Today I’m resharing Season 4, Episode 34, which is in the top 10 downloaded podcast episodes ever, is a conversation that feels just as important now as it did when it first aired—maybe even more so.

This episode is a reminder for anyone who has ever believed the lie that they need to clean themselves up before coming to God.

In this conversation, Gail Schaar shares her story with honesty, humor, and so much grace. She’s a barista at Starbucks who believes coffee is often the doorway to deeper conversations and real relationships. She’s a wife, a mom of two little girls, and a woman who came to faith later in life after years of what she calls a “bob-and-weave” relationship with God—aware of Him, but not fully surrendered.

We talk about:

• ​Feeling “too messy” for church
• ​How God meets us right in the middle of our junk
• ​Addiction, unhealthy coping, and surrendering control
• ​Why God does the cleaning—not us
• ​The beauty of authentic church community
• ​Letting God peel back layers one at a time

One of the most powerful moments in this episode is when she shares how she finally told God the truth: “I don’t want to change this. If You want it gone, You’re going to have to do it.” And God did—changing her desires in a way only He can.

This episode carries a message I never get tired of saying:

You are not too dirty for God.You are not too broken for church.And you don’t have to fix yourself before coming to Him.

🤍 A 2025 Update

Since this episode first aired, this sweet friend is now walking through a breast cancer battle in 2025. And once again, her life is a testimony—not of perfection, but of deep trust.

She is being carried by the same God who met her in addiction, in shame, in surrender—and now meets her in treatment, fear, courage, and hope. Please join me in praying for healing, strength, peace, and overwhelming reminders of God’s nearness.

This reshare is for the one who feels disqualified.It’s for the one who thinks they’ve gone too far.It’s for the one who needs to hear—again—that God is not afraid of your mess.

🎧 Listen with an open heart.

Original Notes:

Two weeks ago, I had Zach Schaar on the podcast and this week, his beautiful wife, Gail is joining me! I have been anxiously awaiting to have this conversation with her! She is a powerhouse with a soft side towards dolphins:)

Bio:

Gail Schaar is a wife and mother of two girls. She enjoys her job serving coffee as a barista. Gail became a Christian at 28 years old at a church near Nashville, TN. She loves watching God use her unsavory past as way to relate to and reach people in her daily life. She currently lives in Canton, OH with her husband, little girls, and Cockapoo. Her loves are coffee, Pilates, bargains, reading the Old Testament, and delicious food. You can follow her ministry at YAHWEH’s Trainwreck on Facebook.

Gail's Anchor Verses:

Jeremiah 29:11; 32:17

Revelation 22

Support Now: https://www.supportnow.org/gail-schaar

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