1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:04,040 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:06,519 --> 00:00:09,420 Speaker 2: Welcome to the Love Offering Podcast. I'm your host, Rachel Adams, 3 00:00:09,520 --> 00:00:12,379 Speaker 2: author of Everyday Prayers for Love, Learning to Love God, Others, 4 00:00:12,480 --> 00:00:15,950 Speaker 2: and Even Yourself. Each week we dive into meaningful conversations 5 00:00:15,980 --> 00:00:18,530 Speaker 2: about how to live out the greatest commandment, loving God 6 00:00:18,550 --> 00:00:20,529 Speaker 2: with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and 7 00:00:20,570 --> 00:00:24,870 Speaker 2: loving our neighbors as ourselves. Whether through inspiring stories, practical wisdom, 8 00:00:24,950 --> 00:00:27,350 Speaker 2: or biblical truth, my hope is to encourage you to 9 00:00:27,470 --> 00:00:30,730 Speaker 2: love boldly, live faithfully, and reflect God's love in your 10 00:00:30,790 --> 00:00:34,430 Speaker 2: everyday life. Today, I'm honored to welcome Chelsea DeMattis to 11 00:00:34,450 --> 00:00:37,590 Speaker 2: the show. Chelsea is an author, speaker, wife, mother, and 12 00:00:37,650 --> 00:00:41,269 Speaker 2: host of the Living With Less podcast. She writes devotionals 13 00:00:41,310 --> 00:00:44,680 Speaker 2: for Lifeways Journey Magazine, Salem Media, and YouVersion, and is 14 00:00:44,740 --> 00:00:48,960 Speaker 2: passionate about helping women experience the restoration, redemption, and freedom 15 00:00:49,040 --> 00:00:53,300 Speaker 2: available through Jesus. In her new devotional, Mercy in the Margin, 16 00:00:53,300 --> 00:00:56,830 Speaker 2: 52 Devotions to Encounter Jesus in the Mix-Ups, Mess-Ups, and 17 00:00:56,870 --> 00:01:00,850 Speaker 2: Marvelous Moments of Motherhood, Chelsea invites mothers to recognize these 18 00:01:00,910 --> 00:01:02,610 Speaker 2: seemingly insignificant moments of. 19 00:01:02,590 --> 00:01:04,310 Speaker 1: Their days as sacred spaces. 20 00:01:04,530 --> 00:01:07,330 Speaker 2: Through 52 Devotions, she reminds us that Jesus meets us 21 00:01:07,450 --> 00:01:11,610 Speaker 2: in the mealtimes, mistakes, midnight prayers, mundane routines, and moments 22 00:01:11,709 --> 00:01:16,020 Speaker 2: when we wish there were more of us to go around. Well, hello, friend, 23 00:01:16,120 --> 00:01:19,060 Speaker 2: and welcome back to the Love Operating Podcast. I'm always 24 00:01:19,120 --> 00:01:20,420 Speaker 2: happy to get to talk with you. 25 00:01:21,060 --> 00:01:23,380 Speaker 1: Me too. I'm so excited to be here. I love 26 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:25,630 Speaker 1: you very much. I love you very much. 27 00:01:25,790 --> 00:01:27,990 Speaker 2: And so for those that don't know you, you have 28 00:01:28,010 --> 00:01:29,869 Speaker 2: been on and we would encourage everybody to go back 29 00:01:29,910 --> 00:01:32,229 Speaker 2: and listen to those episodes. But give us a glimpse 30 00:01:32,490 --> 00:01:34,209 Speaker 2: into who you are and where you are in your 31 00:01:34,250 --> 00:01:35,250 Speaker 2: motherhood journey right now. 32 00:01:35,510 --> 00:01:37,789 Speaker 1: Yes. Gosh, I feel like since you and I met, 33 00:01:38,110 --> 00:01:40,950 Speaker 1: you have watched me grow up as a mom. I 34 00:01:41,030 --> 00:01:43,560 Speaker 1: have two kiddos. Our son is about to turn nine 35 00:01:43,640 --> 00:01:45,920 Speaker 1: and then our daughter is about to turn five. I've 36 00:01:45,940 --> 00:01:49,300 Speaker 1: been married to my husband, Corey, for almost 12 years. 37 00:01:49,560 --> 00:01:53,160 Speaker 1: And yes, I just love to write words about Jesus 38 00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:56,240 Speaker 1: and talk about Jesus. and just be very real about 39 00:01:57,000 --> 00:01:59,980 Speaker 1: what it looks like to journey through life and faith 40 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:04,140 Speaker 1: and motherhood with the Lord as my guide. And something 41 00:02:04,180 --> 00:02:06,560 Speaker 1: that I think is so important is being able to 42 00:02:06,950 --> 00:02:10,209 Speaker 1: apply scripture to everyday living. So that's just kind of 43 00:02:10,230 --> 00:02:13,050 Speaker 1: what I always hope my writing is to people is 44 00:02:13,090 --> 00:02:15,650 Speaker 1: they can go, oh, wow, God's still using that to 45 00:02:15,690 --> 00:02:18,919 Speaker 1: minister to our hearts all these thousands of years later. 46 00:02:18,940 --> 00:02:19,900 Speaker 2: Yeah. 47 00:02:20,120 --> 00:02:20,760 Speaker 1: Oh, for sure. 48 00:02:20,900 --> 00:02:23,550 Speaker 2: And I will just tell everybody, you don't just write 49 00:02:23,590 --> 00:02:25,550 Speaker 2: about it. You really do live it. You and I 50 00:02:25,610 --> 00:02:28,770 Speaker 2: have a relationship beyond the screen and have gotten to 51 00:02:28,790 --> 00:02:31,160 Speaker 2: meet each other in person, even though we live in 52 00:02:31,410 --> 00:02:34,480 Speaker 2: other states and we talk frequently. And you have seen 53 00:02:34,639 --> 00:02:36,700 Speaker 2: all of my mix-ups in motherhood because I'm like a 54 00:02:36,740 --> 00:02:37,820 Speaker 2: stage ahead of you. 55 00:02:38,040 --> 00:02:41,140 Speaker 1: And so you're learning from all my mistakes. Yes. Hey, 56 00:02:41,240 --> 00:02:43,280 Speaker 1: I have said God was so kind to give me 57 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:47,389 Speaker 1: several women, you being one of them, that's like a 58 00:02:47,490 --> 00:02:49,610 Speaker 1: decade ahead of me. 59 00:02:50,010 --> 00:02:50,169 Speaker 2: Yeah. 60 00:02:50,540 --> 00:02:52,720 Speaker 1: And I'm like, thank you, Lord Jesus. And they all 61 00:02:52,740 --> 00:02:56,260 Speaker 1: have boys that are like turning 18. Glory to God. 62 00:02:56,360 --> 00:02:58,120 Speaker 1: He knew what he was doing because I needed, I 63 00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:01,660 Speaker 1: needed you. I needed you guys. I did. Well, and 64 00:03:01,700 --> 00:03:02,500 Speaker 1: it's been so sweet. 65 00:03:02,540 --> 00:03:05,320 Speaker 2: So our boys have even connected our kids, which has 66 00:03:05,340 --> 00:03:08,000 Speaker 2: just been a whole other, I don't know, just blessing 67 00:03:08,040 --> 00:03:10,970 Speaker 2: of this relationship because they're both super athletic. And so 68 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:13,650 Speaker 2: it's been just a sweet friendship all the way around. 69 00:03:13,660 --> 00:03:16,269 Speaker 2: And I can't wait to get into more of this conversation, 70 00:03:16,310 --> 00:03:18,030 Speaker 2: but we're going to take a brief break to hear 71 00:03:18,050 --> 00:03:20,010 Speaker 2: a word from our sponsor. And when we come back, 72 00:03:20,389 --> 00:03:23,380 Speaker 2: We will talk about recognizing the sacred spaces hidden within 73 00:03:23,419 --> 00:03:24,680 Speaker 2: motherhood's interruptions. 74 00:03:27,020 --> 00:03:27,700 Speaker 1: Welcome back. 75 00:03:27,800 --> 00:03:30,859 Speaker 2: I am talking with Chelsea DeMattis about her devotional, Mercy 76 00:03:31,060 --> 00:03:34,690 Speaker 2: in the Margin. So talk to us about what does 77 00:03:34,750 --> 00:03:38,050 Speaker 2: the word margin mean and what helped you begin seeing 78 00:03:38,270 --> 00:03:41,310 Speaker 2: the overlooked fringes of motherhood as places where you could 79 00:03:41,390 --> 00:03:42,490 Speaker 2: actually encounter Jesus? 