It’s been a while. Our plan was to start out strong in 2024 and that did not happen. We even recorded this episode back in January, but were interrupted (Elliana’s show ended, Sam woke up from his nap) and told each other we would finish the recording “in a few days”. March, Take 2.

The first part of the episode was taken over by the discussion of the book Sacred Parenting: How Raising Children Shapes Our Souls by Gary Thomas and some of the concepts of how parenting changes us and helps us grow in Christ. Another book I recommend in the same vein is called Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms by Justin Whitmel Earley which talks about the liturgy of the household. I recommend both.

Andrew and I are considering getting a dog and thinking about all the pros and cons. When I think about the cons, the inconveniences of caring for someone who can’t care for themselves, it sounds familiar. It sounds like parenting. It sounds like loving a spouse when they are a turd sometimes. It sounds like another opportunity for spiritual growth.

The second act is more talking about ordination. What it was like for us individually when Andrew was ordained, how it looks in the church of the Nazarene, and it’s significance.

The final part is short, but most fun to listen to. Andrew reads his children’s story of The Good Big Bad Wolf.

‘“And everyone knows the big, bad wolf is big and bad and strong!” So the third little pig left the first little pig all alone.’

from The Good Big, Bad Wolf by Andrew Sinift

I am so happy to be back to recording, editing and posting. This episode isn’t perfect – none of them are – but I certainly hope you enjoy it.