In this special birthday release of Words of the Wise, Lexie sits down with Karen Delaney to reflect on a life shaped by faith, resilience, music, family, and the quiet strength of knowing who you are. Karen shares what it was like growing up on a farm in Hershey, Pennsylvania, where feeding 32,000 chickens was just part of daily life, and where her parents instilled the values of integrity, education, creativity, and consistency. She reflects on how one unexpected church decision sparked a lifelong passion for piano, how she navigated the challenges of being a pastor’s wife, and how she learned one of the most important lessons of her life: never lose your identity trying to please everyone else.From raising seven children to becoming a grandmother of 20 and a great-grandmother of 26 (with more on the way), Karen shares the wisdom she has gathered through decades of living, loving, learning, and growing. This episode is filled with practical life wisdom, heartfelt stories, and powerful reminders about boundaries, faith, and staying true to yourself. Memorable wisdom from Karen: "Others can only do to you what you allow." "Keep your identity. That's the most important thing." "Be inwardly directed, not externally motivated." "Stop and think. So many problems could be prevented if we just stopped and thought." Karen also shares powerful moments of faith, unexpected “God moments,” and how journaling and reflection helped her reclaim her voice and eventually write her book A Penny for Your Thoughts. This conversation is a beautiful reminder that wisdom often comes quietly, through experience, reflection, and the courage to grow. And in honor of this episode releasing on her birthday — happy birthday, Karen! What a gift it is to celebrate your story and the wisdom you’ve shared.
