WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - Lived and Learned: Take the Step with Anna Novak - Part 2

Episode Date: April 12, 2026

Anna Novak talks about the importance of focusing on the things that matter, doing things even when you’re afraid, and taking the next right step.

Still 101.7 FM. I'm Grace Novak on the lived and learn podcast. And with me today is my mother, Anna Novak, continuing our prior conversation from the part one of this episode. So if you haven't heard that yet, tune back in to catch up to where we're at. But brief recap is we're pretty much just talking about advice for being in your 20s. And my mom is sharing some of her experiences. So far, the advice has been to seek first the kingdom of God and not get caught up in the trivial things and to do it afraid. Welcome back. Thank you. As an avid listener, a focus on the family's daily podcast.

I am honored to be a part two. Thank you. That is so funny. My mom has gotten me hooked on the focus on the family podcasts too. I love them. So jumping into the lived and learn podcast today. I am going to ask a specific question. And I have a couple more specific questions,

and then I just want to hear the advice that you gathered for this. But, okay, so we've talked a lot about how you kind of came from behind with your young adult life. You made some interesting decisions. God worked it for good, and you became saved and changed your name. um so so i'm curious um just entering the faith like at age 20 i know just from talking to you but then also just um in general this seems like the natural thing that you would have a lot of things to learn both about faith and just what it looks like to be a woman of god um that you kind of have to learn almost the hard way when you're just thrown into it like that so i'm curious now at age 20

when we look to the future into the seasons of life that we're about to step into, what things should we be practically focused on in preparing? In what ways can we be sharpening ourselves really specifically? Yeah, that's a great question. So for me and your father, what we actually had to do before learning was we spent a whole season unlearning and undoing everything that we had ever been told and taught. And we really learned how to think for ourselves for the first time. And this actually, I think the biggest spot where this was so important was in, when reading

the Bible. So we both read the Bible, cover to cover, and really just kind of undid doctrine, undid our preconceived notions and what we had been taught. went to Catholic schools up until high school. It's where we met. And we just unlearned everything and then just took the word of God for what it was. And that really transformed my faith. It just felt so personal and so practical. And a lot of what I had been taught as doctrine, I discovered wasn't exactly what God was revealing to me through scripture. So that was really, really important because I went from religion into religion.

faith. So I would encourage all of you. You're learning a lot in this season of life right now, especially, you know, at college, but I would encourage you to think through everything that you are learning. Look around you. Use the world as your guide. And you kind of have to siphon through what is real and what is not real. We have a lot of media and social media coming at us and And just use a really wide load of discernment as you're learning and free thinking. So kind of jumping off of that, so we've talked a lot about your life pre-being saved and like during that process. But what are some hard things that you had to grow through or experiences that shaped you

once you were grounded in your faith? I think the hardest was honestly we were really comfortable for a while. I mean, that sounds kind of silly, but we were in a lovely Christian school and a wonderful group of friends, you know, doing decent at Michael's work and had a beautiful house. And that comfort there was probably the biggest challenge because it's really comfortable being really comfortable. But God didn't call us to be comfortable. So that was a huge challenge, was saying yes to God.

We actually resisted it for about maybe seven years, resisted the call to homeschool and to go. So listening to God and obeying, actually, more so than listening. We heard them loud and clear, but obeying God is really hard, especially when you're battling comfort. And then keeping focused on the actual goal and the prize, which is making Christ known, it's very distracting in this world. There are a lot of distractions. So we kind of stay far away from everything that's screaming for our attention, and we just really try to focus on the cross.

But raising kids in this society, very, very, very hard. And it was really scary pulling you guys out of school and kind of bucking the system. So there's a lot of fear, a lot of fear. And every day, you guys, I cannot even tell you how often I just beg God to take the fear, take the shame. And he does every single time. But it keeps me in daily communication with him. What about just specific advice for, like women's specific advice? for women do not discount how important you are your role in the home as a wife and a mother is

the most important work you will do in your entire life it is a divine calling part of my advice that's going to come in a little bit is is passion and finding what your past passion in the lord is and mine is being a mom and probably you know there's a really high percentage of women who are going to say that that's their passion as well. And it's because it's what God designed for you. And it is so beautiful. But do not discount it. It is the most important work you will do.

