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Episode 16

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Published on:

19th Jan 2026

Perhaps I Can: When We Try to Speed Up God's Promise

Episode Title: Perhaps I Can: When We Try to Speed Up God's Promise

Episode Description:

"Perhaps I can build a family through her." Five words that reveal how tempting it is to help God out when His timing doesn't match ours. In Genesis 16, Sarai's plan works—sort of. There's a pregnancy, but also despising, mistreatment, and a runaway slave alone in the desert. Yet in the mess of human impatience, God shows up in the most unexpected way. This isn't just Abram and Sarai's story anymore. It's also about Hagar, a woman who may not have even known God's name, but God knew hers—and He heard her misery.

In This Episode:

  1. The dangerous appeal of "perhaps I can" when waiting gets hard
  2. Why Sarai's plan worked but backfired spectacularly
  3. What happens when we rush what God has promised us
  4. The woman everyone forgot about—and why God didn't
  5. How God meets us in the desert even when we don't know His name
  6. What the name "Ishmael" teaches us about a God who hears
  7. Why our detours don't disqualify us from God's promises

Key Quote:

"God had a promise to keep with Abram and Sarai, they tried to make something work but it seemed to backfire on them. Does that mean we missed God's purpose and plan for us? Does that mean God is giving up on us? No!! Absolutely not!!"

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About Leaving the Kid's Table:

A weekly podcast where we explore God's Word together, one chapter at a time. Every Monday, join me as I share what stood out to me in Scripture and challenge you to discover what stands out to you. It's about going deeper with God in authentic community—heel, toe, heel, toe, one step at a time.

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About the Podcast

Leaving the Kid's Table
Do you remember the “kid’s table” when at family holidays or dinners? I do and that is right where I feel I am at, still, in my walk with God. Some look at it as being “ankle deep” in our walk. Either way, I am at a point where I am tired of being in this state. Every Monday at 6 am I will release short episodes where I am going to share what stood out to me in my time with God. At the end of the day it comes down to where scripture meets your story. You may be in the same spot as I am or you are sitting at the adult table or may need to join the kids table. Either option is ok, these episodes are to start the conversation as to “what stands out to you?” and not only grow myself but help others grow as well. "Here's the thing - leaving the kid's table isn't a one-time decision. It's a daily choice. And every day you choose to go deeper, I'll be right here with you."

About your host

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Chad Sherlock

Chad is a husband, girl dad, and 20 years in IT. When he's not translating tech into human-speak or performing living room musicals, you'll find him on a mountain, in the woods, or out on the water. He's a Christian who's spent too long at the kid's table in his faith—and he's ready to go deeper. Through his podcast Leaving the Kid's Table, he shares what stands out to him in Scripture each week and invites you into the conversation, because growth happens together, not alone.