Chosen

A few months ago, we were notified that Tatum was eligible for an academic program next year and were thrilled since Ryleigh was able to be in a similar program in middle school and we wanted Tatum to have that same opportunity.

We go to the interest meeting, submit our intent and then wait as only 50 students (out of roughly 300 who are eligible) are actually selected due to the program capacity. We knew this going in - they refer to it as luck of the draw.

Fast forward a few weeks later when we receive the letter in the mail!!! I opened it and my heart dropped for a minute...it was informing us that, unfortunately, Tatum was not one of the 50 selected.

Keeping it real.
I was upset.
And I dreaded telling Tatum...how was she going to take the news?

So I waited until the next day when we were driving home and basically said, "Remember they told us that we would be notified if you were selected for the program...well, we received the letter and your name wasn't pulled..." and as I began to prepare to remind her that it had nothing to do with "her," she simply said, "It's really ok - I knew there was a bigger chance I wasn't going to be selected, mom...I mean - there was a lot of names to pull from."

And that was that.

Talk about getting schooled from my 10 (now 11) year old.

She was chosen!
And even though she wasn't selected, she still knew her worth.

Oh, friends...we have been chosen, too!!
And the great news is you are in control of the selection process!

Scripture reminds us:

You did not choose me, but [I chose you] and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
- John 15:16

But you are a [chosen] people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
- 1 Peter 2:9

A few weeks passed and I was still upset (keeping it real) and was simply trusting God and praying that ultimately, this was in His hands, He knew where her little light might need to shine the most. And finally coming to terms that all would be well. I actually had peace about it.

Not even kidding, within days of "me" letting it go and giving it to God I recieved an email stating they had an opening for Tatum. :)

As I was driving by myself today, I was singing along to I Am Who You Say I Am and was reminded of what I just shared...we are not what program we are or are not selected to be a part of, or a circle of certain people, or a certain job, or "whatever."

Friends - we are already chosen!!!
By a God who loves us...just the way we are.

I am chosen!
[[You are chosen!]]
Not forsaken.
I am who You say I am!
[[You are who He says you are!]]
You are for me, not against me...
[[He is for you, not against you]]
I AM WHO YOU SAY I AM!
[[YOU ARE WHO HE SAYS YOU ARE!]]

Oh, to be like children.
The quiet confidence my daughter has reminded me of this truth.

YOU are chosen!

Love. Just Love.

I heard something on the radio this week that more or less stated not everyone is your friend, but everyone is your neighbor ... and that scripture reminds us to love our neighbor as we love our self.

Which got me to thinking ... how can we love our neighbor as we love our self when so many of us (myself included) don't always love our self?

And for those of us who struggle to be confident in who we are, no matter the truth we know deep inside, I've come to realize the greater scripture to call out is John 13:34 - - - “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

"As I have loved YOU, so you must love one another. "

Ok...sheww!
That one is much easier, right?!

Because friends, God loves us the BEST!

And as soon as we recognize that love, a love that is greater than anything we have ever known, it's then that we will be able to love others so well; and even more so - love ourselves.

I don't like to give the devil any credit, but I do believe he tries real hard to get in where he for sure don't fit in...and for me, personally, it's my mind.

As I mentioned before, I KNOW the truth about who God says I am, and I have to constantly remind myself those lies that creep in and tell me anything different are NOT of God. And quickly tell that devil where he belongs - under my feet.

One of those truths is that God loves me the MOST! And He tells me to share that same love with others...my neighbors. The people I don't know...yet!!!

I want to encourage us today to be women who show love to our neighbors, and not just those who live on each side of us. Our neighbors are the people God has placed in our life; our coworkers, the checkout person, teachers, servers, the homeless, the stranger that makes us look the other way, the ones that often frustrate us. You know who they are when you stop to think about it.

Friends - God has entrusted people to US!
To show them LOVE!
To share HIS love!

Meditate on this scripture and then find one "neighbor" every day this coming week to intentionally love - - - I dare you!

