Grief is not something we would ever choose, and yet, at some point, we all find ourselves walking through it. Maybe it’s the loss of a loved one, the shattering of a dream, a shift in relationships, or even the realization that life doesn’t look the way we thought it would. Grief comes in many forms, and sometimes, we don’t even recognize we’re grieving.

In this episode, I want to have an honest conversation about grief—what it is, what it isn’t, and how, in the hands of our Shepherd, it can actually be a gift. I know, that may sound impossible, especially if you’re in the middle of deep sorrow. But grief invites us to know God in ways we never would otherwise. It teaches us to lament, to remember, to heal, and ultimately, to trust that even in our pain, God is present and at work.

If you’re carrying grief today—whether it’s fresh or something that’s been with you for a long time—I hope this episode reminds you that you are not alone. The Shepherd walks with you through the valley, and even when you can’t see it, He is making all things beautiful in His time.

• Grief can be a gift that reveals God's character.
• Lament is an essential part of processing grief.
• Grief is not just about loss; it's about love and value.
• Grief can transform us and deepen our relationship with God.
• God's comfort is most profound in our moments of grief.
• Grief allows us to remember and honor what we've lost.
• Healing comes from engaging with our grief.
• Grief can lead to personal transformation and growth.
• We are invited to grieve together as a community.
• Grief ultimately points us to hope and redemption.

Chapters

00:00 | Understanding Grief as a Gift

07:02 | The Pain of Grief

16:47 | Grief as a Sacred Tool

27:02 | Grief: A Tool for Healing and Transformation

Today’s episode of Everything Made Beautiful might wreck you in the best way. I’m joined by two of my dear friends, Malorie Elrod and Katelyn Duckworth, who are on a mission to love on adoptive families and birth moms through Funding Love. And before you think, "Well, I don’t have an adoption story, so this episode isn’t for me," let me stop you—because, as believers, our whole story is one of adoption into God’s family.

Mal and Kate are here to share about the heart behind Funding Love, an organization that provides all-expenses-paid Disney vacations to adoptive families and birth moms. But this isn’t just about Mickey ears and fireworks—it’s about creating space for healing, bonding, and community for people navigating the complexities of adoption.

We get honest about the unspoken struggles—the loneliness that can follow adoption, the misconceptions about birth moms, and why the enemy loves to isolate us when we’re most vulnerable. You’ll hear powerful stories, laugh, and maybe even consider how you can step into the adoption space somehow.

Also, if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to have your heart entirely undone by the love of God, imagine being a birth mom who has spent years feeling unseen—only to be lavishly loved, with no strings attached. That’s what Funding Love is doing, and I can’t wait for you to hear about it.

By the end of this episode, you might just be looking up flights to Orlando for the Funding Love Gala at the Four Seasons in April—because, listen, we are all about this sweet organization. If you’re looking for a way to love on families, support women, and be a part of something beautiful, this is it.

keywords

adoption, birth moms, Funding Love, community support, open adoption, Disney World, post-adoption support, family bonding, motherhood, emotional healing

takeaways

• Adoption is a calling that can transform lives.
• Open adoption allows for ongoing relationships with birth families.
• Birth moms deserve support and recognition in the adoption process.
• Funding Love provides unique experiences for adoptive families and birth moms.
• Shared experiences can foster deep connections and healing.
• Disney World serves as a magical backdrop for family bonding.
• Post-adoption support is crucial for families adjusting to new dynamics.
• Community is essential for both adoptive families and birth moms.
• Every adoption story is unique and deserves to be heard.
• Love and support can come from unexpected places.

Chapters
00:00 | Introduction to Adoption and Its Importance

07:03 | Understanding Open Adoption

10:00 | The Birth Mom Perspective

13:03 | Introducing Funding Love

15:59 | Challenges Faced by Adoptive Families

19:07 | The Role of Birth Moms in Adoption

23:02 | The Burden of Shame and Guilt

24:02 | The Power of Community for Birth Moms

25:19 | Understanding the Purpose of Disney Trips

26:53 | Creating Magical Experiences for Adoptive Families

31:16 | The Role of Magic Makers in the Experience

33:03 | Lavishing Love on Adoptive Families

34:16 | Pampering Birth Moms with Unique Experiences

38:58 | Stories of Transformation from the Trips

41:14 | The Power of Shared Experiences

43:02 | Full Circle Moments in Adoption

45:19 | Building Trust Through Fun

47:10 | The Importance of Support for Birth Moms

49:27 | Imagining a Perfect Day

53:25 | The Call to Action for Supporting Adoption

58:31 | New Chapter

Links:
Funding Love Website: https://www.fundinglove.com/
Funding Love Donations: https://www.fundinglove.com/donate
Funding Love Gala: https://www.fundinglove.com/funding-love-gala
Funding Love Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fundinglove/
Malorie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malyourpal/
Katelyn's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katedawnduck/

