Resource Library

Join us for the Godly Play story of Mary, Mother of Jesus, a sacred story that invites us to wonder about the life of Mary and her unique role in God's story. From the moment the angel brought surprising news, Mary listened, pondered, and responded with courage and trust. Through joy and uncertainty, celebration and sorrow, Mary remained faithful as she cared for Jesus and watched him grow. As the story unfolds, we follow Mary through key moments in the life of Jesus, from his birth and childhood to his ministry, death, and resurrection. Along the way, we discover a woman of deep faith who treasured these experiences in her heart and trusted God's presence through every season of life. Following the story, there is time for wondering, open-ended questions that invite children and adults alike to reflect, make meaning, and discover where they may find themselves in the story. There are no right or wrong answers, only space to listen, wonder, and grow. Godly Play is an imaginative approach to spiritual formation that invites people into stories, wonder, and personal discovery, creating space to encounter the sacred in meaningful and personal ways.

Join us for the Godly Play story of Jesus and the Women, a sacred story that invites us to notice the many women who followed Jesus, learned from him, and helped share the good news. Throughout his ministry, Jesus welcomed people who were often overlooked or excluded. Women were among his closest followers. They listened to his teachings, traveled with him, cared for others, and witnessed some of the most important moments of his life, death, and resurrection. The women in this story remind us of courage, faithfulness, and the many ways people can participate in God's work in the world. Following the story, there is time for wondering, open-ended questions that invite children and adults alike to reflect, make meaning, and discover where they may find themselves in the story. There are no right or wrong answers, only space to listen, wonder, and grow. Godly Play is an imaginative approach to spiritual formation that invites people into stories, wonder, and personal discovery, creating space to encounter the sacred in meaningful and personal ways.

In a world that constantly measures our worth by what we accomplish, how do we learn to slow down and listen to what is happening within us? This week on Mess Makes Meaning, Joy and Raenelle welcome spiritual director Ruth Lin Nakai for a thoughtful conversation about rest, creativity, faith, and the courage to live beyond productivity. Together, they explore why so many parents and caregivers find themselves exhausted even when they are getting enough sleep, the difference between achievement and attunement, and how silence, play, and wonder can reconnect us to ourselves, our children, and God. Ruth invites us to consider that our spiritual lives are not problems to solve but sacred processes to tend. Through stories, gentle wisdom, and practical encouragement, she offers a compassionate invitation to notice what makes us come alive, embrace rest as a sacred practice, and create space for delight in the midst of busy lives. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, or simply longing for a more spacious way of being, this conversation offers a breath of fresh air and a reminder that you do not have to earn your worth through productivity. Join us as we explore what it means to choose attunement over achievement and discover the freedom to simply be.

Join us for the Godly Play story of Exile and Return, a sacred story about loss, hope, and God's presence even in the most difficult times. For many years, God's people lived in the land they called home. They built cities, planted gardens, worshiped in the Temple, and remembered the stories of God's faithfulness. But when powerful armies came, the city of Jerusalem was destroyed, and many of the people were taken far away into exile in Babylon. As the story unfolds, we wonder with the people as they live in a strange land, far from everything familiar. Yet even there, God does not leave them. Through prayers, songs, and memories, they discover that God's love cannot be confined to one place. In time, the people are able to return home, carrying with them a deeper understanding of who God is and who they are. Following the story, there is time for wondering, open-ended questions that invite children and adults alike to reflect, make meaning, and discover where they may find themselves in the story. There are no right or wrong answers, only space to listen, wonder, and grow. Godly Play is an imaginative approach to spiritual formation that invites people into stories, wonder, and personal discovery, creating space to encounter the sacred in meaningful and personal ways.

