Episode Summary:
In today’s episode, I'm sharing a surprisingly powerful spiritual lesson learned from our family pets—yes, the mini schnauzer, the hearing-impaired bouncer dog, the calm around food only mutt, and the very entitled cat. These everyday moments shed light on how we show up before God: do we approach Him with fear and lack… or with joyful expectancy as dearly loved children?

Let's walk through the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1–8) and the story of the Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:21–28; Mark 7:24–30) to show the difference between praying with an orphan mindset versus praying with faith, trust, and confidence in our Heavenly Father.

If you’ve ever struggled with feeling unworthy, afraid, or unsure if God really wants to answer your prayers—this episode will breathe fresh hope into your heart.

What We Talk About:
• The mini schnauzer who has everything she needs but still digs through trash — and how that mirrors an orphan mentality
• The sweet white rescue pup who boops my legs with joy and confidence
• The wild mutt who waits expectantly
• The abandoned cat who became “royalty” and now boldly asks for what she wants
• How Jesus used the persistent widow to teach us to pray without giving up
• Why the Canaanite woman’s “crumbs” reply shows great faith in who Jesus really is
• The difference between praying out of fear vs. praying out of daughterhood
• Why your view of God shapes your entire prayer life
• Romans 8:15 — we’re adopted, not abandoned

Key Scriptures (KJV):
• Luke 18:1–8 — The persistent widow
• Matthew 15:21–28 — The Canaanite woman
• Romans 8:15 — “Ye have received the Spirit of adoption…”

Takeaway:
You are not an orphan. You are not begging for scraps. You are a fully loved daughter with access to a Father who delights in giving good things to His children. Pray with expectancy. Ask boldly. Believe He will answer. Whew, this is definitely something I need to work on!

Call to Action:If this episode encouraged you, screenshot it and share it in your stories! Tag me @gracefilledmomblog so I can cheer you on. And if you’re craving deeper guidance in your spiritual and mom-life rhythm, join us inside the GraceFilled Mom Membership.

https://buymeacoffee.com/gracefilledmomshow

🌿 Episode Summary

As moms, we pour out so much—our time, energy, sleep, bodies, finances, dreams, and often our emotional reserves. But beyond the physical sacrifice, there’s a deeper toll: the moral weight of motherhood. The responsibility of shaping little hearts, guiding them toward Christ, and growing ourselves in the process can feel overwhelming.

In this episode, we talk about the difference between striving to change ourselves and surrendering to the One who can truly transform us. Just like Israel in the wilderness, we need a Savior to look to—every day, often many times a day.

Using the story of Moses and the bronze serpent in Numbers 21, we explore:

• Why motherhood exposes our weaknesses and invites sanctification

• The pressure we put on ourselves to “have it all together”

• The powerful truth that we don’t transform our own hearts—the Holy Spirit does

• What it means to “look and live” when we’re tired, overwhelmed, or discouraged

• How Jesus echoes this story in John 3 as the source of eternal and daily life

This episode includes a moment of guided prayer and reflection, inviting you to kneel—physically or in your heart—at the feet of Jesus and surrender your weariness, guilt, and striving.

📝 Scripture Referenced

• Deuteronomy 30:19 (KJV)

• Numbers 21:4–9 (KJV)

  John 3:14–15 (KJV)

• • 1 Corinthians 1:29–31 (KJV)

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• 💬 A Quote to Remember

  “My message is not for you to try harder—my message is to look up and live.”

  🙏 A Word of Encouragement

  You don’t have to carry motherhood alone.
  You don’t have to fix yourself.
  You don’t have to earn God’s help.

  Jesus stands ready to meet you the moment you pause, look up, and surrender.

  May today be a day of less striving and more abiding.

  
  

In This Episode in less than 7 minutes!

Today we’re talking about something God woke me up with… water lasers cutting through stone. Yep. Blame it on pregnancy hormones or way too many home reno shows, but the Lord used this random thought to teach me about the Holy Spirit, surrender, and how He lovingly refines us—even when it doesn’t feel gentle.

What We Talk About

We’ll look at marble mining, Ezekiel 36:26, and how God cuts away the hard places in our hearts just like a master craftsman. If you’ve been feeling weary, behind, or like you’ll never “measure up,” this episode is for you.

• How water jet cutters reminded me of the Holy Spirit’s power

• Why surrender makes refinement gentler (ask me how I know 😅)

• The simple marble-mining video that sparked big spiritual lessons

• Teaching our kids big biblical truths through nature and everyday life

• What it really means to let God take your stony heart

• How holding onto expectations can keep us from seeing God’s answers

• The painful but beautiful process of refinement

• Scriptures that remind us who we are becoming: precious, jeweled, beloved

• A prayer for moms walking through the refiner’s fire\

  Scriptures Mentioned

• Ezekiel 36:26 (KJV) — “A new heart also will I give you…”

• Isaiah 62:3 (KJV) — “Thou shalt also be a crown of glory…”

• Zechariah 13:9 (KJV) — “I will bring the third part through the fire…”

  Links & Resources

• Marble mining & refining video (11 min) – https://youtu.be/KbhUAOP79uw?si=0CzcCIpg70SFie4z

• Episode on Surrender Over Self-Help – https://open.spotify.com/episode/3O17iApO1jueNyHZHTnEYr?si=2UuADcmTTvSMjwWpVB2N5A

A Prayer for You

“Father, I lift up this momma today. If she feels like she’s in the refiner’s fire, draw close. Remind her You never look away from the gold You’re refining. Give her strength to surrender, to trust, and to know that You are forming a crown of glory in her life. Amen.”