The Love Offering

Have you ever looked at your life and wondered how the painful pieces could possibly fit together into something meaningful? Maybe you’ve walked through loss, disappointment, unanswered prayers, or seasons that felt confusing and heavy. In those moments, it can be difficult to see how anything good could come from the hardship. But what if God is doing something deeper in the middle of it all? This week on The Love Offering Podcast, I’m joined by author and speaker Kirby Kelly to talk about her beautiful and honest new book, The Fabric of Hope. Kirby shares how God has been faithfully stitching together the threads of her own story—through unexpected love, deep grief after the sudden loss of her mom, seasons of doubt, family struggles, and betrayal. And through it all, she’s discovered something powerful: God wastes nothing. Even the painful pieces of our lives can become part of a larger tapestry of redemption. In our conversation, we talked about how God can bring sweetness from bitter seasons, purpose from pain, and hope right in the middle of life’s interruptions. Sometimes the very places we wish we could erase are the places where God reveals His presence most clearly. Kirby reminds us that when we pause and look back over our lives, we often see a surprising pattern: some of our deepest moments with God happen in seasons we never would have chosen. In this episode, you’ll discover: How God weaves meaning into the painful seasons of our lives• Why hardship and hope often exist side by side• How to reflect on your own story and see God’s faithfulness more clearly• Why God’s interruptions may actually be divine invitations Friend, if you are in a season that feels confusing, heavy, or unfinished, I pray this conversation reminds you that God is still working. He is the thread that holds every piece together. And one day, you may look back and see that what once felt like a torn place in your story became one of the most beautiful parts of the fabric. 🎧 Listen to the full conversation here I’m so grateful you’re part of this community. My prayer is that this episode encourages you to trust the One who is faithfully weaving every chapter of your story together. With love,Rachael P.S. If you know someone walking through a difficult season, consider sharing this episode with them. Sometimes a small reminder of hope can make a lasting difference. Connect with Kirby: https://kirby-kelly.com/ Connect with Rachael: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Download the Love Always Devotional: https://rachaelkadams.com/free/ Sponsored by the Every Woman's Bible: https://hubs.la/Q0427vjP0 Support the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if the place you most want to avoid is the very place where Jesus wants to meet you? In this week’s episode of The Love Offering Podcast, I had the meaningful opportunity to talk with author and speaker Willow Weston about her powerful new book, Collide. Life rarely unfolds the way we imagine it will. Heartbreak, loss, trauma, disappointment, and shame can leave us feeling scattered and unsure of how to move forward. Many of us try to outrun the pain or bury it beneath busy lives and brave faces. But as Willow gently reminds us, unresolved hurt has a way of resurfacing—often through anxiety, broken relationships, or a deep sense of restlessness. But what if our pain isn’t the end of the story? In Collide, Willow invites us to consider a different possibility: that Jesus meets us right in the middle of our mess. Not to shame us or condemn us, but to walk with us, heal what is broken, and begin restoring our hearts. Through her own honest and vulnerable story, Willow offers compassionate guidance for those who long for healing but aren’t sure where to begin. Together we talk about: Why our past wounds often shape our present struggles How avoiding pain can keep us stuck in unhealthy patterns What Scripture reveals about weakness, suffering, and God’s nearness How inviting Jesus into our hurt opens the door for real healing And how our healing can ripple outward to bless others One of the most encouraging reminders from our conversation is this: we don’t have to arrive healed before coming to Jesus. We can come exactly as we are—limping, weary, unsure—and trust that He meets us there. Friend, if you’re carrying something heavy today, I hope this conversation reminds you that God sees you, He cares deeply about what you’ve walked through, and He is near to the brokenhearted. You don’t have to run from your pain.You can bring it to Him. My prayer is that this episode encourages you to take one small step toward healing and to trust that even the places that feel most broken can become places where God’s grace meets you most powerfully. With love, Rachael Host, The Love Offering PodcastAuthor of Everyday Prayers for Love P.S. If this episode encourages you, consider sharing it with a friend who may need the reminder that healing is possible—and that Jesus meets us right in the middle of our story. Connect with Rachael: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Connect with Willow: https://www.willowweston.com/ Download the Love Always devotional: https://rachaelkadams.com/free/ Episode Sponsored by the Every Woman’s Bible:https://hubs.la/Q0427vjP0 Support the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if one quiet moment of kindness could echo far beyond what you see? This week on The Love Offering Podcast, I spoke with Cara Shine about her powerful memoir, The Hallway Miracle: The Prayer that Opened a Jewish Heart. Cara grew up shaped by antisemitic bullying and a deep wariness of Christians. Years later, she found herself working in an elementary school as the only Jewish staff member among Christian coworkers—watching closely to see whether faith was real or merely words. Set during the fearful days of the 2002 sniper attacks in the Washington, D.C., area, her story unfolds in a season of heightened anxiety. When tragedy strikes a nearby school, the atmosphere shifts from uneasy to unbearable. And then—something small happens in a hallway. A desk calendar devotional.A handful of M&M’s.A simple, heartfelt prayer. It wasn’t loud or persuasive. It was quiet, sincere, and deeply human. And it became a turning point. Cara’s story reminded me that love lived out with humility can open doors that arguments never could. Often, the Lord works through ordinary faithfulness—through small offerings of grace we may barely notice. If you’ve ever wondered how to reflect Christ with authenticity in a divided world, I believe this conversation will encourage you. You can listen HERE. Grateful to walk this journey of love with you, Rachael Connect with Cara: https://www.carashine.com/ Connect with Rachael: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Download the Love Always Devotional: https://rachaelkadams.com/free/ Every Woman’s Bible: https://hubs.la/Q0427vjP0Support the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever felt that quiet tension between your ambition and your faith? You love Jesus.You’re grateful for the gifts and opportunities He’s given you.And yet… the pace feels relentless. The meetings, the deadlines, the expectations, the invisible pressure to keep achieving and proving. Even when things are going well, there can still be a restlessness underneath it all. That’s why I’m so grateful for this week’s conversation on The Love Offering Podcast with Erin Harrigan about her book, Redefining Hustle: Navigating Success with Jesus. Erin speaks directly to high-achieving Christian women—women who care deeply about excellence in their work but don’t want success to come at the cost of their peace, their families, or their intimacy with God. In our conversation, we talk about: The subtle ways self-reliance sneaks into our work Why hustle culture can quietly shape our identity How to pursue ambition without striving for worth Practical rhythms that anchor your workday in Christ What it looks like to measure success differently What I love most is that Erin doesn’t tell women to abandon ambition. Instead, she invites us to surrender it—to bring our goals, businesses, and careers under the lordship of Jesus so that our work becomes an offering rather than an idol. As someone who understands the tension of building a platform, stewarding opportunities, and caring for family at the same time, this message felt especially timely. We can work diligently and faithfully without carrying the crushing weight of proving ourselves. You were never meant to hustle for your value.You already have it in Christ. If you’re feeling stretched thin, quietly burned out, or simply hungry for a healthier rhythm, I think this episode will encourage you deeply. Praying this conversation helps you release striving and receive the steady, sustaining presence of the Lord in your work. With love,Rachael Connect with Erin: https://erinharrigan.com/ Connect with Rachael: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Download the Love Always devotional: https://rachaelkadams.com/free/ Grab your Every Woman's Bible: https://hubs.la/Q0427vjP0Support the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever tried your best to show someone you love them… only to feel like it didn’t quite land? You did the thoughtful thing. You said the kind words. You showed up. And yet something still felt missed. This week on The Love Offering Podcast, I had the joy of sitting down with Dr. Gary Chapman to talk about his newest book, The Love Language That Matters Most. For decades, his message about the five love languages has helped millions of people better understand how to give and receive love. But as he shared in our conversation, discovering someone’s love language is only the beginning. Each love language has what he calls “dialects”—deeply personal ways love is expressed and received. Miss those nuances, and even the right language can fall flat. It was such a rich and practical conversation. We talked about: Why love often gets lost in translation—even when our intentions are good How to personalize love so it truly resonates with the people closest to us What this looks like in marriage, parenting, friendships, and even caring for aging parents How to pay attention to the subtle clues our loved ones are giving us One of my favorite reminders from Dr. Chapman was this: “The love language that matters most is the one your loved one is longing to hear.” Isn’t that simple—and yet so profound? As someone who cares deeply about loving well in our everyday lives, I found this conversation to be both grounding and hopeful. Love isn’t complicated, but it does require attentiveness. It asks us to slow down, to listen closely, and to serve the heart before us. If you’ve ever felt misunderstood—or worried that someone you love feels that way—this episode will encourage you. May the Lord give us eyes to see and ears to hear the hearts entrusted to us. Connect with Dr. Chapman: https://5lovelanguages.com/ Connect with Rachael: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Download your Free Love Always Devotional: https://rachaelkadams.com/free/ This month, we are featuring the Every Woman's Bible. This Bible has contributions from more than 100 women around the world and explores the heartfelt needs, gritty challenges, and uncommon faithfulness of women of the Bible, throughout history, and today. Through deep study and reflection, you’ll discover God’s heart for you and clarify your calling through personal stories, insights, inspiration, and study notes—all created by women, for women. Check it out. I think you'll love it!Support the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Marriage has a way of bringing both our deepest joy—and our deepest pain—to the surface. If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in the same frustrating patterns, wondering why you keep ending up here, you’re not alone. In honor of National Marriage Week, I want to share a meaningful conversation from The Love Offering Podcast with Ron Deal about his book, The Mindful Marriage: Create Your Best Relationship Through Understanding and Managing Yourself. This book—and our conversation—is especially powerful because it’s rooted in both neuroscience and biblical truth. Ron openly shares how the devastating loss of their child nearly shattered his marriage, pushing him into painful and destructive cycles he and his wife Nan didn’t know how to stop. At their breaking point, they found help through Restoration Therapy, developed by pioneering therapists Dr. Terry Hargrave and Sharon Hargrave, LMFT—a model that has helped millions learn emotional mindfulness and self-regulation in relationships. Real change in marriage begins not by fixing your spouse, but by understanding and managing yourself in moments of emotional distress. Ron and Nan, alongside the Hargraves, challenge many popular myths about how relationships work and offer a proven path to healing, connection, and lasting love. If you’re longing for a stronger, healthier marriage—or simply want to love your spouse more faithfully—this conversation is for you. My prayer this National Marriage Week is that you would be encouraged to believe that healing is possible, patterns can be broken, and love can grow again—even in the places that feel tender or worn. Much love, Rachael Connect with Ron: https://rondeal.org/about Connect with Rachael: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Download your free Love Always Devotional: https://rachaelkadams.com/free/ National Marriage Week: https://www.marriageweek.org/ Grab Your Every Woman's Bible: https://hubs.la/Q0427vjP0 Support the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Marriage is one of God’s most beautiful gifts—but it can also be one of the most challenging. Even couples who love each other deeply and want to honor God can find themselves stuck in the same conversations, the same misunderstandings, and the same frustrations, wondering why nothing seems to change. That’s why I’m so excited to share this week’s episode of The Love Offering Podcast with you. I’m joined by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs to talk about his book Lightbulb Moments in Marriage: 12 Biblical Perspectives for Successful and Satisfied Couples. In our conversation, Dr. Eggerichs shares what he calls “aha” moments—simple, biblically grounded truths that have helped thousands of couples finally see what they were missing. These aren’t complicated formulas or trendy advice. They’re Scripture-shaped insights that often lead couples to say, “Why didn’t we see this sooner?” We talk about:• Why ignorance—not lack of love—is often what fuels conflict• How one small shift in perspective can break long-standing cycles• The difference between trying harder and understanding better• What it looks like to respond with responsibility, not react out of frustration• Letting God’s Word—not culture—define love, respect, and commitment Whether you’ve been married a few months or many decades, this conversation is full of wisdom, grace, and hope. Sometimes, it really does take just one lightbulb moment to bring clarity, peace, and renewal. I pray this episode encourages you to see your marriage—and your spouse—through fresh eyes. Much love,Rachael Connect with Rachael: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Connect with Dr. Eggerichs: https://www.loveandrespect.com/about-us Download your Free Love Always Devotional: https://rachaelkadams.com/free/ Grab Your Every Woman's