I promise you, you won't regret it!

xox,

Jenny

Stay in Your Lane

It's me again, Friends!
Happy Friday to You! ☀️

I recently read this from one of my favorite authors/speakers, Christine Caine, and wanted to share:

Stay in YOUR lane.
Run YOUR race.
Finish YOUR course.

You can be inspired by others
You can learn from others
You can admire others
You can appreciate others
You can be encouraged by others

BUT - - - only imitate others to the degree they imitate Christ. 

1 Corinthians 11:1  (NIV)
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

•▪•▪•▪•▪•

So here's what I want to encourage you to think about today:

1 - Who are you imitating?
I don't know if you realize this but our life, in itself, is a ministry to others...people are watching us whether we see them or not.

What are you showing others about Jesus in the way that you talk? In the way you serve? In the interactions you have with others?

2 - Are you staying in YOUR lane? Running YOUR race? Finishing YOUR course?

Look, y'all - I get it.
The comparison trap is real.
I think especially so for us women, right?!

Here's the deal -
I am inspired by athletes and those who find enjoyment in exercise...but it doesn't make me want to get out and start training for a marathon or let me keep it real, join a gym 😂...because that's not "my lane."

I love learning from those more experienced than me, whether it be at work, small group, family, friends...but it doesn't take away from what I'm able to share with them...because I know what "lane" I'm rolling through.

I admire public speakers and those who are at ease in front of large crowds...but it doesn't take away from what I'm able to accomplish in smaller group settings or having one on one conversations...because I know the course God has ME on.

I appreciate those who are able to reach others in ways I may not, who can connect via past experiences that they have in common...and know that comes from the course God has chosen for them.

I am encouraged by those who imitate Christ and if there's anyone I want to be like, it would be those shining lights!

Let's work on staying in our lanes and running our best race and finishing the course God has prepared for us...it's going to be a unique path for each of us and that's what's so exciting about us doing life together!

As we stand shoulder to shoulder, He is going to bring others onto our "course" who will need our direction from time to time!

Imitate Christ!
May we stay strong on our course while setting the example for others so that they may get back on track on theirs!

💛
Jenny

#shouldertoshoulder #imitatechrist #stayinyourlane #runyourrace #finishyourcourse

V Formation

Have you ever taken notice of geese flying? They fly in a V!! And it's truly amazing why!!

What I learned when looking into this is that  scientists have determined that the V-shaped formation that geese use when migrating does, in fact, have two purposes:

First, it conserves their energy. Each bird flies slightly above the bird in front of him, resulting in a reduction of wind resistance. The birds take turns being in the front, falling back when they get tired. In this way, the geese can fly for a long time before they must stop for rest. It has been noted that those that fly alone beat their wings more frequently and have higher heart rates than those that fly in formation. Those that fly in formation glide more often.

The second benefit to the V formation is that it is easy to keep track of every bird in the group. Flying in formation may assist with the communication and coordination within the group. I found it interesting that fighter pilots often use this formation for the same reason.

Oh, friends!
What a lesson we can learn from these birds!

The birds take turns being in the front.
Did you catch that?!
Not one is consistently the leader.

I just love this idea that these birds are confident enough to know that when they need a rest, they can step back into formation, into the comfort of their fellow birds, and allow them to continue to "glide" as they take time to rest.

And the communication aspect...keeping track of everyone in the group...
Wow!!
I mean, just think about how far birds travel and how much "talking" takes place as they do so.

Sometimes our journey may seem long and overwhelming,  but I feel confident that if we are surrounding ourselves with those who are for us, have a "team" of friends who will not only allow us to lead when needed, but slip back and just glide while we catch our breath, we will find ourselves reaching our destination!

Jesus is ultimately our true leader, yes!
However, look around you!!! He has placed significant people in your life for a reason!!!
Gather your flock and communicate!
Learn to lead and learn to recognize when you need rest and allow another to help navigate and push through the wind for a while!

I don't know about you, but today I'm just thankful for my "V" team.
I'm thankful that God has surrounded me with women I can trust, that I can lead, but also those I can follow!

If you are finding you need that today, please reach out to one of us...we would love to help you on your journey!

Happy Friday, Friends!!

