Episode 11: Coexist

My husband Josh and I started a podcast at the end of 2018 called Playing With Fire. We recently recorded episode 11. This one was an experiment. Ok, I suppose every episode has been, but this one is definitely a peek into our personal lives! 👨‍🏭💁🏼‍♀️ (Link at bottom of this post.)

Hitting on an exceedingly relevant topic, one that is much bigger than us, we discuss: How do humans coexist in a world with so many differences, polarizing ideas, and opinions?

We talk differences between us including “THE BIG ONE” and how we have managed to still love and respect one another on the deepest levels.

So yeah, we open it up for a very candid conversation on opinions, beliefs, and disparities that include aliens, miracles, atheism, welding in space, Jesus, Iraq, porn, and South Park. This is real life, folks. It’s a heartfelt conversation in our living room while brownies are baking and dogs are snoring.

**FAIR WARNING: This episode is NOT for the ears of little ones or anyone who might be easily offended by Josh quoting an atheist with a few harsh swears. Just saying. You have been fully warned.**

We have already received a lot of encouraging feedback on this episode from old friends, new friends, and strangers. From people who didn’t know about our differences or were afraid to ask. From people who are trying to figure out how to coexist with big disagreements in their marriage, with their kids, with their parents, or within other important relationships. That’s pretty cool. We are grateful and honored that anyone listens to our crazy heads and finds some value. If anything, we hope it is thought-provoking. We would love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Everyone is invited to the conversation.

If you are reading this or if you listen to episode 11, I hope you know that you are welcome into my world, my home, my conversations. You always belong. You don’t have to “fit in” and think the way I do or believe the way I do. My own husband doesn’t and he is my favorite human. I’ve become increasingly comfortable being called out on my mistakes or being challenged on my thoughts. When I get “preachy” about anything (whether it’s Jesus or even a favorite coffee roast lol) it’s because I am overwhelmingly passionate. I get excited about the things that I have learned in this life, about the 🤯 WHOA-MIND-BLOWN moments that I have experienced, and I want to share them with my whole heart. And I wish you could experience them in the same way that I have. And I want to hear about your WOW moments and the things that stir your spirit, too.

I try to be protective of the people’s names in the stories that I share on the podcast because they are not part of the conversation and cannot speak for themselves. And I love those people. Also, I realize that I did not give solid examples of the times that I have miserably failed at being empathetic or when my words were a disastrous flop or when I fell massively short at representing Jesus or people of my own faith, but believe me they exist on a grand scale . . . and it’s important to me that this is clear. The podcast is off-the-cuff, a candid and open conversation and one that Josh and I have had multiple times, but decided to share with the world this time around. We are equally passionate and imperfect. We are learning more every time we record. It’s beyond humbling to listen to the words that just flow out of my mouth sometimes, but it helps me to keep myself in check. I realize my privilege in this life and I’m still learning to be a better and kinder human every day. Where would I be without the example of Jesus and the grace and mercy of God and others? I am a work in progress, a human in progress . . . and I know you probably are, too.

Much love to all of you! 💗

Darla

P.S. I got a message asking why I didn’t directly tell my husband how much Jesus loves him and wondered if I was too flippant about his salvation or why I didn’t share the gospel in the episode. Ok, hear me out. Again, this is a very common conversation that we have had in our home in various ways over many years. We laughed before we started recording about where to start because of how often we talk about it. Josh knows where I stand and what I hope for him. He sees me trying my best to live out the gospel and show God’s love. Recently he said, “if Jesus were real he would be very proud of you, Darla.” Like I say in the podcast, it’s ok to be sad or heartbroken when someone doesn’t believe what you do and you want them to with all of your heart. I know that God loves Josh and I trust Him to capture his heart. Much love and peace.

P.P.S. Today I went out to lunch with my friend and her soon-to-be-adopted-daughter and we made friends with our waiter after he complimented my lipstick. He’s a makeup artist and a drag queen. We are all Instagram friends now. This is the kind of thing that makes my day. Jesus loves drag queens, too.

P.P.P.S. Megan Phelps-Roper is the girl, who along with her sister, left the Westboro Baptist Church. She responded to my Instagram post and she has a book coming out Fall 2019. Grab it and let’s talk about it!