I believe the key to parenting, marriage and life is this topic right here - intimacy with God. Are we spending time with God? How do we do this as moms? What if we tried and it's too hard?

It can be so intimidating to learn about “quiet times” and “prayers.” We are joined today by author, speaker and Bible teacher Stacey Thacker. I love her heart for God’s word and prayer. She gives us so many practical and biblical reasons to make this a priority.

If you have a mentor (or are a mentor), you can use this episode and the show notes below to easily start a conversation. This is a topic worth discussing and will impact every area of your life.

My favorite part is when Stacey reminds us that the point of getting in God’s word, is that God’s word gets into us. It really doesn’t matter how we do it - just that we are doing it. Let’s do this together this month and memorize Hebrews 12:1-3. Who is in? Put it on a post-it and hide that word in your heart.

Enjoy!

Courtney

MY VIRTUAL MENTOR GUIDE (INTIMACY WITH GOD)

Scripture to memorize:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Scriptures for prayer and study:

Matthew 6:33

Psalms 46:10

Colossians 3:16

Books for further study:

A place of quiet rest – Nancy Leigh Demoss

Discerning the Voice of God – Priscilla Shirer

Women of the Word – Jen Wilkin

Practicing the Way – John Mark Comer

Discussion questions:

What is your story of faith? How long have you been walking with God?

What habits and disciplines help increase your intimacy with God?

What are some practical tips for getting time with God?

(00:00) Reconnecting and Family Dynamics

(02:43) The Importance of Community and Mentorship

(05:42) Quiet Time: Nurturing Your Relationship with God

(11:25) The Power of Prayer in Difficult Times

(17:20) Praying for Our Children: Strategies and Insights

Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Christian Parenting

Pardon The Mess

Courtney DeFeo

ORDER YOUR 2026-2027 PRAYER JOURNAL NOW

Resources from today’s show:

Connect with Stacey

Threadbare Prayer

Praying for Teen Girls

Praying for Teen Boys

The Holderness Family - Open Door, Not Empty Nest

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

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. (Genesis 50:20 NLT)

Joseph had every reason to be angry and bitter at the world. His brothers picked on him, tricked him, and sold him into slavery. He was taken to Egypt where he was eventually imprisoned for something he didn’t even do. It would have been easy for Joseph to call life unfair and give up. But God gifted him the ability to interpret dreams, and Joseph used that gift to help himself and help others. He was raised up as a leader in Egypt and he saved many lives from famine—including the lives of his brothers.

Practically speaking, we want our kids to use their giftings to help themselves: to excel in school, relationships, sports, music, jobs, etc. We know that when our kids lean into how God made them, they will thrive. But we also want them to use those gifts to expand God’s kingdom and help others. Joseph’s brothers meant to harm him, but they couldn’t outdo what God had planned: God planned to use Joseph for good.

God made each of us, including our kids, perfectly and wonderfully with spiritual gifts to use for a good purpose. When we see those giftings in our kids, we have the privilege of encouraging them and building them up! Helping our kids discover and use their spiritual gifts well will help them see the bigger picture of how they fit into God’s kingdom.

This week, let’s pray that our kids use the gifts that God has given them for the purpose he calls them to.

Jesus, help us to see the spiritual gifts you have given __________ and build them up in those giftings. As they grow up, I pray they use their gifts to help others, help themselves, and bless you. Remind them that you use every circumstance for good, and mercy and goodness are the right choice, even when it’s hard to see. Amen.

If you love this episode and don’t have your copy of A Great Cloud of Witnesses yet, it’s not too late to get yours! Go ChristianParenting.org to get your copy and follow along. And don’t forget to tune in to Pardon the Mess every Monday for more prayer episodes.

Order A Great Cloud of Witnesses today

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

Do you have a child that is wrestling with their faith? Or maybe you fear this scenario with your little ones? What if they grow up and deny their faith or doubt God? What you will hear today through Alena’s story is that God is faithful. She is confident in that truth after a 7-year wrestling period with God.

Alena’s quest to know God helped her to know herself in a foundational way. This conversation not only helped me as a mom, but as a follower of Christ. Alena is a creative, author, speaker, actor and more who is wise beyond her years. She always makes me think in a new and fresh way.

My favorite part honestly is when she talks about the “ick” of women’s conferences. I could not get it together from laughing. She reminds me so much of her late mother Wynter Pitts. She is refreshingly honest, true to herself, wise and hilarious.

You will be encouraged to be patient with the wrestling periods of your own faith and your children’s faith. You will hear practical ways to support your children during their doubts.

Be sure to check out her new devotional, God Is, available now for teen and young women.

Enjoy!

Courtney

(00:00) The Emotional Journey of College Transition

(02:59) Wrestling with Faith and Identity

(05:48) Understanding God Through Personal Struggles

(08:29) Navigating Parent-Child Relationships

(11:26) Experiencing God's Presence in Grief

(14:15) The Importance of Knowing God

(17:08) Hearing from God in Everyday Life

(19:51) Creative Pursuits and Personal Growth

(22:44) The Impact of 'For Girls Like You' Magazine

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Christian Parenting

Pardon The Mess

Courtney DeFeo

ORDER YOUR 2026-2027 PRAYER JOURNAL NOW

Resources from today’s show:

God Is - Alean’s new devotional

For Girls Like You

Africa New Life

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