88| Finding Joy When Life Feels Overwhelming with Shemaiah Gonzalez

92| Always Rushing? What God Is Teaching Me About Slowing Down

Have you ever felt like you're always rushing? Racing from one responsibility to the next, checking things off your to do list, and wondering why you still feel exhausted? In this episode, Melissa Wilkinson shares the lessons God has been teaching her through an unexpected slower season. After both she and her husband faced surgeries this summer, Melissa was forced to step away from her normal routine, including her early morning workouts. What initially felt frustrating became an invitation to slow down, spend more intentional time with her family, enjoy quiet mornings with God, and rethink what true rest really looks like. Drawing from The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer, Melissa reflects on why hurry has become so normal in our culture, what Scripture teaches about slowing down, and how Jesus modeled a life that was never rushed. She also shares practical ways she is embracing Sabbath, protecting time with her family, and carrying these lessons into a busy fall season. If you've been feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or like life is moving too fast, this episode is a gentle invitation to pause, breathe, and ask God where He may be calling you to slow down. Timestamps: 1:42 An unexpected invitation to slow down after surgery 4:20 Why hurry is the enemy of our spiritual lives 5:34 Martha, Mary, and what Jesus teaches about slowing down 8:14 The biggest lesson from Melissa's mid-year Life Evaluation 9:35 Learning to enjoy God's creation instead of rushing through it 10:08 What real rest looked like on vacation 11:08 Growing in the practice of Sabbath 13:56 Protecting these lessons as a busy fall season approaches 16:22 Two reflection questions to help you slow down 📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer (Amazon) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0525653090 [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0525653090] The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry YouVersion Bible Plan The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry Bible Plan [https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/16928-the-ruthless-elimination-of-hurry?utm_source=chatgpt.com] CONNECT WITH MELISSA Website: anchoredwithpurpose.com [http://anchoredwithpurpose.com] Follow Anchored with Purpose for more encouragement to help you grow in faith, strengthen your family, and pursue the purpose God has placed on your life. how to slow down as a Christian woman, finding peace in a busy season, lessons from The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, Catholic podcast for busy women, how to practice Sabbath rest, overcoming hustle culture with faith, how to stop rushing through life, Christian encouragement for overwhelmed moms, learning to rest in God, Mary and Martha lesson for today, how Jesus modeled a slower life, intentional Christian living for women, balancing faith family and work, hearing God's voice in the middle of a busy life, practical ways to slow down spiritually Christian encouragement, Catholic podcast, Catholic women, slowing down, hurry, overwhelmed, burnout, Sabbath rest, spiritual growth, intentional living, Christian motherhood, faith and family, John Mark Comer, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, finding peace, hearing God's voice, busy moms, productivity, rest, work life balance

91| The Vacation That Finally Felt Like a Vacation | Raising Responsible Kids Through Life Skills

Have you ever felt like family vacations aren't really vacations... they're just parenting in a different location? If you've ever packed for everyone, cooked every meal, cleaned up every mess, and wondered if you'll ever actually relax on vacation again, this episode is for you. In this solo episode of Anchored with Purpose, Melissa Wilkinson shares why this year's annual beach vacation felt completely different - and why the biggest difference wasn't the destination. It was watching years of intentionally teaching life skills finally pay off. From kids cooking meals and cleaning the house to managing their own spending money, solving problems, serving others, and growing in independence, Melissa reflects on how raising responsible kids doesn't just prepare them for adulthood - it transforms family life today. She also shares a personal story about overcoming driving anxiety through prayer, practical ways to teach financial responsibility using Greenlight cards, why limiting devices created more meaningful family memories, and how praying the Rosary together planted seeds of faith in her boys' hearts. If you're looking for encouragement in Catholic parenting, practical parenting tips, family vacation ideas, or ways to teach responsibility, independence, generosity, stewardship, and faith to your children, this episode will remind you that every small lesson matters. The seeds you're planting today may become tomorrow's greatest blessings. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Why vacations with little kids often feel like "trips" 02:26 How years of teaching life skills changed this family vacation 02:50 Driving alone, overcoming fear, and trusting God through anxiety 05:12 Packing independently and preparing for vacation as a family 06:12 The one conversation that changed the entire week 08:07 Coming home to a spotless house after dinner 10:34 Teaching kids to cook and embrace responsibility 11:27 Why everyone helped with dishes, garbage, and cleanup 13:49 Giving kids more independence, freedom, and trust 15:22 Life lessons from setting up a tent and solving problems 17:30 Teaching kids financial responsibility with Greenlight cards 21:38 Why progress matters more than perfection 23:59 Limiting devices to create meaningful family memories 25:24 Praying the Rosary on vacation and planting seeds of faith 28:48 The parenting lesson that changed Melissa's perspective forever MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: * Hallow App [https://hallow.com/] * The Power of the Rosary by Gabriel Castillo [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSH8ZGYT?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_Q45N8X1W7GDRCXZWHJM5&bestFormat=true] * Greenlight Debit Card & Financial Literacy App - get $50 for FREE!  [https://share.greenlight.com/146304981] If this episode encouraged you, please share it with another Catholic mom who could use the reminder that the little things she's teaching today really do matter. And if you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to follow the podcast so you never miss a new episode of Anchored with Purpose. CATHOLIC PARENTING, CATHOLIC MOTHERHOOD, CATHOLIC MOM PODCAST, PARENTING PODCAST, FAMILY VACATION WITH KIDS, PARENTING TEENAGERS, TEACHING KIDS RESPONSIBILITY, LIFE SKILLS FOR KIDS, RAISING RESPONSIBLE CHILDREN, INTENTIONAL PARENTING, FAITH-FILLED PARENTING, TEACHING FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, GREENLIGHT CARD, RAISING GENEROUS KIDS, PRAYING THE ROSARY AS A FAMILY, CATHOLIC FAMILY LIFE, MOTHERHOOD ENCOURAGEMENT, FAMILY TRADITIONS, SUMMER PARENTING, RAISING INDEPENDENT KIDS

