Special Guest - Jason Graves - Embracing the Unfinished: Risk, Growth, and the Wild Prairie

In this episode of The Unsettled Podcast, hosts Todd and Thomas sit down with good friend, bivocational pastor at Belmont Church, and K-State Extension horticulture agent Jason Graves. Together, they explore what it truly means to take risks—not just by stepping into the unknown, but by staying present, leaning into uncomfortable relationships, and embracing our "unfinished" selves. Jason opens up about his personal journey from preferring solitude on a farm in Kansas to stepping into deep relational ministry, non-traditional family building through foster care and adoption, and navigating early marriage struggles. Drawing on his unique background in horticulture, Jason shares a powerful metaphor comparing our spiritual and personal growth to the difference between a carefully manicured, contained bonsai tree and a wild, magnificent oak standing strong on the Kansas prairie. Key Topics Covered: The Two Sides of Risk: Why staying in a difficult place, opening yourself to accountability, and committing to personal change can often be far riskier than running away. Building Family Through Faith: Navigating the uncertainties and fears of foster care, adoption, and non-traditional family life. The Bonsai vs. The Prairie Oak: How attempting to control and manipulate our lives creates artificial limits—and why embracing a "wild" ecosystem allows us to truly thrive. Living as "Unfinished": Moving away from the pressure to have everything figured out and learning to inhabit our weaknesses alongside God. Seeing Creation as Reality: Using nature, horticulture, and everyday creation to better understand spiritual growth and the Kingdom of God. Notable Quote: "It’s very ironic that the tree that looks the most magnificent is truly the unfinished tree." — Jason Graves CALLED TO MORE.  MADE TO RISK. Episodes Produced by Guestroom Studio Mastering Engineer Caden Baughman Music Credit - It was Never Enough by Sunbreak.  EpidemicSound.com