Pardon the Mess with Courtney DeFeo - Christian Motherhood, Biblical Parenting, Raising Christian Kids

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26 ESV)
Jairus was a synagogue leader and a man of status and faith. When his young daughter became deathly ill, he desperately fell at Jesus’s feet and pleaded for him to come and heal her. Jesus agreed, but on the way news reached them that Jairus’s daughter had died. The fellow leaders looked at Jairus and said, “Why bother the teacher anymore?” because she was already dead (Mark 5:35). But Jairus refused to believe death had the final word, and he put his hope in Jesus. When they arrived at the house, Jesus commanded the little girl to get up, and she did!
“Why bother?” is a question filled with doubt, finality, and despair. Our world is hard and that makes people question the goodness of God. Why bother? How could God let bad things happen to good people? Where is God when things are this bad?
Our kids will face those questions their entire lives. But Jesus does, indeed, have the final word. He told Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe” (Mark 5:36), and he repeatedly tells us the same. We can show our kids how to put their whole faith in Jesus and how to trust him even when others say it’s too late, or too silly, or too difficult. God’s ability to perform miracles in our life has not changed, because he is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). We should find great hope in that!
This week, let’s pray that our kids believe that God can do the impossible and have a faith that they hold onto even when the world says to them, “Why bother?”
Jesus, I pray that __________ puts their hope in you. Give them a faith that believes in your possibilities. When things are hard, and the rest of the world says to give up or that faith is pointless, may they remember your promises and call on you for help. Help them to recall the miracles you have performed before and give them hope to see those miracles again. Amen.
From blindness to healing with Kylie White

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. 

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

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Many families today are navigating life with neurodivergent children, from ADHD to dyslexia to autism, and it can feel overwhelming to know how to best support them.
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Kelly Cagle, host of Parenting IQ, who has a passion for helping moms create refreshing rhythms at home. She shares personal stories, research-backed insight, and practical ways parents can better support kids with ADHD.
One of my favorite parts of this conversation was her encouragement for parents to truly understand their kids, to see the unique and beautiful way their brains process the world. It can be tempting to try to force neurodivergent kids into more typical patterns of behavior, but when we learn how their brains work, we can lead with empathy and help set them up to thrive.
I learned so much from this conversation, and I think it will really encourage parents walking this road.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Hosts
01:12 Personal and Professional Background of Dr. Kelly Cagle
03:05 Understanding ADHD: Definitions and Personal Experiences
05:30 Challenges in Traditional Education for ADHD Children
10:59 The Impact of Society and Genetics on ADHD
15:52 Navigating Parenting with ADHD: Systems and Support
19:06 Understanding Neurodiversity in Parenting
21:42 Homeschooling vs. Traditional Education
25:04 Navigating Diagnoses and Labels
30:43 Practical Strategies for Parents
32:00 The Journey of Writing a Book

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 Kelly
Parenting IQ Podcast
7 Personal Systems to Lower Stress
ADHD is awesome by Penn Holderness
Sign up for Morning Minute
Open a LearningRX center
The Hunt for the Kraken
Lives of Faith and Grace series

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

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20–31)
One of the most talked about miracles of Jesus is his feeding five thousand people from five loaves of bread and two fish. Imagine being there, listening to Jesus powerfully preach with thousands of other people. It was lunchtime and everyone was hungry and cranky (hangry, if you will); the people needed to eat! But all there was to eat was a small basket of five loaves of bread and two fish from a little boy. That boy willingly offered up his small lunch to Jesus. He didn’t have enough, but what he had he gave to Jesus, trusting that he would use it for good.
We don’t know what resources our kids will have when they grow up. No matter what they have, God calls them to be generous with it. God is in the business of multiplying.
Whatever we have to offer God, he will multiply it. Whether that’s our financial resources, serving others, encouraging others, or spreading the gospel, he will take what we have capacity to give, and he will make it even more. This work requires trust and sacrifice from us; we have to give it away for God to use it. But it is not dependent on our efforts. It’s not our efforts or resources that will change lives and bring people to Jesus; it is God working through our efforts and resources.
Let’s pray that our kids are generous with their resources and giftings so that God can work through them to expand his kingdom.
Jesus, thank you for taking care of us. I pray that __________ will view their resources and gifts as a blessing from you and hold them loosely, knowing that if they offer them up to you, you will multiply them and bring more people to you. May they always remember that there are no small parts in God’s kingdom. 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

