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

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that we don’t know what’s coming our way at any given time.    One year ago this week, the World Health Organization confirmed an additional twenty cases of COVID-19 in the United States, bringing the total number of cases in our country to thirty-five. Even though the number was seemingly small at the time, it was unsettling not knowing what the future held with this virus at hand (and thank goodness we didn’t know).     The one thing we can be certain of this side of heaven is that our lives are going to be uncertain.     Yet even in the middle of uncertainty for Joshua, God reminded him that “every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you” (Joshua 1:3 ESV).    The message to Joshua is the same message for us: with God directing our steps, not even one is unexpected or without purpose to the One who authors them all.    This week, we’re praying for our kids to understand that what’s uncertain to them is anything but unexpected or unplanned to God. Knowing that, we can put our trust in the One who not only knows the future but also writes it.    Join me in praying for our kids to be marked by God’s certainty through all of life’s unknown roads.  Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/MESSPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I come to you today in the midst of Texas’ 2021 polar vortex.     With great anticipation, we southerners were awaiting our first big snow in years. It was going to be sledding, hot chocolate bars, game nights, and family bonding. Until... we had an electricity crisis.     My house has been running a temp of around 46 degrees INSIDE, and there’s been more family bonding than I care to share with you. That said, we’re grateful to be safe and to have food, and we’re looking forward to some fun memories to share one day.       Nonetheless, we’ve got a great podcast for you today.    I’ll keep it short and just say YOU NEED to listen to my conversation with Susie Robb. She’s an interior designer, single mom, and has a great word on God’s redemption in our lives.     Besides giving us encouragement for single parents, she also shares design tips and even her favorite paint colors. Talk about full service!    So thankful for each of you and praying you’re safe and warm. Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/MESSPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11 ESV).    Raise your hand if you feel like you check the box well when it comes to being marked by self-discipline.    Me neither.   That’s why I’m glad we’re praying it over our kids this week.    Self-discipline (or lack thereof) will impact every part of their lives, including dating relationships, finances, online accountability, marriage, physical health, and even their occupations.    The author of Hebrews (in perhaps the biggest understatement ever) reminds us that discipline isn’t fun in the moment, but it’s a key step on the pathway to righteousness.    The good news is that self-discipline isn’t just a matter of mustering up enough willpower. Rather, it's a God-given perspective that the greater reward in waiting is better than the immediate temptation we’re facing.    Let’s ask God to give our kids the self-discipline to look away, walk away, or find a way to pass by anything that interferes with God’s highest goals in their lives.    Can’t wait to pray with you this week!Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/MESSPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As we focus this month on loving what God loves, I’m so excited to shine some much-deserved light on our precious families raising children with special needs.    Nichole Huggins, Director of Special Needs at Prestonwood Church in Dallas, Texas, joins us as both a mom to a son with special needs as well as one directly engaged in church ministry in this area.    Today’s podcast is not just for the families in the trenches each day raising children with special needs, but it’s also a much-needed word for those of us who are called to walk alongside and support these families.    There’s so much in this podcast that I can’t wait for you to hear, but here are a few takeaways you can’t miss:    Even on the hardest days, you have hope, and you are not alone The importance of seizing the God-moments in our parenting Conversations every parent needs to have concerning kids with special needs It’s okay not to be okay   Please take time to listen to this important conversation, and then share it with your friends who need this encouragement today.Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/MESSPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The entire theme of this year’s prayer journal is built around the notion of being “marked” by the things of God.   In a culture that threatens to mark our kids with anxiety, depression, and social media inundation (and in the midst of a pandemic), we’re praying that our kids will be supernaturally marked only by the things of God.   This week we’re praying for arguably the most significant “marking” in our kids’ lives: that they will be marked by God’s presence.   The presence of God is a core message from Genesis, with Adam and Eve in the garden, all the way to Revelation and the promise of all eternity with God. Living in God’s presence is significant for our kids because it’s assurance that they are never overlooked, unseen, or insignificant.    We can find joy no matter what we’re facing in this world because of the presence of Jesus in our lives.   Join me in praying this over our kids this week.Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/MESSPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We spent the month of January considering the different areas in our lives that might need some adjustments in a new year. We talked about our parenting, finances, and our physical and spiritual lives in the context of our faith.   