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

Did you know that once a month we are doing a mentor episode? We will cover a different topic each month in hopes to provide helpful content for you and your local mentor.
1) listen to the episode
2) talk about it with a mentor or friend that is a season ahead of you

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

Today’s episode comes to you in two parts. The first episode is with author, speaker and amazing mom Sara Hagerty. She has such a genuine heart to keep her life rooted in Jesus. We talk all about how identity is a challenging topic for us as moms. We care so much about how we do as moms - and we can get really rattled if it doesn’t go well. Our identity can quickly become rattled if we have it tethered to the wrong source.

I also wanted to release a second episode today that I believe will practically help you think through “identity.” The week that I recorded Sara on this topic, my own heart was wrestling with what God says about our identity. I stumbled across this message by pastor Preston Morrison and it rocked my world. I got his permission to re-air it for you. Do not miss the truth and clarity that Preston provides around our “identity in Christ.” 

My favorite part is the humility that Sara brings to the table. She is so honest with how hard motherhood can be and she invites us to bring God into every single disappointment and hard circumstance. She urges us to lean into the very things that drive us crazy. 

Enjoy!
Courtney

(02:59) Navigating Motherhood and Identity
(05:57) The Struggles of Motherhood
(08:59) Finding God in the Chaos
(12:05) The Unseen Work of Motherhood
(15:00) Embracing the Struggles
(17:56) The Impact of God’s Attributes
(18:20) Understanding God Through Adoration
(21:43) The Journey of Self-Discovery and Identity
(24:52) The Importance of Limitations in Parenting
(28:29) Navigating Identity Beyond Achievements
(32:52) Finding Beauty in Boundaries
(36:39) Embracing Loss and Suffering in Motherhood

MY VIRTUAL MENTOR GUIDE (IDENTITY)

Scripture to memorize:
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Scriptures for prayer and study:
Verses on Identity

Books for further study:
In His Image – Jen Wilkin
Made for More: An Invitation to Live in God’s Image – Hannah Anderson

Discussion questions:
Have you struggled with your identity?
In what seasons have you questioned your identity?
Who does God say that we are?
Is there a time you attached what you “do” to your identity? 

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 Sara
Unseen by Sara Hagerty
Adore by Sara Hagerty
The Gift of Limitations by Sara Hagerty
Preston Morrison podcast, The Leader’s Cut
Part 1 episode with Sara Hagerty
Resources from Titus 2 Mentoring
Sign up for Morning Minute
Christian Parenting
Raising Daughters

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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https:// AvocadoGreenMattress.com/MESS

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

Did you know that once a month we are doing a mentor episode? We will cover a different topic each month in hopes to provide helpful content for you and your local mentor.
1) listen to the episode
2) talk about it with a mentor or friend that is a season ahead of you

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

Today’s episode comes to you in two parts. The first episode is with author, speaker and amazing mom Sara Hagerty. She has such a genuine heart to keep her life rooted in Jesus. We talk all about how identity is a challenging topic for us as moms. We care so much about how we do as moms - and we can get really rattled if it doesn’t go well. Our identity can quickly become rattled if we have it tethered to the wrong source.

I also wanted to release a second episode today that I believe will practically help you think through “identity.” The week that I recorded Sara on this topic, my own heart was wrestling with what God says about our identity. I stumbled across this message by pastor Preston Morrison and it rocked my world. I got his permission to re-air it for you. Do not miss the truth and clarity that Preston provides around our “identity in Christ.” 

My favorite part is the humility that Sara brings to the table. She is so honest with how hard motherhood can be and she invites us to bring God into every single disappointment and hard circumstance. She urges us to lean into the very things that drive us crazy. 

Enjoy!
Courtney

(02:59) Navigating Motherhood and Identity
(05:57) The Struggles of Motherhood
(08:59) Finding God in the Chaos
(12:05) The Unseen Work of Motherhood
(15:00) Embracing the Struggles
(17:56) The Impact of God’s Attributes
(18:20) Understanding God Through Adoration
(21:43) The Journey of Self-Discovery and Identity
(24:52) The Importance of Limitations in Parenting
(28:29) Navigating Identity Beyond Achievements
(32:52) Finding Beauty in Boundaries
(36:39) Embracing Loss and Suffering in Motherhood

MY VIRTUAL MENTOR GUIDE (IDENTITY)

Scripture to memorize:
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Scriptures for prayer and study:
Verses on Identity

Books for further study:
In His Image – Jen Wilkin
Made for More: An Invitation to Live in God’s Image – Hannah Anderson

Discussion questions:
Have you struggled with your identity?
In what seasons have you questioned your identity?
Who does God say that we are?
Is there a time you attached what you “do” to your identity? 

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 Sara
Unseen by Sara Hagerty
Adore by Sara Hagerty
The Gift of Limitations by Sara Hagerty
Preston Morrison podcast, The Leader’s Cut
Part 2 episode with Preston Morrison 
Resources from Titus 2 Mentoring
Sign up for Morning Minute
Christian Parenting
Raising Daughters

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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https:// AvocadoGreenMattress.com/MESS

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

If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this? (Esther 4:14 NLT)
Esther is one of only two books of the Bible named after a woman, which is pretty incredible! Esther was an orphaned Jew living in a foreign land. She was unlikely to make an impact on history, but God had other plans! She was so beautiful that she was brought to the king and became his queen.
When a plot to destroy the Jewish people was uncovered, Esther had a choice: Should she keep quiet, or tell her husband and risk her life? It was then that her cousin, who raised her, asked the famous question: Perhaps you were born for such a time as this?
It’s not always easy to step into our purpose. Like Esther, we may find ourselves in situations where doing the right thing feels risky. But when that purpose comes from God, it’s nearly impossible to say no to because it feels so right and everything falls into place.
What was your child born to do? We don’t fully know, and the answer will unfold and change with time. But we do know that God chose you to be the parent of your child and to live in this time for a reason. There will be a moment (or many moments) in your child’s life where they realize they were made for something. Maybe it’s landing the right job, maybe it’s starting a family, or maybe it’s being in the right place at the right time. It could be a call to ministry or stepping out in faith to use their time, talents, and treasures to glorify God and serve others. We can be encouraging parents that point them back to Scripture and the promise that God created them for a good purpose and has good plans for their future.
This week, let’s pray that our kids grow in their faith, knowing that God made them for a reason, that they will discover their purpose and step into it with confidence, knowing God is with them every step of the way.
Jesus, thank you for making all of us for a purpose. Help __________ rely on you and seek your word to help them find your purpose and plan for their life. Give them the faith to step forward in obedience, knowing that if you call them to something, you will equip them. And may they always remember that they were created for such a time as this. 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 Avocado Green Mattress: https:// AvocadoGreenMattress.com/MESS

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

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

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Christian Parenting
Pardon The Mess 
Courtney DeFeo
Sign up for Morning Minute

Resources from today’s show:
Connect with Kerri

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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https:// AvocadoGreenMattress.com/MESS

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

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. 

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 Avocado Green Mattress: https:// AvocadoGreenMattress.com/MESS

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