Letting go isn't easy, especially when it comes to our kids. Whether they're stepping into adulthood, moving far away, or simply living life differently than we expected, this season of release can stir up a mix of emotions: pride, fear, loss, hope, and everything in between.

In this raw and heartfelt conversation, we're joined by our friends Brad and Lisa Valencia from the Unrelenting Pursuit Podcast to talk about what it really looks like to trust God with our children, a seaons they're right in the middle of. Together, we unpack how to surrender anxiety, manage expectations, and move from parenting to praying, finding peace in knowing that God's plans for our kids are even greater than ours.

If you're walking through a season of letting go, this episode will remind you that release isn't the end of your parenting, it's a new beginning for your faith.

🎧 Listen now for encouragement, perspective, and hope.

https://unrelentingpursuit.org

Remember when you were dating—those extra drives across town, late-night phone calls, sweet notes, and the way you rearranged your whole schedule just to be together? Back then, sacrifice felt natural. But somewhere along the way, many couples lose that intentionality.

In this episode, we dive into what it means to rediscover sacrificial love in marriage—not as a duty, but as a reflection of Christ's love. From everyday acts of kindness to laying down pride and preferences, we'll unpack why sacrifice is foundational for intimacy, trust, and unity.

💡 What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Why couples often lose the art of sacrifice after marriage
• How sacrifice builds trust, intimacy, and a "we" mindset instead of "me vs. you"
• Practical, everyday ways to reignite sacrificial love
• The difference between being a doormat and choosing sacrificial love
• How reflecting Christ's love through sacrifice impacts your marriage, your children, and your witness to the world

📖 Scripture References

• John 15:12–13 — "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."
• Ephesians 5:25 — "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."
• Romans 5:8 — "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
• John 13:35 — "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

🛠️ Practical Takeaways

• Put your phone down and give your spouse your full attention
• Do an errand your spouse dislikes
• Give up a preference to honor theirs
• Lay down pride and be the first to apologize
• Pray together even when life is busy

Challenge for the Week:
Choose one intentional act of sacrifice—big or small—for your spouse and see how it impacts your connection.

Big change isn't always what your marriage needs. In fact, sometimes the most powerful growth comes from the smallest, most consistent choices. In this episode, we talk about how to move the needle forward in your relationship—just 1% at a time—without the pressure of perfection.

💡 What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Why the pressure to fix everything at once leaves couples feeling stuck
• The power of compounding small actions and how they can transform your marriage over time
• How lofty expectations of perfection can sabotage intimacy
• Why it's essential to address sin like pride, anger, or bitterness—rather than just covering it up with good habits
• What "moving the needle" might look like practically in your home
• How to let go of guilt and shame and replace them with God's daily mercies

🛠️ Practical Takeaways

• Choose one small thing to do better this week (listen more attentively, speak a word of encouragement, offer a small act of service, say "I'm sorry").
• Remember: consistency, not perfection, creates change.

🎯 Resources & Next Steps

If this episode encouraged you, we'd love for you to:

• Share it with a friend.
• Leave us a review—it helps other couples find hope and practical help
• Visit ExpeditionMarriage.org for free resources

👉 And if you're ready for a guided plan to help you rebuild intimacy, safety, and connection in your marriage, check out our Restoring Connection Plan. As a special thank-you for listening, you can get 20% off using the code PODCAST20:
Click here to grab your plan