Ginnie Hislop received a standing ovation as she was handed her master’s degree diploma in 2024. Why? It came eighty-four years after she’d completed her coursework! In 1941, she needed only to submit her thesis. But her then boyfriend, George, was suddenly called to serve during World War II. The two quickly married and headed to his army outpost—leaving Ginnie’s nearly realized degree behind. But after a lengthy pause, she was finally able to complete what she’d started.

Ezra was a student of Scripture—one who truly had an “advanced degree” in God’s law—who’d been waiting years to return to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon. “Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees” (Ezra 7:10). Zerubbabel and a group of Israelite exiles had been permitted to return from Babylon to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem decades earlier (2:1-2). And now Ezra, who had “the gracious hand of his God . . . on him” (7:9), was leading more exiles to Jerusalem. God would use him to reform and restore the proper worship of Him according to Scripture: “Ezra opened the book [of the Law]. All the people . . . bowed down and worshiped the Lord” (Nehemiah 8:5-6).

Ezra had to wait decades, but he completed his calling in God’s strength. In His power, let’s persist in finishing the work He has for us.

Anne shares about comfort, confidence in God and the wounded from 1 Peter 2:23.

The ark was a massive wooden vessel. Would such a ship float? Well, with the right design the ark would have no problems floating for just five months.

Ancient cultures used to build huge wooden ships that successfully floated. Actually, as recently as the early twentieth century there was a wooden schooner, The Wyoming, in use. Now, skeptics often bring up The Wyoming to say the ark could never have floated because this wooden ship twisted in the water and sank.

What they don’t tell you is that this ship transported coal for fourteen years before it sank!

History shows us properly designed wooden ships certainly float.

What if the hardest parts of your life aren’t the end of your story—but the doorway to something deeper, something eternal?

The Bible urges us to flee temptation—including those tied to money. Rob West shares that some financial temptations are obvious, such as greed, dishonesty, or chasing wealth. But one that often hides in plain sight is the temptation to be stingy.

Mark Gregston reflects on his lifelong love of animals and tells the story of his llama, Tony, whose decline became a lesson in parenting. In the midst of trying to save Tony, Mark faced harsh criticism from a bystander when what he really needed was help, not judgment. He compares this to how teens often experience their parents — hearing constant correction and criticism instead of encouragement and support. Mark emphasizes that while good intentions are there, judgment pushes kids away, but truth shared with love and relationship draws them closer.

Is your teen struggling? See if Mark's residential counseling ministry, Heartlight, can help. Visit heartlightministries.org today. 

Parenting Today's Teens is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit parentingtodayteens.org.