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Did you know we release a My Virtual Mentor episode once a month? Each one is designed to help you grow and then process what you’re learning with a mentor or trusted friend who’s a season ahead of you.
This month’s conversation is one every family needs, but many couples struggle to live out. I’m joined by Ashley Willis, speaker, author, and co-host of The Naked Marriage Podcast, to talk about prioritizing your marriage while raising kids.
We all say our marriage comes first, but actually living that way takes intentionality. Ashley shares honest encouragement and practical wisdom for couples who feel stretched thin—and especially for those who may be losing hope. Don’t miss her practical advice at the end.
If you’re just getting started - don’t miss the previous episodes:

My Virtual Mentor: Why Mentorship Matters
My Virtual Mentor: Intimacy with God
My Virtual Mentor: Personalities and Temperaments
My Virtual Mentor: Stewardship & Generosity 
My Virtual Mentor: Time Management & Creating Margin
My Virtual Mentor: Identity in Christ (Part 1 and Part 2)

00:00 Introduction 
05:56 Practical Tips for Prioritizing Marriage
08:52 The Role of Counseling in Marriage
11:57 Building a Supportive Community
15:41 Navigating Hard Seasons in Marriage
20:52 The Role of Intimacy in Marriage
24:45 Encouragement for Struggling Moms
27:27 Witnessing God's Miracles in Marriage
31:21 Closing Thoughts and Prayer

MY VIRTUAL MENTOR GUIDE (MARRIAGE)

Scripture to memorize:
Colossians 3:13-14
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Scriptures for prayer and study:
Romans 12:3, I Peter 3:8-9, Philippians 2:1-5, Proverbs 5:15-19

Books for further study:
Do Marriage Better with – Ashley Willis
Us In Mind – Ted Lowe
Marriage – Paul David Tripp
You and Me Forever – Francis and Lisa Chan

Discussion questions:
What is the most rewarding part of being married?
What is the most challenging part of being married?
What are your prayers for your marriage?
What is God nudging you to focus on - how you can improve your role in marriage?

Connect with Pardon The Mess:
Christian Parenting
Pardon The Mess 
Courtney DeFeo
Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

ORDER YOUR 2026-2027 PRAYER JOURNAL NOW

Resources from today’s show:
Connect with Ashley
XO Marriage
Naked Marriage Podcast 
Married Into the Family - book by Ashley Willis
Do Marriage Better - Ashley and Dave’s latest book
Resources from Titus 2 Mentoring
Sign up for Morning Minute
Christian Parenting
Open a LearningRX center
The Hunt for the Kraken

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

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. (1 John 3:1)
In Mark 3:17 we learn that Jesus gave his disciple John and his brother James the nickname “sons of thunder.” There was probably a good reason for that nickname, likely their enthusiastic and passionate faith. But interestingly, John later refers to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23). So why the change? It seems a little odd and not quite the humility that Christ calls us to.
John had a close relationship with Jesus. Through all his experiences with Jesus, all the miracles he witnessed and lessons he was taught, John truly knew he was loved by Jesus. John spent so much time with Jesus that he was changed from a thunderous man of faith to one who was immersed in perfect love.
God’s love leaves a permanent mark. Even when life is hard, we can be confident that God’s love is real, constant, and personal. His love isn’t just something we read about in the Bible or hear about at church; it’s something that we can experience every single day. We want our kids to walk so closely with God that they are changed from the inside out—soft yet emboldened, gentle yet confident. And we want our kids to stand firm in their faith, knowing that God truly, perfectly loves them.
Let’s pray that our kids know how much God loves them and are transformed because of that love.
Jesus, thank you for loving us perfectly. Help __________ know that you love them and are there for them. Give them a heart to follow you and remind them that they can rely on your love. As they grow in faith, may they spend so much time with you that they change and become like you. 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

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy