautiful wife Peta Pitts as they have navigated loss together. Alena Pitts is Jonathans oldest daughter and someone I admire and respect so much. This father-daughter conversation is incredibly rich and entertaining. 

Todays episode is a very practical one. Alena and Jonathan offer 3 ways we can help our tweens thrive. Alena offers a unique perspective as the oldest child in the family. She looks back at what she appreciated most. Jonathan brings perspective of raising his four daughters while also managing a ministry specifically for tween girls.

My favorite part is towards the end when Jonathan encourages us to lay down all the pressures and stuff that is fleeting. How we can continue to prioritize the relationship with our kids over all the things that are fleeting. 

In this episode we chat about:

• Practical ways to help your teens thrive
• Parenting introverted kids vs extroverted
• Ways to own your role as a parent in their spiritual development

Enjoy!

Courtney

(00:00) Navigating Newlywed Life

(03:01) The Joys of Parenting

(06:19) The Importance of Family Devotions

(09:48) Supporting Tweens in Community

(14:43) Building Connections Through Shared Stories

(18:16) The Role of Parents in Child Development

(20:10) Instilling Truth and Sound Doctrine

(25:48) The Importance of Fun and Lightheartedness

(32:19) Encouragement for Stressed Parents

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Christian Parenting

Pardon The Mess 

Courtney DeFeo

Get your 2024-2025 prayer journal, A Life of Faith

Resources from todays show:

Connect with Alena

Connect with Jonathan

For Girls Like You - magazine and resources for tween girls

Jonathan and Peta Pitts episode 

Moms, Dads, and Grads Gift Guide

Enjoy 20% off the For girls Like You Magazine subscription by using code: pardonthemess.

Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:2526)

I cannot imagine a more disheartening period than the time between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The Jewish people waited so long for a Messiah and Jesus disciples found him and followed him! They dropped their entire lives to learn from him and spread his message. And then, in their lack of understanding, they watched him die on the cross and buried him. Can you imagine the defeat?

But as Bob Goff says, Darkness fell, His friends scattered, hope seemed lost - But heaven just started counting to three.

The good news of Easter is that there is life and hope after death! 

Just when the disciples surely thought maybe they were wrong or maybe they misunderstood, Jesus rose. Friday and Saturday were hard, but Sunday redeemed it all. We talk about it so often nowadays that sometimes the miracle of it all is lost on us. But lets not forget: God loved the world so much that even though it was broken, he made a plan to save it by sending his son for us. All we have to do is believe in that and we are saved. Its the simplest, yet most beautiful message of hope for everyone. If your child has not accepted Jesus as savior, lets pray for that this week. If they have, lets pray they deepen their relationship with him and share his good news!

So as we prepare for Easter, lets pray that our kids are people who know and share the good news that when all else seems hopeless, hope lives.

Father God, thank you for sending your son to die on the cross for our sin. I pray that ____________ will accept Jesus as their savior and cling to the hope that he provides. May _______________ be a messenger of the good news of the gospel to everyone that they meet. Amen.

Why is the gospel good news

Why share the good news

Have you ever felt like you are too far gone? That some things in your life are too broken for God to fix? In this weeks episode with Meshali - we start out talking ranch and pimento cheese and then dive into the freedom that she has experienced with her painful story and Gods glory. Meshali is a photographer, speaker, author, amazing aunt and friend to many. 

Dive in and enjoy a really honest chat about restoration. When you meet Meshali, you might assume shes always been so lighthearted and delightful and full of smiles and joy. What many dont know is that this famous photographer has a really hard story. In todays episode, she gets real and honest about her past - from abuse to a child of divorce to many seasons of depression and insecurity.

If we are honest, there are places deep in our heart that we have tucked away assuming they are just too broken. I wanted you to hear from a girl that decided it was time for change. She decided to partner with God on a mission for more. God restored her heart as she restored her 1800s home and together they went room by room to find freedom, healing and joy.

My favorite part is when she gives some practical tips for those parents in the midst of divorce. Meshali is incredibly wise and one of the most authentic and hopeful believers I have ever met. I know you will enjoy her as much as I do. I am praying you feel a deep sense of hope and courage as she shares her story.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Unraveling lies and finding freedom
• Her insight as a child of divorce
• Practical steps to find restoration and healing
• Partnering with God in the most painful parts of your story

Enjoy!

Courtney 

(02:59) Food Favorites and Personal Connections

(05:59) The Journey of Healing and Restoration

(08:57) Childhood and Family Background

(12:01) Struggles with Identity and Healing

(14:49) The Process of Home Restoration

(17:55) Community and Support in Healing

(20:26) Unraveling Lies and Finding Freedom

(21:31) The Journey of Healing and Restoration

(25:30) Experiencing True Joy and Freedom

(28:12) The Power of Restoration for Everyone

(30:05) Navigating Divorce and Supporting Children

(32:23) Practical Steps to Begin Healing

(38:44) A Prayer for Restoration and Healing

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Christian Parenting

Pardon The Mess 

Courtney DeFeo

Get your 2024-2025 prayer journal, A Life of Faith

Resources from todays show:

Connect with Meshali

Restored, Partnering with God in Transforming Our Broken Places

 - Meshalis new book (out April 15)

Episode with Heather on Healing Prayers

Adventure Bible

Untriggered

Moms, Dads, and Grads Gift Guide

Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God (2 Corinthians 9:11)

Jesus gave his life so that we could live ours fully and God wants us to give and give generously and joyfully as a response to that. Generosity is more than giving money, especially for our kids! We can and should give generously with our talents and time as well. It may feel small to help greet people at church, mow a neighbors lawn, open up your home to others, or pack shoeboxes at Christmastime, but all those small acts of generous service transform hearts and honor God.

As you pray generosity over your kids this week, I encourage you to make a list of the things you and your family can do together to give generously and share the love of Jesus. Maybe its a financial goal for a donation, one service project a month, or stepping up to serve at church. Whatever it is that you decide, do so joyfully together. 

Remember, the gospel is more about giving than receiving, so lets pray that our kids lives reflect that and that they will learn to love sharing.

Lord, we are blessed to be a blessing. I pray that _________ would be known for generosity their entire lives. Whether it is giving financially, giving with time, or giving with talents and resources, I pray that they give cheerfully because of the gift that you give us: the gift of life. As a family, may we be on the lookout for ways we can be generous together. Amen.

Get your printed copy of A Life of Faith: Prayer Journal

Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org