80 00:03:43,360 --> 00:03:46,820 Speaker 1: So I want you to imagine if you're listening to this, 81 00:03:47,160 --> 00:03:49,340 Speaker 1: even if you're driving in the car, picture a piece 82 00:03:49,480 --> 00:03:52,640 Speaker 1: of paper. Okay, there is margins on both sides. It 83 00:03:52,710 --> 00:03:55,550 Speaker 1: is set. It is fixed. There's no changing it. You 84 00:03:55,590 --> 00:03:57,790 Speaker 1: can try and go outside the lines if you'd like to, 85 00:03:57,890 --> 00:04:00,110 Speaker 1: but it's not going to look the way it should. 86 00:04:00,330 --> 00:04:03,090 Speaker 1: And when I think of mercy and the margin, it 87 00:04:03,410 --> 00:04:06,750 Speaker 1: is literally finding Jesus, seeing the mercy and grace of 88 00:04:06,790 --> 00:04:10,570 Speaker 1: God in that time margin that he's given us. the 89 00:04:10,610 --> 00:04:12,450 Speaker 1: sun comes up at this time, the sun sets at 90 00:04:12,510 --> 00:04:16,370 Speaker 1: this time. And it is my responsibility to find Jesus 91 00:04:16,410 --> 00:04:18,940 Speaker 1: there because I will either look for him or I 92 00:04:18,980 --> 00:04:23,460 Speaker 1: will not. And I feel like especially in motherhood, time 93 00:04:23,540 --> 00:04:26,460 Speaker 1: is so fleeting anyway, but once you become a mom, 94 00:04:26,660 --> 00:04:29,380 Speaker 1: you suddenly feel like you don't have enough time or 95 00:04:29,420 --> 00:04:32,680 Speaker 1: there's too much time in certain seasons and you don't 96 00:04:32,720 --> 00:04:35,880 Speaker 1: know what to do with it. And this message is, 97 00:04:36,500 --> 00:04:39,680 Speaker 1: finding Jesus in that, in the seasons where you're like, 98 00:04:39,720 --> 00:04:41,060 Speaker 1: oh my gosh, Lord, am I ever going to get 99 00:04:41,100 --> 00:04:43,480 Speaker 1: through this? And then in the seasons where you're like, 100 00:04:43,760 --> 00:04:46,180 Speaker 1: I am actually loving life right now. Like if you're 101 00:04:46,200 --> 00:04:50,100 Speaker 1: seeing this video, peep the toy room right here. Those 102 00:04:50,160 --> 00:04:52,680 Speaker 1: are the seasons where it's like, it feels like it's forever. Lord, 103 00:04:53,240 --> 00:04:55,320 Speaker 1: help me see you here. Or then there's the ones 104 00:04:55,360 --> 00:04:58,220 Speaker 1: where it's, I'm loving this right now. Like I don't 105 00:04:58,260 --> 00:05:00,720 Speaker 1: want it to go. So how can I find you 106 00:05:00,760 --> 00:05:04,159 Speaker 1: there too? And so this message to me is just, 107 00:05:05,970 --> 00:05:10,029 Speaker 1: an invitation to encounter Jesus right where you are, whatever 108 00:05:10,070 --> 00:05:13,599 Speaker 1: that situation and circumstances. He's not looking for a perfect 109 00:05:13,630 --> 00:05:16,979 Speaker 1: person to show up for. He's already there. He's already 110 00:05:17,020 --> 00:05:19,020 Speaker 1: waiting for us to turn and look to Him. And 111 00:05:19,080 --> 00:05:20,340 Speaker 1: so we just have to do that. We have to 112 00:05:20,380 --> 00:05:20,780 Speaker 1: look to Him. 113 00:05:21,700 --> 00:05:25,060 Speaker 2: So I should have probably led with this question. Define 114 00:05:25,100 --> 00:05:27,440 Speaker 2: for us what mercy is and how is that different 115 00:05:27,550 --> 00:05:30,010 Speaker 2: than grace? Because I think that's a little confusing sometimes. 116 00:05:30,270 --> 00:05:34,670 Speaker 1: It is. So mercy and grace are so close, but 117 00:05:34,690 --> 00:05:37,330 Speaker 1: they are actually so different. So mercy is when God 118 00:05:38,089 --> 00:05:42,150 Speaker 1: does not give us the punishment we deserve. And then 119 00:05:42,290 --> 00:05:45,390 Speaker 1: grace is when God gives us a blessing that we 120 00:05:45,440 --> 00:05:48,940 Speaker 1: do not earn or deserve. So grace is unmerited favor, 121 00:05:49,080 --> 00:05:55,360 Speaker 1: gifts like salvation, love, eternal life. Mercy is withholding judgment, wrath, 122 00:05:55,940 --> 00:05:59,020 Speaker 1: or the bad consequences of our actions. So I actually 123 00:05:59,040 --> 00:06:00,729 Speaker 1: always say, and this is one of the reasons why 124 00:06:00,820 --> 00:06:04,840 Speaker 1: the word mercy is in the title, is my life 125 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:08,800 Speaker 1: is a literal gift of mercy. Like I, and we 126 00:06:08,920 --> 00:06:10,800 Speaker 1: all do, but I'm just saying when I think of 127 00:06:10,880 --> 00:06:13,120 Speaker 1: me and the way I was living before I started 128 00:06:13,160 --> 00:06:17,940 Speaker 1: walking with Jesus, I do not deserve. He has absolutely 129 00:06:18,680 --> 00:06:22,340 Speaker 1: withheld consequences and things for my actions. I did not 130 00:06:22,380 --> 00:06:26,520 Speaker 1: deserve this lavish love that he's given me. And so 131 00:06:26,560 --> 00:06:29,130 Speaker 1: for me, when I think of mercy and the margin, 132 00:06:29,150 --> 00:06:33,120 Speaker 1: it is, a gift that He wants to spend time 133 00:06:33,160 --> 00:06:36,100 Speaker 1: with us. Like, when you actually think about it, we 134 00:06:36,160 --> 00:06:41,920 Speaker 1: do not deserve to sit under this lavish love and 135 00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:45,349 Speaker 1: in this relationship with Jesus. And the fact that He 136 00:06:45,650 --> 00:06:48,670 Speaker 1: wants to meet with us, like, we can make a 137 00:06:48,770 --> 00:06:53,690 Speaker 1: grave mistake, like, right now, and 10 seconds later, look 138 00:06:53,730 --> 00:06:56,930 Speaker 1: to Him and go, I cannot believe I just did that. Lord, 139 00:06:57,070 --> 00:07:00,539 Speaker 1: I am so sorry. And he meets that with love. 140 00:07:00,720 --> 00:07:04,430 Speaker 1: We do not deserve that. We don't. And so for me, 141 00:07:04,690 --> 00:07:06,330 Speaker 1: when I think of mercy and the margin, it is 142 00:07:06,430 --> 00:07:09,230 Speaker 1: a absolute gift of mercy that he delights in spending 143 00:07:09,250 --> 00:07:12,190 Speaker 1: time with us. And as moms, that he delights in 144 00:07:12,230 --> 00:07:15,650 Speaker 1: meeting with us when our life, and not everyone's life 145 00:07:15,740 --> 00:07:18,460 Speaker 1: feels chaotic, but I think every single mom can say 146 00:07:18,500 --> 00:07:21,000 Speaker 1: there have been moments where she feels very chaotic inside 147 00:07:21,160 --> 00:07:23,820 Speaker 1: and not, I don't even know if worthy is the 148 00:07:23,880 --> 00:07:26,810 Speaker 1: right word. but feels like how on earth can I 149 00:07:26,870 --> 00:07:29,450 Speaker 1: come before the feet of Jesus when I really honestly 150 00:07:29,490 --> 00:07:32,190 Speaker 1: haven't even thought about him in a couple of days? Now, 151 00:07:33,090 --> 00:07:35,809 Speaker 1: I haven't had that happen in a really long time, 152 00:07:36,090 --> 00:07:38,130 Speaker 1: but I've been walking with Jesus now for 15 years. 