In this devotional podcast episode, Melissa Gendreau, therapist and founder of Forward Path, reinterprets the popular phrase “you only live once” (YOLO) from a self‑centered motto into a God‑anchored invitation to live with both purpose and joy. She shares how her own strengths of diligence, hard work, and discipline can sometimes eclipse joy, and she illustrates this tension with personal anecdotes and counseling stories about a father who lost delight in parenting and couples who fall into a transactional marriage model. Drawing on Philippians 4:8, she proposes practical habits—such as reframing a to‑do list into a “ta‑da” list—to celebrate completed tasks and cultivate a mindset of gratitude. Melissa issues a weekly challenge for listeners to identify an area where discipline has crowded out joy and to practice a daily “ta‑da” moment, followed by a prayer and a call to engage further through subscription, a free weekly email, and a shop. The episode blends scriptural reflection, therapeutic insight, and actionable steps to encourage listeners to live their one life fully for God’s glory while embracing delight.
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We've all heard the phrase, you only live once. Culture usually uses it as permission to chase whatever feels good in the moment. But what if we took those same words and anchored them in God's purpose instead? In this episode, we're going to look at the difference between a self-focused YOLO and God-anchored one. I'll share how even my own strengths of diligence and discipline can sometimes crowd out joy and invite us to live this one life with both purpose and delight. You'll leave with a clearer picture of how to enjoy the journey while still walking God's path. Hey friend, welcome to Forward Path with Melissa: Life and Marriage God's Way. I'm Melissa, small-town Iowa girl, wife to my best friend since 2007, mom of 2, mental health therapist since 2009, And founder of Forward Path. I'm forever grateful that God took a shy, insecure kid and showed her who she really is in Him, giving her just enough humble confidence to stand for what's true, because that changed everything. Forward Path and this podcast is the stirring God wouldn't let go of in my heart, because the world can feel heavy and dark, and we're called to be different, to shine His light, especially in our homes and marriages. So every week we're going to open scripture, pull from real-life counseling experience, coaching knowledge, and talk honestly about the messy and the beautiful— how to disagree well, love deeply, heal, parent with purpose, and keep walking forward with Jesus. Because your growth isn't just about you, it's about glorifying the one who designed it all. So grab your coffee, Let's walk forward together. This is episode 37: You Only Live Once: Anchored in God's Purpose. So we've all heard the phrase, you only live once, or YOLO. Usually that means don't hold back, no regrets, do what you want, take the risks, chase the experiences, live for the moment. I think because it's usually marketed as Self-focused. You do you. Live your best life. We as Christians can go the opposite extreme and decide the whole premise is bad. But if I'm honest, I can get caught in the other direction. If I had to pick my strongest attributes, they're diligent, hardworking, and disciplined. And anyone who knows me would probably agree. And those are good gifts, But if I'm not careful, I can forget to focus on joy, on having fun with the growth process, on actually enjoying the one life God has given me. Imagine how much more encouraging and hopeful we could be as followers of Christ if we also use the phrase, you only live once, but anchored it in God's purpose instead of our own. And that's what I want us to explore today. I have a sign in my office that reads, this is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever. In its place is something you have left behind. Let it be something good. That sign stops me sometimes. It reminds me that this one life is not a dress rehearsal. I get one shot at today, and I want what I leave behind to be good— not just productive, but good in the way God defines good. As a therapist, it can be especially hard to stay focused on joy. It's a privilege to help people, But it can take an emotional toll. So in my bedroom, I also have a sign with Philippians 4:8 as a daily reminder. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. I need that. Because I'm not being intentional. The weight of other people's pain can crowd out the simple gifts God has already placed in my day. And this shows up in every area of our life: our work, parenting, personal growth, and our marriages. I once worked with a dad who was consistent and reliable and responsible, and he provided well. He showed up. But somewhere along the line, he had lost the delight of being a father. He was committed to the role, but he had stopped enjoying his kids. Their relationship had become duty instead of joy. And we started talking about anchoring even parenting in God's purpose and making room for play and presence. Something helped him shift, and he began to enjoy the journey again instead of just enduring it. And the same can happen in marriage. A lot of couples settle into a 50/50 approach. And it focuses on fairness and being equal. It's efficient, but over time it can turn into a business arrangement. You keep score, you protect your half, and passion, intimacy, and joy slowly drain out. That's why I care so much about reframing marriage as hard work to marriage as intentional, and the difference between being comfortable with your spouse versus willing to be vulnerable. Committed versus devoted. Without these reframes, marriage often loses passion, intimacy, and joy. You only live once, so why would we spend this one life in a marriage that's just functional, scorekeeping, or merely comfortable? God designed something better: a 100% marriage where both people give fully. stay vulnerable, and choose devotion over mere commitment. That kind of marriage doesn't just survive, it thrives, and it becomes a place where we get to enjoy each other along the way. That same invitation is in every ordinary part of our days too, whether we're talking about how we approach our daily work, the way we parent, or even simple tasks that fill our days. God invites us to live with both purpose and joy for his glory. I still use a paper planner. I know that makes me old school some ways, but I heard someone say that instead of calling it your to-do list, call it your ta-da list as a celebration of joy as you're growing. So multiple times a day, as I check off a task, I mentally say, ta-da! And it makes me smile every time. And it's a small way of practicing Philippians 4:8 in real time for me. It's noticing what is good, what is completed, what is praiseworthy, instead of only seeing what I have left to do. You only live once, so live it fully with God, not just carefully for God. This week, I challenge you. Look at one area of your life where diligence or discipline has crowded out joy. Maybe your work, your parenting, your marriage, or even your walk with God. And ask him, where are you inviting me to enjoy this one life more fully while still walking in your purpose? And then practice one small ta-da moment each day this week. Notice something good. Celebrate a small step. Write it down at the end of the week and see what you notice. Let me pray for you. Father, thank You for this one life You've given us. Forgive us for the times we've made it all about ourselves, and for the times we've made it so heavy that we forget how to enjoy walking with You. Teach us what it looks like to live fully anchored in Your purpose and and open to Your joy. Help us notice the good gifts You've already placed along the path. Soften the places in us that have become overly serious or overly self-focused. And let the people listening leave this conversation a little freer, a little lighter, and a little more ready to live the life You've actually given them. In Jesus' name, amen. That's all for today, friend. Thank you for walking this stretch of the path with me. And if today's episode encouraged you, would you do 2 quick things? Hit subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode and share it with one friend who might need this. And if you want to go deeper this week, subscribe to my free weekly email. You'll get a quick breakdown of each podcast episode, key scriptures, reflection questions, and simple action steps for your marriage and faith. It's like having a personal coach in your inbox. You can find it at melissagendreau.com/email. /forward-path-weekly. And if you'd like a simple everyday reminder to keep walking your forward path, you can check out the shop at forwardpath.shop. Until next Monday, keep shining, keep growing, and keep moving forward God's way. See you soon, and God bless.
