Created for This with Danielle Roberts

Episode 125: A Christmas Devotional: The Gift of Rest at Christmas

Sinking into the church pew, I close my eyes, allowing myself to relax. Christmas hymns filter around parishioners as more enter the warm room. Fatigue washes over me as I wait for the Christmas service to start. The previous month was full of Christmas-time activities, lights, parties, and pageants. The seasonal hustle and bustle left me with little time to rest, my heart anxious over plans and the Christmas holiday. As the lights dim, the focus switches to the manger scene. Jesus Christ, born in a manger, died on the cross for our sins. Emmanuel—God with us. Hope was born in human form. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). Over the centuries, Christians have turned toward Jesus with hope and assurance of heaven. "The name Immanuel encapsulates the heart of the Christian message: that God, in His infinite love and mercy, chose to dwell among His people through Jesus Christ. This profound truth continues to inspire and sustain believers, affirming the reality of God's presence in their lives" (BibleHub.com). The hope of Emmanuel takes us beyond Christmas. For believers, that hope leads to eternity and resting forever with God in Heaven. A forever reprieve from the weariness felt here on earth. However, as you celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ this Advent, you can also celebrate his saving grace and rest in him. You can look forward to eternal rest while enjoying rest here on earth, right here and now. God's word tells us to rest. God provided a pattern to follow as he rested on the seventh day after six days of work. Genesis 2:2-3 says, "And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation." In the same way, he reminds us to do the same. Advent time is a great time to start resting and taking time to enjoy what God's given. He tells us that he provides rest for our weary hearts. Exodus 33:14 says, And the LORD answered (Moses), 'My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28-30 continues this same theme of spiritual rest. It says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Bible Hub study "Rest here is not merely physical but spiritual, offering peace and relief from the guilt and power of sin. This promise connects to the Sabbath rest in Genesis 2:2-3, symbolizing completion and satisfaction in God. Jesus fulfills the prophetic rest promised in the Old Testament, such as in Jeremiah 6:16, where the ancient paths lead to rest for the soul. This rest is a type of the eternal rest believers will experience in Christ (Hebrews 4:9-10)." The choir files into the church as the congregation rises. My anxiety lessens as I listen to the voices around me rising with the choir, still seated. "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Rejoice." I rise to join those around me, my voice lifting up the truth of the season. Come, Lord, come and give me rest. Help me rejoice in your birth this Christmas. Prayer Dear Lord, thank you for your gift of rest. Please help me accept that gift and enjoy this Christmas season. Remind me of your open invitation when I'm feeling weary. Amen. Other Ways to Prepare this Christmas Season As we let these truths about Christmas penetrate our hearts, we can sit and dwell on the truth. We can sit and dwell on the fact that God is with us and that he wants to give us rest. One practical way that you can. Just sit and dwell on what God has for you this Christmas and release some of the anxiety, the overwhelm, and the panic over this Christmas season is to go through the workshop, Pen Your Way to Peace. Pen Your Way to Peace is a workshop that my friend Carrie and I did two years ago, where it's 75 minutes of working through and praying through things that steal your joy, things that cause negative emotions, and maybe even bring up drama. We want to help you work through these things. We are offering this workshop in a way that you can sit, you can work through the journal questions that Carrie, as a spiritual director, has provided for the workshop. And then one of the other things that we know causes chaos, causes overwhelm, and frankly doesn't make our hearts feel at rest is not planning. So with me, you will sit and work through plans, work through what you have, your boundaries, what are things you're saying yes to this holiday season, and what you're saying no to this holiday season. You join Pen Your Way to Peace so you can prepare your mind, your heart, and your calendar for the season of Christ's birth. Click here to work at your own pace. [https://daniellemroberts.com/emmanuel/daniellemroberts.com/penyourway] Songs to Prepare Your Heart Make Room in Your Heart by Casting Crowns [https://youtu.be/uYHpJnfy2lQ?si=NnyUtc8D8QrKtJ3Z] Emmanuel, God with Us/O Come O Come Emmanuel [https://youtu.be/Hl-9RaQJp2E?si=KPXHzNUW0y_F6Feu] Podcasts and Blog to Prepare Your Heart When Easter isn't Happy [https://daniellemroberts.com/easter/] Organize for the Holidays [https://daniellemroberts.com/organize-for-the-holidays/]

