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🎙️ Welcome to "Warfare Parenting: Faith-driven strategies for struggling parents of teens and adult children"!

In this heartfelt episode, host Laine Lawson Craft sits down with author and speaker Edie Melson to explore how grief can transform, not drown, us—and how God's creativity can help heal our hurting souls. If you're a parent or grandparent struggling with loss, a family crisis, or a prodigal child, this conversation is full of faith-driven encouragement and hands-on strategies for healing.

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RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED:

• Laine Lawson Craft's Website: lainelawsoncraft.com
• Free first 10 days of "Warfare Parenting: A Daily Battle Plan to Fight for Your Child": Download Here
• Edie Melson's Website & Books: ediemelson.com
• Soul Care for Weary Creatives (FREE starter kit): Download Here
• Find Edie on Amazon: Edie Melson on Amazon
• Rate & Review the Podcast: Wherever you listen—Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts!

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GUEST BIO: Edie Melson

Edie Melson is an author, blogger, and international speaker passionate about helping others find God's comfort through creativity, especially in seasons of grief and weariness. With a legacy of creative parents (her mother a watercolor artist), Edie brings a fearless approach to healing through words, photography, and hands-on exercises. Her acclaimed "Soul Care" series, including Soul Care When You're Grieving, empowers readers with practical tools for emotional and spiritual restoration. Through workshops, books, and her blog, Edie inspires countless individuals to embrace healing, hope, and creative expression.

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KEY TALKING POINTS:

• How creativity can be a catalyst for healing during deep grief
• Edie's personal testimony of losing her daughter-in-law and how God prepared her
• Practical ways to start creative soul care—journaling, photography, walks
• The myth of "stages" of grief being linear
• Why everyone's grief process is uniquely their own
• How to draw closer to God through prayer, journaling, and creative play
• The power and importance of bringing emotions into the light
• Creating connection points with loved ones through creative activities
• Edie's "Soul Care" series—help for weary, grieving, creative, and empty nester souls
• Encouragement that joy does return after grief

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DETAILED TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro: Faith-driven strategies for struggling parents
00:55 - Meet Edie Melson: Author & creativity as healing
02:11 - Edie's backstory & divine timing of grief
04:20 - Losing her daughter-in-law & God's preparation
06:00 - Creativity and grief: Edie's farm walks, finding God in the "frozen" moments
07:49 - Defining creativity and why everyone is creative
10:33 - How to start creative healing in grief: the "one word" exercise
12:22 - Do the stages of grief really happen in order?
14:25 - Grief as a unique, personal journey
15:22 - The lifelong process of grief and healing
18:29 - How journaling leads to healing and creativity
20:53 - Edie's Soul Care books & creative exercises
21:10 - Using prayer for creative connection with God
22:49 - Asking God to reveal new creative gifts in hard seasons
23:45 - Handling hard emotions, letting God into the mess
23:57 - Bible study's role in soul care
25:54 - Where to find and connect with Edie Melson
27:02 - Edie's closing words for those grieving
27:46 - Conclusion: Soul care isn't selfish, it's sacred
28:35 - Laine's final encouragement and free resources

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CONCLUSION

This episode reminds us that our deepest grief can become a sacred place of encounter with God, especially when we embrace creativity as healing. Edie Melson's wisdom and practical tips offer hope that joy does indeed return, and caring for your soul isn't selfish—it's part of God's healing plan. Don't forget to check out Laine's resources and Edie's website for more support. You're not alone!