Hey everybody and welcome to the messy table, an ordinary space for real women, imperfect stories,

and the God who's always at work in our mess. So if we haven't yet had the chance to meet,

my name is Jen Jewel and I am just grateful to host this faith-fueled conversation-style podcast,

which unleashes a fresh perspective into your speakers and your earbuds every other Tuesday.

Y'all, we are partnered with the women of My Church, Life Church, where we're also big time

fans of the U-version Bible app, God's Word literally in our back pockets for free, wherever we go.

And one of our greatest joys is locking arms with women from all over the

world, from all over the capital C church, who are just willing to share a piece of their life.

Well, I think we can probably agree that work is an essential part of life, whether you're

managing an office or managing all the people and schedules under your own roof.

Whether you're raising kids or raising the corporate standard or doing a little of both,

it's not as much about making an income as it is about making a life.

And even back in Genesis 2, even before the fall,

God put Adam and Eve in the garden to work it and keep it, to create and maintain. And then, of course,

he also had plenty to say about rest and Sabbath. But here, at this time in history, especially in

modern America, but I know it's a struggle all over. It's tempting to overwork and overachieve and just

overdo it. And it's tough to put up those artificial restraints

when it seems like everyone else is working hard to get ahead. But there is a better way. And remembering

who's really in charge here and stopping for rest and for worship, it's no small thing. So here to

share some pieces from her personal journey and how those pieces

somehow fit together like a puzzle is my good friend Ashley Kleinsmith. Ashley is a wife, girl

mom, business professional, go-getter, and a lifelong learner who I've watched take on the

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