Finding Joy Again

Ep. 17 Carrying Life Alone

You’re not behind. You’re not incomplete. You’re not in a waiting room. But nobody told you it would feel like this. Every decision. Every bill. Every holiday. Every hard moment, on one pair of hands. Yours. In this first episode of the Warrior Woman series, we’re naming the weight that doesn’t have a name in most church spaces: what it actually feels like to carry your own life as a single Christian woman in your 30s and 40s. And then we’re going to scripture to Abigail, the Proverbs 31 woman, and Lydia because what God says about a woman like you might be very different from what you’ve been told. In this episode: * The specific weight of carrying life alone and why it’s not just loneliness * Three women in scripture who carried their own lives and were never described as incomplete * Why your strength is not a consolation prize, it’s a calling * A prayer for the woman who shows up every day for her own life This week’s action step: Name one thing you carry well. Write it down. Say it out loud. Text it to a friend. Let it be evidence not of what you lack but of who you are. Scriptures mentioned: 1 Samuel 25 — Abigail, Proverbs 31:10–31, Acts 16:11–15 — Lydia If this episode met you right where you are, share it with a woman who needs to hear she is not alone. Connect with Kelley on Substack [https://kickinitwithkelley.substack.com/p/you-were-not-designed-to-disappear?r=5kfhc7]. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kickinitwithkelley.substack.com [https://kickinitwithkelley.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

God Met Me in the Canned Tomato Aisle

Episode Summary There are moments in life when the weight feels overwhelming… when you’re tired, stretched thin, and struggling to even find the words to pray. In today’s episode, I’m sharing a deeply personal story from a recent hard week, one filled with spiritual battle, emotional heaviness, and a sense of helplessness. But right in the middle of it all, in the most unexpected place, God met me. Not in a quiet prayer room.Not in a perfectly planned moment.But in the canned tomato aisle of a grocery store. This episode is an invitation to recognize that even when life feels messy, uncertain, or heavy—God is still near, still moving, and still fighting for you. What We Talk About What to do when you don’t have the words to pray Recognizing spiritual warfare in everyday life The power of community and intercessory prayer How God meets us in unexpected, ordinary places Standing firm when you feel weary or defeated Key Truths to Hold Onto You are not alone in your battle The enemy may be loud but he is already defeated God meets you right where you are, not where you think you should be Even when nothing changes outwardly, something can shift spiritually There is more happening in the unseen than you realize Scripture References Ephesians 6:12 1 Peter 5:8 John 10:10 2 Kings 6:16–17 Reflection Question Who can you reach out to for prayer and support this week? Stay Connected If this episode met you right where you are, share it with someone who may need encouragement today. Subscribe to Kickin' It With Kelley. [https://kickinitwithkelley.substack.com/p/when-the-story-feels-unfinished?r=5kfhc7] And as always, keep showing up, keep seeking Him,and remember… you are never alone. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kickinitwithkelley.substack.com [https://kickinitwithkelley.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Trusting God When the Story Changes

Trusting God When the Story ChangesWhen life doesn’t look like what you prayed for What do you do when life doesn’t unfold the way you thought it would? In today’s episode of Kickin’ It with Kelley, we’re having a heartfelt conversation about trusting God when the story changes, when prayers seem unanswered, plans fall apart, and the life you imagined looks different than what you’re living. Kelley shares from her own journey of loss, transition, and surrender, along with her deep passion for mentoring women who are learning to walk with God in uncertain seasons. Together, we explore what it means to trust God, not after we understand, but right in the middle of not knowing. If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “God, this is not what I expected…”—this conversation is for you. In This Episode, We Talk About: Trusting God when life doesn’t go as planned Navigating disappointment, grief, and unexpected change The importance of mentoring and being seen in your faith journey Church hurt and feeling misunderstood or overlooked Learning to walk with God daily, even in uncertainty Surrendering your plans and trusting the Author of your story Scripture References Colossians 2:6–7 – Walking in Christ, rooted and built up in Him Proverbs 3:5–6 – Trusting the Lord with all your heart Isaiah 55:8–9 – God’s ways are higher than ours 1 Corinthians 4:1–2 – Being faithful stewards of what God has given Resources Mentioned Relaxed: Walking with the One Who Is Not Worried About a Thingby Megan Fate Marshman Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/4tUVlRw [https://amzn.to/4tUVlRw] Stay Connected If this episode encouraged you, I’d love for you to: Subscribe to Kickin’ It with Kelley [https://substack.com/@kickinitwithkelley] Share this episode with a woman who may need it Leave a review, it helps more women find these conversations And if your heart is longing for deeper connection and mentorship, stay tuned for what’s coming next. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kickinitwithkelley.substack.com [https://kickinitwithkelley.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Anthem of Joy

