Rooted in the Word: A Conversation with Gretchen Saffles of Well-Watered Woman

In this episode of Grace Notes, I had the joy of sitting down with Gretchen Saffles, founder of Well-Watered Women and author of The Well-Watered Woman, Word Before World, and Sweeter Than Honey. We talk about the highs and lows of motherhood, simplifying life during busy seasons, and what it means to stay rooted in God’s Word when life's overwhelming.

Gretchen shares practical wisdom on studying Scripture in every season. We also dive into how social media can shape our theology—and how to renew our minds with truth.

Find more here: https://substack.com/@gracen0tes/posts

🔖 Shownotes:

Hunter Beless—Bible teacher, children’s book author, and founder of Journeywomen Ministries.

Hunter shares about the highs and lows of motherhood, the heart behind her newest children’s book Jesus Loves You More, and how parents can point their children to the unshakable love of Christ.

Together we talk about:

Highlighting and celebrating God’s work in your children

The story behind Journeywomen Ministries and Hunter’s writing journey

The inspiration for Jesus Loves You More and its gospel-centered message

How to help kids grasp the difference between human love and God’s perfect love

Practical encouragement for pointing children toward lasting truths when life feels hard

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Topics Covered

* Why is prayer valuable?

* If prayer’s so valuable, why don’t we do it more often?

* What does prayer look like practically?

Verses on Prayer

* Psalm 138:8 “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, endure forever–forsake not the works of Your own hands.”

* Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

* John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

I’d love to hear your prayer goals or requests. Let me know your thoughts in the comments, or private message me. Thanks for listening!

We talk about:✨ Ways families can cultivate a heart for prayer.✨ Jenny’s personal experiences overseas and lessons on hospitality, holiness, and cross-cultural love.✨ Practical resources & ideas.

Resources Mentioned:

Jenny’s Book!

Around the World with Kate & Mack – a colorful kids’ resource from Wycliffe Bible Translators that helps families learn about Bible translation and pray for the nations.

Around the World: Letters from Children Across Nations – from The Daily Grace Company, a family-friendly book with stories, cultural insights, and prayer prompts.

Joshua Project – sign up for daily emails highlighting an unreached people group with prayer points: joshuaproject.net

Jenny’s Blog – free guides, prayer prompts, and activities for families to pray for unreached people groups and learn about world religions.

What does it take to build long-lasting, Christ-centered friendships in a world full of busyness & loneliness? In this episode, I sit down with Bailey T. Hurley, author of Together Is a Beautiful Place, to chat about the joys and challenges of friendship.

Bailey shares her own story of navigating seasons of friendship drought, the cost and beauty of prioritizing relationships, and how biblical principles like carrying one another’s burdens can transform the way we connect. We also dive into practical ideas like open houses, that make friendship feel both approachable and life-giving

Learn more on her Book Page.

1/4 women experience a miscarriage. What can we do to support them? Brittany Allen is the author of Lost Gifts: Miscarriage, Grief, and the God of All Comfort and is currently working on her second book, Free to Weep.

She shares her testimony of coming to Christ after a difficult childhood, walking through three miscarriages in one year, and discovering the comfort of God in the midst of suffering. Together, Grace and Brittany discuss:

How miscarriage impacts faith and marriage

Why lament is a gift for grieving Christians

What the church can do to better support families experiencing pregnancy loss

Scriptures that carried Brittany through seasons of grief (Psalm 23 & Psalm 13)

Encouragement for moms walking through loss and those supporting them

Portia Collins shares her motherhood journey, the heart behind her new Galatians study, and how God has taught her about true identity and freedom in Christ.

From battling performance-driven faith to learning it’s “Christ alone,” Portia unpacks practical Bible study techniques, spiritual lessons from Paul’s letter, and encouragement for women longing to rest in the finished work of Jesus.

Checkout her new Bible study: Finding Freedom in Christ: An 8-Week Study of Galatians.

Singer-songwriter and author Ellie Holcomb joins Gracenotes to talk about the highs and lows of motherhood, the stories behind her beloved children’s books, and the heart behind her music.

Ellie shares:

The bittersweet joys of parenting a middle schooler, tween, and first grader.

How her daughter’s question—“Who sang the first song?”—sparked her journey into writing children’s books.

Walking through grief after losing her niece.

The tension between deep sorrow and hope in songs like “Red Sea Road” and her newest album Far Country.

Why music awakens our longing for home and how God meets us in both joy and lament.

Whether you’re in the thick of toddlerhood, juggling school schedules, or navigating grief, this conversation is a reminder that you are God’s beloved child—and you never walk alone.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

Ellie’s new album: Far Country

Ellie’s children’s books, including Spring Sings

🎧 Grace Thomas talks with author, speaker, and former Revive Our Hearts ministry leader Erin Davis about the beauty and challenges of family life. Erin shares candidly about the highs and lows of motherhood, raising boys with intention, and walking through difficult seasons like her mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s and estrangement in her own family.

Together, they discuss Erin’s new Bible study on Joseph, exploring how God works through dysfunctional family dynamics to bring about His good purposes.

If you’ve ever wondered where God is in the messiness of your own family, this conversation will encourage you to trust His faithfulness and find hope in His Word.

📚 Learn more about Erin Davis and her books, including Lies Boys Believe, 7 Feasts, and her new study on Joseph.

🎧 Even in the middle of the mess, God is at work building a beautiful family for His glory.

📖 Glenna Marshall discusses her newest book on Psalm 139, Known and Loved. She shares how this powerful psalm reshaped her understanding of God’s love—moving from a belief that His love must be earned to the freeing truth that it is steadfast and personal.

Together, they dive into themes of God’s delight in His children, overcoming shame, and how suffering and chronic pain can actually deepen our confidence in His faithfulness.

If you’ve ever wondered, does God really like me? Or how can I reconcile my pain with His love? This conversation will encourage you to rest in the truth that you are fully known & loved by God.

👉 Follow Glenna at glennamarshall.com and on Instagram @glennadmarshall.

✨ Find more at Gracenotes & order Known and Loved wherever books are sold.