Everything Made Beautiful is shaking things up! In this episode, we kick off something brand new—introducing my daughters, Maggie and Ali, as occasional recurring co-hosts! We dive into girl talk, covering everything from Maggie’s dream of swimming with sharks to Ali’s rekindled love for reading. We laugh about my not-so-secret pedestrian rage (yes, I have opinions on slow walkers), get real about the misconceptions of growing up in a ministry home, and share what it looks like to take ownership of our own faith. And because we’re not about pretending life is perfect, we also open up about lessons learned the hard way—mistakes, growth, and God’s grace in the middle of it all. This is the start of something special, and we can’t wait to take you along for the ride. So grab your coffee, settle in, and join us for this honest, hilarious, and heartfelt conversation.

takeaways

• Maggie is an event producer at Walt Disney World.
• Ali is a senior in high school and aspires to be a cosmetologist.
• Family quirks can be both funny and cringe-worthy.
• Growing up in a Christian family comes with misconceptions.
• Finding personal faith is a journey for both Maggie and Ali.
• Mistakes can lead to valuable lessons and personal growth.
• Guilt is often unhelpful and can hinder progress.
• High school drama fades in importance over time.
• Friendships remain strong despite physical absence.
• Advice to younger selves emphasizes perspective and self-worth.

Chapters

00:00 | Introducing the New Co-Hosts

04:07 | Life Updates from Maggie and Allie

05:58 | The Decision to Co-Host

08:45 | Surprising Facts About Each Other

11:37 | Misconceptions of Growing Up in a Christian Family

14:32 | Personal Faith Journeys

17:18 | Navigating Church Life as Kids

20:16 | Awkward Church Kid Moments

24:48 | Navigating Guilt and Responsibility

28:01 | Lessons from the Past

31:13 | Advice to Our Younger Selves

32:44 | Fun Rapid Fire Questions

34:22 | Closing Thoughts and Future Conversations

35:12 | New Chapter

In this episode of the Everything Made Beautiful podcast, Shannon interviews author Krystal Ribble about her book 'Love Me in the Waiting.' They discuss the challenges and lessons learned during seasons of waiting, particularly in the context of faith and adoption. Krystal shares her personal experiences with loss and the importance of trusting God's timing, emphasizing that waiting is not a passive experience but a time filled with purpose. The conversation highlights biblical examples of waiting, the intimacy that can be developed with God during these times, and the legacy that can be left for others through how we navigate our waiting seasons.

takeaways

• Waiting seasons can deepen our faith and trust in God.
• God's timing is often protective and purposeful.
• We can find purpose in our waiting by shifting our perspective.
• Biblical characters provide examples of enduring waiting.
• Intimacy with God grows through honest communication during waiting.
• Our experiences in waiting can help us support others.
• God's plans are ultimately for our good and His glory.
• We should remember the lessons learned during waiting.
• Waiting is not a passive experience; it is filled with purpose.
• The legacy we leave can inspire others in their waiting.

Chapters
00:00 | Introduction and Background

05:43 | The Journey of Waiting

08:55 | Understanding the Purpose of Waiting

11:54 | Biblical Examples of Waiting

14:58 | The Impact of Waiting on Trust

18:02 | Intimacy with God Through Waiting

25:26 | Authenticity in Spirituality

28:07 | Understanding Self-Love and God's Unconditional Love

32:30 | The Voice of God vs. Negative Thoughts

35:00 | Trusting God's Timing

40:13 | Lessons from Waiting Seasons

Links
Krystal's Website: https://www.krystalribble.com/
Krystal's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krystalribble/
Krystal's Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deposit-your-doubt/id1783612184
Buy Krystal's Book: https://a.co/d/6JuBYJU

In this episode, we explore the profound truths of love as described in 1 Corinthians 13. The discussion delves into the nature of love that bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things, emphasizing that true love is not just a fleeting emotion but a steadfast commitment that reflects God's love. Through biblical examples and personal reflections, the host encourages listeners to embody these principles in their relationships and lives, ultimately challenging them to live out love in practical ways.

