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Welcome to From My Father with Tangie Callahan.
Take your shoes off + stay awhile.
Grab a cup of coffee—or a matcha—and join Tangie for honest conversations about faith, life, healing, purpose + everything in between. Through real stories, real questions + biblical truth, you’ll discover the Father’s heart for every season.
Whether you’re navigating a difficult season, searching for answers, growing in your faith, or simply longing for more of God, this is a place where you can pull up a chair, be encouraged + be reminded that you’re not walking alone.
New episodes feature heartfelt conversations, practical wisdom, personal experiences + the timeless truth of God’s Word—all designed to point you back to the Father.
Real life. Real questions. The Father’s heart.
The conversations begin THIS AUGUST. 🤍
Welcome to From My Father podcast.
I'm your host, Tangie Callahan, and I'm so grateful you're here.
My prayer is that every conversation points you to the heart of the Father, reminding you that every good and perfect gift comes from Him.
So whether you're driving, taking a walk, or taking some quiet time for yourself, I pray you leave every episode knowing Him more and experiencing His love in a deeper way.
Now take off your shoes and stay a while.
Let's get started.
Hello, guys, and welcome back to From My Father podcast.
I am so excited today because I have one of my dearest friends with me.
Would you welcome Pastor Stacy Fretz?
Yay!
Oh my goodness, it's so good to have you.
How are you, Stace?
I'm doing good.
I'm so excited to be here today.
That's awesome.
I want to just get started and talk about how, well, we've been talking about body image quite a bit.
And just, I don't know, I want to change gears today and talk about when life brings transition.
And all the changes and all the things begin to happen in our life.
And if I could title this episode, I would probably say Grace for the Pace.
That's good.
Because you have to have grace for every transition in your life.
And my last episode, I really...
Was a little bit vulnerable.
I didn't get as vulnerable as I could have about the season that I've been in with my kids.
Over the last several years, you know that I have been through tons of transition.
All of my babies getting married, lots of grandchildren.
Well, I say lots, three.
And I feel like it takes my time, you know, a lot of my time to be able to spend with them on Sundays is really fun because everybody comes over.
I love the season, but it's been a lot of crazy changes.
And I thought of you.
If you don't know Pastor Stacy, she and her husband, Eric, are our North Carolina campus pastors, and we love them.
And we hit it off literally the very first time that I met you.
It felt like I was sitting down.
Literally.
I will never forget that.
It felt like we were just old friends catching up.
It was.
It was like we had known each other forever and just had not caught up.
And so we're going to get into all that.
But I want to just start with having you introduce yourself and kind of, I mean, I've kind of introduced you, but a little deeper into what you do.
Tell us about your family and kind of like give us a day in the life of Stacy.
Oh, but wait, you know, I like to start by asking about the blessing and the burden.
So give us one burden that you're carrying, but God is seeing you through, right?
And one blessing that you are also carrying.
Yes.
So I would say specifically for this week.
So I'm a mom of three children.
I have a three-year-old, a six-year-old and a nine-year-old.
And so two of my kids have recently gone back to school and it has just been a blessing to see them already just like running and doing so well in school.
And so Riley came home with a stack of papers that were like all 100s.
And so she was super excited.
And Ellis is just
thriving in first grade and so it just does my mama good just to see them doing so well right off the right off the jump from school that always means especially after summer when the teachers reach out to you and they tell you that your kids are doing good it just like it makes it just makes everything so much better for a mama because you pour your life into them teaching them
don't do that and then you're like have I taught them well and then to see them like go out and then do well it's like okay maybe we did something something right so yes that's probably been my biggest blessing this week and then honestly my burden for this week is probably something like what am I gonna make for dinner tonight
I know that just is so stressful for me, especially with sports going on right now.
And so just trying to figure out, like, what can I prep?
What can I have ready for, like a quick meal after school to get to the soccer field?
Yeah.
So that's probably I know it sounds silly.
No, it doesn't.
I think that is just listen, hanging over my head.
I remember those days.
I remember.
Like having to make those quick decisions and trying to figure out when our life is so crazy.
So I can feel I feel for you because I remember those days.
Something that everybody likes.
Oh, yeah.
Oh, yeah.
I had that.
I had that.
I totally get that.
Give us a day in the life of Stacy.
Yeah.
So right now, I mean, again, I have three kids.
They're all fairly young.
My oldest is nine.