153 00:07:38,190 --> 00:07:41,250 Speaker 1: So I do think about him all the time. But 154 00:07:41,270 --> 00:07:43,380 Speaker 1: you know what did just happen? I'll let you all 155 00:07:43,420 --> 00:07:45,120 Speaker 1: know that it still happens to me and I even 156 00:07:45,140 --> 00:07:49,020 Speaker 1: write books about Jesus. On Monday morning, Monday, I literally 157 00:07:49,040 --> 00:07:52,000 Speaker 1: went all day and it was Labor Day. I did 158 00:07:52,040 --> 00:07:54,480 Speaker 1: not spend time in the Word. And I got to 159 00:07:54,520 --> 00:07:57,020 Speaker 1: nighttime and I went, I didn't sit with the Lord today. 160 00:07:57,740 --> 00:07:59,220 Speaker 1: I know I talked to him, but like I didn't 161 00:07:59,260 --> 00:08:01,700 Speaker 1: sit with him. And you know what? If I would 162 00:08:01,740 --> 00:08:04,620 Speaker 1: have sat with him at two o'clock in the morning, 163 00:08:04,670 --> 00:08:07,670 Speaker 1: he would have delighted in me coming to him. And 164 00:08:07,690 --> 00:08:09,350 Speaker 1: so that's like what I think about when I think 165 00:08:09,390 --> 00:08:12,690 Speaker 1: of our relationship with him is it is mercy that 166 00:08:12,730 --> 00:08:15,560 Speaker 1: he delights in being with us and wanting us to 167 00:08:15,600 --> 00:08:19,020 Speaker 1: come to him. No matter what way we are showing up, 168 00:08:19,670 --> 00:08:23,490 Speaker 1: He is there with open arms, ready to commune and 169 00:08:23,610 --> 00:08:24,670 Speaker 1: be in that relationship. 170 00:08:25,770 --> 00:08:29,430 Speaker 2: Well, talk to us about that. Spending time with the Lord. 171 00:08:29,470 --> 00:08:31,970 Speaker 2: Sometimes it looks like a quiet time with a candle 172 00:08:32,090 --> 00:08:35,410 Speaker 2: early in the morning, you know, for 30 minutes or 173 00:08:35,429 --> 00:08:38,660 Speaker 2: an hour. But sometimes, and like you said, on Monday, 174 00:08:39,100 --> 00:08:42,460 Speaker 2: life happened. And so what do we do when life 175 00:08:42,540 --> 00:08:44,660 Speaker 2: is happening and we're in an especially busy season? I 176 00:08:44,780 --> 00:08:47,440 Speaker 2: know for me, and when my kids were young, young 177 00:08:47,540 --> 00:08:50,300 Speaker 2: and at home versus now as they're teenagers. It's looked 178 00:08:50,740 --> 00:08:52,880 Speaker 2: very different over the years how I've been able to 179 00:08:52,900 --> 00:08:53,710 Speaker 2: spend time with the Lord. 180 00:08:53,900 --> 00:08:57,250 Speaker 1: Yeah. I actually wrote a devotion here. It's Mercy in 181 00:08:57,300 --> 00:09:01,150 Speaker 1: the Meantime is the title. And I think especially when 182 00:09:01,370 --> 00:09:04,590 Speaker 1: you have younger kids, there's a lot of meantime. It's like, 183 00:09:04,610 --> 00:09:07,250 Speaker 1: all right, well, in the meantime, when I've got this 184 00:09:07,250 --> 00:09:09,590 Speaker 1: 20 minutes before the these babies wake up from their 185 00:09:09,630 --> 00:09:11,949 Speaker 1: nap or it's me right now. I now do a 186 00:09:12,010 --> 00:09:14,620 Speaker 1: car car line pickup. All right. Well, in the meantime, 187 00:09:14,670 --> 00:09:17,260 Speaker 1: I've got about 35 minutes. So let's say I don't 188 00:09:17,340 --> 00:09:19,740 Speaker 1: have my time with the Lord in the morning. I 189 00:09:20,840 --> 00:09:22,860 Speaker 1: can have my time with him in the car. That's 190 00:09:22,900 --> 00:09:25,800 Speaker 1: a meantime moment. Or I think the example I actually 191 00:09:25,900 --> 00:09:28,780 Speaker 1: give in the book is when you're making the choice. 192 00:09:28,800 --> 00:09:31,220 Speaker 1: Do I fold the laundry? Do I put the dishes away? Like, 193 00:09:31,660 --> 00:09:35,530 Speaker 1: do I get food ready? take one of those meantime 194 00:09:35,809 --> 00:09:38,790 Speaker 1: activities and just devote that time to praying while you're 195 00:09:38,809 --> 00:09:42,000 Speaker 1: doing it. Like it really can be as easy as, 196 00:09:42,010 --> 00:09:45,000 Speaker 1: I don't, okay, this is another thing when I'm speaking 197 00:09:45,059 --> 00:09:46,920 Speaker 1: to this that I want everyone to hear that's listening 198 00:09:47,179 --> 00:09:50,240 Speaker 1: is you do not need to create more time to 199 00:09:50,280 --> 00:09:53,020 Speaker 1: spend with Jesus. You need to spend time with Jesus 200 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:55,490 Speaker 1: right where you are. And so that means when you're 201 00:09:55,510 --> 00:09:59,189 Speaker 1: doing the dishes, maybe pause the podcast or turn off 202 00:09:59,230 --> 00:10:01,420 Speaker 1: the worship music and just pray. Or if you don't 203 00:10:01,460 --> 00:10:05,360 Speaker 1: listen to worship music often, put on some worship music, pray. 204 00:10:05,500 --> 00:10:09,300 Speaker 1: It is so much easier than we think. It is 205 00:10:09,380 --> 00:10:13,510 Speaker 1: not just sitting down stagnant, spending time with Him that way. Yes, 206 00:10:13,570 --> 00:10:15,310 Speaker 1: it is so good to be in the Word and 207 00:10:15,350 --> 00:10:18,350 Speaker 1: to sit and just listen and journal and write. But 208 00:10:18,940 --> 00:10:21,540 Speaker 1: God is in our movement too. Like we can be 209 00:10:21,610 --> 00:10:24,130 Speaker 1: doing the dishes and talking to Jesus. And I think 210 00:10:24,190 --> 00:10:27,309 Speaker 1: for me, some of my richest moments with the Lord 211 00:10:27,370 --> 00:10:29,210 Speaker 1: that's happened in my home, I remember once I was 212 00:10:29,230 --> 00:10:31,609 Speaker 1: cutting sweet potatoes for Cam and I broke down in 213 00:10:31,650 --> 00:10:34,809 Speaker 1: tears and literally just started crying, praying to the Lord. 214 00:10:34,830 --> 00:10:38,469 Speaker 1: And I'm like, that was so special. And it was 215 00:10:39,450 --> 00:10:42,600 Speaker 1: three minutes of that day, but it mattered so much. 216 00:10:42,800 --> 00:10:47,440 Speaker 1: And so that meantime activity, the prepping things, the getting somewhere, 217 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:51,740 Speaker 1: give one of them to the Lord and just see 218 00:10:51,780 --> 00:10:54,140 Speaker 1: what He will do with it. Because I really think 219 00:10:54,220 --> 00:10:57,020 Speaker 1: our faith life becomes so much more rich when we 220 00:10:57,059 --> 00:10:59,710 Speaker 1: give Him the moments that we don't think matter. Yeah. 221 00:11:01,010 --> 00:11:04,010 Speaker 2: When I think about motherhood and how much my children 222 00:11:04,050 --> 00:11:06,910 Speaker 2: teach me and how much the Lord is molding me 223 00:11:06,950 --> 00:11:09,730 Speaker 2: more into His character, I think there's nothing like motherhood 224 00:11:09,830 --> 00:11:12,559 Speaker 2: and marriage to sanctify us and teach us how to 225 00:11:12,740 --> 00:11:16,660 Speaker 2: be patient and love unconditionally and extend mercy and grace 226 00:11:16,760 --> 00:11:19,180 Speaker 2: and all of the things, the sacrifice and the selflessness. 227 00:11:19,240 --> 00:11:22,040 Speaker 2: But I often think about Him as our Heavenly Father 228 00:11:22,210 --> 00:11:25,150 Speaker 2: and how we do sometimes put so much pressure on 229 00:11:25,210 --> 00:11:28,750 Speaker 2: ourselves that being with Him is supposed to look exactly 230 00:11:28,790 --> 00:11:31,130 Speaker 2: like this or like it did in one season or 231 00:11:31,150 --> 00:11:34,030 Speaker 2: this other person is doing it. But He is a 232 00:11:34,130 --> 00:11:37,270 Speaker 2: loving Father. So talk to us about that relationship of 233 00:11:38,320 --> 00:11:43,100 Speaker 2: seeing Him as our parent and we are His beloved daughters, right? 