🎙️ Welcome to "Warfare Parenting: Faith-driven strategies for struggling parents of teens and adult children"!

In this heartfelt episode, host Laine Lawson Craft sits down with author and speaker Edie Melson to explore how grief can transform, not drown, us—and how God's creativity can help heal our hurting souls. If you're a parent or grandparent struggling with loss, a family crisis, or a prodigal child, this conversation is full of faith-driven encouragement and hands-on strategies for healing.

RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED:

• Laine Lawson Craft's Website: lainelawsoncraft.com
• Free first 10 days of "Warfare Parenting: A Daily Battle Plan to Fight for Your Child": Download Here
• Edie Melson's Website & Books: ediemelson.com
• Soul Care for Weary Creatives (FREE starter kit): Download Here
• Find Edie on Amazon: Edie Melson on Amazon
• Rate & Review the Podcast: Wherever you listen—Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts!

GUEST BIO: Edie Melson

Edie Melson is an author, blogger, and international speaker passionate about helping others find God's comfort through creativity, especially in seasons of grief and weariness. With a legacy of creative parents (her mother a watercolor artist), Edie brings a fearless approach to healing through words, photography, and hands-on exercises. Her acclaimed "Soul Care" series, including Soul Care When You're Grieving, empowers readers with practical tools for emotional and spiritual restoration. Through workshops, books, and her blog, Edie inspires countless individuals to embrace healing, hope, and creative expression.

KEY TALKING POINTS:

• How creativity can be a catalyst for healing during deep grief
• Edie's personal testimony of losing her daughter-in-law and how God prepared her
• Practical ways to start creative soul care—journaling, photography, walks
• The myth of "stages" of grief being linear
• Why everyone's grief process is uniquely their own
• How to draw closer to God through prayer, journaling, and creative play
• The power and importance of bringing emotions into the light
• Creating connection points with loved ones through creative activities
• Edie's "Soul Care" series—help for weary, grieving, creative, and empty nester souls
• Encouragement that joy does return after grief

DETAILED TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro: Faith-driven strategies for struggling parents 00:55 - Meet Edie Melson: Author & creativity as healing 02:11 - Edie's backstory & divine timing of grief 04:20 - Losing her daughter-in-law & God's preparation 06:00 - Creativity and grief: Edie's farm walks, finding God in the "frozen" moments 07:49 - Defining creativity and why everyone is creative 10:33 - How to start creative healing in grief: the "one word" exercise 12:22 - Do the stages of grief really happen in order? 14:25 - Grief as a unique, personal journey 15:22 - The lifelong process of grief and healing 18:29 - How journaling leads to healing and creativity 20:53 - Edie's Soul Care books & creative exercises 21:10 - Using prayer for creative connection with God 22:49 - Asking God to reveal new creative gifts in hard seasons 23:45 - Handling hard emotions, letting God into the mess 23:57 - Bible study's role in soul care 25:54 - Where to find and connect with Edie Melson 27:02 - Edie's closing words for those grieving 27:46 - Conclusion: Soul care isn't selfish, it's sacred 28:35 - Laine's final encouragement and free resources

CONCLUSION

This episode reminds us that our deepest grief can become a sacred place of encounter with God, especially when we embrace creativity as healing. Edie Melson's wisdom and practical tips offer hope that joy does indeed return, and caring for your soul isn't selfish—it's part of God's healing plan. Don't forget to check out Laine's resources and Edie's website for more support. You're not alone!