90| I Wanted a Slower Summer but Not a Lazy Summer | Raising Responsible Kids Through Everyday Life

Summer doesn't have to be packed with camps and expensive activities to make a lasting impact. In this solo episode of Anchored with Purpose, Melissa Wilkinson shares a behind-the-scenes look at her family's summer and the unexpected lessons that have come from slowing down, embracing flexibility, and intentionally preparing her boys for adulthood. After an unexpected start to the summer - including her husband's major surgery, canceling a long-awaited family trip, and her own skin cancer surgery - Melissa realized that the most meaningful moments weren't happening on vacations or through perfectly planned activities. They were happening in the ordinary rhythms of home. From "Life Skills Camp" and teaching her boys how to do their own laundry to helping them prepare meals, unclog a drain, manage money with the Greenlight app, and take on their first jobs, Melissa shares practical ways to raise responsible, capable, and grateful kids. She also shares the answered prayer of watching her home become the neighborhood hangout—a place where kids know they're safe, welcome, and always have snacks waiting for them. If you've ever wondered how to create a slower summer without wasting it, or how to intentionally build character and family culture in the everyday moments, this episode is for you. Earn $50 when you sign up for Greenlight. With the money app and debit card for kids and teens, we can send our kids money instantly, assign chores, and teach them to earn, save, and invest. https://share.greenlight.com/146304981 [https://share.greenlight.com/146304981] IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: * Why Melissa wanted a slower summer—but not a lazy summer * How "Life Skills Camp" began by accident and why it transformed their home * Why teaching kids chores builds gratitude, responsibility, and confidence * Simple life skills every child should learn before adulthood * How the Greenlight app is helping teach budgeting, saving, investing, and generosity * What Andrew's first summer job and Sean's neighborhood job are teaching them about responsibility * How to create a home where your kids—and their friends—feel safe, welcomed, and loved * Why some of the biggest parenting wins happen in ordinary, everyday moments THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE: Choose one life skill to teach your child this month. It doesn't have to be something big. Maybe it's doing laundry, preparing a meal, unclogging a drain, using a calendar, or learning to manage a budget. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome & Why This Summer Looks Different 04:35 A Slower Summer, Not a Lazy Summer 06:20 How "Life Skills Camp" Began 08:45 Teaching Kids Laundry (and Growing Gratitude) 11:50 Meals, Chores & Raising Contributors 14:45 Why We Love the Greenlight App 18:10 Andrew's First Summer Job 20:20 Sean's Neighborhood Job & Using Technology as a Tool 22:30 Simple Life Skills Every Kid Should Learn 24:00 Becoming the House Where Everyone Wants to Be 28:15 The "Boatload of Snacks" & Creating a Welcoming Home 31:45 Praying for the Kids in Our Community 35:15 Embracing a Different Pace This Summer 37:30 One Challenge for Your Family This Month