234 00:11:43,120 --> 00:11:47,050 Speaker 1: So I feel like I've learned this more this year 235 00:11:47,270 --> 00:11:49,310 Speaker 1: than ever. And I think it's because our son is 236 00:11:49,330 --> 00:11:51,470 Speaker 1: getting older. Like I said, Cam's about to be nine. 237 00:11:51,730 --> 00:11:54,750 Speaker 1: And Cam is starting to have like bigger things happen. 238 00:11:54,890 --> 00:11:57,750 Speaker 1: He's hearing different things. He's seeing different things out in 239 00:11:57,770 --> 00:12:00,650 Speaker 1: the world, like things that are bigger than I am. 240 00:12:00,870 --> 00:12:04,109 Speaker 1: And the Lord has shown me he also has more freedom. Okay, 241 00:12:04,150 --> 00:12:07,290 Speaker 1: Cam started riding his bike by himself in the neighborhood 242 00:12:07,340 --> 00:12:10,459 Speaker 1: this summer. Like things were all of a sudden I'm like, oh, 243 00:12:11,640 --> 00:12:14,530 Speaker 1: I have to literally trust the Lord that cam is 244 00:12:14,550 --> 00:12:17,350 Speaker 1: going to obey the rules we've given him like and 245 00:12:17,390 --> 00:12:20,699 Speaker 1: how he crosses the street but also that some 17 246 00:12:20,700 --> 00:12:23,340 Speaker 1: year old isn't going to come barreling around the way 247 00:12:23,480 --> 00:12:25,640 Speaker 1: i did when i was 17 rolling through a stop 248 00:12:25,679 --> 00:12:28,780 Speaker 1: sign like suddenly i have to trust that god is 249 00:12:28,840 --> 00:12:34,730 Speaker 1: the perfect parent the perfect parent the all-knowing all-seeing perfect 250 00:12:34,809 --> 00:12:38,140 Speaker 1: parent and i am not i am not perfect And 251 00:12:38,179 --> 00:12:41,699 Speaker 1: it's recognizing that and not just recognizing it, but being 252 00:12:41,880 --> 00:12:44,140 Speaker 1: okay with it. I think so much of our faith, 253 00:12:44,820 --> 00:12:48,020 Speaker 1: I just said this to somebody, I am so over 254 00:12:48,540 --> 00:12:52,040 Speaker 1: Christians answering questions of saying, God is sovereign. That's just 255 00:12:52,080 --> 00:12:55,780 Speaker 1: like people's go-to answer when what I think they're actually 256 00:12:55,830 --> 00:12:58,850 Speaker 1: saying is, I don't know why it's so hard. I 257 00:12:58,920 --> 00:13:01,530 Speaker 1: don't know why that happens, but they just don't know 258 00:13:01,610 --> 00:13:05,130 Speaker 1: how to be honest in that because it feels like, well, 259 00:13:05,750 --> 00:13:07,570 Speaker 1: God knows everything and so I should just be fine 260 00:13:07,590 --> 00:13:10,449 Speaker 1: with it. But I'm finding in this season of motherhood 261 00:13:11,350 --> 00:13:13,810 Speaker 1: that the Lord is actually okay with me saying, I 262 00:13:13,929 --> 00:13:17,709 Speaker 1: do not like that, Lord. But you're the perfect parent. 263 00:13:18,809 --> 00:13:21,250 Speaker 1: And yes, saying you're the perfect parent is saying God 264 00:13:21,320 --> 00:13:24,660 Speaker 1: is sovereign. But it's just in a way that's deepening 265 00:13:24,700 --> 00:13:29,140 Speaker 1: my relationship with Him where I'm able to realize that 266 00:13:29,280 --> 00:13:32,880 Speaker 1: I am not, I'm not it. I'm not the biggest 267 00:13:32,940 --> 00:13:36,179 Speaker 1: part of my kids. Like, truly, I'm not the biggest 268 00:13:36,220 --> 00:13:40,069 Speaker 1: part of their picture. God is. Being okay with that 269 00:13:40,090 --> 00:13:45,130 Speaker 1: is very hard. But seeing just in the handful of 270 00:13:45,170 --> 00:13:47,429 Speaker 1: things that have happened, like over the summer, my daughter 271 00:13:47,470 --> 00:13:50,710 Speaker 1: had batteries in her mouth. I had no idea. My 272 00:13:50,770 --> 00:13:52,810 Speaker 1: nephew happened to be in the room with her by 273 00:13:52,850 --> 00:13:54,510 Speaker 1: the grace of God, and he told her to spit 274 00:13:54,550 --> 00:13:57,429 Speaker 1: them out. The Lord used him as a vessel, not me. 275 00:13:57,470 --> 00:13:59,510 Speaker 1: And I was in the house. I'm not, I can't 276 00:13:59,550 --> 00:14:02,429 Speaker 1: be all places. And same thing with my son. We 277 00:14:02,470 --> 00:14:06,120 Speaker 1: were in Nashville, my husband and I, and my parents 278 00:14:06,160 --> 00:14:08,460 Speaker 1: could not find him. and he did not have his 279 00:14:08,480 --> 00:14:10,820 Speaker 1: little gizmo watch. They had no idea where he was. 280 00:14:11,500 --> 00:14:15,380 Speaker 1: For 20 minutes, they're driving around their neighborhood, and I'm 281 00:14:15,440 --> 00:14:17,950 Speaker 1: on the other end of the phone call, six and 282 00:14:17,970 --> 00:14:23,450 Speaker 1: a half hours away, going, I can't do anything. And 283 00:14:23,490 --> 00:14:26,970 Speaker 1: my mentor's words to me on the phone were, let's pray. 284 00:14:26,990 --> 00:14:30,640 Speaker 1: Who knew we pray when that happens? She's like, let's pray. 285 00:14:30,660 --> 00:14:35,140 Speaker 1: And her words were, God, you know exactly where Cam is, 286 00:14:35,360 --> 00:14:39,220 Speaker 1: and you know exactly how to bring him home. it 287 00:14:39,260 --> 00:14:41,180 Speaker 1: gives me chills. It makes me want to cry because 288 00:14:41,280 --> 00:14:45,060 Speaker 1: in that moment, all I could feel was this angst of, 289 00:14:45,340 --> 00:14:47,450 Speaker 1: I don't know where he is and I don't know 290 00:14:47,490 --> 00:14:51,489 Speaker 1: how to make him come home. But yet I couldn't even, 291 00:14:51,630 --> 00:14:53,770 Speaker 1: I couldn't even form those words. And yet her prayer 292 00:14:53,810 --> 00:14:55,970 Speaker 1: was God exactly where he is and exactly how to 293 00:14:56,010 --> 00:14:59,470 Speaker 1: bring him home. And I think that is what this 294 00:15:00,120 --> 00:15:03,740 Speaker 1: season of motherhood is teaching me, that God knows exactly 295 00:15:03,780 --> 00:15:06,140 Speaker 1: where they are and he knows exactly how to bring 296 00:15:06,180 --> 00:15:09,050 Speaker 1: them home. not just in my literal home, but in 297 00:15:09,090 --> 00:15:12,430 Speaker 1: a relationship with Him. So now I'm crying. 298 00:15:13,250 --> 00:15:15,570 Speaker 2: Well, me too. That ministers to my heart so much. 299 00:15:15,790 --> 00:15:18,370 Speaker 2: And it's humbling, but it's also freeing. And it takes 300 00:15:18,430 --> 00:15:21,270 Speaker 2: the pressure off because I think we want to control 301 00:15:21,530 --> 00:15:24,380 Speaker 2: everything about our kids' lives. And really, that's not the 302 00:15:24,420 --> 00:15:26,660 Speaker 2: way that it should be. And as you were talking, 303 00:15:26,680 --> 00:15:28,460 Speaker 2: I was thinking about a conversation you and I had 304 00:15:28,520 --> 00:15:31,270 Speaker 2: at a ball field. one day and you had just 305 00:15:31,330 --> 00:15:33,490 Speaker 2: attended a conference and there was a mother and a 306 00:15:33,530 --> 00:15:36,130 Speaker 2: daughter that were speaking at some workshop. And I don't 307 00:15:36,170 --> 00:15:37,650 Speaker 2: even remember who they were. And I don't know that 308 00:15:37,690 --> 00:15:41,290 Speaker 2: it even matters. But you were telling the story about 309 00:15:41,330 --> 00:15:45,550 Speaker 2: this mom praying over and maybe even journaling about specific 310 00:15:45,890 --> 00:15:49,250 Speaker 2: dreams for her daughter. And her daughter is actually doing 311 00:15:49,270 --> 00:15:50,780 Speaker 2: the very thing that she was praying for. So I 312 00:15:50,820 --> 00:15:52,260 Speaker 2: guess where I'm going, and I want to hear that 313 00:15:52,280 --> 00:15:55,560 Speaker 2: whole story from your words, but our prayers and our 314 00:15:55,640 --> 00:15:58,750 Speaker 2: walk with the Lord are, does matter, but we may 315 00:15:58,790 --> 00:16:02,990 Speaker 2: not see it for generations to see it come to fruition. 