UnPerfect - Biblical Truth For Everyday Women

Most of us were never taught healthy ways to listen to the stories others were telling us. In today's episode, we'll discuss how we view others' stories and practical strategies to be more present as we listen to them. Healthy Ways to Listen: Giving dignity to the stories others are sharing… In Episode #28 of The UN-Perfect Podcast, we discussed the value of our own stories – no mat...

If you’re like me, you’ve questioned the effectiveness and impact your own story can have. You want to know that your story matters in eternity and here on earth.  There’s a key to every story that makes it extraordinary . And you are the only YOU in your sphere of influence to tell it! In today's episode of The UN-Perfect Podcast, I want you to understand why your story matters. Listen in to...

In Episode #27 of the UN-Perfect Podcast, I have a lovely – and honest – conversation with Elizabeth Andreyevskiy about anger, particularly as we experience it as moms. We desperately want to respond to our kids, spouses, families, and friends calmly and peacefully, but we often don’t have the emotional capacity or strategies to do it. Elizabeth , a Stress Coach for Christian moms (and a mom of fo...

In episode #26 of the UN-Perfect Podcast, we delve into fear and its implications for our spiritual lives. Fear is not a one-size-fits-all package, and understanding its different aspects can help us live fearlessly. We unpack three types of fear - timidity/cowardice, fear of tomorrow (the unknowns and the knowns, the "what-ifs"), and fear of eternity - and look to God's word for ho...

Today, in episode 25, I continue my discussion with registered dietician Jane Curry Weber for part 2 of 12 Reasons You Don’t Have Peace at Your Table. If you missed part one, head back to episode 24, where we cover the first eight reasons you don’t have peace at your table. They ranged from feeling rushed or not even having a table available to giving shame a seat, food scars, and emotional eating...

If you don't have peace at your table... There is hope! Part of the solution is acknowledging the culprits. In Episode #24 of The UN-Perfect Podcast, I interview registered dietician/blogger Jane Curry Weber, who gives us valuable insights into what is robbing us of rest surrounding meal times. Listen in to hear her discuss the first 8 reasons in detail... 1. Rush. Time is non-existent at mea...

When You’re Stuck In Last Year/Season Most podcasters are talking about goal-setting and hitting the ground running this week as we begin a new year. But in today’s episode, I'm going in a different direction. If you’re feeling stuck in last year or in a season you are struggling to exit, I pray you’ll find some encouragement and hope for getting unstuck as you listen in. This episode include...

In episode #22 of the UN-Perfect Podcast, we talk about finding balance between the surprise and stress of Christmas!  In this episode, we discuss... Finding Balance in some fun traditions... the tradition of taking a day off to do all Christmas shopping on my birthday the Christmas wrapping tradition with each child having a different patterned wrapping paper A funny prank with a gift box that ap...

Welcome to episode #21 of the UN-Perfect Podcast! In today's episode, we explore the topic of trees, delving into a personal story of two trees and the lessons they taught me about my daughter and God's work in our lives. Discussion: Setting the scene: It's December, but this isn't a Christmas episode. Christmas tree traditions: Some families have charming traditions of cutting...

Welcome to Episode #20 of The UN-Perfect Podcast, where I continue my conversation with Jessica Van Roekel, author of Reframing Rejection: How Looking Through A Diferent Lens Changes Everything.  It contains many powerful truths, insights, and strategies for living a life free from the chains that imprison us by rejection and its accomplices—people-pleasing, perfectionism, selfishness, and pride....

Welcome to Episode #19 of The UN-Perfect Podcast, where I have a beautiful conversation with my friend, Jessica Van Roekel. She has written the book on Reframing Rejection. Literally.  It contains many powerful truths, insights, and strategies for living a life free from the chains that imprison us by rejection and its accomplices—people-pleasing, perfectionism, selfishness, and pride. For starter...

Today's episode focuses on the women God chooses. The driving force behind their impact is not their perfection, but the way they love. Listen in! This past weekend I attended the celebration of life service for my Aunt Chabba. Many hilarious stories were told highlighting her "imperfections" - she may have taken out a few helpless animals with her vehicle, for example. But she did...

