245. Life is Messy, But God is Still Good (with Cynthia Yanof)
I am so thrilled to share this episode with you featuring a conversation that truly touched my heart. In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Cynthia Yanof, the author of Life is Messy, God is Good: Sanity for the Chaos of Everyday Life! Join us as we dive into Cynthia's book, which left me both laughing and reflecting. Her ability to bring humor into life's messiness is a testament to the profound impact her journey has had on her. We explore her experiences as an older mom with kids in college, high school, and first grade, and how foster care became an unexpected yet cherished journey for her.
Cynthia’s wisdom on and insight into friendship really strikes a chord with me, emphasizing the importance of quality over quantity and intentional connections. We share stories about parenting challenges, the power of prayer, and the beautiful transformation that can arise from the messiest moments. The conversation even takes an inspiring turn as Cynthia encourages those facing struggles, reminding them to seek authentic, vulnerable friendships, embrace the quiet moments, and trust that God is crafting a unique and meaningful story in the messiness of life.
If you are navigating the chaos of everyday life (and, let’s be honest, aren’t we all?), craving a good laugh, and looking for encouragement in the messiness, then this episode is definitely for you! Cynthia's insights and humor will leave you feeling understood, inspired, and ready to lean into the mystery of life, so I hope that you will tune in to discover the beauty in life's messiness and the unwavering goodness of God. You won't want to miss this heartfelt and uplifting conversation!
In This Episode
[0:35] - I am joined today by Cynthia Yanof, author of Life is Messy, God is Good!
[2:03] - Cynthia reflects on unexpected joys and God's guidance through fostering, finding fulfillment amid life's uncertainties.
[4:58] - Embracing discomfort, Cynthia heeds God's call to foster care, finding transformation and courage amid uncertainties.
[7:18] - I emphasize the challenges of following God's call, debunking the notion of an easy path.
[8:26] - Reluctant obedience in foster care yielded transformative outcomes, as Cynthia's daughter now advocates for others.
[10:39] - I explore Abraham's journey and personal growth.
[13:15] - Acknowledging the challenge of prioritizing friendships, Cynthia emphasizes valuing quality over quantity for genuine connections.
[16:48] - I acknowledge a quote from Cynthia, pointing to making time for genuine connections and leaning into vulnerability for authentic friendships.
[17:27] - Cynthia discusses her dear friend Elaine, whose journey teaches the importance of intentional connections, emphasizing that true bonds require effort beyond social media.
[20:17] - I advocate for expressing thoughts, taking action, and investing time in relationships, emphasizing the value of overcoming awkwardness for meaningful connections.
[22:34] - Cynthia shares that she created prayer journals to intentionally pray for her kids' qualities, emphasizing encouragement amid challenges.
[24:30] - Cynthia's son's journey with learning differences led to growth, emphasizing trusting God's plan in prayer.
[26:57] - Cynthia reflects on resisting the urge to intervene excessively for her kids, valuing trust in God's work.
[28:52] - Hear some encouragement from Cynthia as she advises seeking genuine friends, navigating loneliness, and trusting God's purpose despite life's mysteries.
Links & Resources
Pardon the Mess Ep. 2.33: Money Saving Mom with Crystal Paine
Books
Life Is Messy, God Is Good: Sanity for the Chaos of Everyday Life by Cynthia Yanof
Social Media
Money Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook group
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