316 00:16:03,010 --> 00:16:05,210 Speaker 1: So tell us about that. Well, oh my gosh, I 317 00:16:05,270 --> 00:16:08,690 Speaker 1: literally have chills all over me. How did I forget that? Yes, 318 00:16:08,750 --> 00:16:11,090 Speaker 1: I was sitting, it was at the Gospel Coalition. It 319 00:16:11,110 --> 00:16:12,750 Speaker 1: was one of the breakout sessions. 320 00:16:12,530 --> 00:16:15,350 Speaker 2: And this Becky Thompson and her mom. 321 00:16:15,370 --> 00:16:17,150 Speaker 1: Thank you. Yes. I was like, I can't remember her 322 00:16:17,190 --> 00:16:17,610 Speaker 1: last name. 323 00:16:17,930 --> 00:16:18,210 Speaker 2: Yes. 324 00:16:18,370 --> 00:16:21,330 Speaker 1: Her and her mom. I can't remember their. 325 00:16:22,660 --> 00:16:23,660 Speaker 2: Midnight Mom. 326 00:16:23,740 --> 00:16:27,360 Speaker 1: Midnight Mom. Yes. Look, we can put the pieces together. 327 00:16:27,560 --> 00:16:31,760 Speaker 1: Together we got this. Her mother was pregnant with her. 328 00:16:32,140 --> 00:16:34,170 Speaker 1: They had no idea if it was a daughter or 329 00:16:34,370 --> 00:16:37,450 Speaker 1: a boy, son or daughter. And she had always been 330 00:16:37,490 --> 00:16:40,570 Speaker 1: a journaler. And so she had all of these journals 331 00:16:40,670 --> 00:16:44,360 Speaker 1: and she was journaling. And the day her daughter was, like, 332 00:16:44,480 --> 00:16:45,820 Speaker 1: it was one of the days when she was pregnant 333 00:16:45,840 --> 00:16:50,360 Speaker 1: with her. She had wrote very specifically about this baby girl. 334 00:16:51,310 --> 00:16:53,430 Speaker 1: like using her mouth for Jesus or something. It was 335 00:16:53,610 --> 00:16:57,470 Speaker 1: so specific. And it was like ministering to like, it wasn't, 336 00:16:57,570 --> 00:16:59,730 Speaker 1: I don't think she said millions of people, but whatever. 337 00:16:59,810 --> 00:17:01,850 Speaker 1: It was a big, it was a big thing. And 338 00:17:02,150 --> 00:17:08,510 Speaker 1: she said to watch her daughter in ministry and literally 339 00:17:08,570 --> 00:17:11,270 Speaker 1: doing the thing that she was writing about in a journal, 340 00:17:12,190 --> 00:17:16,290 Speaker 1: writing about this sweet baby and then seeing it 30 341 00:17:16,290 --> 00:17:19,120 Speaker 1: years later, Oh my gosh, there was not a dry 342 00:17:19,220 --> 00:17:21,520 Speaker 1: eye in that room because it reminded all of us 343 00:17:21,600 --> 00:17:26,460 Speaker 1: moms sitting there that the Lord knows the desires of 344 00:17:26,500 --> 00:17:30,780 Speaker 1: your heart. He's also speaking to you. He's already interceding 345 00:17:30,820 --> 00:17:34,810 Speaker 1: on behalf of your children. He's already preparing you for 346 00:17:34,880 --> 00:17:37,570 Speaker 1: who your children will be and who he is going 347 00:17:37,690 --> 00:17:40,370 Speaker 1: to chisel and mold them into. And the fact that 348 00:17:40,470 --> 00:17:44,210 Speaker 1: he loves us moms so much to prepare our hearts 349 00:17:44,310 --> 00:17:46,450 Speaker 1: and to speak to us about who our kids will 350 00:17:46,470 --> 00:17:50,650 Speaker 1: be Is that not so kind? There was one thing 351 00:17:50,730 --> 00:17:53,230 Speaker 1: that was on focus of the family, focus on the family. 352 00:17:53,250 --> 00:17:55,870 Speaker 1: And I wish I could think of her name because 353 00:17:55,910 --> 00:17:58,310 Speaker 1: I've seen this real so many times. But she was 354 00:17:58,350 --> 00:18:00,750 Speaker 1: talking about her son. He was six years old and 355 00:18:00,810 --> 00:18:02,189 Speaker 1: she went to this prayer group and she was like, 356 00:18:02,250 --> 00:18:04,129 Speaker 1: I can't even pray for him. He's going to end 357 00:18:04,190 --> 00:18:05,909 Speaker 1: up being a bum homeless man on the side of 358 00:18:05,930 --> 00:18:09,340 Speaker 1: the streets with all kinds of problems. He was in kindergarten. 359 00:18:09,540 --> 00:18:09,909 Speaker 2: Okay. 360 00:18:10,260 --> 00:18:13,939 Speaker 1: Kindergarten. He was so difficult. I couldn't do it. And 361 00:18:14,020 --> 00:18:17,110 Speaker 1: these women rallied around her and said, we know you 362 00:18:17,140 --> 00:18:21,850 Speaker 1: can't pray, but we can. And her son is this fantastic, 363 00:18:22,090 --> 00:18:28,170 Speaker 1: Jesus-loving man. And she was saying how in her season 364 00:18:28,270 --> 00:18:30,990 Speaker 1: of life, she could not get to the place of 365 00:18:31,030 --> 00:18:34,220 Speaker 1: praying anymore. But she had all of these other women 366 00:18:34,260 --> 00:18:36,360 Speaker 1: alongside her praying. And so I just think of both 367 00:18:36,380 --> 00:18:39,359 Speaker 1: of those stories, like the power of prayer in a 368 00:18:39,400 --> 00:18:41,480 Speaker 1: mom and the way God speaks to a mom about 369 00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:46,680 Speaker 1: her children. If we're listening, I had a scripture. I was, 370 00:18:46,980 --> 00:18:49,530 Speaker 1: Cam was at a golf tournament and I was in 371 00:18:49,570 --> 00:18:53,150 Speaker 1: my prayer time. Collins was still sleeping. And he told me, 372 00:18:53,790 --> 00:18:57,230 Speaker 1: war within his spirit. Those were the words. War within 373 00:18:57,290 --> 00:19:00,450 Speaker 1: his spirit. You want to talk about feeling like you're 374 00:19:00,470 --> 00:19:03,190 Speaker 1: going to throw up when God tells you that your 375 00:19:03,310 --> 00:19:07,300 Speaker 1: eight-year-old has war within his spirit. Like, what is that? 376 00:19:08,560 --> 00:19:13,510 Speaker 1: But in God's kindness, he took me straight to Psalm 16. 