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!

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.org

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.org

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.org

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

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.org

On any given day there’s a million things we could potentially tell our kids to do or not do. Some of those things are routine like do your best work or don’t touch your brother. But then there’s the things that one day come spilling out of your mouth that nobody ever warned you about. Like “you have to wear underwear to ride your bike.”    True story, sadly. 😂   Today we’re reading Psalm 37 and a few of King David’s “dos” and “don’ts” for biblical living. There’s great application as we pray for our kids to do the things that point them to Jesus and let go of the things that don’t.   If you’re looking for biblical life hacks, this week’s prayer time is just what you need!    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!

Beth Moore is joining us today and, simply put, you just can’t miss it! I’ve admired her powerful voice in God’s Kingdom for many years and, like many of you, have learned so much from her Bible studies, books, and conferences.    I teamed up with Steph Thurling from the Christian Parenting Podcast to chat with Beth about her new memoir, All my Knotted-up Life. This book is a vulnerable and authentic offering of Beth’s hardest places in life and how God has been faithful through it all.    I think my favorite part of our conversation was hearing Beth’s routine each morning in meeting with Jesus. Not to mention she has a great word on dealing with church hurts and why we keep going back even when it feels easier to walk away.    With 100% certainty I can say you’re going to love this conversation.    Resources from today's show:  All My Knotted-Up Life: A Memoir by Beth Moore When I Talk to God, I Talk about You Your Brave Song   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

How do you measure your value?    If you’re anything like me, you’ve measured it by the square footage of your house, the size of your bank account, the number on the scale, and the accolades of your kids. Yet none of these things tell the real story of who we are to Jesus—and that’s why measuring up gets us in trouble.   Today we’re praying for our kids as they struggle with this same temptation of comparison. Growing up in a day and age inundated with social media, it’s hard not to weigh looks, grades, athleticism, and talents against those around them. So we’re focused this week on praying for our kids to look to Jesus and not the world for value and identity.    As we pray through Psalm 84, I encourage you to really consider verse 10. Take a few minutes to read this Psalm and get a jump on where we’re headed in praying for our kids.  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!

If you haven’t heard of Risen Motherhood, today is going to be a great day for you!    Laura Wifler is an author, podcaster, mother, and the co-founder of the amazing parenting resource, Risen Motherhood. She’s back on Pardon the Mess today helping us bridge the gap between the faith we pursue on Sunday mornings and the real-life parenting we face on Mondays. Said differently, she speaks into ways we can practically bring the Lord into all facets of our parenting.    Laura is also a mother to a child with disabilities and she encourages us to have meaningful conversations with our kids about disability, empathy, compassion, and God’s overflowing love for everyone. Her practical advice on helping our friends walk these roads well is important and something you don’t want to miss.    Can’t wait for you to hear this great conversation with Laura Wifler.   Resources from today's show:  Like Me by Laura Wifler When I Talk to God, I Talk about You

My youngest son, JB, is home from school today because I thought he was coming down with the same cold I’ve been struggling with all week. We kicked-off his “sick day” with a precautionary dose of Ibuprofen and breakfast in bed. By 8:10 a.m. I realized I had made a grave mistake in keeping him home. It’s been Ferris Bueller’s Day Off over here, and he’s Ferris and I’m the sickly sidekick friend trying to keep him from burning the place down.    But in this midst of his craziness I’ve noticed how quick he is to apologize. He loses his mind, apologizes, asks for forgiveness and moves forward with his next adventure. I love that he doesn’t overthink my forgiveness, wondering if I’m still angry or somehow going to think less of him or love him differently with each indiscretion.    It’s this same type of forgiveness (times a million) that God offers to each of us. It’s a forgiveness that extends as far as “the east is from the west” that we’re praying our kids will fully grasp and lean into with their Savior.    Let’s take a few minutes and pray for our kids to confess their sin so they can live fully in God’s overwhelming forgiveness. And then let’s also pray for this mom who should know better than to give a gratuitous day off to a kid with more energy than the sun.  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

I’m guessing the title of today’s show caught your eye? Definitely not a title I’ve put together for a podcast show until today!    Yes, I recently went to see Bruno Mars with my hubs, and I can’t wait to weigh in on that a bit. But more importantly, Erica Renaud is joining us to chat about praying with our kids and how to get that rolling if it’s not a part of our regular routine.   Erica has a new book releasing soon that walks us through praying with our kids. Today she’s sharing some practical advice with us on how to physically engage in prayer with our kids, how to walk through unanswered prayer requests, and appropriate theology on prayer no matter the age.   We talk a lot about praying for our kids on Pardon the Mess, but today I’m excited to talk about praying with our kids. Don’t miss it.    Resources from today's show:  Pray with me: Help Your Children Engage in Authentic and Powerful Prayer Erica Renaud The Parent’s Guide to Social Media by Axis The Christian Parenting Podcast   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