In this heartfelt episode, Kelley reflects on a powerful moment of corporate worship and the realization that every voice matters to God, even when we feel uncertain or out of tune. Through personal storytelling, Scripture, and gentle encouragement, this episode explores how God gives us an “anthem of joy” not rooted in perfect circumstances, but in His faithfulness through every season. If you’re walking through a difficult or uncertain time, this conversation will remind you:God still hears you, God still sees you, and your story is still being written. What You’ll Hear in This Episode A personal story from a weekend church visit and a powerful worship moment What it really means to have a “song of joy” Encouragement for seasons of silence, heaviness, or uncertainty A reminder that God is still a God of wonders A reflection on past faithfulness and present hope Key Scriptures Hebrews 12:22 — The gathering of worship in heaven Psalm 50:10–12 (NLT) — God owns everything, including the cattle on a thousand hills Psalm 77:14 — “You are the God of great wonders…” Psalm 77:19 — “Your footprints were unseen” Joy is not dependent on circumstances, it is a deep, steady melody rooted in the faithfulness of God. Even when life feels uncertain, God is still working behind the scenes.And sometimes… what begins as a whisper of faith becomes a full anthem of joy. Reflection Question What circumstance in your life right now might one day become your anthem of joy? If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who may need a reminder of God’s joy today. And be sure to subscribe to Kickin’ It with Kelley [https://kickinitwithkelley.substack.com/p/fear-and-great-joy?r=5kfhc7] so you never miss a coffee conversation.   This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kickinitwithkelley.substack.com [https://kickinitwithkelley.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Holding Joy and Sorrow Together

In this episode of Kickin’ It with Kelley, we continue our Finding Joy Again series by exploring the reality that joy and sorrow often live side by side in our lives. Life rarely unfolds the way we imagine. We experience seasons of laughter and celebration, while also carrying grief, loss, and memories of what once was. Through Scripture and personal reflection, Kelley shares how God meets us in both places, reminding us that even when life feels like ruins, the Potter is still shaping the clay. This devotional invites you to slow down, sit with the Lord, and remember that the joy of the Lord is your strength, even in seasons of rebuilding. So grab a cup of coffee and join the conversation. In This Episode Why joy and sorrow can coexist in the life of faith The story in Haggai, Ezra, and Nehemiah where people rejoiced and wept at the same time How grief changes our sense of time and memory Why God is still present even when life feels like unfinished ruins The importance of renewing our mind with God How sharing what God has done for others strengthens our own faith Memory Verses from the Series Psalm 16:11“You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 51:10–12“Create in me a clean heart, O God,and renew a steadfast spirit within me…Restore the joy of Your salvation to me.” This Week’s Verse Nehemiah 8:10b“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Key Truth from Today’s Episode Even when our circumstances feel like ruins, they are not outside God’s sovereignty. We are still the clay, and the Potter is still working. Sometimes faith means holding both joy and sorrow together, trusting that God is bringing greater glory from broken ground. Share the Episode If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who may need hope today. And don’t forget to follow or subscribe to Kickin’ It with Kelley [https://kickinitwithkelley.substack.com/publish/post/190153307?r=5kfhc7&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true] so you don’t miss the rest of our Finding Joy Again series. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kickinitwithkelley.substack.com [https://kickinitwithkelley.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]