In this week’s episode, I have the honor of chatting with Reese - a college-aged friend that I adore. She bravely shares her testimony - one that involves abuse by a coach, a “not guilty” jury decision and God’s faithfulness through it all. Reese wanted to come on and share her story so that parents see that an authentic faith is often born from life’s toughest struggles.  When I asked Reese’s mom about this journey, this was her text to me. “My daughter’s journey reminds us that God can use even our worst fears and redeem them. We can’t protect our kids from their testimony. God always takes what the enemy intends for evil for good. Maybe even their very purpose. Trusting him with their growth and process and pain. We were the parents with such tight controls. No sleepovers. No phones until HS. No ipads. Locked down YouTube. My control can’t protect her from everything.” My favorite part is when she shares a story of how God spoke directly to her during some of the hardest parts of her story. It gave me chills and also great comfort. It reminded me that no matter what our kids face - they will never be alone. I can either get swallowed up with fear and the “what if’s” of parenting or I can make the choice to lean into faith and trust God has them. He has them in the best of times and the worst.  I am so excited for you to hear from an 18-year-old with a solid and authentic faith that wasn’t born out of a perfect life. Her faith is hers, it’s tested and it’s remarkable.  In this episode, we discuss: Reese’s story of abuse Authentic faith birthed through hardest timesHow she experienced God so personally Rees’s encouragement for parents  Enjoy, Courtney 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:01 Impacting Children's Faith 04:18 Overcoming Abuse and Finding Identity in Christ 08:47 Timeline and Legal Proceedings 17:06 Experiencing God through Visions and Dreams 19:28 The Table of the Lord 27:50 Encouragement for Parents Connect with Pardon The Mess: Christian Parenting Pardon The Mess  Courtney DeFeo Get your 2024-2025 prayer journal, A Life of Faith Resources from today’s show: Reese’s ministry - Abundant Grace God Made All Of Me - recommended book for littles Birds and Bees Birds and Bees Episode Untold - her favorite ministry in Africa Ella’s purple dress from Amazon Identity Simplified Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy