First-game nerves, volleyball season kickoffs, and a God who knows exactly what we need before we step onto the court!

In Episode 49, Joni shares a story about praying for her daughter before her first volleyball game, an unexpected moment with a teammate's prayer cards, and why God doesn't always take away our nerves. Join us as we look at Joshua 1:9 and remember that true courage isn't the absence of fear—it's knowing God is walking right beside you wherever you go.

Key Scripture:

• Joshua 1:9: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

  
  

Connect with Joni:📖 Read the blog: makemondaymatter.com✨ Follow for weekly encouragement and practical faith.

What happens when you’re committed to running every single day and the Minnesota deer flies refuse to cooperate? You put a bucket on your head, keep running, and accidentally go viral!

In Make Monday Matter’s very first guest episode, Joni sits down with her coworker, friend, and fellow runner Emily (@run_emmy_run on Instagram). Emily shares the story behind her 2,000+ day streak of running through every kind of crazy Minnesota weather, how a bucket became her secret weapon against deer flies, and what it’s like when millions of people watch your run.

Together, they chat about staying faithful to the daily work God puts in front of us—even when it looks a little ridiculous to everyone else (just ask Noah!).

Connect with Emily:📸 Instagram: @run_emmy_run

Connect with Joni:📖 Read the blog: makemondaymatter.com✨ Follow for weekly encouragement and practical faith.

Teacher workshops are back, which means testing out the new morning routine! Between curly hair struggles, last-minute water bottle hunting, and pulling into the parking lot at 7:53 AM, Joni reflects on what it actually means to start your day well.

In Episode 47, we look at Matthew 7 and why building your morning on the Rock matters way more than having a picture-perfect schedule. Plus, Joni shares a hilarious near-disaster story from the years-of-service award ceremony!

Key Scripture:

• Matthew 7:24: "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock."

  
  

Connect with Joni:

📖 Read the blog: makemondaymatter.com

✨ Follow for weekly encouragement and practical faith.

What do you do when a simple morning turns into a chain reaction of flat tires, no-gas gas stations, Walmart detours, and the absolute peak of our summer dental saga?

In Episode 46, Joni shares a hilarious and painfully relatable day where she earned an A for effort, but failed at accomplishing anything on her to-do list. Join us as we look at Psalm 29:11 and discover that real peace isn't about having a trouble-free day—it's about recognizing the presence of Jesus right in the middle of the mess (and yes, there's a happy ending involving 50% off shoes!).

Key Scripture:

• Psalm 29:11: "The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace."

  
  

Connect with Joni: 📖 Read the blog: makemondaymatter.com ✨ Follow for weekly encouragement and practical faith.

August is here, summer is winding down, and if you thrive on structure, this season can feel like a whirlwind. Between sports tournaments, camping trips, dental visits, and race weekends, Joni reflects on a summer that was anything but slow—and why even "good chaos" can leave us exhausted.

In Episode 45, Joni shares an update on her daughter's wisdom teeth bump in the road, a powerful visual from a friend's Bible study, and the truth of Proverbs 16:9. Join us as we talk about letting go of our need to control the whole map and learning to simply place our foot in the steps God has already prepared for us.

Key Scripture:

• Proverbs 16:9: "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps."

  
  

Connect with Joni: 📖 Read the blog: makemondaymatter.com ✨ Follow for weekly encouragement and practical faith.

Nine dental appointments, a 15-year-old missing four wisdom teeth, and a day-after-surgery parallel parking lesson... it has officially been the "Summer of Teeth" in Joni’s house.

In Episode 44, Joni reflects on a chaotic summer schedule and how a busy season of waiting rooms brought her back to 1 Kings 3 and the story of Solomon. Join us as we talk about the difference between knowing the Bible and having the wisdom to actually live it out in the middle of everyday life.

Key Scripture:

• ​1 Kings 3:9: "So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong."

Read this blog & find the link to The Devine Wisdom Plan

Visit makemondaymatter.com for more.