This week we’re praying for godly families. More specifically, we’re praying for our families to be built on the foundation of Jesus. In Psalm 127, Solomon very pointedly reminds us that even our best work and greatest successes are nothing if the Lord isn’t in them.    The key to building godly families comes in the day by day and week by week decisions of choosing Jesus instead of chasing after earthly success, financial gain, and the other things this world so often points us to.    Jesus talked about building our foundation on rock so that the storms of life won’t destroy our homes. Let’s pray today for our families to be storm-proof so that we can share the gospel effectively to a world so desperately needing the good news.    Can’t wait to pray with you this week!   In this with you,   Cynthia Yanof | Pardon the Mess  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 guidance to help you grow into the perfectly imperfect parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Did you grow up believing certain things like I did?  Things like . . .  You can’t swim for an hour after eatingCracking your knuckles will give you arthritisSwallowed gum stays in your stomach seven yearsCrossed eyes will get stuck that way  These aren’t monumental to our belief systems, but it turns out they really aren’t even true.    We all have things we’ve bought into from our culture, our internal narratives, or even our families. Although the examples above are fairly silly, there are more significant lies we may believe that can impact our parenting, our faith walks, and our identity.    Today I’m getting personal and sharing three of the lies I’ve been prone to believe in my own life (don’t worry, they are deeper than the ones listed above). Although these lies began as fairly harmless, they snowballed into an underlying philosophy that needed to be called out and examined with a lens of biblical truth.    Take a few minutes with me today to consider the three lies we all need to stop believing in 2023.    P.S. If you enjoy Pardon the Mess will you take a minute to share it with a friend? There’s no better way to encourage others than to share biblical truth with them. Parenting is hard so let’s help others walk the parenting road together.

Failure fast tracks growth.   This is a principle I’ve learned very personally at various times throughout my life. In the midst of what we may perceive as a failure—God shows up and names it success.   That’s exactly why we’re considering failure as we’re praying for our kids this week. Yes, there are places where our kids will fall flat on their face from poor decisions, and we need to pray they will repent and turn back to God. But sometimes our kids simply “fail,” and often what the world calls failure is actually God’s road to Kingdom success.    If we’re in it for the long game of parenting, we’ve got to get comfortable when our kids fail, knowing God is willing and able to use all things to grow them into who he designed them to be.    Can’t wait to pray with you this week!   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!

If you haven’t been introduced to Carlos Whitaker, today’s your day! Carlos is a dynamic author, speaker, storyteller, and hope dealer who is in high demand as a podcast guest. You’re about to see why!    Our conversation today surrounds his new book, How to Human. We’re considering what it looks like to get back to the very basics of who God created us to be. Living in a world filled with anxiety, broken relationships, and divisiness has caused us to lose touch with each other. . .  and with God.    Tune in today as Carlos and I explore our humanity through the eyes of Jesus and consider practical ways to recalibrate our lives.    Resources from today's show:  How to Human by Carlos Whittaker Human Hope podcast with Carlos Whittaker  She is Confident in Healthy Relationships

Thirty-eight times in Ecclesiastes Solomon refers to our lives as “hevel.” Solomon is trying to paint the picture that our lives are just a vapor, here one moment and gone the next. Knowing this means we have the opportunity to stop chasing the things on earth and instead pursue God above all else and live for the eternal.   This is our prayer for our families this week. That we can appreciate the brevity of life and live intentionally and interruptible as families. We’re also praying our kids learn to live purposefully knowing their hope is in the Lord, not in wealth, popularity, or status.    Join me this week in asking God to teach our kids to define success the way God does. Each day is a gift, so let’s use our time wisely.    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!

I’ve got to be honest here–today’s show is so enlightening that I’ve been quoting Kara Powell everywhere I’ve been speaking since we taped this conversation.    Kara is Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute, and based on her extensive research and knowledge she’s sharing the three pivotal questions our kids are asking. (Spoiler alert: these are some of the same questions many of us are still asking as adults.)    Combining research and biblical truth, Kara gives us practical ways to speak into these three questions while considering the unique characteristics marking this next generation. She also has a few great ways to give our kids a “sticky faith” that follows them all throughout adulthood.   Take a few minutes to listen today, because Kara’s research combined with biblical truth is the perfect combination for answering your kids' deepest questions.    Resources from today's show:  3 Big Questions That Shape Your Future by Kara Powell She is Confident in Healthy Relationships

The things we desire the most direct our days and determine our priorities. Knowing this, it’s important to get it right when it comes to what we desire and how we spend our lives fulfilling our deepest wishes.   This week we’re praying that our kids desire the things God desires for their lives. Psalm 37:4 is arguably one of the most powerful verses God has used in my life to date (I’ll share more on today’s podcast), because he taught me how incredible our lives can be when our victories, achievements, and successes line up with His.     Join me in praying this week for our kids to dig deep to find God’s plans and desires for their lives, pursuing those things at all cost.    Lots to pray for this week. Don’t miss it!   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!

Toni Collier is with us today talking about the brokenness we feel in this world and how to work through it in our own lives as well as the lives of our children.   I had never met Toni before this conversation, and we had an instant connection that I’m sure you’re going to feel too. She’s vulnerable and authentic in the hardest places she’s faced in life, and also hilariously funny and wise. Here’s a few of the topics we cover: Narratives we believe that keep us from healingKnowing the difference between being a fan of Jesus versus a followerAffirming our kids in the very midst of their brokennessOvercoming the need to appear perfect  And a little behind the scenes tidbit: Toni recorded this conversation in her car on the side of the road because she was late after a dentist appointment. You would never know because she is on 🔥, but it made for some hilarious banter.    Resources from today's show:  Brave Enough to be Broken by Toni Collier Still Coloring Podcast with Toni Collier