What do you do when life doesn’t just hand you lemons—but keeps throwing them at your face?

Today, Kirby Kelly joins us to share about her new book, The Fabric of Hope. After unexpectedly losing her mom, Kirby turned to Scripture to find hope in a season that felt unbearable. With a Master’s in Theology, she began searching for truth and hope right in the middle of her pain.

When life unravels, it can feel impossible to believe that anything good could come from it. In those moments, it’s easy to begin seeing God as the enemy in our situation. But God is not the author of evil—He is the redeemer of it. And when the hits keep coming, that truth can be incredibly hard to hold onto.

This episode is a reminder to stay tethered to Him through both praise and lament—to remain connected and fight for that connection, even when it’s difficult.

Be encouraged today as Kirby shares her personal story of pain and how God is with us in all things.

Connect with Kirby Kelly:

• Website: Kirby Kelly
• Facebook: Kirby Kelly
• Instagram: Kirby Kelly (@kirbyisaboss)

• The Fabric of Hope: By Kirby Kelly
• Eternity is Now in Session: by John Ortberg

• Finding Freedom from Habitual Sin :: Kirby Kelly [Ep 469]
• Walking Through Grief: Coping, Comforting Kids, and Embodied Emotions :: Erin Nelson and Colleen Montague [Ep 517]
• When Moms Walk through Grief :: Stacey Thacker {Ep 76}

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As moms, we are like a life support system for our kids. To keep our families healthy, we need to be healthy. A key part of our overall well being is setting healthy boundaries.

But boundaries are hard. They require uncomfortable, direct conversations. We may need to put a limit on really good things or draw a line in the sand with our in-laws or parents.

My guest, Dr. John Townsend literally wrote the book on boundaries and he shares some deep wisdom on how to set healthy boundaries while honoring our family members and others.

“You've got to take care of your energy, your heart and your emotions. You've got to take care of yourself and your health. If you don't guard that heart, then the wellsprings of life won't come out from it. Boundaries are basically about how to set healthy, loving limits in our life. So we have something to offer to our children.”

Townsend answers your tough questions about setting limits with in-laws, making healthy boundaries for the holidays and even models having a tough conversation with a parent about a boundary.

This is an episode packed with great information and Townsend has several books and resources available if you want to go deeper. Let’s make setting healthy boundaries a priority and guard our hearts and our time to bring life to our family!

Connect with John Townsend:

• Instagram: John Townsend (@dr.john_townsend)
• Facebook: Dr. John Townsend
• Website: Home - Dr. John Townsend

Links Mentioned:

• Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: By John Townsend
• Relational Nutrients (new layout) - Dr. John Townsend
• People Fuel: By John Townsend

• Parenting a Spicy Child: How to Stay Calm, Set Boundaries, and Keep the Connection :: Mary Van Geffen [Ep 558]
• Good Boundaries and Goodbyes :: Lysa TerKeurst [Ep 387]
• Strengthening the Relationship with Your Adult Child :: Kathy Cunningham [Ep 543]

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How do you parent your kids through a story they didn’t choose?

In this honest and hope-filled conversation, Vaneetha Risner shares her journey of raising two adolescent daughters as a single mom after divorce. She opens up about the pressure to “hold everything together,” the tension of co-parenting with different values, and the deep questions kids ask about God in the middle of pain.

This episode offers practical wisdom and biblical encouragement for all moms, reminding us that while we can’t control our children’s stories, we can faithfully shepherd their hearts—and trust God to restore what has been lost. Here is some of what we cover:

• The balance between sharing too much vs. hiding your emotions
• Navigating co-parenting with different rules and values
• The importance of community when you feel alone
• You don’t have to have all the answers—sometimes “I don’t know” is enough

• Parenting is a long game—trust God with the outcome

• Website: Vaneetha Risner
• Facebook: Vaneetha Rendall Risner
• Instagram: Vaneetha Risner (@vaneetharisner)

• This Was Never the Plan: Walking with God Through the Heartache of Divorce: By Vaneetha Rendall Risner
• Walking Through Fire: A Memoir of Loss and Redemption: By Vaneetha Risner
• The Scars That Have Shaped Me: How God Meets Us in Suffering: By Vaneetha Risner

• How to Never Miss Out :: Vaneetha Risner [Ep 402] RWYB Series wk 1
• Walking Thru Divorce :: Lara Williams [Ep 324]
• How God Personally Pursues and Redeems :: Jenn Jett [Ep 193]

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