And it is the hardest work you will do. That's really good. And I think that's a good reminder to that it's what we were designed to do, but it's also a passion that God gives us as well. So I have one last question before we just dive into your advice that you compiled to bring. it is future focused. I think right now, standing on the precipice of all of these possibilities, I used to think that it was fear that kept people from pursuing their passions or their dreams. And lately I've begun to think that it might just as easily be the innumerable amount of possibilities that are just so overwhelming. And so I'm very curious, as women specifically,

but also just in general looking forward at the future when we're not sure when we'll get married if we'll get married who will marry where we'll live how many kids will have when will be pregnant all of these things how do you walk the balance between planning and preparing properly for the future and well what is that difference between planning for it and preparing for it and then also living in the present yeah that's an excellent question and that that's a scary real concern that you all have that I had as well at your age. The advice that I give my sweet grace all the time is do the next right thing. It's so easy to jump ahead five years, ten years, where am I going to be? Where am I going to be living? You have no idea what God has planned for you and it is far bigger than you can ever

imagine. My life is absolutely nowhere near where I thought it would be at all. You just can can't limit God's plan for yourselves. So women just do the next right thing in faithful obedience to God. And he is going to guide your steps beautifully to where he wants them. And why would you want a life that isn't God led? So let go of your control, do the next right thing, and just trust in the Lord with all of your heart. It is scary, but it is so beautiful. What do you think is one of the easiest things for women to fall into? So many. I'm seeing a lot of control, a lot of control in women. I mean, you can see it throughout our whole society with the feminist movement. This Eve complex, the battle against the man. We are so beautiful. We are such beautiful, delicate,

gentle, very invaluable creatures. And when we tap into that and flow with how God designed, us. It is such a beautiful dance. So I just ask women to all humble themselves before the Lord and trust the role that he has given you. And do you have any practical advice for college-aged women who are wanting to give up that control while also just admitting that it is, it's so easy to go for that when it is such a confusing time of life? I think just being humble, stay close to the Lord and be humble. And honestly, the daily prayers, like constantly throughout the day, and I'm not talking about, you know, written prayers. I'm talking about beg God for help. Lord, help me to be humble, help me to be patient, help me to be kind, impress the fruits of the spirit upon me, and just walk in

his love and in your beauty. So, yeah, just stay very close to God and ask for his help constantly. Is there any particular advice that you think people frequently give that we should be on the lookout for as false and have our raiders up to avoid? I'm kind of tired of hearing about God wants you to be happy. God loves you, but he doesn't call us to happiness. He calls us to joy in him and rest in him. So I think we have a very selfish world right now. I agree. And God is the picture of selflessness.

So drawing nearer to God is becoming selfless and just having a servant's heart. So God would love it if you are happy. But I have been to the slums of Africa. Those are the joyful people. Happiness isn't in material things. It's not in, you know, oh goodness, you name it. It's in God and it's joy and it's from serving and loving him fully. No, that's so good. All right. Hit us with your best piece of advice.

Oh, peace. I think you mean pieces. Just take the ring. You go for it. All right. So first and foremost, my husband and I spent many years trying to kind of put into words how we feel and how we want to live. And we came up with a family motto, and I think it applies to all believers. So our family motto is be you, be free, and believe. Be true. And our children always say be true. That's not part of it. So be you, that could sound super worldly.

But let me first tell you that you are a child of God, whether you believe it or not. Every person on this earth is a child of God created in his image. So be you is not some hippie mentality to change your gender. Be you means under the umbrella of Christ be who God created you to be. I am who God created me to be, raw. Nice. So in the image of God, you were created and you were created with great purpose and with great passion and it is not the same as the person next to you.

It is not the same as your roommate. And it is going to look different. So tap into that. Find out why God put you here. and if you're not sure, do the next right thing while seeking God, and he will reveal it to you. Be you, it is beautiful. We do not need to all be clones of each other. That's super lame.

Amen. Second is be free. What does that mean? Don't rack up debt. Don't tie yourself down. Be free to go where God is calling you. Free from prescription drugs, free from the control of government, free in Christ. Just pursue freedom.

so that you can answer the call that God has put on you. And finally is Believe, which is actually the umbrella of our motto, but it comes last because it sounded better in that order. That's really important to me. And Believe, obviously, is actually going to be the most important decision you make, and that is belief in God and the Trinity, of course, but also belief in yourself, belief in what you're doing, but standing on the shoulders of God.

and proclaiming his kingdom. That sums up what matters in life to us pretty clearly. And whenever our kids come to us and our wanting advice, Grace gets real sick of hearing the same three things over and over again. Well, it's because for some reason I forget that's what you're going to say every time. I don't know why it surprises me every time. That's the answer. We also have a family logo for the record that has this written on it,

which is very helpful to be a reminder. Send us to your address, and I'll send you your address. a free sticker. Be you. It is so important. Be free. It's amazing. And believe that's all that matters.

Next advice is, I already touched on this earlier, but focus on what matters. Does it matter for eternity? No. Honestly, it really doesn't matter. We taught our children to be their best, but not in the way that other parents teach their children to be their best. So ours is your best for Christ, your best for God.

