Show Notes
Boy, pregnancy really has a way of working muscles you don’t love working. I mean that in every way… physically AND spiritually. Don’t get me wrong, everything about pregnancy is miraculous…it is a gift and a privilege. BUT, it is also a lot of work. The thing about that work is most of it is unseen or unnoticed.
The first trimester is just waiting… feeling horribly sick and more tired than words can describe. Honestly, it can be a frustrating time! Nobody knows you’re expecting yet. Even if they do know, it doesn’t appear evident. But day in and day out, you’re reminded. Your body is changing and preparing and the ONLY ONE who feels it is YOU.
Isn’t that the way it is, though? Before we birth something new? There is always a process God takes us through. You’ll never meet a speaker who just walked onto stage one day in front of an audience of thousands. Not without years in the trenches of preparation. You’ll never meet a singer who wakes up to fame one day without putting in the years of behind the scenes work, songwriting and performing. You’ll never meet a famous athlete, an incredible author, a gifted chef, an acclaimed artist, an incredible parent, or a successful business owner who just made it without going through the preparation. And the thing about all of it is, once again, the world doesn’t see that part. Rather, the person living it is the one. They feel every failure, endure every “no”, defeat, or setback… and they are the ones with the choice to keep going or give up.
Anyway, the real kicker, and the original connection I had never made (until our pastor pointed it out), was the REASON. The reason behind the wait. He went on to explain that during that time, culturally, Rome began conquering all. With this came the expansion of the roman kingdom and roman roads. Really, these roads were the catalyst for world-change: in communication, in transportation, in economy and culture and kingdom growth! These roads are still in existence. They were so well-constructed… and that work was done by nameless and countless people over the course of hundreds of years. No, we don’t know their names. No, we don’t know the amount of hours and sweat and backbreaking work that went into this preparation… but because of the efforts..because of this time of laborous preparation the whole world would be affected. Including, the new Testament church and the spread of the Gospel all over the world. The great commissioning.
When you put it in these terms, its kind of mind blowing. God orchestrated it in such a way that one man would conquer a vast portion of the known world, and that man would construct and orchestrate one of the most world-changing infrastructures ever known. Now, I’m certain Alexander the Great wasn’t doing this to spread the gospel. BUT, God did know. Just as He knew he could use man to bring out His divine plan: part of which was to prepare the way for the coming One. The Messiah. The man who changed the history of the world beyond it… And THAT is where the new testament begins. 400 years later.
Yes, its easy for me to say as a heavily pregnant woman. The womb is the sacred space for waiting. In darkness. Protected. Alive and growing. And trust me when I say, its hard, too. Hard not to know what the future will hold. The details feel blurred. How will delivery go? Who will this child be and what, even, will they look like. There is expectation but also the unknown. But can I tell you this? Nothing is unknown to God. He knows the promise at the other end. He knows the purpose in the wait, even if we cant see it yet. This instant gratification world we live in makes it even harder, I suspect, to wait with patience.
More from Unexpected with Hannah Love
I loved getting to sit down with Leanna Crawford (lattes in hand, of course). Leanna grew up homeschooled in a small farm town in Washington, found Jesus at a young age, and felt God put a calling on her life to do music. The doors opened. She moved to Nashville. Life was good. And then it got really hard. She shares honestly about the season when anxiety kept her up at night, when she couldn't sit at the piano without crying, and when she felt like she had let everyone down. We talk about how God used her sister Lindsey, a counselor at Porter's Call, and the people around her to keep pointing her back to Jesus. That's how she found her love for music again. Not "I have to do this." "I get to." We also talk about God's timing being so much better than our plans, the unexpected gift of marriage, the long wait to get pregnant... and Leanna shares some really sweet baby news right here on the show. 🤍 If you're in the valley right now, I pray her words at the end of this episode land right where you need them. God doesn't waste your pain. Scripture we touched on: Romans 8:28 Proverbs 13:12 Jeremiah 29:11 Ephesians 1:4 Resources mentioned: Porter's Call (free counseling for artists): https://www.porterscall.com Leanna's album, Thank God Connect with Leanna: Website: https://www.leannacrawford.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leannacrawford/ Hannah's Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unexpected.hannahlove/ Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/hannah.billingsley/ Website: https://unexpectedwithhannahlove.com/ #LeannaCrawford #ChristianPodcast #FaithStory
Today I’m sitting down with Madison Watkins to talk about a testimony that is ultimately a story of God’s pursuit. Madison grew up knowing the Lord and knowing she had been given a voice for a purpose. But after finding success through reality singing shows and pursuing a career in Los Angeles, she began to realize how easy it was to know God while still seeking the things of the world. As opportunities grew, so did the pressure to build her own name. Slowly, the industry began changing her—and eventually, Madison found herself at the end of herself. But God never stopped pursuing her. Madison shares how getting sick became an unexpected turning point, how God asked her to lay down her career and her gift, and why she stepped away from singing for an entire year. In the stillness, she began hearing His voice again. And when God eventually called her back to music, the assignment was clear: use the gift He gave her for His glory. We talk about surrender, identity, the distractions that keep us from hearing God, dying to our flesh, and the freedom that comes when we stop trying to make our own name known and start living to make His known. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’ve wandered too far, become too distracted, or held too tightly to something God is asking you to surrender, I hope Madison’s testimony reminds you: He is still pursuing your heart. Guest Social Media: Instagram: Madison Watkins TikTok: Madison Watkins Hannah’s Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unexpected.hannahlove/ Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/hannah.billingsley/ Website: https://unexpectedwithhannahlove.com/ #ChristianPodcast #FaithJourney #UnexpectedPodcast
In today's episode of Unexpected with Hannah Love, Shay and I sit down with our dear friends Rebecca St. James and Cubbie Fink for a conversation about marriage, family, faith, identity, and finding contentment in every season.
This episode is extra special — we’re sitting down with family for the start of a new Couples Series, and it’s one of the most honest, life-giving conversations we’ve had. We talk about marriage, communication, prayer, and what it really looks like to build a family rooted in faith — not perfectly, but intentionally. In this episode, we cover: What prayer actually looks like in marriage (and why it can feel hard) Learning how to communicate in different seasons The power of speaking life over your spouse and your children Why family culture matters more than we realize Letting go of control and embracing the season you’re in What it means to lead, love, and serve within your family There’s so much beauty in doing life alongside people who point you back to truth — and this conversation reminded me just how important that is. If you’re married, preparing for marriage, or simply navigating relationships and family… I pray this episode encourages you right where you are.
In this second part of my conversation with Dr. Laura Sanger, we go deeper… into truth, into awareness, and into the authority we have in Christ. This is one of those conversations that may stretch you a little—but my prayer is that it also strengthens you. We talk about the reality of spiritual warfare, the importance of understanding what we’re up against, and how we can stand firm without fear… because we already have victory in Jesus. And most importantly—we end in hope 🤍 ✨ In this episode, we talk about: Why understanding the battle matters The importance of truth in a world full of confusion Protecting our minds and our families Recognizing deception and staying grounded in God’s Word Walking in the authority we’ve been given through Christ Raising the next generation with faith and discernment This isn’t about fear—it’s about awareness. And when we truly understand who we are in Christ, everything changes. You are not a victim… you are walking in victory.