In today's podcast episode, we dive into the following: * Exploring the challenges and rewards of staying in difficult, God-ordained scenarios. * Reflecting on Biblical examples of individuals who had to stay in trying situations. * My personal journey of embracing the call to stay when it's not the desired path. Isaiah's Willingness to Go Deeper ·       Examining Isaiah's will...

Have you ever been discouraged in your work for Jesus because you can't see many tangible results? In this episode of The UN-Perfect Podcast, I interview author K. C. Ireton about a topic that most of us struggle with - leaving the results to God. We discuss the vast differences between how the world measures success  - by outcomes - and how God measures it - by obedience. Leaving the results...

Podcast Show Notes: "When Best-Laid Plans Unravel Part 2: When My Plans Get Delayed" In today's episode, we dive into the challenging concept of waiting and trusting God when our plans get delayed. Most of us can relate to the idea of waiting and delayed plans. We often want instant gratification and struggle with no forward motion. [DELAYED DREAMS AND FRUSTRATIONS] I reflect on my...

Have you ever had a day that didn't go according to your plan?  That's actually how I would describe MOST of mine. The feeling of seeing your best-laid plans go off track can be frustrating. ·       In this episode, we'll focus on the art of dealing with life's derailments , and next week, we'll tackle dealing with life's delays . Biblical Examples of Derailments ·   ...

Today's episode tackles the tough dilemma of how to keep believing when God doesn't meet my needs. Or at least the way I feel they need to be met. I share personal experiences about times of need in our family, particularly a really tough time when I was trusting God to meet my emotional and physical needs. In fact, I was begging Him for it but not seeing any fruit of his actual provisio...

In this episode we continue our discussion of Busyness, a barrier to balance via a lively interview with the one and only Sandy Cooper from the Balanced Momcast. (Make sure you take a listen to the first part of this series in Episode #11 of the UN-Perfect Podcast). Types of Poor Time Managers Sandy introduces the third type of poor time manager, the perfectionist. She shares her personal experien...

In episode #11 of The UN-Perfect Podcast, we discuss all things busyness, and finding balance when we're too busy. Sandy Cooper, author, podcaster, and "queen" of helping frazzled moms find peace, joins us today to give us insight into this topic. Sandy Cooper is the host of "The Balanced Momcast" (one of my faves) and the author of three books, one of which is "Findi...

Today, I share my top-ten "Back to School Supply List" regarding habits, routines, and priorities I'd like to focus on this year. Because, even if you’re not a mom, or like me, you don’t have crazy amounts of supplies you’re buying for an elementary-aged child, some of these supplies make great metaphors for some habits and routines we may want to have in place in our homes. I hope...

In this episode of the UN-perfect Podcast, you get to hear about my weird but brilliant puppy and what that has to do with moving from control to surrender: How to Let God and Let God. I don’t know about you; I’m not good at letting go. I want control. So when life spirals out of my control, I get frustrated that God isn’t doing things my way or on my timeline. And like my dog, I really want to wr...

Empathic listening can promote growth and healing in those who share their stories with us - and  in ourselves as we hold space for them while we reflect the presence of God With Us, Emanuel. In today's episode of the UN-Perfect Podcast, Dr. Jackie Perry, founder and president of the SoulWell Center, tells us more about this type of listening and why it matters. She touches on how we can incl...

Until a year ago, I never knew there was healing to be found in grieving what never was. In this episode, I take you on my journey down the  path of some deep disappointments I’ve experienced, introduce you to some characters in Scripture who share in this type of grief and loss, and offer some ideas for grieving what never was in your own life.   Biblical characters mentioned in this episode who...

In this episode, I encourage listeners to stop trying to be great.  "Great" in terms of how you’re doing as a woman, a mom, or a person, doesn’t always have measurable variables and data that can be seen on the surface - it’s not a universal formula. I believe a better goal than being great is being who God has called you to be, and that looks different for everyone.  In this episode, we...

It is often difficult to separate our responsibility from their response when our children leave the faith we love. Scripture is full of great parents with less-than-obedient kids. As parents, we are responsible for doing what we know is correct, but the yoke of our kids’ choices doesn’t rest on our shoulders.  In this podcast, I give you some grace, freedom, and strategies for keeping your focus...