And I don't really care if you come home with C pluses. That's fine. If it's not the best use of your time to be spending four hours on homework, get it done and then go share the love of Christ. That's what matters to us in this house, and that's what matters to God. So does it matter for eternity?

Like filter everything through that lens and you're going to do just fine. Yeah. And then all of this hinges on, we really hold the Sabbath in high regard. And my husband is wonderful. I don't know if I've said that yet. But this is all him.

This is his lifeblood. He's a wonderful leader. And he has really taken back Sundays for us. The Sabbath we honor us on Sunday. You can honor it any day of the weeks so long as you're dedicating it to the Lord. But Sundays are perfect for us because we go to church on Sunday. And that's a huge part of how.

we love to worship. But we turn our phones off. Sometimes I just want to throw it in the ocean. You and me go. And we completely unplug. We spend a lot of time with the Lord. We meditate. We pray together.

We talk about the Bible together. We go on a nice long hike and praise and thank God for his amazing creation. And it is life-changing. Throw your phones in the garbage if you have to to focus on what really matters. because it's God and that's it. Yeah. So let's sum it all up. Is it too early to sum it all up?

No, because I have more questions. Okay. Seeky first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all of these things shall be added unto you. Believe that with my whole heart because I lived it and I experienced it. Freethink, think through absolutely everything. Do not take what anybody says is law

unless it is the Lord God himself telling you. Do it afraid. Yeah, you're going to be scared. Who cares? Do it. Does it matter for eternity? If not, do it faithfully because you're a follower of God, but then flip it right back to an eternal matter

because that is all that matters. Focus on your account. You're going to give an account. Focus on it. I really don't believe that my account, I think God's going to maybe look for two seconds at, oh, you had premarital sex. We know that.

We've dealt with that. I'm washed by the blood of Jesus. But you know what? I passed up a lot of homeless people last week. I think that's going to be my account. Be you, be free, be leave, keep holy the Sabbath. What else? I was going to say be true, but I don't know.

No, that's perfect. And it's so good. And it's funny because I've been hearing this stuff for so long that I forget that these are not the principles that everybody lives, by. And it's definitely a unique place to be receiving this advice so regularly. They will be living by it now. Oh, yes. Oh, yes. I have one more question. Just like specifically going back towards the young women focus again. I think like you've just referenced dad so much in the role that he has

led and um and just like your name change in all the ways that you've been a team throughout. this and even like the advice and our family motto like that's definitely very heavily driven by dad so I'm very curious um just your thoughts about how we can as young women can approach um finding the and being committed to the spouse that god intends for us while also um just preparing for marriage and what that will look like and independently before we're there how we should be focusing our lives. It's really important to have God in the process of choosing a spouse, be praying for your spouse,

and make sure that God is a part of the decision because he wants what's best for you and it's going to be so beautiful. Again, we know I was late to the game, but when I was married and planning to get married, I was always looking at women that I really had. admired and how they acted. Beautiful marriages look to them, ask them, women my age are just dying to share. This has been such a wonderful gift to share what I have learned, but do that with married couples that you admire and watch them. I had, and I was nannying with you. I had the

beautiful privilege of watching another little girl and you at the same time. It was the best gift anyone has ever given me. And I watched that mom like a hawk. And so much of my parenting and my being a good wife came from watching her. And so just pay attention and who do you want to be. And then start practicing. Practice that amongst some of the gentlemen. Be respectful to them. Be kind to them. Build them up as your friends and just put it into practice already. And then you're going to have a beautiful gift to give your future spouse. yeah i think that's so um so good and just so important to keep in mind and yeah i think this has just been wonderful so i think we are about ready to wrap up is there any one final specific thing that

you think we should just cling to or take as a piece of encouragement because it is very scary looking ahead to the unknown future yeah just be a big bright beautiful joy filled, spirit-filled example of Christ every day. And you are just, you're going to spread love all throughout the universe if you do that and you're just going to be a wonderful employee

of the Lord's. And when life gets hard, we just focus on the things that really matter. Eternity. Always. All right. Well, this has been such a privilege to get to, I mean, obviously we talk and have these conversations, but it's been so nice to just sit down and have

this specific extended conversation and also to know that your wisdom, which has blessed me both in words and in practice, throughout my whole life, will now be able to benefit all who listen to this or interact with people who listen to this. So thank you so much for your time, and thank you for being the most wonderful mother in the world. You're very welcome. I love you all. We all love me too. I hope I can speak on behalf of everyone, but I love you. I think they do.

All right. Our guest today has been my mother, Anna Novak, and I'm Grace Novak on the Live and Learn Podcast here at Radio Free Hill Still 101.7.