Episode 124: Bringing Purpose to Brands with Katie Mleziva

In this episode of 'Created for This,' I welcome marketing expert Katie, who has over 20 years of experience in brand and marketing strategy. From working with big names like American Girl to consulting for small natural food businesses, Katie shares her insights on the core principles of marketing. She discusses the importance of the four Ps—Price, Place, Product, and Promotion—and how they help create a cohesive brand strategy. Katie and I also dive into practical, actionable tips and real-life examples to help business owners refine their marketing plans, connect authentically with their audience, and capitalize on their unique gifts. Throughout the conversation, we highlight the role of faith in business and offer advice on aligning purpose, vision, and values with marketing efforts. This episode is essential listening for anyone looking to strengthen their brand and live out their calling in the business world. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:37 Meet Katie: Marketing Expert 01:24 Defining Marketing and Its Goals 02:11 The Four Ps of Marketing 03:30 Connecting with Consumers 06:40 Actionable Marketing Tips 13:32 Real-Life Marketing Examples 19:46 Understanding Your Value as a Coach 20:40 The Mind Game of Marketing 21:13 Crafting Your Message 24:21 The Power of Writing Down Ideas 27:22 Balancing Faith and Business 29:23 Exploring Spiritual Gifts 34:17 Final Thoughts and Resources More about Katie and connect with her: Katie Mleziva is the proud mom of two kids, ages 14 and 16, and lives in the Milwaukee, WI area. Katie has over 20 years of experience in Brand and Marketing Strategy, the first 10 working on big brands like American Girl and Philadelphia Cream Cheese, and the last 10+ being a consultant and following her passion of focusing on smaller natural food businesses and farms. In her spare time, Katie loves to watch her kids play sports, travel, take classes at the gym, and support the volunteer organization she started back in 2013 to make it easier for families to volunteer together. She is hoping her dog will cooperate with becoming a therapy dog someday, so they can volunteer together too! Her website [https://www.realfoodbrands.com], podcast [https://realfoodbrands.com/podcast/], and Instagram [https://instagram.com/realfoodbrands] More Links from the Show: Episode 121: Incorporating Your Faith into Your Business [https://daniellemroberts.com/episode-121/] Episode 94: Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts with Dr. Tom Rush [https://daniellemroberts.com/episode-94/]

Episode 123: Soup and Jesus: the Stillness of Autumn with Homemaker Adrienne Droogsma

Trigger warning - Childloss Homemaking and Heartfelt Tips for Autumn Preparations In this episode of 'Created for This,' I'm joined by my friend, Adrianne, to discuss seasonal homemaking and preparing for autumn. We talk about gardening, homeschooling, and practical tips for meal preparation and home projects. We also delve into the importance of rest and reflection during the slow winter months, offering encouragement and practical advice for Christian moms managing their homes and businesses. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:37 Meet Adrianne: The Homemaker Extraordinaire 02:38 Adrian's Gardening Journey 03:45 Homeschooling and Family Life 06:17 Preparing for Autumn and Winter 12:40 Indoor Projects and Winter Preparations 19:07 Gratitude and Seasonal Reflections 26:24 Embracing the Outdoors in Winter 27:39 Refreshing the Home with Essential Oils 30:00 Puzzle Season Traditions 32:47 Gratitude and Contentment in Winter 34:11 Bible Study Practices and Faith 37:32 Gardening and Life Lessons 47:30 Conclusion and Encouragement Follow Adrianne on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/cozy_corner_cottage] Growth Roots Book [https://www.growthrootsco.com/shop] - where I journaled my "lessons learned from this past season" Butternut Squash Soup recipe [https://daniellemroberts.com/soupandjesus/damndelicious.net/2019/12/29/instant-pot-butternut-squash-soup] My free Essential Home Toolkit: Simplify Your Homemaking [https://danielleroberts.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1171081] Journal Prompts: – Gratitude – Three lessons you've learned from this past season of life

Episode 122: Color Analysis, Confidence, and Your Identity in Christ with Merin Minch

In this episode of Created for This, my guest Merin Minch discuss the intricacies of color analysis and how it can help reveal a person's best colors based on their undertones and intensity levels. She explains the resurgence of color analysis, its roots in the 1980s, and how it empowers people, especially mothers, to feel confident in their appearance. Merin shares her journey from learning about color analysis to launching her business in 2025, emphasizing the joy and confidence it brings to women. She also discusses the intersection of her work with faith, helping clients embrace their God-given features, and the importance of rest. The episode concludes with practical advice on dressing for confidence and the significance of finding rest in the Lord. 00:00 Introduction to Created for This 00:37 Welcoming Merin to the Podcast 01:48 Understanding Color Analysis 03:06 Personal Journey with Color Analysis 06:02 Impact of Color Analysis on Confidence 07:30 Balancing Motherhood and Identity 09:03 Faith and Identity in Christ 13:19 Practical Tips for Confidence 18:25 Surprising Aspects of Being a Color Analyst 20:21 Finding Rest and Support 22:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Follow Merin on Instagram [https://instagram.com/colorbymerin]. Go to her website [https://www.merinminch.com/].

Episode 121: Incorporating Your Faith into Your Business

Notes coming soon. Bible verses referenced: 1 Peter 3:15 [https://biblehub.com/esv/1_peter/3.htm] John 13:35 [https://biblehub.com/esv/john/13.htm] Referenced in this Episode: Mission, Vision, and Purpose - Episode 26 [https://daniellemroberts.com/created-for-this-episode-26-being-mission-minded-with-your-business/], Episode 47 with Natalie Gingrich [https://daniellemroberts.com/created-for-this-episode-47-creating-a-life-and-business-with-a-mission-with-natalie-gingrich/], and Episode 120 with Corey Gray [https://daniellemroberts.com/episode-120/] Elegantees [https://elegantees.com] Yellow Barn Media and Jamie Samples [https://www.instagram.com/yellowbarnmedia/] Verity and Co. and Lindsey Johnson [https://www.verityandco.com/] Sincerely, Savanna (Savanna Orin) [https://www.instagram.com/sincerely.savanna/] My (Danielle's) Instagram [https://instagram.com/danielle.m.roberts]- you can contact me here or at dmr@daniellemroberts.com