Join us for the Godly Play story of Exodus, a sacred story of freedom, courage, and God's faithful presence with God's people. When God's people came into Egypt, they found food and work, but over time they became trapped. They could not return home. One of the people, Moses, came to Pharaoh and said, “Let my people go.” Through signs, wonders, and God's guidance, the people were led out of slavery and began a long journey toward freedom. As the story unfolds, we follow the people through the waters, into the wilderness, and toward the promise of a new way of living with God and one another. Along the journey, they discover that even in uncertain times, God is with them, leading, providing, and making a way forward. Following the story, there is time for wondering, open-ended questions that invite children and adults alike to reflect, make meaning, and discover where they may find themselves in the story. There are no right or wrong answers, only space to listen, wonder, and grow. Godly Play is an imaginative approach to spiritual formation that invites people into stories, wonder, and personal discovery, creating space to encounter the sacred in meaningful and personal ways.

Join us for the Godly Play story of The Ark and the Flood, a sacred story that has been told for generations. Together, we enter the mystery of Noah, the ark, the great flood, and God's care for all creation. As the waters receded and a new beginning unfolded, Noah and his family saw a great bow in the sky, a rainbow, God's sign of promise and faithfulness. As the story reminds us: "Suddenly, they saw a great bow in the sky, a bow of many colors. You can still see it today when there is rain and the sun is shining. We call it a rainbow. This rainbow was God’s sign to say that God will never send such a flood again." Following the story, there is time for wondering; open-ended questions that invite children and adults alike to reflect, make meaning, and discover where they may find themselves in the story. There are no right or wrong answers, only space to listen, wonder, and grow.

In this special episode of Mess Makes Meaning, we offer a simple blessing and invitation to slow down. As fellow parents and caregivers walking this messy yet meaningful journey, we recognize how full and often stressful the past month has been for many. As we move into the summer season, this episode creates space to pause, breathe, and gently release what has been weighing on us. It is a reminder that we are not only called to do, but also to be...to rest, to notice, and to receive the gift of stillness in the midst of our busy lives. May this blessing offer encouragement and grounding as you step into summer, holding both the beauty and the exhaustion of the season with grace. Enjoy this Summer Blessing.

Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of violence and weapons, which may be emotionally sensitive for some listeners. In this episode of Mess Makes Meaning, Joy and Raenelle engage in a thoughtful and at times difficult conversation about the realities of violence in our world. Together with guest Hannah Rose Martin, co-founder of RAWtools and co-author of Sparking Peace, they explore what it means to speak honestly about violence while also holding space for hope, transformation, and peace. Hannah shares the story and mission behind RAWtools, an organization committed to turning instruments of violence into tools for gardening and life-giving work. Through this powerful work, she invites us to consider how change can emerge from the very places where harm has been present, and how communities can participate in practices of healing and restoration. Throughout the conversation, Joy, Raenelle, and Hannah reflect on the importance of language, truth-telling, and imagination in shaping a more peaceful world. They explore how naming hard realities does not diminish hope, but instead deepens our capacity to respond with courage and compassion. This episode offers a grounded and reflective space for listeners to consider violence, peace, and the ways transformation can take root in both personal and collective life.

Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of childhood illness, hospitalization, and medical trauma. In this episode of Mess Makes Meaning, hosts Joy Studer and Raenelle Tauro explore the meaning we can find in the messiness of play, and how children use play as a powerful language for processing life’s deepest joys, questions, and challenges. Joy opens the conversation by reflecting on the heart of the podcast—making meaning out of messy and beautiful life while nurturing children’s spirituality through wonder, story, rhythm, and play. Raenelle introduces today’s focus on play and the ways it helps children communicate and make sense of their inner worlds. Their guest, Brittany Luther, a Certified Child Life Specialist with nearly 20 years of experience working with infants, children, adolescents, and families in hospital settings, including emergency care and oncology, joins the conversation to share her expertise on the role of play in healing and connection. Together, they explore what a child life specialist does and how play becomes a vital tool for helping children express what they cannot always put into words. Brittany reflects on what first drew her to this work and how she came to understand play as a language for healing, especially in medical environments where children are navigating fear, grief, and uncertainty. The conversation also turns toward caregivers themselves, how adults can stay grounded while witnessing a child’s pain, how to care for their own emotional wellbeing, and what it means to be a “conduit” rather than a container for others’ experiences. Brittany offers gentle, practical ways for parents and caregivers to check in with themselves and remain present without becoming overwhelmed. Finally, the group discusses how parents can foster meaningful play at home, not as therapy, but as connection, and how families can use play to move through grief, suffering, and existential questions together. The episode closes with a blessing from Brittany, offering words of care and encouragement for all who are walking alongside children through both joy and struggle.

