Followed By Mercy

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"But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head." — Psalm 3:3

What do you do when you’ve lost it all? When your family, your reputation, and your sense of worth are gone? Today, Austin Gardner takes us to the wilderness where King David was running for his life. David wasn't just a victim; he was a man who knew his own failures intimately. Yet, in the middle of the shame, he found a God who refuses to let us grovel.

In this episode, Austin explores the incredible grace of a God who reaches down to the broken and lifts their heads to look Him eyeball-to-eyeball.

Key Takeaways:

• David's "cancel culture" experience and how he survived it.
• The reality that God's glory is our true identity, not our successes or failures.
• Why Christianity is about relationship, not rules.

If you’re hurting or feeling ashamed today, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to have your head down. God is ready to listen, and He loves you exactly where you are.

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Find more encouragement at followedbymercy.buzzsprout.com or visit waustingardner.com.

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Ever feel like God loves you because He has to, but you’re not sure He actually likes you?

In this episode, Austin Gardner breaks down Ephesians 3 in plain language—or what he calls "Tennessee hillbilly." We dive into why it’s so hard to believe we’re truly loved, especially when life gets messy or we feel like we haven't performed well enough.

Austin explores the two big words Paul uses: Rooted and Grounded.

• Rooted: Like a tree that doesn't "work" to get nutrients, we are called to simply live from the love already given to us.
• Grounded: Building your life on the solid foundation of Grace rather than the shifting sands of other people's opinions.

Stop fighting to get love and start living from it. It's time to realize that your identity comes from your Father, not your past.

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• God’s love
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Christianity, Grace, Forgiveness, Biblical Teaching, Ephesians, Spiritual Growth, Gospel, Prodigal Son, Mental Health and Faith, Austin Gardner, Alignment Ministries.

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"There’s not a moment I’m not aware I have Pompe." Kelly Canfield joins Austin Gardner one last time to share the raw reality of living with a terminal, progressive disease. From the "stack of books" feeling on her chest to the mental weight Robert carries as a husband and father, this episode is a masterclass in finding purpose when life doesn't look like you planned.

If you are a patient dealing with cancer, a rare disease, or chronic pain—or if you are the one holding the hand of someone who is—this episode was recorded specifically for you.

Key Takeaways:

• How to not let a diagnosis define your entire identity.
• The beauty of "un-transactional" love in marriage.
• Why Robert says "God turns horrific into glorious."
• How the Canfields are reaching the world through Taking the Light Ministries.

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What is it like to be a parent when your body is failing and your children are facing the same diagnosis? Robert and Kelly Canfield join Austin Gardner for a powerful discussion on parenting through Pompe Disease.

Highlights:

• The Struggle of a Mama: Kelly shares the vulnerability of being unable to hold her babies like a "regular" mom and the mobility issues that changed her parenting style.
• The Duty of a Daddy: Robert discusses the "hot and heavy" moments of crisis and how he learned to take action—even taking on multiple jobs—to lead his family through the storm.
• The Theology of "Now": Understanding that God’s grace is sufficient for today and we aren't promised tomorrow.
• More Than Conquerors: How to keep your head in a crisis and ensure bitterness doesn't rob you of today's joy.

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life."

Connect with Austin Gardner:
Website: https://waustingardner.com
Share this episode with a parent who needs a reminder that they aren't alone.

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What do you do when your greatest fear becomes your daily reality? Robert and Kelly Canfield return to the podcast to share the next chapter of their journey with Pompe disease—the moment they realized their daughters would also face this lifelong battle.

In this episode, Austin Gardner talks with the Canfields about:

• The Physical Toll: The reality of muscle biopsies and ongoing infusions.
• The Emotional Struggle: Dealing with envy and "why them and not me?" when seeing others on the mission field.
• The Redirected Path: How God traded their dream of living overseas for a powerful ministry of "Taking the Light" to others in the midst of suffering.
• A Message for Caretakers: Robert shares a direct word of hope for those feeling the weight of caring for a sick spouse or child.

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life"—even in the valley of the shadow of death.

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Website: https://waustingardner.com
Subscribe to the "Followed by Mercy" podcast for the rest of this 5-part series.

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The future can feel like a storm you can’t outdrive. We explore how daily trust carries us through diagnoses, deferred dreams, and the quiet griefs that come with chronic illness. Robert and Kelly share practical ways to fight self-pity, see grace in limits, and find good days in a world that is not yet whole.

We open a window into their world as they face Pompe disease, recalibrate long-held dreams about missions, and learn to live with a kind of courage that looks ordinary from the outside and extraordinary up close. The conversation is unvarnished—tears in a truck, honest doubts, and the quiet decision to keep moving—but it’s also threaded with unexpected joy and a deep conviction that God meets us in the exact size of today.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Choosing one-day faith over future fear
• Pompe disease reframing marriage and pace
• Gratitude as a daily discipline
• Grace as shaping power in suffering
• Practical tools for days heavy with sadness
• Family gifts and unexpected provision
• Hope for those living with long-term illness

You’ll hear how a single verse—"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself" (Matthew 6:34)—shifted their rhythm from anxious forecasting to faithful presence. Kelly shares how prayer and a full, intentional schedule keep self-pity from taking the driver’s seat, while Robert reflects on how slowing down beside his wife reshaped his character, his marriage, and his view of grace.

If you’re carrying a diagnosis or the ambient weight of uncertainty, this story offers tools you can use today: pray without ceasing in small bursts, keep helpful obligations, and notice the gifts hidden in slower steps.

“Don’t miss the next one.”

Connect with Austin:
📖 My Story of Radical Grace: waustingardner.com/w-austin-gardner/
🎙️ Followed by Mercy Podcast: followedbymercy.buzzsprout.com
🎥 YouTube Hub: youtube.com/@waustingardner

#followedbymercy #chronicillness #graceinsuffering #faithinthestorm #pompedisease

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A slow climb up the stairs can tell a bigger story. When Kelli Canfield began struggling with simple movements after childbirth, the signs pointed to something more than fatigue. What followed was years of being dismissed by doctors, self-doubt, and a search for answers that finally led to a diagnosis: Pompe disease.

In this episode, Robert and Kelli sit down with W. Austin Gardner to open up about the moments most people don’t see—the embarrassment of public falls, the grief of surrendering a dream to serve overseas, and the surprising way purpose survives when plans do not. Robert shares his profound shift from being a “fixer” to practicing a truer form of care: presence. This isn't just a story about a rare muscular dystrophy; it’s a blueprint for hope and a reminder that your calling is never defined by your geography.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The long search for a diagnosis and being dismissed by tests.
• How Pompe disease affects breathing and mobility.
• The husband’s shift from "fixing" to "presence."
• How faith holds both lament and gratitude at the same time.

Listen now and find out why mercy is always the final word.
https://waustingardner.com/w-austin-gardner/

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"Ever feel like an outsider? In this morning’s devotional, Austin Gardner dives into the surprising beauty of Leviticus 14.

Most people skip the rituals of the Old Testament, but the story of the 'Two Birds' reveals a profound truth about God's heart: He doesn't wait for the 'unclean' to come to Him—He moves toward the excluded. Austin breaks down how this ancient ritual is a perfect picture of Jesus, the sacrifice that brings total restoration, and the freedom that allows us to fly again.

In this episode:

• The significance of the priest leaving the camp.
• The mystery of the 'living water' and the two birds.
• What the number 7 tells us about your restoration.
• Moving from performance to radical grace.

Stay Connected:

• Read more about the Austin Gardner Story: https://waustingardner.com/w-austin-gardner/
• Subscribe for more stories of mercy and leadership.
• Don't miss tomorrow's special interview with Robert and Kelli Canfield!"

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"I didn't realize how much I had fallen into performance-driven Christianity—doing things to earn God's favor when He already favored me."

In this episode, Austin Gardner takes us through the most "horrific" time of his life—recovering from a near-fatal bout of COVID only to be met with five new tumors and the abandonment of friends. Yet, in the middle of the chaos, he discovered a truth that changed everything: the absolute, unconditional love of Jesus Christ.

Key Themes:

• The Physical Battle: Moving from a walker to the pulpit.
• The Social Battle: Finding grace when people say things that aren't true.
• The Spiritual Breakthrough: Moving past "religion" to a relationship of rest.
• The Series Announcement: Preparing for the 5-day blitz of Robert and Kelly Canfield’s story starting Monday, March 9.

Connect with Austin:
Visit the ministry hub for articles, coaching, and updates: https://waustingardner.com
Share this episode with someone who needs to know they are followed by mercy today.

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"I want to challenge you to think about how much God loves you today."

Before we begin our 5-day series on Monday, Austin Gardner shares a heart-to-heart message on the theology of suffering and the power of God's unconditional love. If you’ve ever felt broken by your circumstances or wondered if God has "accidents," this episode is for you.

Highlights:

• The Series Reveal: Everything you need to know about the Robert and Kelly Canfield story launching Monday, March 9.
• Affection vs. Attachment: Learning from King David (1 Chronicles 29) on where to place our heart's treasure.
• The Sinful World Reality: Addressing the misconception that God is the author of our pain.
• Resting in Grace: Why your relationship with Jesus isn't about "trying harder."

Join us Monday through Friday next week for the full "Followed by Mercy" series.

Connect with Austin:
Visit the website for over 100 articles and resources: https://waustingardner.com

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