Hello everyone and welcome to the Graceology with Gwen Smith podcast.

I'm Gwen Smith and I am so glad you've joined me today.

Around here we have fun, faith-focused, grace-filled conversations, all to help you know

and trust God more.

Our discussions are honest, often humorous, and always practical, and they're going to

encourage you in meaningful ways to live out and lean on the grace of Jesus in the midst of cluttered,

messy days. You got any of those? I know I do, and I can't wait to get to today's show,

because we have got an exciting Summer exciting summer rewind series for you.

We just concluded season three of the Graceology podcast.

And before we move forward into season four this fall, we're going to pause and take a look back.

In our first two years of the show, we have had so many incredible guests and so many powerful conversations.

This Summer Rewind series is an opportunity for us to celebrate some of the ways the Lord has used his people to encourage and challenge us towards his hope and his heart.

Our first Summer Rewind features excerpts from two meaningful conversations, one with Michelle

Kashat and the other with Pastor Mark Batterson. Michelle talks about seasons of wrestling with

faith when pain causes us to question God's presence. And Mark unpacks the often misunderstood

topic of biblical blessing, God's heart for us, and the art of gratitude.

So sit back, girls, and nestle in because you are going to love our Summer Rewind.

Michelle Kashat is a three-time head and neck cancer survivor, and she's also the parent to some school-aged children that she tenderly refers to as children from hard places.

She's a reluctant expert on trauma, pain, and the deep human need for authentic connection.

And I have to tell you, I am just a huge fan of this woman. I'm not even kidding.

Michelle's just an incredibly talented storyteller, a biblically strong communicator,

and she's the author of a brand new book called Relentless, which we talk about in this episode.

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