Did you know that once a month we are doing a mentor episode? We will cover a different topic each month in hopes to provide helpful content for you and your local mentor.

1) listen to the episode

2) talk about it with a mentor or friend that is a season ahead of you

If you’re just getting started - don’t miss the first few episodes:

• My Virtual Mentor: Why Mentorship Matters
• My Virtual Mentor: Intimacy with God
• My Virtual Mentor: Personalities and Temperaments
• My Virtual Mentor: Stewardship & Generosity 

I am so delighted to give you life coach Elaine Franklin on the podcast today. She is 77 years young and has been mentoring women and couples for decades. Her passion for stewardship and time management is so evident. She is practical and wise and gives me hope that we can spend our days wisely in 2026. 

My favorite part is when she talks about how to create margin in our lives. I do believe time management is one of the most critical things we can address in our families. How we spend our time matters. It can impact the sanity of our homes. It can help us focus on what matters most.

Enjoy!

Courtney

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction and Background

(03:36) The Importance of Time Management

(08:50) Understanding Responsibilities and Priorities

(10:53) Finding Purpose and Clarity

(12:47) Practical Tools for Time Management

(19:16) The Need for Margin in Life

(22:46) Reflections on Life and Stewardship of Time

MY VIRTUAL MENTOR GUIDE (TIME MANAGEMENT)

Scripture to memorize:

Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Scriptures for prayer and study:

Ephesians 5:15-16

Matthew 6:33

Proverbs 29:18

Books for further study:

• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
• Freedom from the Tyranny of the Urgent by Charles Hummel 
• It’s Time - a practical guide to order your days by Shawna Sullivan 

Discussion questions:

What is your purpose? What is your mission? 

What are your top priorities? 

What are the most important things for you in this season?

Who is in your circle of care vs circle of responsibility? 

What is God asking you to stop doing? 

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Christian Parenting

Pardon The Mess 

Courtney DeFeo

ORDER YOUR 2026-2027 PRAYER JOURNAL NOW

Resources from today’s show:

Connect with Elaine at [email protected]

Connect with Shawna

3 ways to stop wasting your time and money - episode with Shawna Sullivan

7 Do’s and Don’ts for your time and money by Shawna Sullivan 

It’s Time - a practical guide to order your days by Shawna Sullivan 

My Utmost for His Highest - devotional 

Dwell Bible in a Year 

Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

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