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