S16 E16 - Life Transitions with Chris Benzinger (Part 2)

In this episode, we conclude our conversation on life transitions with Michelle’s husband, Chris Benzinger. We focus on the second and third steps in walking through transitions: releasing with trust and redeeming with hope. We talk about God wanting to redeem our past, the need to let go of the ways we’ve failed, and how God wants to do something new in the future. We also reflect on the importance of ceremony to conclude a season, the four responses to a loss, and why we should share our hopes for the future with God.

 

Heather’s One Thing - Return to the Heart: The Biblical Spirituality of St. Augustine's Confessions by Dr. Shane Owens

Sister Miriam’s One Thing -  Mediterranean Chicken Bowls

Michelle’s One Thing - Belovedness: Overcoming Your Inner Critic - A Lyrical Devotional by Sarah Kroger

Chris’ One Thing - Running a 5k with his daughter Lilly 

 

Journal Questions:

• What was good about the previous season of my life? Am I grieving or still carrying hurts? 
• What is God specifically asking me to release from this past season? 
• In this next season of my life, what is one thing God is making new?
• What is one hope I have for this next season of my life?

 

Creative Prompt:

• Take a bookmark and decorate it with your hopes for the next season and place it in your Bible. It will serve as a reminder in the next chapter of your life.

 

Discussion Questions:

• Reflect back upon the past few years and choose one big or small transition in your life. 
  • What is one thing you are grateful for in the past season of your life?
  • What is God calling you to release with trust from that past season?
  • As you look to this current season, what action can you take to ceremonialize the end of an old season and create the foundation for a new season?
• Are you able to name what you desire? Why or why not?
• How are you responding to loss in your current season of life?
• What is something new God is doing in the current season of your life?

 

Quote to Ponder:

“Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not. See I am doing something new. Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:18)

 

Scripture for Lectio:

“But now thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and formed you O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; and you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)

 

Sponsor - Karol Coffee Co.:

This week’s sponsor is more than just a coffee company. Karol Coffee Co. was inspired by the life and work of one of the most beloved saints of the modern era: Karol Wojtyła, better known to the world as Pope St. John Paul II. His life was a testimony to courage, joy, and cultivating beauty that draws souls into union with Jesus and one other. From his days as a young priest in Nazi-occupied Poland to his years leading the global Church, St. John Paul II consistently called people to embrace truth, goodness, and beauty in every aspect of their lives. Karol Coffee Co. seeks to carry on that mission in a small but meaningful way — by bringing community, love, and joy into the heart of our everyday routines through coffee.

Founded by Nate and Megan Whipple, a faithful Catholic couple rooted in mission, Karol Coffee Co. began humbly in 2022 as a simple garage-based roasting operation in Minneapolis, Minnesota. What started as a passion project quickly became something greater, thanks to the encouragement and support of fellow Catholics and coffee enthusiasts. In just a short time, their venture has grown into a thriving small business that now serves customers all over the country.

In an age when many of our purchases inadvertently support massive corporations with values often at odds with our own, supporting small, Catholic-owned businesses has never been more important. Karol Coffee Co. offers an alternative: ethically-sourced, traceable coffees roasted with care and intention. Each batch is crafted not only for flavor but with the desire to honor the dignity of those who cultivate the beans and to support communities around the world.

Their rotating coffee offerings include a range of carefully selected beans from notable coffee-growing regions with flavor profiles to suit a variety of preferences. Karol Coffee Co. makes it easier to keep your kitchen stocked with beans through bi-weekly or monthly subscription options. Fresh, delicious coffee delivered right to your door — no last-minute grocery runs or chain coffee stops required.

But beyond the coffee itself, what makes Karol Coffee Co. truly remarkable is the heart behind it. Nate and Megan have built their business around community and mission. It’s about more than just selling beans; it’s about creating opportunities for people to encounter beauty, truth, and goodness in the midst of their everyday lives, and to share that with the people around them. They have a passion for creating opportunities for people of all backgrounds and walks of life to experience connection and unity through the shared love of coffee and beauty.

We’d love for you to get to know them and become part of their growing community. You can visit their website at www.karolcoffeeco.com to explore their current offerings, sign up for a subscription, or learn more about the mission behind the brand. You can also follow along with them on Instagram @karolcoffeeco. 

And if you’re ever passing through St. Paul, Minnesota, be sure to visit their brand-new brick-and-mortar coffee shop. Their beautiful shop is a space where faith, community, and great coffee come together in a setting that feels like home. The walls are covered in paintings by local artists, as well as those of Megan herself (@meganwhippleart). You can even find a portrait of Pope Saint John Paul II painted by Megan (prints available on the Karol Coffee Co. website - https://karolcoffeeco.com/products/megan-whipple-art-karol-8x10-print). The shop offers a simple but complete food menu of organic and locally sourced food and a great variety of caffeinated and non-caffeinated drinks. 

So whether you’re looking to start your mornings with a little more purpose, support a Catholic business, or simply discover some truly great coffee, we wholeheartedly encourage you to check out Karol Coffee Co.

Use code ABIDING for 10% your first order.

 

Timestamps: 

00:00 - Karol Coffee Co.

01:36 - Intro

02:26 - Welcome

03:13 - Releasing with Trust

07:26 - Your Past Seasons

13:24 - Four Responses to Loss

16:55 - Our Responses to Losses in Life

25:56 - Redeem with Hope

27: 30 - Redemption in Our Lives

33:29 - One Things