If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Zacchaeus was a very rich and corrupt tax collector who was disliked by the Jewish people. One day, Jesus was passing through town and Zacchaeus decided he wanted to see him! But as you may know, Zacchaeus was a “wee little man,” so he had to climb a tree to get a good view. Much to everyone’s surprise and dismay, Jesus pointed him out, spoke to him, and invited himself over.

At that moment, Zacchaeus’s heart changed. He felt guilty, but he also acted on his guilt and repented. He vowed to give half his possessions to the poor and to pay back four times the amount to anyone he had cheated. This wasn’t just a small apology—it was a complete turnaround; salvation came to his house and his faith was real because it moved him to action.

We all have a barrier to genuinely meeting and following Jesus. For Zacchaeus, it was his corrupt values and his size. But Jesus broke through those barriers, and when he did, Zacchaeus repented. For our kids, those barriers might be life situations, friends, or even distractions. But no barrier is too big for Christ to reach us. Jesus sees each of us and knows us personally. He invited himself into Zacchaeus’s life, though Zacchaeus was a known sinner, and he invites himself into our kids’ hearts too.

But responding to Jesus isn’t just about hearing his call; it’s about repentance. Zacchaeus didn’t just listen, he changed. As parents, we want our kids to truly follow Jesus, and that means turning away from sin and choosing a new way of life with him.

This week, let’s pray that our kids recognize the sin in their lives and repent of that sin, feeling confident that Jesus forgives them.

Jesus, thank you for forgiving our sins. Help __________ to see the sin in their life and to feel convicted. Take away all their guilt and shame in a way that only you can as they experience your perfect forgiveness. And may they live their life in a way that reflects your grace. Amen.

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

Loving your family well isn’t always as simple as it sounds. There are seasons when connection feels easy, and others when you feel unseen, unheard, or like your efforts just aren’t landing.

In this episode, Dr. Gary Chapman, author of The 5 Love Languages, shares insights from decades of helping couples and families better understand how to give and receive love. With the release of his latest book, the conversation goes deeper into how love languages can shape stronger, more meaningful relationships at home.

We talk about what to do when you don’t feel loved, how to better understand your spouse and children, and why taking the first step in showing love can shift the entire dynamic of a relationship. There’s also practical wisdom on how to approach hard conversations with care and intentionality.

This episode is a powerful reminder that small, consistent choices in how we love can make a lasting impact on our families.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Gary Chapman

01:43 The Importance of Feeling Loved

03:43 Gary Chapman's Life and Work

04:58 Understanding Love Languages

08:42 The New Book: The Love Language That Matters Most

12:39 Communicating Love Effectively

16:46 Identifying Love Languages in Children

17:49 Understanding Love Languages in Early Childhood

20:55 Practical Parenting Tips Using Love Languages

24:38 Engaging with Teenagers: Navigating Independence

29:32 Adapting Love Languages for Teenagers

32:23 Legacy of Love: Reflections on Parenting and Faith

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Christian Parenting

Pardon The Mess

Courtney DeFeo

Resources from today’s show:

Connect with Dr. Gary Chapman

5 Love Languages

5 Love Languages free test

5 Love Languages Premium Assessment

The Love Language That Matters Most - new book

5 Love Languages of Children

5 Love Languages of Teenagers

Open a LearningRX center

Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

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

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. (John 12:3)

In the story of Mary and Martha, Mary was the sister who understood the big picture and spent a lot of time at the feet of Jesus. First, she sat at his feet as a disciple would do and listened to Jesus as he taught. Later, she anointed Jesus’s feet with expensive perfume and washed them with her hair.

It would have been easy for Mary to be distracted and overwhelmed like her sister became. There was a lot going on and there were a lot of people in her house! Jesus was staying with them and the end of his ministry was nearing. He had also just resurrected their brother! Mary could have multitasked her way through that dinner, but she focused her whole self on Jesus instead.

We live in a culture that tells us we can have it all and do it all, and we can multitask and be more efficient. But we can’t multitask Jesus. Jesus was not suggesting that Mary (or Martha) completely disregard their responsibilities, but he was calling them to focus fully on the most important thing, which was him in that moment.

What would it look like for our families to focus on Jesus without distractions? As parents, we can model abiding in Christ and encourage our kids to do the same—to experience the gift of learning from him about eternal things instead of rushing around focusing on the present.

This week, let’s pray that our kids say no to distractions and grow in their ability to solely focus on Jesus and truly abide in his presence.

Jesus, thank you for being our teacher and our Savior. I pray that __________ chooses to sit at your feet and focus on you. As they do the work you have called them to, help them to remember that you are the most important thing. When they are distracted, as they inevitably will be, draw nearer to them. Amen.

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

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42–43)

As Jesus was led to his crucifixion, he was surrounded by two men on crosses next to him, all three of them facing death. One man was mocking and doubting Jesus, but the other man turned to Jesus in his final moments and was promised eternity with Jesus.

Although not much was shared in this interaction, the thief did proclaim Jesus was Lord. It’s a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to repent and accept Jesus. There is always hope; in fact, the Bible says that everyone who calls on his name will be saved (Romans 10:13). This story also reminds us that doing good works or earning our way to heaven is not what Jesus offered us; it is a free gift.

As believing parents, our hope is that there is more distance between our kids’ salvation and their death than there was for the thief on the cross. We know that true peace, joy, and hope is found in following Jesus, and we want our kids to have that for a lifetime; we want them to experience a full life of faith. We want them to spend many years drawing others to faith. However, we must never count out a child that is full of sin and far from God. God is still reaching for them up until their last breath.

This week, let’s pray that our kids accept the free gift of salvation and spend their lives following Jesus.

Jesus, thank you for the gift of salvation. Lord, please draw __________ to you. Help them to understand what following you means, that there is nothing they can do to make you love them less or more, and that you give them the gift of peace on earth now and eternal life with you later. 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

Marriage can be both deeply challenging and incredibly beautiful, and many couples experience seasons of disconnection along the way.

In this episode, Cheryl Scruggs shares her powerful story of reconciliation after walking through divorce and finding her way back to her husband years later. Together, the conversation explores the realities of marriage, the slow drift that can happen over time, and the hope that restoration is possible, even after deep hurt.

We talk about the importance of communication, the danger of letting resentment grow in silence, and the role of community in helping marriages stay healthy. There is also practical encouragement for women who want to be more intentional in their relationships and create space for honesty and healing.

This episode is a reminder that while marriage takes work, it is also a place where God can bring growth, redemption, and renewed connection.

Here are the verses she shared!

Matthew 19:26

With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

Deuteronomy 8:2 (read full chapter too)

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.

Ephesians 3:20

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

Chapters:

00:00 Navigating Life's Challenges

03:02 The Journey of Marriage Ministry

06:02 Crisis in Marriage: Recognizing the Signs

09:09 Building a Stronger Connection

11:59 The Importance of Vulnerability in Relationships

19:20 Navigating the Transition to Empty Nesting

22:02 The Importance of Nurturing Intimacy

24:34 Overcoming Disconnection in Marriage

27:32 The Role of Counseling in Strengthening Relationships

29:59 Practical Steps to Show Love and Respect

31:54 Finding Hope and Redemption in Marriage

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Christian Parenting

Pardon The Mess

Courtney DeFeo

Resources from today’s show:

Connect with Cheryl and Jeff

Thriving Beyond Belief - Cheryl’s podcast

Thriving Beyond Belief - Cheryl’s newest book

I Do Again - Jeff and Cheryl’s book

Open a LearningRX center

Sign up for Morning Minute

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

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41–42)

Martha kind of gets a bad rap. In her story, Jesus and the disciples were staying at her home. Martha spent her time making food and busying herself to make her home hospitable, while her sister Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to him. We all want to be Mary, choosing time with the Lord over the busyness of life (more on that in two weeks), but it’s important to remember that as disciples of Jesus we are called to sit and serve.

In Martha’s case, it was all about priorities. Creating a hospitable home and serving others is important. In fact, Martha served Jesus and his disciples again at a dinner given in Jesus’s honor before Passover.

But when it comes to serving others are we focused on Pinterest perfection or on making people feel comfortable and pointing to Jesus with our actions? It’s more about our attitude than our actions. Taking care of Jesus and his disciples was a good thing—but it seems as though Martha was seeking perfection. The truth is, seeking perfection is setting ourselves up for failure because it means we are depending more on ourselves than on Jesus. We can’t be perfect, only God is perfect.

Today’s world looks like perfection and our kids are growing up right in the middle of it. But we can encourage them to keep their eyes on Jesus and serve him and others because it’s what’s in their hearts, not what makes them look best.

This week, let’s pray that our kids can let go of any pressure for perfection and learn to rest in Jesus and his perfection. Let’s pray that when they are overwhelmed by the things of life they redirect their hearts toward the most important thing.

Jesus, when __________ feels overwhelmed by the busyness of the world, help them to focus their heart back to you. Give them the peace to let go of perfection and expectation, and to rely on you instead. May they serve others out of a response to your love, not out of obligation, pride, or image. 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

Foster care is a journey that holds both deep brokenness and incredible beauty. For many families, it can also feel overwhelming to know how to step in and support children from hard places.

In this episode, Meredith Brock, CEO of Proverbs 31 Ministries and a foster and adoptive mom, shares insights from her family’s experience with foster care and how the journey has shaped her faith and motherhood. The conversation explores the realities of caring for vulnerable children, the tension of holding both joy and heartbreak, and the ways God often meets families in their most difficult moments.

Together they talk about what it looks like to support children with hard stories, how foster care can refine and stretch a family’s faith, and why the church has such an important role in caring for these kids.

It’s also a reminder that supporting the foster care system isn’t limited to becoming a foster parent. Whether through respite care, advocacy, or supporting families already in the system, there are meaningful ways we can all step in and help.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Background

05:53 The Call to Foster Care

11:57 The Importance of Community Support

17:58 Respite Care and Community Involvement

24:07 Personal Growth Through Foster Care

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 Meredith

Connect with Proverbs 31 on Instagram

Proverbs 31 Ministries

Foster the Family

Open a LearningRX center

Sign up for Morning Minute

Christian Parenting

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