Pardon the Mess with Scarlet Hiltibidal - Christian Motherhood, Biblical Parenting, Raising Christian Kids

I’ve had the blessing of raising my kids with an incredible group of moms over the past ten years. We’ve weathered some really hard places together, while also enjoying some great successes. And I'm just so thankful the Lord has blessed me with friendships that are real and vulnerable. I am grateful for friends who are willing to fight for me and my family, when I’ve lacked my own will to figh...

How do you know when you’re hearing God? What’s the key to discerning his voice? If you’re anything like me, some days the loudest voice you hear is the one saying you need chips and queso—ASAP.   Thankfully, Alli Worthington joins us on Pardon the Mess today with a profound word on adversity and discerning God’s voice in the middle of it. When we learn to really hear from God, we are able to part...

“I would be content in life if I just had __________ (fill in the blank).” Ever felt that way? I know I have. And when you finally fill in the blank, it seems there’s always something else new that finds it way back into that empty blank.  Finding contentment in a culture that’s always chasing after the next big thing isn’t easy. It’s hard for us as adults. And it’s equally hard (or harder) for ou...

I’m guessing there’s not one of us who couldn’t use a bit of practical parenting advice, considering all #2020 has thrown our way. Thankfully, Kendra Adachi is on Pardon the Mess today, and she’s bringing us just that! Kendra passionately and candidly speaks into how to stop doing it all, so that we can do the things that really matter. Her mantra is quite genius: Be a genius about what matters an...

Can you think of any early events that shaped your identity for better or worse?  I remember one formative experience when I was a senior in high school. I heard a girl tell our group of friends that the reason I was admitted to a particular college was because my parents had connections. I’m fairly brilliant (ha!), so it was clearly not true. But it was hurtful just the same.  I look back now and...

When it comes to parenting, working, praying, exercising—come to think of it, in most things—I find myself constantly running on empty. And I have a feeling I’m not alone.   We’re living in a time when it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and impatient. Thankfully, we have a Savior who wants us to live with freedom and peace. And he wants it so badly that he selflessly died so we might have...

It’s hard to believe we’re wrapping up the first month of praying for our kids in this new school year! This week, we’re praying for our kids to be marked by faith in God. Specifically, we’re asking the Lord to give them deep faith that endures in the good times, hard times, and every time in between.   We’ve been studying the life of Joseph. We’ve seen how Joseph’s faith kept him steady as he fac...

On August 25, 2018, Kayla Stoecklein lost her husband to suicide. Andrew was a pastor of Inland Hills Church in Chino, California. In the wake of the tragedy, Kayla embarked upon a brave journey to better understand her husband’s battle with mental illness. She ultimately sought to overcome the stigma of suicide.  Shortly after losing Andrew, Kayla wrote a letter that went viral. She apologized fo...

This week we’re praying that our kids are marked by God’s favor. I used to think God’s favor meant I would have success in ministry, my kids would stay on track, my dog would bark less, and my husband’s work would flourish. But with a little gray hair (which will forever remain highlighted), I’ve learned God’s favor looks a lot different than earthly favor.  His favor is discovered in knowing that...

Is it really possible that we have been given the opportunity to have Mark Batterson on the podcast twice this year? Yes, it is! And it’s exactly what’s going down on Pardon the Mess today. Look at you 2020, actually giving us something good for a change. 😂 Mark is the lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC and a New York Times best-selling author of over eighteen books. When...

My middle-school son is a man-child.    Or at least that’s what one of my friends called him after seeing him for the first time post-quarantine. I don’t know what happens to these boys between seventh and ninth grade, but they go from little lego building cuties to deep-voiced giants, basically overnight.    It’s amazing (and shocking) to see them grow so fast. It’s also a great reminder to pray...

Darin Kinder is a special agent with the United States Secret Service. He has spent his career traveling the world protecting presidents and leaders. On September 11, 2001, he was in the heart of New York City when the World Trade Centers were attacked. His heroic actions earned him the Secret Service Medal of Valor.  As we approach the nineteenth anniversary of this somber day, Darin joins us on...

