Well, we’re starting the show today with a segment I’m calling “sappy Cynthia.” Graduating two kids in the next 10 days has brought out all the feels, and last night was Brett’s last baseball game—talk about full-on nostalgia (alongside a stomach bug I’m currently fighting).

But on today’s show, I’m joined by Libin Abraham, the pastor of my church, Bent Tree Bible. I recently heard Libin preach a powerful sermon series on the Holy Spirit, and it really impacted me. As soon as I heard it, I knew I had to share it with all of you.

This week we dive into the topic of living a Spirit-filled life. Libin breaks down who the Holy Spirit is and how He works in our everyday lives. Practically speaking, Libin talks about how the Holy Spirit changes our desires, moves us to pray for others when we don’t even know how, and equips us to do things we’d never imagine ourselves doing—like stepping into foster care when it wasn’t even on our radar.

Next week, Libin will be back, and we’ll talk about how to know if it’s the Holy Spirit speaking to you or just your dinner from the night before. Make sure you tune in over the next two weeks for these powerful and practical insights on living in the Spirit.

All things Cynthia

Bent Tree Bible

This week on MESSmerized, I have the dream team—David Thomas and Sissy Goff. We’re talking all things parenting, and if you’ve ever tried to have a deep conversation with your teenage son and got nothing but a grunt and a request for bacon, this episode is for you.

We tackled the big stuff: anxiety in kids, the social chaos our girls are navigating, and why boys apparently need a full workout and a snack before they can form a complete sentence. We talked about how resilience doesn’t come from bubble-wrapping our kids but from letting them do hard things—and maybe doing a few hard things ourselves (like ignoring the mean mom at soccer).

Sissy reminded us that trust, not courage, is the real anxiety buster. And David explained why experiential learning is key for boys (translation: turn that lecture into a walk with a basketball).

So if you’re feeling like you’re one carpool drive away from losing it, take a deep breath and join us. You’re not alone, and trust me—this episode will make you laugh!

All Things Cynthia

Lucy Learns to Be Brave: A Lesson in Courage by Sissy Goff

Owen Learns He Has What It Takes: by David Thomas

Register for the Raising Capable Kids Conference with David Thomas and Sissy Goff

Rebecca George is joining me today to tackle the tricky art of waiting—something that feels way longer than it should in a world that’s constantly rushing forward. We dive into how trusting God's timing (even when it feels like everyone else is ahead) can turn waiting into a season of personal growth and even joy (yes, joy, during the waiting!).

We chat about the dangers of turning desires into idols (oops, we’ve all done it), the importance of gratitude to fight off bitterness, and why comparison is a total thief. Plus, we share how the writing journey is basically the same as waiting for anything else—full of growth, setbacks, and plenty of moments where you just need to trust God.

Here’s a few takeaways from today’s show:

• Trusting God’s timing is key in a world that thrives on instant everything.
• Waiting doesn’t have to be wasted time—it can be a period of growth.
• Gratitude is the secret weapon against jealousy and bitterness.
• Focusing on God’s character, not your circumstances, will help you wait well.

Join us for a laugh and some real talk about waiting well—and don’t forget to share this episode with someone who needs a little reminder that God’s got this (even when it feels like everyone else is moving faster!).

All things Cynthia

You’re Not Too Late: Trusting God’s Timing in a Hurry Up World by Rebecca George