Nine dental appointments, a 15-year-old missing four wisdom teeth, and a day-after-surgery parallel parking lesson... it has officially been the "Summer of Teeth" in Joni’s house.

In Episode 44, Joni reflects on a chaotic summer schedule and how a busy season of waiting rooms brought her back to 1 Kings 3 and the story of Solomon. Join us as we talk about the difference between knowing the Bible and having the wisdom to actually live it out in the middle of everyday life.

Key Scripture:

• ​1 Kings 3:9: "So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong."

Read this blog & find the link to The Devine Wisdom Plan

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. . . #faith #devotional #trustinggod #parenting #makemondaymatter #christianpodcast

A summer trip to Itasca State Park involved waiting out the rain in the visitor center, a "short" hike that my kids definitely questioned, and a mystery at the Mississippi headwaters. After spotting what looked like a secret proposal setup, we sent the kids in as spies to get the scoop—only to leave without ever finding out how the story ended.

In this episode, we talk about why we get so caught up in wanting to know what happens next in our own lives. We look at Deuteronomy 29:29 and reflect on why it's okay that God doesn't show us the whole map at once.

In this episode:

• A rainy day trip to Itasca State Park.

• Debate over what actually counts as a "short" hike.

• Sending the kids to investigate a headwaters mystery.

• Why we don't need to know every detail of our own story to trust God.

  
  

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#faith #devotional #itascastatepark #deuteronomy2929 #trustinggod #parenting #familytravel #makemondaymatter #christianpodcast

When dropping my daughter off at an out-of-town volleyball camp, I almost spent the next few hours sitting in my car or grabbing coffee. Instead, I decided to walk into a local church—and I’m so glad I did.

In this episode, we look at Ephesians 2:10 and unpack a question I haven't been able to stop thinking about: What are you doing when you feel most alive? From church parking lot volunteers to quiet prayers for our kids, God prepares "good works" for us in the everyday moments. Let's talk about how He uses our unique gifts to encourage others and remind them that He is real.

In this episode:

• Stepping out of my comfort zone at an out-of-town church.

• The power of everyday greeters and simple hospitality.

• Exploring Ephesians 2:10 and what it means to be God's handiwork.

• A full-circle moment with my daughters about noticing signs of God at work.

If you enjoyed this reflection, visit makemondaymatter.com for more.

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#faith #devotional #ephesians210 #christianliving #motherhood #godshandiwork #purpose #makemondaymatter #christianpodcast

After a bizarre dream about wearing beach sandals to a funeral, followed by a morning mishap where I accidentally tried to run in my husband's blue shoes, I started thinking about the role of dreams. From Genesis to the New Testament, God definitely used dreams to guide, warn, and protect His people. But does that mean every strange dream we have has a hidden spiritual meaning?

In this episode, we talk about the difference between our brains just sorting through a busy week and God's primary way of speaking to us. We look at 2 Timothy 3:16 and remind ourselves that we don't have to guess if God has something to say—He's already given us a whole book filled with truth.

In this episode:

• The Gopher girls reunion and a dream about wrong footwear.

• Trying to run in my husband's shoes at the camper.

• How God used dreams throughout the Bible (Joseph, Daniel, and Acts).

• Why opening your Bible trumps trying to interpret a strange dream.

  
  

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. . . #faith #devotional #bible #2timothy316 #dreamsinthebible #scripture #christianliving #morningroutine #camperlife #gophergirls #makemondaymatter

While packing for a work trip to Duluth with my husband, I realized my journal was completely full. Packing a brand new notebook got me thinking about the rhythms we use to ground our lives. Before filling the blank pages with my own thoughts, I wanted to anchor the front of the journal with God's thoughts.

In this episode, we talk about why reading the Bible every single day matters. It’s not about checking off a box—it’s about finding food for our souls, guidance, and strength when the world feels noisy. We look at a few verses from Psalms and Colossians that share this same truth, and offer a simple challenge to help you open your Bible today.

In this episode:

• Packing two journals for a trip to Duluth.