• Without love, all spiritual gifts amount to nothing.
• Love bears all things, creating a shelter for others.
• Real love doesn't collapse under pressure; it endures.
• Love believes in redemption and the possibility of change.
• Trust is fragile, but love chooses to believe the best.
• Love hopes against all odds, trusting in God's faithfulness.
• Enduring love is a choice to cling to God in hardship.
• Love is not blind; it is discerning and wise.
• We are called to live out love, not just talk about it.
• Real love is a supernatural gift from God.

Chapters

00:00 | The Essence of Love: An Introduction

03:44 | Love That Bears All Things

06:58 | Love That Believes All Things

10:08 | Love That Hopes All Things

12:58 | Love That Endures All Things

15:47 | The Challenge of Living Love

18:49 | Conclusion and Next Steps

In this episode, Shannon delves into the complexities of biblical love as described in 1 Corinthians 13. The discussion emphasizes that love is not merely a feeling but a practice that requires patience, kindness, and humility. Shannon challenges listeners to reflect on their own understanding of love, particularly in the context of relationships and conflicts. Key themes include the counter-cultural nature of biblical love, the importance of patience and kindness, and the need to prioritize relationships over being right. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to embody these principles in their daily lives.

• Love is not just a feeling; it's a practice.
• Biblical love challenges our natural instincts.
• Patience and kindness are essential components of love.
• Love is not competitive; it celebrates others' successes.
• Real love is secure and does not seek validation.
• Love allows for disagreement without destruction.
• Love is about valuing relationships over being right.
• We must practice patience under provocation.
• Love is generous without expecting anything in return.
• Our understanding of love should reflect Christ's example.

Chapters

00:00 | Introduction to Love's Challenges

03:52 | Understanding Biblical Love

06:43 | Patience and Kindness in Love

10:02 | The Nature of Love: What It Isn't

12:44 | The Power of Humility in Love

16:09 | The Challenge of Love in Conflict

19:00 | Conclusion and Next Steps

In this episode, Shannon discusses the profound and challenging nature of biblical love as outlined in 1 Corinthians 13. The conversation emphasizes that true love is not about feelings but about becoming more like Christ. It critiques the current state of love among believers, highlighting the need for a return to sacrificial, agape love that reflects God's character. The host explores the importance of love in spiritual gifts, the futility of sacrifice without love, and practical applications of love in everyday life. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to embody love in their interactions and relationships.

takeaways

• Biblical love challenges and stretches us.
• Love is about who we are becoming, not just feelings.
• The world is watching how we respond to conflict.
• We need to repent for weaponizing our words.
• Agape love is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional.
• Without love, our gifts are just noise.
• True impact happens when God's love flows through us.
• Love shifts the focus from us to God and others.
• What does love require of me? is a guiding question.
• Love is the priority; without it, everything else is meaningless.

Chapters

00:00 | Introduction to The Better Way

03:49 | The Challenge of Biblical Love

07:12 | Understanding Agape Love

10:01 | The Importance of Love in Spiritual Gifts

12:58 | Sacrifice Without Love is Meaningless

16:12 | The Heart of Love in Action

20:54 | Practical Applications of Love

23:44 | Conclusion and Next Steps

In this episode of the Everything Made Beautiful podcast, Shannon welcomes Christian music legend Babbie Mason. They discuss Babbie's impactful music ministry, her journey of faith, and the power of worship. Babbie shares her new book 'Each One, Reach One', emphasizing the importance of sharing faith with confidence and kindness. The conversation highlights the significance of personal stories in evangelism, the Great Mandate from Matthew 5, and concludes with Babbie's vision of a perfect beautiful day.

Takeaways

• The power of worship can transform a congregation.
• Sharing faith requires confidence and boldness.
• Kindness opens doors for sharing the love of Jesus.
• Every believer has a unique story to share.
• The Great Mandate calls us to shine our light.
• Mary Magdalene exemplifies the role of an evangelist.
• Worship is a full-body experience that connects us to God.
• God uses our gifts to reach others.
• Life is a journey of faith and obedience to God.

Chapters

00:00 | Introduction and Personal Connection

09:11 | The Journey of Songwriting and Ministry

14:55 | Living Faith Out Loud: The New Book

23:49 | Discovering Your Unique Gifts

31:45 | Shining Your Light: The Great Mandate

39:57 | Mary Magdalene: The First Evangelist

Links
Babbie's website: https://babbie.com/
Babbie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babbiemason/?hl=en
Babbie's book: https://shop.davidccook.org/products/each-one-reach-one-babbie-mason-david-c-cook