Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith podcast

December 04, 2025 Unpacking Priorities and Embracing Imperfect People: Melissa Ferguson & Natalie Runion

This week, we’ll hear from Melissa Ferguson, a mother of five whose love for stories and the countryside has inspired her creative life. From her family’s Tennessee farmhouse by the mountains, she writes heartwarming romantic comedies for television and children’s books. Melissa reflects on the lessons she’s learned from farm life, family rhythms, and faith—and why at the end of the day, it all comes down to keeping what’s most important at the top of the to-do list.

Later in the episode, we’ll hear from worship artist Natalie Runion. Natalie grew up as a pastor’s kid watching her parents serve their church, but found herself needing to forgive certain toxic elements that had shaped her upbringing. Today, through her ministry Raised to Stay and her writing, Natalie gives us a glimpse into how she’s helping others reconcile their love for Jesus with the realities of a sometimes imperfect church culture.

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

Jesus Calling Podcast

Jesus Calling

Jesus Always

Jesus Listens

Past interview: Chris and Kelly Janson

Upcoming interview: Theresa Bruno

Melissa Ferguson

Great American Family

Our Friendly Farmhouse Instagram

Homesteading

Jesus Calling for Kids

www.melissaferguson.com

Our Friendly Farmhouse

Natalie Runion

Raised to Stay

Campus Crusade for Christ

2 Corinthians 11 NIV

Hebrews 13 NIV

www.natalierunion.com

I Don’t Even Like Women

Interview Quotes:

“We definitely stepped into [homesteading] slowly and kind of enjoyed getting to know the adventure of each thing because there is such a learning curve there. It’s been an adventure along the way, and I think it’s been really healthy for our children and for ourselves.” - Melissa Ferguson

“It’s important to step back, especially when something feels off. I broke it down by the hours that each activity in that priority order would take, and I realized this is why I’m stressed. I’m stressed because I’ve swapped the extras, the least important priorities in my life, with the things that are.” - Melissa Ferguson

“I have allowed myself to be too busy doing other things and that was a choice not to spend time in the Word or pray because I thought, Oh, well, it doesn’t matter that much. I’m too busy. I’d rather go do this. And I’ve experienced the consequences of what became a growing sense of restlessness or a lack of peace.” - Melissa Ferguson

“The older I get, the more aware I am that we live in a very broken and hurting world. So I absolutely need to spiritually set aside time in my day. Otherwise, I can’t fight those feelings that come at me that try to cause chaos and unrest.” - Melissa Ferguson

“I think how good God is that even when our plans change because of people, that His plan for us can’t be changed.” - Natalie Runion

“It shouldn’t come as a surprise when we walk into situations where we think that we’re going to just tell the gospel without getting wounded, because throughout Scripture, we’re being warned this is going to happen. For me, it has been really separating imperfect people from a perfect gospel, imperfect people from my perfect Jesus, saying the standard has been set, but we won’t reach that standard until we get to heaven, and we’re all made perfect in the sight of the Lord.” - Natalie Runion

“God has promised me that He will never leave me and He will never forsake me. And though people are going to fail me, institutions and organizations are going to fail me, He remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.” - Natalie Runion

“This is why I love our Father so much—He knows what we need in the season that we need it.” - Natalie Runion

“I do believe that as we as women begin to like ourselves and then we start to love ourselves, that then we will begin to like and love other women and become that force that we are reckoned to be in the church, when we unify as God’s daughters and stop competing and comparing and start collaborating.” - Natalie Runion

“I wanted women to see that not only are they worthy of friendship, every woman is worthy of being loved, wanted, invited, seen. They’re worthy of giving their opinions. They’re worthy of collaboration. I also wanted them to reconnect to their friendship with God, to see from the garden that God made us unique as women.” - Natalie Runion

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Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7

Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw

Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C

Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj

Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u

What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj

Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY

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