I’m thrilled to announce that today is the official kick-off of Marked by Prayer: A Parents’ Prayer Journal for the 2020–2021 School Year. On today’s podcast, we will begin praying our kids through this school year alongside my prayer journal.   Each Monday morning, I will release a short podcast that corresponds with the journal. The podcast will guide us in praying an attribute of faith over our...

Each time I'm given the incredible blessing of talking to Christine Caine, drinking from a firehose comes to mind. She brings wisdom and encouragement like no one else. And she does it with flair in her trademark high-impact, warp speed style.    Today’s conversation is no exception. Here are a few of the nuggets with which you will walk away after listening to Christine on Pardon the Mess : ...

I sit here writing to all of you after sending my daughter off for her “first last day of school.” I truly have no idea where the days have gone. Literally—yesterday I brought this wrinkled baby home from the hospital, in a onesie that swallowed her little body. I laid her in the bassinet wondering how I was old enough to have a newborn. Seventeen years later, I’m speechless at the thought of her...

All in favor of being intentional about discipling your kids—raise your hand.     Great, it’s unanimous.    Now that we agree it’s important, how exactly do we do it?    Today on Pardon the Mess , Matt Chandler walks us through the idea of discipleship. You are going to be so glad you invested your time in listening to today’s episode!   As overwhelming as it might seem, the Lord has specifically...

Allie Beth Stuckey joins us on Pardon the Mess today to discuss our culture’s tendency to lean into meology —a me-centered theology. Instead of teaching the truths of scripture and discerning what the Bible says about God, we often turn our focus on what scripture says about us and look to find our value apart from God.  Allie and I discuss the five popular myths our culture embraces: Myth #1: You...

What a privilege to have Matt Hammitt with us on Pardon the Mess today. You’re going to love our vulnerable conversation about his career, work-life balance, marriage struggles, and the challenges of walking away from old dreams when called by God to new ones.    From 1996-2016, Matt was the lead singer and songwriter for the band Sanctus Real, touring the country extensively for the majority of t...

“If you could give all couples a single piece of advice for pursuing a Godly marriage, what would it be?” Bob Lepine is an author, radio show host, and pastor. He joins us today on Pardon the Mess to answer this question and so much more. Pastor Lepine encourages us to build our marriages on strong foundations so they can withstand the storms that inevitably come with time (and kids). Most of us p...

Today is our last mini-mess episode for July. We’ve been studying places in the Bible where God changed a person’s name (Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel, Simon to Peter) and the massive impact it had on his life. This series has been a great reminder of how God comes to his people when they need him most, transforming their lives from the inside out.  The common thread in each of these transform...

Feeling anxious?    You’re not alone. Studies indicate that over a third of Americans report feelings of anxiety and depression as COVID-19 numbers continue to spike. There’s no playbook for how to navigate life in a pandemic. It can leave us (and our kids) feeling discouraged as we ponder the future.    But even without the stress of a pandemic, our kids face varying degrees of fear and anxiety t...

It’s week three of our “mini-mess” episode series! We’ve been studying places in the Bible where God changed a person’s name and how the new name brought new beginnings and clarity to that person’s calling.  We’re digging into Matthew 16 this week, where Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter. This name change reminds us that when we fully grasp who Jesus is, we become “a rock” or “cornerstone” in th...

I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t need a good laugh as we plow through another month of the weird new normal called 2020. You’re going to want to carry me off on your shoulders after our Pardon the Mess conversation with Sophie Hudson. And you will equally enjoy her book, Stand all the Way Up .    Sophie has an honest and hilarious point of view on how to face the hard places in life that keep u...

Today we kick-off week number two of our “mini-mess” episodes, designed to offer quick biblical truths with lasting value. We’re studying places in the Bible where God changed a person’s name and how the new name brought new beginnings and clarity to that person’s calling.  This week, we’re looking at Jacob’s life and how an all night wrestling match changed his name from “deceiver” to Israel (bec...

I think we can agree that one of the hardest parts of our COVID-19 existence is the lack of connection with friends and family. In our present circumstances, it has become very evident just how much we need connection, and it starts at the earliest of ages with our kids.   I’m thrilled to have Amy and Jeffrey Olrick on our podcast today, discussing this very topic. They speak to the six needs ever...