In this episode of Mess Makes Meaning, hosts Joy and Raenelle welcome back pastor and author Meredith Miller to discuss her newest book, Wonder: 52 Conversations to Help Kids Fall in Love with Scripture. Together, they explore what it means to nurture children’s spirituality through presence, storytelling, and curiosity. Meredith invites parents and caregivers to shift from being “experts” in faith to becoming guides who walk alongside their children. Rather than striving for perfect answers, she encourages adults to meet children’s questions and doubts with openness, curiosity, and a willingness to wonder together. Throughout the conversation, Meredith highlights the power of God-centered storytelling as a way to help children engage with Scripture, including the more complex and difficult narratives found within the Bible. By creating space for honest reflection and shared exploration, families can build deeper trust and connection in their spiritual conversations. This episode offers practical encouragement for parents and caregivers who want to support their children’s spiritual journeys in meaningful and life-giving ways. Join us as we explore how curiosity, presence, and storytelling can help children fall in love with Scripture and discover a faith that grows with them.

In this episode of Mess Makes Meaning, Joy and Raenelle are joined by Rev. Dr. Aizaiah G. Yong and Rev. Nereyda (Neddy) Yong for a rich and heartfelt conversation about their book Sacred Parenthood: Spiritual Practices for the HIGHS and LOWS of Parenting. As authors and life partners, the Yongs draw from their lived experience as parents in an interracial and intercultural family of four young children, offering wisdom shaped by both the beauty and complexity of everyday family life. Together, they share how parenting can become a sacred practice, one that invites presence, tenderness, and intentionality even in the midst of chaos, exhaustion, and joy. Throughout the conversation, we explore the idea that healing and peace begin at home, and that the ways we care for our children are deeply connected to how we care for ourselves and one another. The Yongs invite us into creative spiritual practices that support the inner lives of parents while also nurturing connection within the family and wider community. This episode offers encouragement for anyone navigating the highs and lows of parenting, reminding us that even in the most ordinary moments, there is opportunity for sacred connection, growth, and grace.

In this episode of Mess Makes Meaning, we welcome Reverend Lizzie McManus-Dail for a meaningful conversation about the journey many parents and caregivers are navigating: deconstructing and reconstructing faith while also caring for the spiritual lives of their children. Reverend Lizzie, author of God Didn’t Make Us to Hate Us and vicar of Jubilee Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas, brings wisdom, honesty, and deep pastoral care to this complex and tender topic. Drawing from her work on social media and in ministry, she reflects on how we can begin to untangle toxic theology while also nurturing a vision of God that is rooted in love, joy, and grace. Together, we explore what it looks like to hold space for both our own evolving faith and the spiritual questions of our children. Rev. Lizzie offers compassionate insight into how parents can walk this path with openness, integrity, and gentleness, even when the journey feels uncertain or layered with tension. Throughout our conversation, she reminds us that God’s love is not something we must earn or fear, but something that invites us, and our children into freedom, curiosity, and belonging. Her reflections offer encouragement for anyone seeking to raise children in a way that is life-giving while also staying honest about their own spiritual growth. Join us for this thoughtful and hope-filled episode as we consider what it means to deconstruct, reconstruct, and continue loving our children as they are along the way.