• Why the Bible is food for our souls, direction for our path, and a reminder of God's faithfulness.

• Letting God's Word shape the way we think, speak, and live.

• A simple challenge to read just one chapter today and apply it.

If you enjoyed this reflection, visit makemondaymatter.com for more.

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#faith #devotional #bibledevotional #bible #journaling #psalm119 #spiritualgrowth #bibleverse #christianpodcast #makemondaymatter

Between an annual physical warning about dehydration, camper days cut short by unhelpful rain, and a Wednesday afternoon where every single appointment was either delayed or cancelled, this past week was a masterclass in plans completely falling apart.

In this episode, I'm opening up about the reality of trying to balance summer schedules, sports drop-offs, and getting back into a running routine when the weather and circumstances refuse to cooperate. We are looking at Psalm 118:24 through a fresh lens, reminding ourselves that every day is the day the Lord has made—even the ones that require us to constantly pivot. If you're a planner who gets frustrated when life shifts, this episode is the perspective shift you need for the week ahead.

In this episode:

• Doctor visits, hydration checks, and the refusal to give up coffee.

• Campground chronicles: Rain games, brief sunshine, and the effort of packing up early.

• The domino effect: Unfulfilled orthodontist appointments, cancelled driving lessons, and surprise double-headers.

• A deep dive into Psalm 118:24 and learning to rejoice in the detours.

  
  

If you enjoyed this reflection, visit makemondaymatter.com for more.

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#faith #devotional #psalm11824 #bibleverse #christianliving #motherhood #planners #midwestsummer #camperlife #runningrecovery #braces #makemondaymatter

A sudden summer downpour, a cancelled softball game, and a frantic drive for behind-the-wheel training almost made me cancel a long-awaited lunch date. But pushing through the rain reminded me of a much larger story that began twenty-five years ago.

In this episode, I’m looking back at the heavy, chaotic autumn of 2001—when a global crisis changed my wedding plans and a simple invitation for egg salad sandwiches introduced me to a lifelong friend. We dive into the story of David and Jonathan from 1 Samuel, exploring what it means to "strengthen a friend's hand in God," and why we shouldn't let the busy rainstorms of life keep us from the relationships that matter most.

In this episode:

• White-knuckle driving and navigating a chaotic summer schedule.

• Memories of 2001: How a disrupted missions trip led to a providential meeting.

• The theology of friendship: Lessons from David and Jonathan in the wilderness.

• A reflection on Proverbs 17:17 and making time for community when life gets busy.

  
  

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#faith #devotional #proverbs1717 #davidandjonathan #christianfriendship #lifelongfriends #motherhood #spiritualgrowth #bibledevotional #makemondaymatter

From favorite colors and numbers to a surprising encounter with a fennec fox at the zoo, favorites have been a major topic of conversation at our house lately. But the theme followed me all the way to Duluth this weekend, where a live podcast with pro runners Des Linden and Kara Goucher and a shoe coincidence had me asking a deeper question: Does God have favorites?

While the world runs on popularity, performance, and status, Scripture tells us a completely different story about God's heart. In this episode, I’m sharing childhood memories of climbing my grandma’s lilac bushes, a funny incident involving hungry parakeets at the zoo, and a look at Romans 2:11. We are diving into five specific things the Bible says God actually delights in, and how understanding them helps us know His character so much better.

In this episode:

• The 48th birthday milestone and why the number 8 matters.

  
  

• Zoo stories: Hungry parakeets, alligator ponds, and finding a fennec fox.

  
  

• Serving on the race support crew in Duluth and a live podcast connection with Des Linden and Kara Goucher.

  
  

• The truth about Romans 2:11 and why God doesn't play favorites.

  
  

• Five things God explicitly delights in and what they reveal about His heart.

  
  

If you enjoyed this reflection, visit makemondaymatter.com for more.

...#faith #devotional #romans211 #bibleverse #christianliving #motherhood #spiritualgrowth #godscharacter #deslinden #karagoucher #brooksglycerin #grandmashalfmarathon #makemondaymatter