377 00:19:13,510 --> 00:19:15,570 Speaker 1: gave me the scriptures that I'm going to pray. And 378 00:19:15,650 --> 00:19:18,129 Speaker 1: I literally texted Corey. I was like, I don't know 379 00:19:18,170 --> 00:19:20,949 Speaker 1: what's going on, but there's war within his spirit and 380 00:19:20,990 --> 00:19:24,370 Speaker 1: we need to pray. And I don't know if I'll 381 00:19:24,510 --> 00:19:27,790 Speaker 1: ever actually fully know what was going on. I have 382 00:19:27,890 --> 00:19:30,810 Speaker 1: no idea. I have not a clue. But what I 383 00:19:30,850 --> 00:19:34,609 Speaker 1: do know is God told me something very specific about 384 00:19:34,690 --> 00:19:38,990 Speaker 1: Cam in that moment that it was so intimate and 385 00:19:39,060 --> 00:19:41,400 Speaker 1: that I'm like, I will never forget it. I even 386 00:19:41,440 --> 00:19:44,140 Speaker 1: wrote the date down. Not that I want to remember 387 00:19:44,260 --> 00:19:46,440 Speaker 1: the Lord saying that, but I think we as moms, 388 00:19:47,950 --> 00:19:53,280 Speaker 1: we need to have time. where we just listen to 389 00:19:53,340 --> 00:19:55,700 Speaker 1: what he wants to say to us about our kids. 390 00:19:56,340 --> 00:19:59,160 Speaker 1: We talk so much to him about our kids, don't we? Rachel, 391 00:19:59,340 --> 00:20:01,840 Speaker 1: how many prayers have you prayed when you're like, Lord Jesus, 392 00:20:02,480 --> 00:20:04,459 Speaker 1: will you please help Will? Will you please guide Will? 393 00:20:04,480 --> 00:20:06,390 Speaker 1: Will you please help Kate? Will you please guide Kate? 394 00:20:06,430 --> 00:20:10,030 Speaker 1: We're constantly telling him what they need. And I think 395 00:20:10,090 --> 00:20:12,950 Speaker 1: sometimes he's sitting there going like, there is war within 396 00:20:12,990 --> 00:20:16,450 Speaker 1: their spirit. Can you let me talk to you? And 397 00:20:16,470 --> 00:20:18,889 Speaker 1: that is where I was at. 398 00:20:18,910 --> 00:20:21,710 Speaker 2: Yeah. No, I think especially as my kids are getting 399 00:20:21,830 --> 00:20:25,270 Speaker 2: older and they're with me less, I'm having to continue 400 00:20:25,310 --> 00:20:28,730 Speaker 2: to surrender them to the Lord. And so my prayer 401 00:20:28,770 --> 00:20:33,250 Speaker 2: life continues to grow because I am just having to 402 00:20:33,310 --> 00:20:35,510 Speaker 2: release it and release them to Him. And that is 403 00:20:35,730 --> 00:20:36,250 Speaker 2: so hard. 404 00:20:36,670 --> 00:20:37,490 Speaker 1: It is so hard. 405 00:20:37,830 --> 00:20:40,030 Speaker 2: All of motherhood is hard, but it's such a gift. 406 00:20:40,050 --> 00:20:42,709 Speaker 2: So I can't wait to continue today's conversation, but we're 407 00:20:42,730 --> 00:20:44,470 Speaker 2: going to take another brief break to hear a word 408 00:20:44,490 --> 00:20:46,210 Speaker 2: from our sponsor. And when we come back, we'll talk 409 00:20:46,270 --> 00:20:51,320 Speaker 2: about releasing unrealistic expectations, finding Jesus in ordinary routines, and 410 00:20:51,359 --> 00:20:54,139 Speaker 2: allowing His mercy to transform our hearts and homes. 411 00:20:56,800 --> 00:20:57,500 Speaker 1: Welcome back. 412 00:20:57,560 --> 00:21:00,919 Speaker 2: I'm talking with Chelsea DeMattis about her book, Mercy in 413 00:21:01,100 --> 00:21:05,870 Speaker 2: the Margin. So your tagline is all about mix-ups and 414 00:21:06,050 --> 00:21:08,649 Speaker 2: mess-ups and marvelous moments. So I just thought it might 415 00:21:08,670 --> 00:21:11,100 Speaker 2: be fun if you could just give us, let's start 416 00:21:11,160 --> 00:21:14,280 Speaker 2: with the mix-ups. Give us one of the mix-ups that 417 00:21:14,300 --> 00:21:16,179 Speaker 2: have happened in your journey of motherhood. 418 00:21:16,810 --> 00:21:19,190 Speaker 1: Wow. Well, I feel like so many, I would say 419 00:21:19,369 --> 00:21:21,390 Speaker 1: the mix-up, the funny one, I actually shared a funny 420 00:21:21,430 --> 00:21:23,810 Speaker 1: story about the mix-up in the book, but I thought 421 00:21:23,830 --> 00:21:26,550 Speaker 1: I was so prepared. It was spirit week at school 422 00:21:26,770 --> 00:21:30,980 Speaker 1: and I sent Cam dressed up head to toe, like wacky. 423 00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:33,640 Speaker 1: And he goes to a private school. So like you 424 00:21:33,660 --> 00:21:36,300 Speaker 1: have to wear your uniform and he goes to school 425 00:21:36,619 --> 00:21:39,359 Speaker 1: and he's wacky all day. Okay. So I'm in the 426 00:21:39,380 --> 00:21:41,080 Speaker 1: pickup line and I'm on the phone with one of 427 00:21:41,100 --> 00:21:42,919 Speaker 1: my girlfriends. It's also in the pickup line. I was like, 428 00:21:43,380 --> 00:21:46,100 Speaker 1: I can't find white pants for tomorrow. And she's like, 429 00:21:46,119 --> 00:21:48,420 Speaker 1: what are you talking about? And I was like, spirit week. 430 00:21:48,440 --> 00:21:51,500 Speaker 1: She's like, that's in two weeks. I'm like, oh my gosh. 431 00:21:52,340 --> 00:21:54,960 Speaker 1: So here, Cam, thank God. He is like the kid 432 00:21:54,980 --> 00:21:57,690 Speaker 1: that's like, whatever, I do not care. Then I'm like, 433 00:21:57,930 --> 00:22:01,810 Speaker 1: all day long, my kid was dressed like a wackadoo 434 00:22:02,030 --> 00:22:06,030 Speaker 1: at school, head to toe. His teacher didn't send me 435 00:22:06,050 --> 00:22:08,890 Speaker 1: a message. The principal, I'm sure, just looked at him 436 00:22:08,950 --> 00:22:12,210 Speaker 1: and thought, oh, bless Chelsea. He cried so hard. But 437 00:22:12,270 --> 00:22:15,370 Speaker 1: it's just those are little mix-ups where there are moms, though, 438 00:22:15,390 --> 00:22:18,350 Speaker 1: that would be like, I am such an idiot. A failure. Yeah. 439 00:22:18,450 --> 00:22:21,369 Speaker 1: I can't believe I did that. My child was ostracized 440 00:22:21,570 --> 00:22:23,830 Speaker 1: all day. And I am just here to tell you, like, 441 00:22:23,930 --> 00:22:27,090 Speaker 1: just laugh at yourself. That will be like a fan 442 00:22:27,150 --> 00:22:30,590 Speaker 1: favorite story at the dinner table when they're 18. And 443 00:22:30,630 --> 00:22:32,410 Speaker 1: you're like, do you remember the day I sent you 444 00:22:32,490 --> 00:22:36,209 Speaker 1: a wackadoo and a sea full of blue, red and 445 00:22:36,250 --> 00:22:40,830 Speaker 1: white polos? Like, it was funny. The mess ups. I 446 00:22:40,869 --> 00:22:43,070 Speaker 1: have a couple, obviously, that I wrote about in there, 447 00:22:43,090 --> 00:22:46,750 Speaker 1: but one in particular that I think the mess ups 448 00:22:46,810 --> 00:22:49,510 Speaker 1: are they're like the most crucial part of motherhood because 449 00:22:49,570 --> 00:22:52,650 Speaker 1: mix ups can be funny. You're kind of like, whoopsie. 450 00:22:52,670 --> 00:22:55,230 Speaker 1: A mess up is when you're like, I have really 451 00:22:55,280 --> 00:22:57,580 Speaker 1: messed up and I need to make it right with 452 00:22:57,640 --> 00:23:01,020 Speaker 1: probably my kids. But with if it didn't just hurt 453 00:23:01,119 --> 00:23:04,940 Speaker 1: them like the other person. And I talk about two 454 00:23:04,980 --> 00:23:07,940 Speaker 1: stories where the one was another one at the school. 455 00:23:08,970 --> 00:23:12,609 Speaker 1: My school's probably like, I can't believe she's an author. 456 00:23:12,630 --> 00:23:15,650 Speaker 1: I even told her, I was like, Angela, I totally 457 00:23:15,690 --> 00:23:17,389 Speaker 1: wrote about this in my book. I'm going to give 458 00:23:17,410 --> 00:23:21,510 Speaker 1: her a copy. The school drop-off line, it was the 459 00:23:21,590 --> 00:23:24,450 Speaker 1: first day of school. My cam, if you are on time, 460 00:23:24,510 --> 00:23:28,100 Speaker 1: you are late. He wants to be early. His wife 461 00:23:28,170 --> 00:23:30,820 Speaker 1: will either love him or be really mad at him 462 00:23:30,840 --> 00:23:34,290 Speaker 1: for that someday. So we get there and the line, 463 00:23:34,390 --> 00:23:36,610 Speaker 1: they didn't do the staggered start yet. So the line 464 00:23:36,630 --> 00:23:39,030 Speaker 1: was crazy. We couldn't get through. When I tell you 465 00:23:39,150 --> 00:23:42,250 Speaker 1: I whipped my car around in that pickup line, like 466 00:23:42,290 --> 00:23:46,260 Speaker 1: a NASCAR driver, it was a show. And I'm sure 467 00:23:46,359 --> 00:23:49,260 Speaker 1: everybody was like, who is that woman? And I pulled 468 00:23:49,280 --> 00:23:51,400 Speaker 1: her from front office and I walked through the doors 469 00:23:51,440 --> 00:23:53,480 Speaker 1: and you're not allowed to bring your kids in that way. 470 00:23:54,560 --> 00:23:57,420 Speaker 1: And I was like, I will be bringing my kids 471 00:23:57,480 --> 00:24:00,399 Speaker 1: in through this office until you people fix this. And 472 00:24:00,420 --> 00:24:04,020 Speaker 1: they're looking at me like, Who is this woman? I 473 00:24:04,060 --> 00:24:06,170 Speaker 1: did not know. It was our front desk person's first 474 00:24:06,230 --> 00:24:09,990 Speaker 1: day on the job. What a rude person she just 475 00:24:10,030 --> 00:24:13,310 Speaker 1: had to deal with. And I'm like fuming because I'm 476 00:24:13,330 --> 00:24:17,780 Speaker 1: thinking my first grader, kindergartner, kindergartner is going to be 477 00:24:18,119 --> 00:24:24,000 Speaker 1: beside himself because we're late. And so praise the Lord. 478 00:24:25,460 --> 00:24:27,100 Speaker 1: By the time I got to the car, I was 479 00:24:27,160 --> 00:24:29,460 Speaker 1: so convicted. I was like, I cannot believe I just 480 00:24:29,580 --> 00:24:32,020 Speaker 1: acted that way. not only in front of my kids, 481 00:24:32,080 --> 00:24:35,379 Speaker 1: but to two other women that are just trying to 482 00:24:35,440 --> 00:24:38,379 Speaker 1: have a day that's already stressful at the school. And 483 00:24:38,440 --> 00:24:40,540 Speaker 1: so I called the school and I was like, hello, 484 00:24:40,580 --> 00:24:45,169 Speaker 1: Miss Angela, Chelsea DeMattis, the mom that just was yelling 485 00:24:45,210 --> 00:24:47,630 Speaker 1: at you all in the office. And I'm really sorry. 486 00:24:48,630 --> 00:24:51,149 Speaker 1: Will you please forgive me? And I will be talking 487 00:24:51,190 --> 00:24:53,510 Speaker 1: with my kids about how we do not treat people 488 00:24:53,550 --> 00:24:56,220 Speaker 1: like that. And I did. I had to apologize to 489 00:24:56,260 --> 00:24:59,510 Speaker 1: the school people. I had to apologize to my kids 490 00:24:59,850 --> 00:25:02,430 Speaker 1: and not only apologize, but tell them like, you just 491 00:25:02,470 --> 00:25:05,750 Speaker 1: got to see how we don't treat people. Like we 492 00:25:05,790 --> 00:25:08,409 Speaker 1: don't do that. And as moms, we are going to 493 00:25:08,450 --> 00:25:10,490 Speaker 1: do that. We are going to treat our kids in 494 00:25:10,550 --> 00:25:12,710 Speaker 1: ways we shouldn't. And also they're going to see us 495 00:25:12,750 --> 00:25:15,270 Speaker 1: treat other people in ways that we should not. And 496 00:25:15,350 --> 00:25:20,320 Speaker 1: God gives us an opportunity to rewrite that, show what 497 00:25:20,380 --> 00:25:24,260 Speaker 1: forgiveness looks like on both sides, asking it and giving it, 498 00:25:24,320 --> 00:25:26,970 Speaker 1: receiving it, all of that. So the mess ups, I think, 499 00:25:27,030 --> 00:25:29,530 Speaker 1: is really where they get to see that we are 500 00:25:29,570 --> 00:25:33,950 Speaker 1: not perfect and we need Jesus. And so you're in 501 00:25:33,970 --> 00:25:37,840 Speaker 1: good company if you've had mess ups. And then the marvelous, honestly, 502 00:25:37,950 --> 00:25:39,720 Speaker 1: I love that word so much. My grandpa used to 503 00:25:39,760 --> 00:25:41,460 Speaker 1: say all the time, my mom says it a lot. 504 00:25:42,400 --> 00:25:43,899 Speaker 1: I think a lot of moms get to the end 505 00:25:43,920 --> 00:25:46,300 Speaker 1: of the day and they think nothing marvelous happened. I'm 506 00:25:46,340 --> 00:25:51,060 Speaker 1: sure some people read that and go, I'm sorry, marvelous? Yeah, right. 507 00:25:51,359 --> 00:25:54,380 Speaker 1: And what my hope is, is like by the end 508 00:25:54,420 --> 00:25:57,800 Speaker 1: of the book, they'll realize that the marvelous is literally 509 00:25:57,859 --> 00:26:01,520 Speaker 1: just marveling at what God has done every day. And 510 00:26:01,540 --> 00:26:04,280 Speaker 1: the ordinary, the fact that your kids woke up today 511 00:26:04,500 --> 00:26:08,190 Speaker 1: and you got to do life with them again, that's 512 00:26:08,230 --> 00:26:10,629 Speaker 1: a marvelous thing. Like that is a gift and it's 513 00:26:10,650 --> 00:26:13,090 Speaker 1: something to sit and look at with awe and wonder. 514 00:26:13,130 --> 00:26:15,610 Speaker 1: And I think when we do that and we realize 515 00:26:15,670 --> 00:26:19,889 Speaker 1: like the gift that just that is, it changes. It 516 00:26:19,930 --> 00:26:23,460 Speaker 1: just gives us some joy back, like joy that we've missed. 517 00:26:23,910 --> 00:26:27,630 Speaker 1: So yeah, just marveling at what God's done and trusting, 518 00:26:28,130 --> 00:26:30,340 Speaker 1: which that's preaching to my own heart, but trusting what 519 00:26:30,390 --> 00:26:33,179 Speaker 1: He will do that I will again get to marvel 520 00:26:33,280 --> 00:26:34,040 Speaker 1: at down the road. 521 00:26:34,060 --> 00:26:38,359 Speaker 2: I love that you're just so honest and real and relatable. 522 00:26:38,560 --> 00:26:40,959 Speaker 2: Every single person listening right now is like, okay, I've 523 00:26:41,020 --> 00:26:43,810 Speaker 2: had a moment like that. And then too, I just saw, 524 00:26:43,900 --> 00:26:46,730 Speaker 2: I just listened to a quote that they were talking 525 00:26:46,790 --> 00:26:49,970 Speaker 2: about when babies are born, it is evidence that God 526 00:26:50,050 --> 00:26:54,110 Speaker 2: is not done yet. Oh, isn't that powerful to think 527 00:26:54,150 --> 00:26:58,330 Speaker 2: about that he still wants a relationship with humanity? And 528 00:26:58,369 --> 00:27:01,270 Speaker 2: I think that's just so encouraging. So, okay, you've talked 529 00:27:01,310 --> 00:27:03,690 Speaker 2: a lot about the Lord already, but is there a 530 00:27:03,890 --> 00:27:06,689 Speaker 2: biblical concept of love that you think applies to this 531 00:27:06,730 --> 00:27:07,270 Speaker 2: topic today? 532 00:27:08,150 --> 00:27:12,690 Speaker 1: I am thinking of Psalm 23 and specifically in the 533 00:27:12,820 --> 00:27:16,179 Speaker 1: rod and staff and how they comfort me. How the 534 00:27:16,260 --> 00:27:20,620 Speaker 1: rod is the discipline and the staff is that gentle pullback. 535 00:27:21,280 --> 00:27:23,680 Speaker 1: And we need both. And we definitely need to do 536 00:27:23,770 --> 00:27:26,750 Speaker 1: both in mothering. We see how the Lord does that 537 00:27:26,770 --> 00:27:28,530 Speaker 1: in our own life. And so that would be that's 538 00:27:28,550 --> 00:27:31,770 Speaker 1: like the thing that I go to is the discipline, 539 00:27:31,869 --> 00:27:35,060 Speaker 1: but also that watch and that care. It goes hand 540 00:27:35,100 --> 00:27:39,300 Speaker 1: in hand. You only discipline someone because you're trying to 541 00:27:39,320 --> 00:27:43,260 Speaker 1: care for them. And so that's really what I would 542 00:27:43,300 --> 00:27:44,310 Speaker 1: go to and think of. 543 00:27:45,190 --> 00:27:47,689 Speaker 2: Yeah, the Lord disciplines those that He loves. 