89| When God Calls You to Go First

What do you do when God places something on your heart that feels bigger than you? In this episode of Anchored with Purpose, Melissa Wilkinson sits down with Shawna DuBois, founder of Gabriel's Retreat Ministries, to talk about faith, obedience, and what happens when God calls you to step into something you never expected. Shawna shares her powerful faith journey—from being a teenager with one foot in and one foot out of the Church to experiencing a profound encounter with God that would eventually lead her to launch a ministry serving women facing unexpected pregnancies. What began as a simple prompting from the Holy Spirit quickly turned into a mission that has transformed countless lives. Together, Melissa and Shawna discuss the courage it takes to say "yes" when God calls, even when the path ahead isn't clear. Shawna shares how prayer, spiritual direction, and trusting God's timing helped her launch Gabriel's Retreat Ministries and build a community that surrounds women with practical, emotional, and spiritual support. They also dive into the importance of being truly pro-family, the unique challenges women face during pregnancy and postpartum, and why every mother needs a supportive community around her. Through retreat experiences, mentorship, meals, gifts, friendship, and ongoing support, Gabriel's Retreat Ministries helps women know they are seen, loved, and never alone. Whether you're discerning a calling, walking through a difficult season, or wondering if God can use your imperfect story for something beautiful, this conversation is a powerful reminder that He often works through ordinary people willing to take the next faithful step. RESOURCES MENTIONED: * Gabriel's Retreat Ministries [https://gabrielsretreat.org?utm_source=chatgpt.com] CONNECT WITH MELISSA: 📖 Free Anchored with Purpose Faith Journal: https://anchored-with-purpose.kit.com/fb72f69cdf [https://anchored-with-purpose.kit.com/fb72f69cdf]  🌐 Anchored with Purpose: https://anchoredwithpurpose.com [https://anchoredwithpurpose.com] 🎙️ Subscribe to the Anchored with Purpose Podcast and share this episode with a friend who needs encouragement today. 00:00 Welcome & Meeting Through Shared Connections 02:00 Shawna's Faith Journey 04:40 God Uses Our Crooked Paths 09:00 Following God's Call to Start a Ministry 12:45 What Is Gabriel's Retreat Ministries? 20:10 Supporting Women Beyond Pregnancy 21:30 The Heart Behind the Retreat Experience 24:00 Building Community for Mothers 27:59 Stories of Transformation 34:12 Walking with Women for the Long Haul 35:03 Final Thoughts & Encouragement how to know if God is calling you, how to trust God's plan, what does it mean to follow God's calling, Catholic support for pregnant women, Christian help for unexpected pregnancy, faith during an unexpected pregnancy, building a Catholic ministry, how God uses ordinary people, finding purpose through faith, Catholic encouragement for women, Christian podcast for women, how to discern God's will, supporting women through unexpected pregnancy, Catholic resources for pregnant mothers, saying yes to God's calling, listening to God's voice, trusting God's timing, Christian encouragement for moms, finding your purpose through faith, how to start a faith-based ministry

88| Finding Joy When Life Feels Overwhelming with Shemaiah Gonzalez

What if joy wasn't something you had to wait for until life got easier? If you've been feeling overwhelmed, burned out, stuck, or like you've lost sight of the joy and purpose God has for your life, this conversation is for you. In this episode of Anchored with Purpose, Melissa Wilkinson sits down with Catholic author, speaker, and writing coach Shemaiah Gonzalez to talk about finding joy in difficult seasons, overcoming comparison, pursuing God-given dreams, and discovering God's presence in everyday life. Shemaiah shares her powerful faith journey from Protestant seminary to the Catholic Church and how choosing "joy" as her Word of the Year unexpectedly led her on a years-long journey of surrender, gratitude, and deeper trust in God. Together, Melissa and Shemaiah discuss motherhood, creativity, faith, purpose, and why you don't have to wait for the perfect time—or feel fully qualified—to take the next step God is calling you to take. Whether you're navigating a season of transition, struggling with self-doubt, feeling stretched thin by life's responsibilities, or simply longing for more peace in the midst of the chaos, you'll walk away encouraged to look for God's presence in the ordinary and embrace the unique calling He's placed on your life. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: • How Shemaiah's journey led her to the Catholic Church • Why surrender is often the key to peace and joy • The difference between happiness and lasting joy • Practical ways to find joy in difficult seasons • How gratitude changes your perspective • Why comparison steals your joy and how to overcome it • How to embrace your unique gifts and calling • Encouragement for women pursuing God-given dreams • Why five minutes a day can change everything • How God works through small, faithful steps TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to Shemaiah Gonzalez 02:15 From Protestant Seminary to the Catholic Church 05:45 Finding Peace and Beauty in the Catholic Faith 08:20 Living as a Christian in Seattle 09:05 Why Joy Became Her Word of the Year 11:15 Joy vs. Happiness 12:50 Finding Joy When Life Feels Overwhelming 14:00 Gratitude and Worship as Daily Practices 15:10 How Looking for Joy Changes Everything 18:15 Comparison, Success, and Staying in Your Lane 24:45 Using Your Gifts to Serve Others 27:30 Encouragement for Women Pursuing Big Dreams 28:20 The Power of Five Minutes a Day 31:30 Learning from Great Writers and Mentors 34:00 Where to Find Shemaiah and Undaunted Joy 36:00 Final Encouragement and Closing Thoughts RESOURCES MENTIONED 📖 Undaunted Joy: The Revolutionary Act of Cultivating Delight https://a.co/d/0b6rZeBq [https://a.co/d/0b6rZeBq] 🌐 Shemaiah's Website https://www.shemaiahgonzalez.com [https://www.shemaiahgonzalez.com] 📝 Undaunted Joy Substack https://shemaiahgonzalez.substack.com [https://shemaiahgonzalez.substack.com] 📱 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shemaiahg [https://www.instagram.com/shemaiahg] 📖 Free Anchored with Purpose Faith Journal https://anchored-with-purpose.kit.com/fb72f69cdf [https://anchored-with-purpose.kit.com/fb72f69cdf] 🌊 Learn More https://anchoredwithpurpose.com [https://anchoredwithpurpose.com] 🎙️ If this episode encouraged you, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a friend who could use a little more joy, peace, and encouragement today.