And so things are getting pretty like easier with her as far as like being self-sufficient, being able to get herself dressed and everything.
But right now we get up pretty early.
Eric and I, we both get up early.
We're up between like six.
Usually like 530.
That's probably late to you.
530.
Actually, I slept till six this morning.
All right.
So like usually between like God is helping me.
Hallelujah.
And so we're up pretty early.
And then it's just like getting our kids ready for school, getting, you know, breakfast and.
Getting them, you know, we try to have their outfits, you know, the night before ready so that we can eliminate any type of arguments and I want to wear this, I want to wear that type of thing.
And so it's just really the hustle and bustle of like getting them out in the morning.
But my family, we have learned that we thrive in that routine.
Mm hmm.
Yeah.
Having like somewhere to be somewhere to go like we do a lot better, you know, just in that pace.
Right.
Right.
Instead of just taking our time getting up.
We like to have somewhere to get to.
Yeah.
And so just getting them up and out the door and ready for school.
And then I still have Callie at home with me.
She's three.
She's three.
And so, yeah.
Callie will look at me sometimes and she'll be like, just me and you, mommy, just me and you.
And so we'll hang out through the day, sometimes do different things.
Depends on if I have meetings throughout the day or whatever it may be.
So every day looks kind of different because it's just there's different things going on.
And then.
pick up the kids from school.
And then right now we're in soccer season.
And so it feels like that's almost like every night of the week for the time being, just between my daughter's schedule and my son's schedule.
And then they have games on Saturday mornings.
But you don't just have the responsibility of raising your babies and being a wife.
You guys are the campus pastors of Bridge North Carolina.
So tell us a little bit about Sundays and what that looks like for you.
Yeah.
So Sundays, again, we're up early.
We usually get up around like 4, 430 on Sundays to just prep and be ready.
And then we will go to the YMCA because we meet out of the YMCA in Barco.
But what is the news with that?
The news is we have land.
Yes.
So we have bought 16.6 acres of land in North Carolina.
It is right down the street from the YMCA that we currently meet out of.
And it is just, it's been a dream.
Like God has just opened a door for us to be there.
And it's been the whole process has been so amazing.
So amazing just to see God's hand in it and how he's provided and how he's just made a way for us to be exactly where he wants us to be.
And there's so much peace in that.
And I could do a whole thing on that, but it's just such a beautiful process.
So the YMCA for right now.
Yes.
That has also been dreamy too, just being able to get in there and have church there on a Sunday morning.
And people are working out, listening to you guys.
People are working out.
There's actually...
There's a track that goes around the top of the YMCA.
And so we'll have people that are walking the track or running the track.
And so Eric always says he can see people's eyes like go up and look around when someone's walking around when he's preaching because everyone just gravitates and like stares at them.
So we get to the YMCA usually around like 7 a.m.
And we have a team of people.
We have the most amazing volunteers.
Don't you love your team?
They're so incredible.
And they get there early and they're ready to unload the trailer.
And we have to set everything up.
So it's the stage, the chairs, everything.
Everything gets set up.
And so they're there early to unload the trailer.
And we set up kids ministry.
We set up the lobby.
We set up everything.
Unless you know that you've been through this season.
But for 14 years, we set up Bridge Church.
I don't know if you knew this.
Well, I'm sure you know it.
But maybe you don't know that we set up church for 14 years in different schools, different locations.
Yes.
And that is really hard.
Yes.
But if you have the right team and you guys do like God has blessed you guys with an incredible team.
Yes.
And they sent people in with different like knowledge and different experience that like we prayed for and like God sent them in.
And so it has just been such a blessing.
And like each person and I don't say this lightly, but each person that's been in there has been an answered prayer.
You know, and it seems like a mundane task, like setting out a chair or putting something on the chair or setting up a table.
But it's just like they are literally answers to prayers to build the kingdom of God.
Yeah, I love that.
Ultimately, that's their their anointing right now is setting up and and you've got incredible growth to.
Yes.
Like talk to us a little bit about how fast the church is growing.
It has been growing very fast.
Or the campus.
Yes.
Very fast.
And I mean, I will never forget even our launch Sunday.
We didn't know what to expect.
Yeah.
And I remember I was back in the kids ministry because at the time I was running all the kids ministry.
So I was back there making sure everything was good.
And I walk out to where the gym is and someone looked at me and said, we're out of chairs.
Oh, goodness.
I just paused in that moment and I was just like, what?
people actually showed up for this.
Like I, we didn't know what to expect.
And then to run out of chairs, we certainly, we didn't think that through.
Like we didn't think we were going to be running out of chairs on like Sunday.
And so it's just, we've, you know, it's just been an incredible, incredible journey.
And so more recently, um,
numbers have just continued to increase and just the growth that we're seeing you know i know a lot of those numbers in and out because i make sure that the count is done and i'm inputting those numbers and then looking at what we're going to build you know i'll hear some of the building meeting and processes going on and do some of those stats and so we're growing by you know and you guys are at two services right now we're at two services yes and
From what I hear, it's getting a little full.
We're having to ask people to scoot in and scoot over and people love being told where to sit, you know, and so that's fun.
I love it.
Now, what does your role look like on Sunday morning?
Yeah, so on Sunday mornings, I kind of have my hand in a little bit of everything.
So it's kind of like, where am I needed?
this morning, like where, where do I need to put my attention this morning?
Yeah.
And so, um, kids ministry, that was where my hand was like fully, I was doing all of that stuff when we first launched and we've been able to bring on people to help run that.
And that has just been another answer to prayer and just a God send to have people run that.
And so, um,
Really like taking photos and out in the lobby.
And again, people are doing what they need to do.
And I can just come in and be like, okay, how does this look?
How is this going?
And so I'll just be hopping around as people are setting up.
And then usually as people are coming in, you're just greeting people.
You know, people people have told us that the way that they were greeted when they came in just made all the difference.
Wow.
For them and just the friendliness of the people that we have and people being so genuine.
And that is the reason that people came back.
And you can feel it like when you walk into.
Yeah, you can feel it.
It's just something like people aren't experiencing anywhere else.
Yeah, I love it.
I love what God is doing.
I want to go ahead and just get right into the conversation today about transition.
And God literally put you on my heart when I thought about lots of changes that have happened.
But then yesterday when you and I were talking and we went to lunch or whatever and you were like, wait, you think there's been a lot of changes, but let me just break down how many changes.
Let me give you a little insight.
Have actually taken place.
So yeah, kind of give us an overview of all the transitions that have taken place over the last however many years.
You and Pastor Eric have been married, what?
Ten years.
Ten years.
Okay.
Maybe almost 11 years.
Okay.
So next month, September 19th, it'll be 11 years.
Okay.
And so...
But I think it all starts, too, with like I was raised in a very consistent home.
Like I was born and raised in the same home.
I went to all the same schools, played all the same like travel, soccer, like all throughout my years.
We did all the same family traditions.
Like everything was like really kind of predictable.
And like there wasn't a lot of change until I met Eric.
And so it was I just turned 24.
It was.
2014, I meet Eric and so I go from being single to like having this guy in my life and then in 2015, we got engaged and then we got married.
2016, we bought a house.
2017, we had our first child.
2018, Eric went into full-time ministry.
He had been part-time, but he went full-time ministry.
2019, I got pregnant with our second child.
2020, pandemic hits.
Everything changes.
Yeah, everything changed.
And then 2021, we came on staff here at Bridge Church.
2022, we moved to North Carolina and we launched a church.
2023, we had our third child.
And then 2024, I think Eric and I looked at each other and we took a breath.
And we just took a breath.
So that was like 10 years of just running.
Non-stop.
And just a lot of change, a lot of big change, like life and career and moving.
Like those are big.
And they were all exciting things that were going on.
Yeah.
But it's still, it's just a lot of change.
But still, it takes a toll on you.
So I want to, I guess...
With everything that you've walked through and all the transitions, what do you think has been the hardest part in navigating the change?
Be honest?
Yeah, be completely honest.
What's the hardest part with all the changes?
Oh, it was my mentality.
It was the way that I perceived the change, honestly.
I made myself a victim to a lot of that change.
Wow.
Talk about that.
For instance, when I first had a kid,
You would see things on social media that's like, oh, like, this is so hard.
Oh, this is that.
This is... And so, like, I began to, like, believe those things.
You know, like, oh, this is really hard.
My kid isn't sleeping.
This is, like, the hardest thing I'll ever experience in life.
You know, which, like, now I look back and I'm like...
Like that was I'm so embarrassed.
I'm so embarrassed about all the complaining that I would do in that season.
But even like even with the way that I would view like Eric's Eric's going to work, you know, and I would just like complain about it.
And I'd be like, you need to be home.
Like I have been watching this kid all day.
Like you need to be home.
It is 507.
Like, where are you?
Kind of thing.
And it was just like it was not a good mentality to have.
And and so I had a lot of stinking thinking, as some would say about that.
And so that was probably the hardest part of all of that change was just how I was viewing it.
And how I was negatively viewing it.
Almost like your perspective of the whole situation.
Yeah, and it was like the things that were happening, they were all really good things.
And they were things that I had even prayed for.
And then they came and I found a way to complain about them, which seems so, again, I'm so embarrassed.
I tell Eric all the time, I'm like, I wish I wouldn't have complained about just different seasons that we've walked through.
You know, specifically when I had like my first child, like I was just like, oh, woe is me.
This is so hard.
Yeah.
You know, and it was.
But I think my level of hardship.
Has changed, if that makes sense.
Like, what is hard?
Hard is different for different people in different seasons.
And don't you think that the enemy plays on, like, it's almost like he points out what's missing instead of.
instead of you being able to realize what you have.
He almost makes your mind, not makes you, but you feel that impression.
Sometimes I feel like from the enemy that it comes like what I don't have in this season instead of what I do have.
Yes, and that's a lot from social media, like I was saying.
You would see, especially in that first season, of going from like,
going from, like, not having a kid and not knowing, like, what to do to having a kid, I would look to social media for, like, what should I be doing?
And that was a big trap for me of, like, just thinking that I wasn't doing all that I needed to be doing.
And, like, I didn't have the perfect schedule.
And I didn't, you know, do all the things...
correctly according to someone on social media yeah which is yeah that that but we do we do it yes we do that all the time um what do you feel like has helped you the most when it didn't look like you said you had to change your mind where did with all the changes like where do you feel like you finally got that revelation yeah
I feel like, you know, in Romans it talks about like you have to like don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
It's like if you don't renew your mind, you will go according to the patterns of this world.
And so I had to just remind myself, and it sounds so simple, but it's like you have to expand yourself.
And just remind yourself of who you are and what God has called you to do.
And so I think just that reminder of what God has called Eric and I here to do in this season, that gave me like a fire under me to be like, I don't have time to complain about, you know, just mundane things.
But like, there's a mission that like we're here to accomplish.
Yeah.
Was your husband, like, really patient with you during that time?
So patient.
God bless.
I feel like my husband, I complain about a lot.
And I'm kind of like, I can relate to what you're saying.
The early years of when you're changing diapers...
and, you know, cooking macaroni and cheese while holding the phone with one shoulder.
And you're on the phone and you're trying to figure out, well, is he going to come home and help me?
Like you're only thinking about... It's like you're so consumed with your world.
It's like, I didn't even think about what Eric had been through that day.
It's just like, woe is me.
Like, do you not see that I've been at home with these kids all day?
Like, what are you doing?
You know, and he's been dealing with X, Y, and Z. And so it's like, it's just a very like...
selfish, you know, perspective to have.
And I can totally relate to that.
And then Archie would call like sitting at a restaurant with pastors around the table.
Don't do that.
Must be nice.
Must be nice.
I'm like, you're calling me
And I'm sitting here in the thick of it, changing poopy diapers.
Bless their hearts.
And, you know, doing all the house stuff.
And you're sitting around the table laughing, drinking tea and, you know, and he deserved it.
Absolutely.
When I look back, I'm like, there's so much I complained about.
Absolutely.
And it's embarrassing looking back.
And so I'm like, if I could tell any like young mom, it's like, don't complain.
Don't complain because the Lord, he is going to increase your capacity for what you can handle.
And so just like when you want to complain, just don't, just don't because it gets better.
You know, the Lord will increase your capacity.
And so he does.
Like I think about all the time.
How silly it was for me to complain about those things because now I have three kids and one kid.
Like I said, I'm at home with Callie and it's a breeze, you know, and it's a breeze.
And so I'm like, but I have a different capacity now.
You do.
Than I did back then.
And my kids always go, Mom, you raised Peyton completely different than you did us.
Oh, stop it.
I think it's because we're getting – it's almost like God is –
almost like growing you.
And then all of a sudden you're a different woman than what you used to be.
And through like all, I just rattled off like 10 years of just like major life change.
The Lord used all of those changes to grow me.
And I'm so thankful for all of that because I'm not the same person that I was.
And thank God I'm not the same person because we should be growing.
We should be maturing with the Lord.
Yes.
And
I believe it's in James.
I think it opens up in James.
I'm not exactly sure of the reference.
But when it says, consider it all joy.
When you face trials and temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith is producing perseverance.
And, you know, it just...
When I think back, and I'm sure when you think back on those hard days, what we thought was really hard days, you know, he's creating something in us.
And it's so incredible to see the growth.
You know, I love that, how you had to change your mindset.
Do you feel like that your mindset changed, like, you know,
you know, as you matured or was it something, okay, for the mom that's in the thick of it right now?
Where do you find that you get your best time with the Lord?
Like, how do you make time for that, Stace?
Is it in your car?
Is it in the mornings?
It's as I'm getting ready in the morning because you have to brush your teeth.
You have to brush your hair.
You have to get dressed.
And so I made a commitment.
I heard a pastor say to listen to a faith-building message first.
15, 20 minutes, just something that is going to encourage your faith.
I love that.
And I love it because it's like faith comes by hearing, hearing the word of God.
And so it's like I was hearing and I was listening.
And that was also increasing my faith of what I was capable of and what I could do with the Lord.
And so as you're getting as I woke up and was getting my coffee.
brushing my hair, brushing my teeth, getting ready for the day.
It's so simple.
And 20 minutes flies by that fast.
But that really made a difference for me.
The word is being deposited.
The word is being deposited.
I was listening to it, you know, and that's the first thing that was getting into my spirit.
And it just, it makes a difference.
It really does.
I love that.
That is such a good nugget.
Start your day with the faith word going inside of you.
I love that.
Have you ever struggled with wanting to go back
to something that was familiar and felt good.
Like, have you hit that place yet in ministry where, well, I mean, you guys are, wait, how long have you been pastoring Bridge North Carolina?
It'll be five years.
Already been five years?
Hold on.
We'll be on staff for five years.
And so it'll be four years since we launched.
Since you launched.
Okay, so you've been in the active role as pastor's wife for four years.
because I was also like youth pastors wise.
But as far as your own campus, four years.
Okay, four years.
Do you feel like the enemy has ever taunted you about going back to a certain season or do you feel like he can't do that because you're so content with what God is doing right now?
I feel like I'm so content with what God is doing right now and I'm so excited.
It's funny because people ask me, they're like, how are you doing?
Yeah.
Know how you really do it.
They want you to, you know, and like, they're like looking for some kind of tea.
And I'm like, I don't have, I'm so excited right now about what God is doing.
And it just like, Eric and I were like two little kids because we're like, and did you see God do this?
And then did you see how he provided here?
And then he healed this person.
And there's just like so many different things happening that like, you know, someone recently asked me that question.
They're like, but how you really did?
And I was like, we're enjoying this.
Like we are literally just enjoying this season and enjoying the growth and just the life change that we're seeing in people.
And so it's been a really good, really good encouraging season.
Yeah, that's incredible.
How do you as a pastor's wife navigate
the encouragement that maybe your husband needs.
Do you ask the Lord, like, how can I minister to my husband?
Like, you know that they go through some attacks.
And we both, I mean, Archie and I have been in ministry for 31 years.
I know that there have been seasons where I could have been better at encouraging him.
But I feel like, I don't know, I feel like, does God, am I expected to be a certain way because I am a pastor's wife?
Or can I ever be just a normal, you know what I mean?
Like all the changes with it, like with you being, you know, a campus pastor's wife or whatever,
I guess the first question is, you and Eric, are you an encouragement to him?
Yes.
I feel like you are.
I feel like every time, you know, has there ever been a time that you feel like,
So when we I used to be so critical of him.
OK.
And I used to be so concerned about what he would say.
OK.
That I was like, Eric, you're going to offend everybody.
Like if you say that, you got to think about the person who stubbed their toe one time.
You can't make a joke about that.
That's you know, that's serious.
You're going to offend everybody.
And I used to be so just like nitpicky.
OK.
And and then I realized.
And this is going to sound silly, but then I realized he is spending time with the Lord.
And the Lord is speaking to him about what the people need to hear.
So who am I to be the one to tell him what he should or shouldn't be saying?
And Eric, he's really disciplined in his time with the Lord, what he studies and what he does to prep for a message on Sunday and stuff.
And so I'm like...
I just encourage him in that.
And, you know, probably the biggest way I can encourage him is to let him go and, like, just have that time that he needs to be away and to really just, like, lock in on what he's doing.
I love that.
I remember my grandmother, she called it mater sandwiches.
She would make me a tomato sandwich.
I love tomato sandwiches.
Do you love them?
I don't eat them often, but I do love them.
Okay, side note.
Real Kraft mayonnaise?
Yes.
Duke's?
Yes.
Or...
What?
Which mayonnaise?
Duke's.
Oh, hands down.
Duke's.
Yeah.
There's nothing like a tomato sandwich.
I used to eat tomato sandwiches with my grandfather.
Like that was like our summer sandwich.
And so I tried to make one actually this summer for one of my kids and they took a bite and they were like, they weren't so sure about it.
I tried.
We'll try again next summer.
Well, she would make tomato sandwiches for us.
And so cute.
I remember sitting, oh, I miss my grandmother so bad.
But she was a pastor's wife for years.
And when she found out, like, so she lived until Ethan was born, which was about three or four years after Archie and I got married is when she passed away.
And so when she found out that I was marrying a preacher...
I remember she just looked at me one day.
We were eating a tomato sandwich.
I'll never forget it.
She said, Angie, she said, be careful how you talk to him.
And I was like, what do you mean?
And she said,
Your husband will receive so much critique of himself from the enemy when he walks off the platform.
She said, so you have to be the voice of encouragement.
That's so good.
And she said, with you coming against him, that would be like just somebody taking their foot and just pounding on them and stomping.
She said, you have to be so careful what you say.
That's really good advice.
And I had never thought about that.
That's really good advice.
But it's so true.
Because I spent years probably being the voice of the enemy to Eric, critiquing him.
after he walked off the platform preaching, you know, really in like youth ministry, when he was doing stuff like that, like he would get off and be like, Eric, you got to think about that.
And so I would be almost like the voice of the enemy discouraging him instead of being like, you're saying like the wife that when he comes off, it's encouragement, you know, because you're so like the enemy does try just to discourage you and you're so critical of yourself, you know what I mean?
And so I'm sure that like the enemy is just trying to like,
get in his mind with that.
And so we tried on Sundays when we come home from church, just watch football, watch a movie, watch something that makes us laugh.
And it's light.
It's not heavy.
Light, yes.
Yeah.
And you just, I'm sure you get in your pajamas.
Like, I don't know about you, but I have to get in my pajamas as soon as I get home from church.
Or lounge.
Get some comfy clothes.
Yeah, it's real quick.
Yeah, yeah.
I love that.
Maybe there's someone listening that they're not necessarily in ministry.
But what would you encourage just a wife in general with their husband?
Because we've talked about some different things with mindsets.
And I don't know, this is a little rabbit trail from where I was, but I'm going to just go with it.
What do you feel like is one of the biggest things that wives contribute like in a marriage with their husbands?
And how can we be better?
I think one thing that comes to mind, I was actually thinking about this recently, is being unified in your marriage.
And the goals that your husband have, those are your goals too.
So no matter what your place of employment is, it's like you guys are always in step together.
And just unified in your goals in life.
Eric and I, many years ago, we took a vision retreat just where we took a weekend.
We had my parents watch the kids, took a weekend, and we just sat down.
We're like, what are our goals?
What are we trying to achieve in life?
Like, where are we going?
Oh, I love that.
What's our goal for this kid?
What's our goal for that kid?
What do we want to see with this?
What do we want to see?
And it really just brings you on the same page because if you're not unified in your marriage and just like unified of where you guys are trying to, what you're trying to achieve in life, you start drifting, you know, instead of working together to go the same direction.
Yeah.
And so that is so true.
And I love that.
I love the unity thing because you can't make, you can't attain anything unless you're unified.
And I see people just he has his hobby.
She has her hobbies, you know, and they just almost become like roommates almost instead of like understanding that God has brought you guys together to accomplish something, no matter if that's in ministry or in a secular job.
And God has still brought you together to accomplish what he has for you.
Do you guys set up a time?
And this is not religious question, but like in all honesty, do you guys set a time aside to pray?
Probably not.
Yeah.
You know, it's more so just like.
Like we definitely I mean, even this morning as I was leaving, Eric prayed over me, you know, and like we prayed together.
And so I love that.