Bible: https://hubs.la/Q0427vjP0 Support the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Do you ever feel like life has become louder, faster, and more demanding than your heart was meant to carry? In this week’s episode of The Love Offering Podcast, I’m joined by counselor, author, and farm-living mama Brenda Yoder to talk about her new book, Uncomplicated: Simple Secrets for a Compelling Life. This conversation is a gentle invitation to slow down, breathe deep, and rediscover the wisdom that once shaped steady, grounded lives. Brenda draws from the practices of our grandmothers and the rhythms of Amish and Mennonite communities to share practical, life-giving lessons for today’s busy women. We talk about what it looks like to resist the pull of constant chaos and instead cultivate a calm presence, authentic faith, and a steady voice of reason—right where you are. In our conversation, you’ll hear: Why simpler doesn’t mean easier—but it often means better How timeless practices can bring peace to modern life What past generations can teach us about faith, work, family, and rest Small, practical shifts you can make to live with more intention No matter your season of life or where you call home, this episode offers encouragement and wisdom for anyone longing for a more grounded, meaningful way of living. You can listen to the episode now wherever you get your podcasts. I pray this conversation meets you right where you are and reminds you that a simpler life is still possible—and deeply compelling. Connect with Brenda: https://brendayoder.com/ Connect with Rachael: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Download your Free Love Always Devotional: https://rachaelkadams.com/free/Support the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever had one of those moments when you stop and think, "How did I miss that?" The holy moment. The gentle nudge. The quiet work of God hidden inside an ordinary day. That’s exactly why I couldn’t wait to share this week’s episode of The Love Offering Podcast with you. I’m joined by the hilarious and heartfelt Cynthia Yanof to talk about her book How’d I Miss That?—a refreshing reminder that God is just as present in the small, awkward, everyday moments as He is in the big ones. In our conversation, Cynthia invites us to laugh (a lot), exhale, and see our lives with fresh eyes as we talk about: Why it’s not just the “big” moments God uses to bring light into our homes and communities Living each day with grace, forgiveness, and generosity—for others and ourselves Finding extraordinary faith in very ordinary places And yes… even the holy moments that happen with spinach in our teeth and our shirt tucked into our Spanx This episode is for every woman who once thought she’d change the world—and now mostly changes the toilet paper roll (again). It’s a gentle, joyful reminder that tiny acts of faith, sown daily, matter deeply to God. So grab a Diet Coke, pull up a chair, and join us. I think you’ll feel seen, encouraged, and reminded that nothing in your life is wasted—not even the small stuff. You can listen to the episode wherever you listen to podcasts, and I’d love to hear what resonates most with you. With love,Rachael Connect with Cynthia: https://cynthiayanof.com/ Connect with Rachael: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Download the Free Love Always Devotional: https://rachaelkadams.com/free/ Support the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever caught yourself dreading a birthday… or worrying about a new wrinkle or gray hair? In our culture, aging is often something we fear, hide, or try to fix. We separate generations, invest heavily in staying young, and quietly send the message—to ourselves and others—that growing older means growing less valuable. But what if we’ve been seeing it all wrong? On this week’s episode of The Love Offering Podcast, I’m joined by Isabel Tom for a conversation that gently challenges our assumptions and tenderly reframes how we see aging. Our conversation is inspired by her book, The Value of Wrinkles, and it’s one I believe we all need—no matter our age. Isabel grew up living with her grandparents and has spent over a decade serving older adults. Her perspective is both refreshing and deeply convicting. Together, we talk about: What the elderly offer us that we truly cannot live without• How cultural beliefs about aging shape the way we treat ourselves and others• Why loving older generations can profoundly change our lives• Practical, meaningful ways to care for and honor those who came before us This episode isn’t about fearing the future—it’s about honoring faithfulness, wisdom, and the beauty of a life well-lived. It’s about remembering that every season matters and that love doesn’t diminish with age—it deepens. I hope this conversation encourages you to see aging (your own and others’) with more grace, gratitude, and hope. Connect with Isabel: https://www.valueofwrinkles.com/ Connect with Rachael and Read the Show Notes: https://rachaelkadams.com/writing/ Download Your Love Always Free Devotional: https://rachaelkadams.com/free/Support the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.