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

Imagine you can hear me screaming with excitement. You get to meet MY SISTER, Kerri Taylor, on the podcast this week. I am so proud of her for doing this. It isn’t easy to walk back through the hardest season of your life. However, she has a passion to turn her pain into purpose. 

Kerri is a wife, a mom, a leader of moms and one incredible athlete. She is the best big sister I could ask for and the reason I rededicated my life to Christ. In this episode, she shares about her intense journey with postpartum. If you have experienced anxiety or depression as a mom, I believe this episode will really encourage you.

I love that Kerri gets practical and shares things that helped her get through her season of depression and anxiety. She encourages us to see a doctor, get counseling, avoid hiding in your home and lean into God. She trusted God through the dark times and is now sharing about his faithfulness on the other side. I am praying that this will reach any mom suffering with anxiety and depression to be reminded that you are never alone.

Enjoy!
Courtney

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Resources from today’s show:
Connect with Kerri

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Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)
Isaiah had a vivid dream of God seated on his throne surrounded by angels. One of the angels took burning coal, touched Isaiah’s lips, and cleansed him from sin as God asked the question “Who will go for us?” And Isaiah answered with a resounding “Send me!” He went on to become an adviser for many kings and called on people to repent and be obedient. But the most important message he shared was the message that a Savior, the Messiah, the Prince of Peace was coming! His prophecy was fulfilled with Jesus.
Isaiah was ready for the privilege of serving God even before he knew what he was meant to do. He offered himself to the Lord immediately. Most of us are slower to commit. Questions and fears flood our minds: If I say yes, will he send me to be a missionary far away? Where am I going? What do I have to say and do? Will I have to give up things that I love? What is the cost for me?
Isaiah knew that if God was calling him, it must be important and worth saying yes to. Growing closer to the Lord also means knowing his calling won’t lead us astray. When God invites us to do something, we don’t have to be afraid—we can be excited! We want our kids to know that truth as well. They don’t need to know every detail, they just need willing hearts that are excited and ready to follow!
This week, let’s pray that our kids say yes to God with enthusiasm, not hesitation or fear!
Lord, help __________ say “yes” to you with joy and excitement. Give them a heart that is eager to follow your plans, knowing that you have great things in store. When you call them, help them to trust you completely, knowing that you will lead them every step of the way. 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. 

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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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If you are a parent, you know what it feels like to be overwhelmed and exhausted. Maybe you are heading into 2026 already feeling so discouraged with the way your home and life is running. It feels like the to do's and requests literally never end and your sanity is fading. Maybe you’re already struggling with balancing your job and motherhood.
My guest today is author, podcaster, mom KyAnn Molina. She is a mom of young kids that is passionate about helping other moms find home systems, time management and rhythms in a season of burnout. If you are feeling overwhelmed 100% of the time - there is hope. There are some simple ways to improve your daily sanity. 
I absolutely loved KyAnn’s passion to help moms find sanity again. It can be so infuriating to feel like your life is out of control. I hope you realize you aren’t alone. Being a mom is hard work. The amount of chores and to dos is legit. The mental and emotional overload is real. You are not doing it wrong - it’s a part of the reality of balancing life and motherhood. I pray this episode meets you with practical help during a season of overwhelm. It can get better! 

Enjoy!
Courtney

Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction to KyAnn's Journey
(01:10) Experiencing Burnout in Parenting
(03:03) Navigating Entrepreneurial Challenges
(07:06) Finding Rhythms in Daily Life
(11:25) Understanding Postpartum Depression
(13:11) Creating Peaceful Home Environments
(15:37) Meal Planning and Family Connection
(18:13) Finding Balance in Parenting and Work
(20:12) Preventing Burnout: Proactive Strategies
(22:03) Establishing Family Rhythms and Traditions
(23:41) The Impact of Comparison in Motherhood
(27:57) Trusting God in Seasons of Change

Connect with Pardon The Mess:
Christian Parenting
Pardon The Mess 
Courtney DeFeo
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Resources from today’s show:
Connect with Kyann
Simple Rhythms for Busy Moms - KyAnn’s podcast
Rhythms That Scale - KyAnn’s guide 
Simple Rhythms Community - join KyAnn’s community 
Sign up for Morning Minute
Christian Parenting
Gracebased

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

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In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. (Ephesians 1:7)
Hosea was a minor prophet with a major message about God’s unwavering love and faithfulness. The Israelites had turned against God over and over again, and he called Hosea to not just preach about turning back to God but to actively live out forgiveness. Hosea married a woman named Gomer who was continually unfaithful to him. But Hosea pursued her, forgave her, and brought her back to him every time—just like God did and does for his people.
God’s love is not based on our actions. It’s good and right to live a faithful life and continually deepen our relationship with God. But even when we turn away, God wants to restore us to him. His love is not based on our faithfulness or our efforts; it is based on his character.
Our human character says to “forgive and forget,” but oftentimes we don’t let things go. In contrast, God’s perfect character means he never holds our sin against us. He forgives sinners completely, willingly, and perfectly because of what Jesus did on the cross for us.
Our kids will make mistakes and hurt us, but we can extend the gift of forgiveness to them and model the kind of love that pursues, forgives, and brings back. That way, when someone hurts them they know how to extend forgiveness as well.
This week, let’s pray that our kids know they are forgiven for all their sins because of God’s gift of grace. Let’s pray that they will be quick to forgive others because they have been forgiven by Christ.
Jesus, thank you for your perfect love and perfect forgiveness. Help __________ to be a person of grace, knowing that they can forgive others because you have forgiven them. May they learn to truly grasp the miracle of grace and the depth of your love for them. 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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code MESS for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com
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Welcome back!
Have you ever wondered if you fit in the story of God? Maybe you’re reading your Bible and just wonder how it all works together. As Christian parents, it’s important to wrestle with these types of questions. These questions will certainly come up as your kids take their faith journey. 
My guest today is Dr. Jonathan Murphy and he helps us tackle questions of faith. He is the senior pastor of Stonebriar Community Church, a seminary professor and author. Most importantly, he is a wife to my friend Sarah-Jane and they have four beautiful children.
My favorite part is when Jonathan reminds us that we all have the same purpose - to love God and to love others. There is great joy found in that purpose. This was a powerful reminder to me to stay obedient where He has me planted - in this season of parenting, in this current city and current time in history.

Connect with Pardon The Mess:
Christian Parenting
Pardon The Mess 
Courtney DeFeo
ORDER YOUR 2026-2027 PRAYER JOURNAL NOW

Resources from today’s show:
Authentic Influencer by Dr. Jonathan Murphy
The Story of God and Us by Dr. Jonathan Murphy
Tik Tok inspiration - man caring for veteran
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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code MESS for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com
* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com

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