Now as we move into February, we’ve got a month-long focus on love. More specifically, we’re considering how we might better love the things God loves.   You’re in for a big treat today because Lisa Harper is with us, and she’s amazing. If you haven’t run across her before, suffice it to say she’s hilarious, honest, real, and she really, really loves Jesus.   There are so many reasons to listen to Pardon the Mess today, but here are just a few topics you don’t want to miss:   Three traps women fall into with their faith. Is the gospel really good news this side of heaven? How do we experience abundant life in a turbulent world? Why we need to step into someone else’s story. Adoption being God’s megaphone for grace.   Oh, and I won’t lie—we covered a few other really important topics like Spanx, bathing suits, and chips and queso. 😜   Drop what you’re doing and join us as we lean into a month of loving the things God loves!   Check out Lisa Harper’s new devotional! Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/MESSPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word” (Psalm 119:9 NIV).   This week we’re praying that our kids are marked by purity in their lives.    The idea of raising pure kids in an impure culture can feel like an impossibly tall order as parents. We sometimes mistakenly make purity a goal our kids must achieve, staying away from certain things or even keeping on a prescribed path until the finish line of marriage.   But purity is not an accomplishment—it’s a relationship, as Dan Martin of Pure Hope Ministries shares with us on today’s podcast.    It’s a relationship with Jesus, who comes to redeem us from the sin of this world and purify us to himself (Titus 2:14). He cleanses us and makes us new creations. He gives hope that is everlasting and brings healing when we fall short.   Join me in praying for our kids to have purity in their physical relationships, in the way they dress, in the motivation behind their actions, in their pursuit of Jesus, and in the music and media that fill their minds.    Let’s also pray that when they fall short, they know that the Lord stands ready to forgive them and give them a new beginning. Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/MESSPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We’re wrapping up January by discussing all things money with Art Rainer. Art has written countless books on this subject and talks with us today about the biggest money mistakes we make. He also gives suggestions on how to assess the state of our finances and how it’s impacting our marriages. I love his approach to this sticky subject because it’s all based in Scripture and God’s design for our money. This month, we’ve blown up the old adage that it’s taboo to talk about religion, politics, or money in mixed company. We’ve hit two of the three areas, and it’s been amazing. As we wrap up a month of looking at a new year/new you in 2021, make sure you’ve caught these amazing guests: • Louie Giglio on our spiritual lives • Ken Wilgus on parenting our kids, especially our teens • Dr. Hillary Lewis answering our medical questions • Art Rainer and the money challenge So thankful to kick off 2021 together!Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/MESSPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today we’re praying for our kids to be marked by confidence.  As I think back on the mistakes I made growing up, many of those could have been avoided if I would have rooted my confidence in the Lord and not in this world.   We will talk about practical ways to give our kids confidence in the character of God by pointing them back to our personal “stones of remembrance.” It’s sharing how God’s been faithful in the past to gain confidence in his faithfulness for our future. His character is unchanging.   And as an aside, I felt oddly compelled to share my mom’s most embarrassing moment as a reminder of how fleeting our earthly confidence can be. It’s really good stuff you can’t afford to miss. 😂  Remember, when we root our confidence in the things of this world, we will never find satisfaction. Let’s pray that our kids’ confidence comes from the right source: God himself.   Can’t wait to pray together! Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/MESSPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Do you remember all the questions you asked the pediatrician about your first child?   I remember one particular appointment when my daughter was about six weeks old.  I showed up at the doctor’s office with a list so long it barely fit in my SUV. The questions seem silly now, but I asked things like: How do I know when to change diaper sizes? (Duh, when the others don’t fit). And how do I know if the crib bedding is overstimulating her? (Thanks a lot, Babywise).   Bless my heart, and thank goodness for patient pediatricians.   Today we have the chance to collectively ask our medical questions to Dr. Hillary Lewis.  Dr. Lewis is a pediatrician in Dallas who loves the Lord and is raising three kids of her own.   Much like the litany of questions I asked all those years ago of my pediatrician, I’m bombarding her with some of our most common medical questions when it comes to our kids (and not how to determine diaper-sizing).   We covered topics like:  Physical concerns of COVID  The emotional toll of COVID Acne from masks The COVID vaccine and its implications for our kids Thoughts on the Gardasil vaccine The age we can begin to see signs of ADD/ADHD Balancing faith and science in our families  I took one for the team and tried to ask the questions we’ve all been wondering about but haven’t actually voiced. Praying it’s as helpful to you as it was for me!Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/MESSPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy