Pardon the Mess

Simple Ways To Gain Peace in Your Chaotic Home with Krista Gilbert and Wendy Trigsted

I am so excited about this month’s episodes. They are designed to be lighthearted and very practical - like we all sat down and had coffee. Last week, we got to chat about simplifying traditions around Christmas. And this week, we have two more of my dearest friends to talk about all things HOME & SYSTEMS.

You are going to wish these two could come over and sort your entire house. They are both super gifted at making homes practical, functional and beautiful. I got so many new ideas during our conversation (and laughed often). They crack me up!

My favorite thing about them is how they view the home and how they always bring it back to the PEOPLE over the stuff. In the age of social media, I get so wrapped up in the appearance and making my home “look” just right. Sometimes, I just forget to make it work for our lives and the values we uphold as a family.

Krista shared this verse which really encouraged me and I pray it encourages you as well.

“You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’—but not everything is good for you. You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’—but not everything is beneficial. Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.” - 1 Corinthians 10:23

Merry Christmas!!!

Courtney

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Resources from today’s show:

KristaGilbert.com

Krista’s Instagram

Krista’s newest podcast for leaders - The Transformation Triad

Open Door Sisterhood

Our Time To Rise Podcast

Wendy’s Site - The Peaceful Homestead

Wendy’s Instagram

Shop The Peaceful Homestead - Scripture Cards, Candles and more

Wendy’s Home Consults

Wendy’s Laundry System

Wooden organizers for ziplocs

Spice jars with labels

Gift Wrapping Station

Brunch With Babs

Get Neat With Lisa

Underwear sorter

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BONUS: Marked by Protection

“The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” —Psalm 121:7–8

It’s hard to feel safe when the news all around us tells a different story. But we can trust in the Lord’s protection because there is nothing he cannot do. He created everyone and everything in the universe and has complete control over every detail of it.

As parents, it’s often especially difficult to trust God’s protection when it comes to our kids. We constantly need reminding that our best defense on their behalf is a commitment to praying for them. Even when we question God’s protection over them, we can trust that he’s sovereign, good, and never acts contrary to his loving nature.

The real truth is that nothing can ultimately harm those who rest in the grip of our heavenly Father. Paul reminds us of this truth when he says: “Neither death nor life, nor angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–39).

Jodie Berndt joins us for this mini episode to pray with us that when the world seems really scary to our kids, they will remember the One who created the world. He’s our fortress and protector, guiding our very steps and guarding our every path.

Lord, we pray for protection over our children that only comes from you. We pray not just for their physical protection but also for their spiritual health and protection. Please remind [name] that faith in you brings healing for all eternity because nothing can separate us from you. Keep them in your presence and protect them both today and always.

God’s word speaks: Isaiah 54:17; Psalm 34:7–9; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; Deuteronomy 31:6

Connect with Jodie

Website: https://jodieberndt.com/

Instagram: @jodie_berndt

Facebook: @JodieBerndtWrites

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Simple Christmas traditions and the pressure to make it all magical with Katie Douglas and Kylie White

You are in for a treat! Courtney brings two of her very best friends on to get real about Christmas traditions. These three have been friends since their kids were babies and now they can look back over 18 years of parenting and share perspective.

In addition to some fun and simple ideas, they also share about the unnecessary pressure we put on ourselves during the Christmas season. They talk about everything from Santa, to the elf, and most importantly Jesus. They share some of the favorite traditions that their kids really remember.

My favorite part is at the end they each give parenting encouragement. Spoiler alert - it involves lots of grace. I am so incredibly grateful for these two moms and how they have walked so closely with me all of these years. They are wise, humble, hilarious and two of the best Jesus-loving mommas I know.

We didn’t even get to the miracle of Kylie White. She was healed from going blind. It’s a story I’ll never be over. You can listen to her miracle story here.

Merry Christmas!!!

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Resources from today’s show:

Katie’s Instagram

Kylie’s Instagram

Kylie’s Miracle

Kylie’s blog

Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Rolls

Light Em Up - Acts of Kindness

Our Sponsors:

* Check out Factor 75 and use my code messcourtneydefeo50 to get 50% off: https://www.factor75.com/

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“The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.” —Proverbs 20:7 NLT

BONUS: Marked by Integrity

When we think about God’s character, we probably think of attributes like righteousness, holiness, mercy, love, and justice. The Bible reminds us that the character of God is unchanging: he’s the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He’s dependable, he’s consistent, he’s compassionate, and he’s a God of integrity who desires the same for us.

Integrity is more than how we respond in a given situation or a prescribed moral code we follow when life gets tricky. The word integrity comes from the Latin root integer, meaning whole. It’s a reference to our whole person, both who we are in public and in private.

D. L. Moody has said that character is what you are in the dark. The same could be said of integrity.

As we pray integrity over our kids this week, we’re asking the Lord to guide them to live with biblical standards in all areas of their lives. At one point or another, integrity will impact their finances, profession, marriage, parenting, calling, and even the words that come out of their mouths. Let’s pray that “what they are in the dark” reflects God’s light in all areas of their lives.

Lord, you call us to a higher standard because you love us, you’re for us, and you know what’s best for us. I ask you to give [name] the desire to live with integrity in all areas of their life. Guide us as a family to value honesty and live set apart.

God’s word speaks: 1 Peter 3:16; Proverbs 12:22; 2 Corinthians 8:2; Proverbs 21:3

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How to show kids they are never alone with Levi Lusko

I have long admired Pastor Levi Lusko and his ability to portray the absolute power and sovereignty of God in a way that we can all understand. He is a gifted pastor, teacher and communicator that always leaves me feeling seen, known and inspired.

I first heard Pastor Levi at Passion Conference and have followed his teachings since that time. Today’s conversation centers around how to marvel at God’s creation and how to remind kids they are never alone in this big world. Our kids naturally look up at the moon and the sky and have so many questions. And Jesus even suggests that we are more like kids!

His newest devotionals for families, Marvel At the Moon, is a real passion of his to help start conversations about God’s majestic universe. His desire is that every child (and adult) will remember they are never alone in their real-life struggles. After my conversation with him, I promptly went to order 5 copies for families that I love. He shared so many fun facts about the moon that I had never heard before.

My favorite part is at the end, when he encourages all parents to not shy away from the failures. He encourages us to lean into the very normal road of messing up - and how God will use every bit of it. It felt like such a moment of grace washing over me. I pray you will feel that too.

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Resources from today’s show:

LeviLusko.com

Through The Eyes of a Lion (His daughter’s story)

Marvel at The Moon

YoYo Stroller

Passion Conference

The Marriage Devotional

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“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” —John 1:5

BONUS: Marked by Light

A quick glance at the news confirms that our culture’s moral code is growing further away from the truths of Scripture. With the widening of this gap, our kids will likely face more scrutiny and persecution for living biblically than many of the generations before them.

Even so, we have the message of truth and are called to share it. In the middle of a world of darkness and uncertainty, our culture desperately needs to hear the gospel message that Jesus loved us to the point of death so that we might live forever (John 3:16).

Each new day presents opportunities for our children to shine God’s light in the darkness around them. It’s accomplished by refusing to conform to the world. Instead, pray that your children live set apart in how they talk, what they prioritize, and how they do life. Living counterculturally provides the opportunity to point others to the true source of our light: Jesus.

Ask the Lord to ground our kids in the confidence and determination necessary to stand firm in a culture that rejects absolute truth. Pray that they won’t pass up a single chance to shine the light of Jesus in a dark world.

Jesus, you alone change lives. Help [name] to be brave enough to live set apart for you. As our culture grows further away from the truths of the gospel, give us more opportunities to share our faith in you with love and conviction.

God’s word speaks: Matthew 5:16; John 8:12; 1 John 1:5; 1 Peter 2:9

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Living through deep loss and wrestling with God with Jonathan and Peta Pitts

Tissue alert! This one was incredibly special to me - a tearful and honest check in with Jonathan and Peta Pitts during a deeply painful season of their lives.

Although, those in the midst of grief will absolutely resonate - I do believe this episode is for every single one of us. Somewhere in our stories, we endure deep loss and are left standing with many questions for God. This week of Thanksgiving can be really hard for many families and I pray this message touches you in a profound way. We talk about Joanthan’s loss of his late wife Wynter Pitts, his new marriage to the amazing Peta Pitts, the often unseen role as a step-mom, their recent loss with a miscarriage and then stillborn and so much more. They are raw and honest with their pain - yet incredibly hopeful.

I used to host a podcast with Wynter about raising girls. We were about 4 months into the podcast when she suddenly passed away - leaving behind her husband and 4 precious daughters. She was a treasured friend of mine. As you can imagine, this episode was emotional and very sacred to me. You’ll hear a moment, when I realize that Peta is an answered prayer of mine. In those early days of Wynter’s passing, I begged God over and over again to bring those girls another mother that would love them and see them like Wynter did. And He did that and so much more.

My favorite part is when they share that they still choose Jesus, despite the hard questions and doubts. They share this verse that really stuck with me.

“Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:68–69)

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Jonathan’s Book on Loss of Wynter

Resources from today’s show:

The Mothering Journal - More on Peta’s Writing

The Mothering Journal Instagram

Peta’s Instagram

Jonathan’s Instagram

For Girls Like You - magazine and resources

God’s Story Club (NEW)

I Am Yours by Wynter Pitts

Courtney & Wynter’s Podcast

Questions about death by Tony Evans

“Jesus, the Light of the World”: An Advent Devotional for Kids!

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“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” —Psalm 107:1

BONUS: Marked by Thanksgiving

The Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving in 1621 despite having recently lost half of their population to a harsh winter filled with contagious diseases. By celebrating their first successful harvest, they reminded a young nation of the importance of giving thanks in all circumstances.

Today, most of us spend Thanksgiving day knee-deep in the traditions of turkey, football, and family time; however, as Christians, we also celebrate on a deeper level, knowing that all of our gratitude is owed to the Lord.

We’re praying this week that our kids live marked by thankfulness—even in the hard places. When the road they face is difficult, pray that they give thanks that Jesus goes before them and has won every battle waged against them. We’re promised that God will work everything according to his purposes, so we can be assured that God desires to bring out the good in whatever they are facing.

Paul reminds us from his jail cell in Rome that, in Jesus, we can sing, make music, and be thankful in all things (Ephesians 5:19–20).

Ingratitude is a sin, thankfulness is a choice, turkey is dry.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lord, every good and perfect gift comes only from you, and we have the privilege of celebrating that this week. As we celebrate Thanksgiving as a family, give my kids a deep connection with you as the giver of all good things in their lives. Help [name] to be marked by thanksgiving no matter their circumstances.

God’s word speaks: Psalm 100:4; Colossians 3:17; Psalm 107:8–9; 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

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