. . . #faith #devotional #trustinggod #parenting #makemondaymatter #christianpodcast

A summer trip to Itasca State Park involved waiting out the rain in the visitor center, a "short" hike that my kids definitely questioned, and a mystery at the Mississippi headwaters. After spotting what looked like a secret proposal setup, we sent the kids in as spies to get the scoop—only to leave without ever finding out how the story ended.

In this episode, we talk about why we get so caught up in wanting to know what happens next in our own lives. We look at Deuteronomy 29:29 and reflect on why it's okay that God doesn't show us the whole map at once.

In this episode:

• A rainy day trip to Itasca State Park.

• Debate over what actually counts as a "short" hike.

• Sending the kids to investigate a headwaters mystery.

• Why we don't need to know every detail of our own story to trust God.

  
  

Visit makemondaymatter.com for more.

#faith #devotional #itascastatepark #deuteronomy2929 #trustinggod #parenting #familytravel #makemondaymatter #christianpodcast

When dropping my daughter off at an out-of-town volleyball camp, I almost spent the next few hours sitting in my car or grabbing coffee. Instead, I decided to walk into a local church—and I’m so glad I did.

In this episode, we look at Ephesians 2:10 and unpack a question I haven't been able to stop thinking about: What are you doing when you feel most alive? From church parking lot volunteers to quiet prayers for our kids, God prepares "good works" for us in the everyday moments. Let's talk about how He uses our unique gifts to encourage others and remind them that He is real.

In this episode:

• Stepping out of my comfort zone at an out-of-town church.

• The power of everyday greeters and simple hospitality.

• Exploring Ephesians 2:10 and what it means to be God's handiwork.

• A full-circle moment with my daughters about noticing signs of God at work.

If you enjoyed this reflection, visit makemondaymatter.com for more.

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#faith #devotional #ephesians210 #christianliving #motherhood #godshandiwork #purpose #makemondaymatter #christianpodcast

After a bizarre dream about wearing beach sandals to a funeral, followed by a morning mishap where I accidentally tried to run in my husband's blue shoes, I started thinking about the role of dreams. From Genesis to the New Testament, God definitely used dreams to guide, warn, and protect His people. But does that mean every strange dream we have has a hidden spiritual meaning?

In this episode, we talk about the difference between our brains just sorting through a busy week and God's primary way of speaking to us. We look at 2 Timothy 3:16 and remind ourselves that we don't have to guess if God has something to say—He's already given us a whole book filled with truth.

In this episode:

• The Gopher girls reunion and a dream about wrong footwear.

• Trying to run in my husband's shoes at the camper.

• How God used dreams throughout the Bible (Joseph, Daniel, and Acts).

• Why opening your Bible trumps trying to interpret a strange dream.

  
  

If you enjoyed this reflection, visit makemondaymatter.com for more.

. . . #faith #devotional #bible #2timothy316 #dreamsinthebible #scripture #christianliving #morningroutine #camperlife #gophergirls #makemondaymatter

While packing for a work trip to Duluth with my husband, I realized my journal was completely full. Packing a brand new notebook got me thinking about the rhythms we use to ground our lives. Before filling the blank pages with my own thoughts, I wanted to anchor the front of the journal with God's thoughts.

In this episode, we talk about why reading the Bible every single day matters. It’s not about checking off a box—it’s about finding food for our souls, guidance, and strength when the world feels noisy. We look at a few verses from Psalms and Colossians that share this same truth, and offer a simple challenge to help you open your Bible today.

In this episode:

• Packing two journals for a trip to Duluth.

• Why the Bible is food for our souls, direction for our path, and a reminder of God's faithfulness.

• Letting God's Word shape the way we think, speak, and live.

• A simple challenge to read just one chapter today and apply it.

If you enjoyed this reflection, visit makemondaymatter.com for more.

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#faith #devotional #bibledevotional #bible #journaling #psalm119 #spiritualgrowth #bibleverse #christianpodcast #makemondaymatter