Forward Path with Melissa - Life and Marriage God's Way: Welcome

Hi, I'm Melissa. I grew up in small-town Iowa, pretty average in most ways. I was shy, insecure, and happy to blend in. I was in choir and band and dance team, but I never wanted the solo. I knew the answers in class, but I rarely raised my hand. Yet there was one thing I wouldn't compromise on. I refused to be talked into anything I didn't believe in. Before I knew Jesus, I chased worth in the wrong places— my grades, perfection, my work. But then God met me. He showed me who He says I am, and everything changed. That shy girl found humble confidence, and the one who just wanted to belong discovered she was created to stand firmly, lovingly, unapologetically for what is true. Since 2009, I've walked alongside people as a mental health therapist. I've sat with broken marriages, anxious hearts, and weary souls. In 2020, I stepped out in faith and opened my own private practice. And since 2007, I've been married to my best friend, raising 2 incredible kids while learning what it really means to love and be loved God's way. Lately, God has been stirring something new in my heart. The world feels heavy, dark, loud, and He keeps reminding me His people are called to be different. We're called to shine and live in And with that prompting, Forward Path was born. So here we are. This is Forward Path with Melissa: Life and Marriage God's Way. It's a podcast for Christians who are tired of settling, who want more than just getting by in their faith, their marriage, and their purpose. So every episode, we'll talk real life— the messy, the beautiful, and the in-between— through the lens of scripture, Years of counseling experience, coaching knowledge, and a whole lot of grace. We'll dig into how to disagree well, love deeply, parent intentionally, heal from the past, and walk forward with Jesus together. Because your growth in your walk with God and in the covenant of your marriage isn't just about you. It's about glorifying the One who designed it all. If you're ready, To stop drifting and start moving forward on the path He's laid out for you, the path towards more. Come walk with me. Forward Path with Melissa: Life and Marriage God's Way. New episodes every Monday, wherever you get podcasts. I can't wait to see you there.