544 00:27:47,790 --> 00:27:48,109 Speaker 1: He loves, yeah. 545 00:27:48,270 --> 00:27:51,050 Speaker 2: And so we're being disciplined as He's our Heavenly Father 546 00:27:51,109 --> 00:27:53,689 Speaker 2: as we then go and do the same for our 547 00:27:53,730 --> 00:27:56,109 Speaker 2: children as their mother. So that's good. I don't think 548 00:27:56,170 --> 00:27:58,850 Speaker 2: anybody's ever said that. So that was something new. So 549 00:27:58,869 --> 00:28:01,030 Speaker 2: I enjoyed that. Okay, so tell us something you are 550 00:28:01,070 --> 00:28:01,590 Speaker 2: loving right now. 551 00:28:02,810 --> 00:28:06,060 Speaker 1: Well, we got a puppy. I love my little lab. 552 00:28:06,359 --> 00:28:09,040 Speaker 1: She's a yellow lab. Her name is Summer. She's adorable. 553 00:28:09,160 --> 00:28:10,660 Speaker 1: And then I would say the other thing that I'm 554 00:28:10,840 --> 00:28:13,720 Speaker 1: loving is we are getting into fall and the mornings 555 00:28:13,770 --> 00:28:18,430 Speaker 1: have been cool. And I am so ready for a 556 00:28:18,490 --> 00:28:20,190 Speaker 1: chill in the air. Ready for it. 557 00:28:20,330 --> 00:28:23,450 Speaker 2: Yeah, your new puppy has been our guest today as well. 558 00:28:23,530 --> 00:28:26,889 Speaker 2: Just sitting with you. It's been so good. Do you 559 00:28:27,670 --> 00:28:28,609 Speaker 2: want to come say hi? 560 00:28:30,310 --> 00:28:35,980 Speaker 1: Come say hi? My goodness. So, so sweet. So sweet. 561 00:28:37,500 --> 00:28:39,600 Speaker 2: Okay. Well, I know I want to stay connected with you. 562 00:28:39,620 --> 00:28:41,980 Speaker 2: I'm sure listeners want to. So tell us how we 563 00:28:42,010 --> 00:28:43,410 Speaker 2: can best do that and grab a copy of your 564 00:28:43,450 --> 00:28:43,770 Speaker 2: new book. 565 00:28:44,450 --> 00:28:47,150 Speaker 1: Oh my gosh. Yes. You can follow me on Instagram. 566 00:28:47,170 --> 00:28:49,630 Speaker 1: I actually don't like to say follow me. Just come join. 567 00:28:50,170 --> 00:28:52,730 Speaker 1: Come listen. Come be a friend over there. It's just 568 00:28:52,880 --> 00:28:57,040 Speaker 1: at Chelsea DeMattis. And then my website is ChelseaDeMattis.com. And 569 00:28:57,080 --> 00:28:59,380 Speaker 1: you can get my books anywhere books are sold. 570 00:29:00,060 --> 00:29:02,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, we all need a friend that is in this 571 00:29:02,760 --> 00:29:04,900 Speaker 2: motherhood journey with us. You've talked about that quite a bit, 572 00:29:04,940 --> 00:29:07,980 Speaker 2: how mentor moms and people have been praying and like 573 00:29:08,020 --> 00:29:10,620 Speaker 2: just hearing other people's stories. It is just so helpful 574 00:29:10,660 --> 00:29:13,030 Speaker 2: to help us to continue on and not give up 575 00:29:13,110 --> 00:29:17,570 Speaker 2: in our motherhood journey. So important to have community. Well, OK, 576 00:29:17,710 --> 00:29:19,850 Speaker 2: as we come to a close, would you just pray 577 00:29:20,170 --> 00:29:21,260 Speaker 2: for us and over us? 578 00:29:21,930 --> 00:29:24,380 Speaker 1: Yes, I will. Lord Jesus, we thank you so much 579 00:29:24,660 --> 00:29:27,000 Speaker 1: for today. God, we just thank you for the gift 580 00:29:27,240 --> 00:29:31,620 Speaker 1: of being mothers. Lord, I pray for every mom listening 581 00:29:32,020 --> 00:29:35,250 Speaker 1: that she would just know that you delight in spending 582 00:29:35,290 --> 00:29:36,870 Speaker 1: time with her, that she can come to you no 583 00:29:36,910 --> 00:29:39,950 Speaker 1: matter what the circumstances and situations are in her home. 584 00:29:40,220 --> 00:29:43,460 Speaker 1: and her spirit. Like she is welcome to come and 585 00:29:43,500 --> 00:29:45,300 Speaker 1: sit at your feet. And so I pray that she 586 00:29:45,340 --> 00:29:48,120 Speaker 1: would do that today. Lord, I just thank you for 587 00:29:48,140 --> 00:29:51,020 Speaker 1: Rachel and the vessel that she is and the way 588 00:29:51,070 --> 00:29:55,010 Speaker 1: that she just stewards your love, Lord, and just encourages 589 00:29:55,050 --> 00:29:58,770 Speaker 1: people to offer it up. in a world that desperately, 590 00:29:58,830 --> 00:30:01,230 Speaker 1: desperately needs to know you. And so we thank you 591 00:30:01,260 --> 00:30:05,160 Speaker 1: for today. And I just pray that your word continues 592 00:30:05,240 --> 00:30:07,760 Speaker 1: to go far and wide and reach depths of people's 593 00:30:07,800 --> 00:30:10,860 Speaker 1: hearts that are just unfathomable to us. In Jesus' name 594 00:30:10,880 --> 00:30:11,680 Speaker 1: we pray, amen. 595 00:30:12,520 --> 00:30:15,310 Speaker 2: Amen. Well, thank you, friend, for joining us. You're always 596 00:30:15,330 --> 00:30:18,030 Speaker 2: a joy to get to talk to. I'd appreciate you 597 00:30:18,510 --> 00:30:21,670 Speaker 2: encouraging us in our motherhood journey and helping us to 598 00:30:21,690 --> 00:30:24,780 Speaker 2: realize there is mercy in the margin. And we can 599 00:30:24,820 --> 00:30:27,940 Speaker 2: encounter Jesus in the mix-ups, mess-ups, and marvelous moments. 600 00:30:28,340 --> 00:30:29,880 Speaker 1: Yes, we can. Thanks, Rachel. 601 00:30:31,180 --> 00:30:33,940 Speaker 2: Thank you so much for listening to the Love Offering Podcast. 602 00:30:33,960 --> 00:30:36,080 Speaker 2: I hope today's conversation reminded you that you don't have 603 00:30:36,120 --> 00:30:38,370 Speaker 2: to wait for a quiet house, a perfect routine, or 604 00:30:38,380 --> 00:30:41,190 Speaker 2: a less demanding season to encounter Jesus. He is already 605 00:30:41,250 --> 00:30:44,430 Speaker 2: present in the mix-ups, mess-ups, and marvelous moments of your motherhood. 606 00:30:44,790 --> 00:30:47,610 Speaker 2: The interruptions you didn't plan, the mistakes you wish you 607 00:30:47,690 --> 00:30:50,570 Speaker 2: could undo, and the ordinary tasks no one else notices 608 00:30:50,630 --> 00:30:53,810 Speaker 2: can become sacred spaces where God meets you with exactly 609 00:30:53,850 --> 00:30:57,070 Speaker 2: the grace you need. His mercy is available in every margin, 610 00:30:57,170 --> 00:31:00,440 Speaker 2: and no act of love offered to Him is ever insignificant. 611 00:31:01,060 --> 00:31:02,850 Speaker 2: If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a 612 00:31:02,880 --> 00:31:04,740 Speaker 2: friend and leave a review. It helps others find the 613 00:31:04,790 --> 00:31:07,290 Speaker 2: show and spreads the message of love even further. To 614 00:31:07,330 --> 00:31:10,650 Speaker 2: connect with me, visit me on my website at rachelkadams.com 615 00:31:10,670 --> 00:31:13,330 Speaker 2: where you can download the Love Always devotional, a free 616 00:31:13,390 --> 00:31:16,030 Speaker 2: resource to help you realize how beloved you already are. 617 00:31:16,230 --> 00:31:18,710 Speaker 2: Be sure to check out Mercy in the Margin, 52 618 00:31:18,710 --> 00:31:22,010 Speaker 2: Devotions to Encounter Jesus in the Mix-Ups, Mess-Ups, and Marvelous 619 00:31:22,050 --> 00:31:25,450 Speaker 2: Moments of Motherhood by Chelsea DeMattis. A special thank you 620 00:31:25,490 --> 00:31:28,730 Speaker 2: to Life Audio for supporting this podcast and making it possible. 621 00:31:29,120 --> 00:31:33,030 Speaker 2: To find more great podcasts, visit lifeaudio.com. Until next time, 622 00:31:33,150 --> 00:31:35,710 Speaker 2: let's make our lives an offering of love.