So it's like when you feel it.
Yeah.
Just this past week, Eric and I, we got some chairs and we went out and set out on the land and prayed over the land, prayed for our family, prayed for, you know, our church and everything.
And so it's like just as different times.
There was a season, though, that we literally had to set a reminder on our phone, and it would go off every night at 9 p.m., and it would say, pray.
And Eric and I, we would hold hands, and we would lay in bed, hold hands, and we would just pray for one another.
I love that.
And so I don't know why we ever took that off of our phones because we don't have that anymore.
But there was a season where that was very necessary for us.
When you prayed together, did you see things?
A lot of times when we pray—
We should be expecting something, right?
Did you see anything extravagant during that season?
I think just... Or do you feel like it went into the future almost of where you're walking in right now?
Yeah, it went into the future of just like mending our hearts together as like we're a teammate.
It's not just Eric trying to accomplish something.
The unity.
It's not just like Eric's going to do something, Stacy's going to watch the kids at home, but it's like we're a part of something together.
And so, yeah, I do think that the prayers that we prayed then...
We're seeing now.
I love that.
That is really sweet.
I never thought of it like that.
It went into your future.
That seed, that time went into your future and you're walking that out now.
I love that.
What would you say to a woman who is dealing with a lot of transition right now and maybe struggling to let go of a season, but a lot is changing?
Like, what would be your biggest encouragement?
And I mean, I know that's a loaded answer.
Yeah.
I mean, a loaded question and a lot you could say.
Oh, my goodness.
I would say my first thing would be, again, I love to listen to the Word of God being preached.
I love to listen to, you know, if I have to, like, not if I have to, but when I listen to the Bible, I like to listen to things.
I like to hear the Bible being read to me, you know, more so than sitting down and, like, reading it.
You're an audible.
Yes, I'm an audible learner.
And so I like to hear things.
And so I would say...
Again, that faith building message, 20 minutes of listening to an encouraging faith building message.
You're going to get discouraged by the world all day.
Yeah.
You know what I mean?
I'm like, you're going to walk into different.
You're going to walk into Food Lion and the lady is going to be angry at you.
You know, there's just going to be like things that it's like.
And so building yourself up in the morning.
As you're getting ready, that 20 minute message of just a faith building message.
I really love that.
I think that can make all the difference of like how you start your day.
And if you have young kids, guess what?
They can listen to it too.
Yeah.
You know, and so there would be days that like my kids would be around and there was one preacher that we just started calling him Uncle Jerry because they were so familiar.
Yeah.
with his voice, you know, that he just became Uncle Jerry.
They probably still think he's their actual uncle, but you know, and so they would just hear that.
And so I would say doing that.
And then also just, however, you have to get into the word of God, get into the word of God, because in every situation, if you're mad, if you're sad, if you're angry, whatever it is, there is a solution on how you should handle those situations in the Bible.
It is our playbook.
It is.
You know, and so and it's it's the word of God and it's alive and it's active and it's it's here for us today.
Yeah.
You know, and so I would say get into the word of God and that might sound cheesy.
But it will make all the difference in your life.
I love that.
I love that, man.
Well, today's been awesome.
And I'm so thankful for you.
Thank you for just opening up your heart and sharing.
Yeah.
The just being vulnerable and, um, just opening up about every season.
And I feel like you have, you had several great nuggets that can help women.
And so, um,
I'm just thankful, thankful that you are here and you know that I'm going to probably have you again.
But I love your insight.
And what I want you to do before we end the podcast is, would you say a prayer for maybe a woman who might be struggling or someone listening that is going through a lot of change?
Just pray over her.
Will you do that?
Sure.
Sure.
Father God, in the mighty name of Jesus, we thank you for every woman who is out there, Father.
I pray for a fresh strength over each woman who finds herself in whatever season, Father.
Would you give her peace?
Would you give her a renewed mind, Lord?
And just, again, give her fresh strength to make it through the next season.
In Jesus' name we pray.
Amen.
Amen.
Love you, my sister.
It's been so good.
Thank you guys for tuning in today.
We can't wait to see you next time.
Thanks for joining me for today's episode of From My Father.
I encourage you to every day ask the Father, what is it that you want me to receive from you today?
If you enjoyed today's conversation, I'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.
Remember, every good and perfect gift comes from our Father.
That's all for today, friends.
Until next time, keep leaning in to the Father's voice.