💛
Jenny

#shouldertoshoulder #wearebettertogether #vformation

Be like the Ocean

In case you didn't know this about me...I LOVE the beach!

Especially in the summer time! Because if you do know me, you know I don't "do" cold! ;)

I love going with my family, with my friends,  and even by myself...give me some sunscreen and a book and I'm good to go!

I do love all aspects of "being at the beach" - there is nothing quite like the sounds; the constant cadence of the waves, the seagulls, the children's laughter. The smells; the salty air mixed with sunscreen...maybe a bonfire in the evenings. Let's not forget about the feel of the sand under your feet or the sun radiating its warmth. And maybe it's me, but doesn't food just taste better at the beach? Come on now, I have been known to tear up a cold cut as I stare out at the ocean. Which brings me to everything we see at the beach, but it's the water that always draws me to a deeper place.

And here's the funny thing...I'm not much of an "ocean swimmer," rather a "bring my chair to the waters edge and let the water gently come to my feet" kind of girl!

But...isn't there just something about the ocean water?

It mesmerizes me.
I could stare at it all day.
It's where I can think my best, where my thoughts come together...where I can hope and dream and pray.

There's something about the water.
That is for sure!

And I want to encourage you to be like the ocean's water...think about it.

• breathtaking to look at while understanding true beauty comes from within. Have you ever noticed when the ocean sparkles...it's when the sun shines on it! Allow the Son to shine on you!

• strong enough to not be destroyed and yet gentle enough that others find comfort in your presence.

• faithful - just as the waves continue to come to shore day in and out, without fail...continue to come to Jesus.

• diverse - the ocean is HUGE and divided into several parts and each part has its own characteristics.  Yet each living being learns to adapt to an environment they find comfort in.  Get in where you fit in, friends! You may stand out at first, but give yourself time to adapt. Don't be afraid of diversity!

• melodic - as I mentioned the consistency of the sounds of the waves crashing to the shore that becomes a soothing balm...choose your words, your voice to be the same.

• salty - BUT in a good way! Salt is often used to help cleanse and heal. Be that for others!

Listen to what we read in Genesis 1:9 -10 ... And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let the dry ground appear."  And it was so.  God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas."  And God saw that it was good.

Oh, Friends!!
I can't wait to get to heaven and tell God it was so much more than "good!"

Take time to take in all the "good" God has created for YOU! And let's enjoy a beach day together this summer! ☀️

💛
Jenny

#shouldertoshoulder #beliketheocean #butnottoosalty

You Have Potential

Rounding out the week with God's truth!

And a reminder that we ARE better together!!!

Happy Friday, Friends!☀️

This is your reminder that YOU have potential and you need to know it! God has created us each unique with various gifts and talents and it's when we come together as one that we are at our best!

Let's take a look at scripture:

1 Corinthians 12 (MSG)

What I want to talk about now is the various ways God’s Spirit gets worked into our lives. This is complex and often misunderstood, but I want you to be informed and knowledgeable. Remember how you were when you didn’t know God, led from one phony god to another, never knowing what you were doing, just doing it because everybody else did it? It’s different in this life. God wants us to use our intelligence, to seek to understand as well as we can. For instance, by using your heads, you know perfectly well that the Spirit of God would never prompt anyone to say “Jesus be damned!” Nor would anyone be inclined to say “Jesus is Master!” without the insight of the Holy Spirit.

God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful:

wise counsel

clear understanding

simple trust

healing the sick

miraculous acts

proclamation

distinguishing between spirits

tongues

interpretation of tongues.

All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when.

You can easily enough see how this kind of thing works by looking no further than your own body. Your body has many parts—limbs, organs, cells—but no matter how many parts you can name, you’re still one body. It’s exactly the same with Christ. By means of his one Spirit, we all said good-bye to our partial and piecemeal lives. We each used to independently call our own shots, but then we entered into a large and integrated life in which he has the final say in everything. (This is what we proclaimed in word and action when we were baptized.) Each of us is now a part of his resurrection body, refreshed and sustained at one fountain—his Spirit—where we all come to drink. The old labels we once used to identify ourselves—labels like Jew or Greek, slave or free—are no longer useful. We need something larger, more comprehensive.

I want you to think about how all this makes you more significant, not less. A body isn’t just a single part blown up into something huge. It’s all the different-but-similar parts arranged and functioning together. If Foot said, “I’m not elegant like Hand, embellished with rings; I guess I don’t belong to this body,” would that make it so? If Ear said, “I’m not beautiful like Eye, limpid and expressive; I don’t deserve a place on the head,” would you want to remove it from the body? If the body was all eye, how could it hear? If all ear, how could it smell? As it is, we see that God has carefully placed each part of the body right where he wanted it.

But I also want you to think about how this keeps your significance from getting blown up into self-importance. For no matter how significant you are, it is only because of what you are a part of. An enormous eye or a gigantic hand wouldn’t be a body, but a monster. What we have is one body with many parts, each its proper size and in its proper place. No part is important on its own. Can you imagine Eye telling Hand, “Get lost; I don’t need you”? Or, Head telling Foot, “You’re fired; your job has been phased out”? As a matter of fact, in practice it works the other way—the “lower” the part, the more basic, and therefore necessary. You can live without an eye, for instance, but not without a stomach. When it’s a part of your own body you are concerned with, it makes no difference whether the part is visible or clothed, higher or lower. You give it dignity and honor just as it is, without comparisons. If anything, you have more concern for the lower parts than the higher. If you had to choose, wouldn’t you prefer good digestion to full-bodied hair?

The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don’t, the parts we see and the parts we don’t. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance.

You are Christ’s body—that’s who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your “part” mean anything. You’re familiar with some of the parts that God has formed in his church, which is his “body”:

apostles

prophets

teachers

miracle workers

healers

helpers

organizers

those who pray in tongues.

But it’s obvious by now, isn’t it, that Christ’s church is a complete Body and not a gigantic, unidimensional Part? It’s not all Apostle, not all Prophet, not all Miracle Worker, not all Healer, not all Prayer in Tongues, not all Interpreter of Tongues. And yet some of you keep competing for so-called “important” parts.

But now I want to lay out a far better way for you.

▪▪▪

That's a real good word!!

And what we need to read, and re-read, when we find our selves doubting what God has called us to do, wondering how we can use these gifts and talents He has given us!

It's easy to "see" what others have and if we're keeping it real, it can be intimidating to watch others, especially women, walking confidently in their calling, their gifting. 

But like Jess mentioned the other day, that's just when we have to dig a little deeper and keep it real with God and ask Him to help us grow into our gifts, our calling, WHILE also using it in alignment with our sisters in Christ!

And as Sara reminded us earlier this week, this is when it's extremely important to make sure we have the right people in the room with us! The ones encouraging us to grow into our gifts, our calling, and not deterring us...we need the ones bringing us closer to Jesus!

Oh, friends!

God wants to use each one of us to further His kingdom!

We can't do it alone!

Even scripture reminds us that no matter how significant you are, it is only because of what you are a part of. 

Let's be woman who are not intimated by each other but rather recognize our potential as well as the potential of others. 

Let's be women who stop doubting how God will use us, and know that He will!

💛

Jenny

#shouldertoshoulder #wearebettertogether #youhavepotential #useyourgifts

Use Your Scars

Happy Friday, Friends!

I don't know about you, but I have some scars.
Some able to be seen physically, some not...if we're honest, sometimes it's our hearts that have been scarred.

I look at these scars and I'm reminded of their story. A few in particular:

My csection scar - I did not have easy pregnancies BUT this is proof that I brought life into this world - - - two times!!!

My spinal surgery scar - a very dark time for me where I was in constant pain for a few years, but the decision to have major surgery in my early 30's brought needed healing!

More recently, I have some areas where I had to have a few mole excisions - the stitches remain but once they come out, there will be scars. And I'll be reminded that I need to take better care of my skin!

These scars for me, aren't such a bad thing...but what about those scars that tell a different story?
The scars we want to hide?
The scars that stir memories we don't want do remember.
The scars that remain but perhaps true healing hasn't taken place just yet.

There may be times that we want people to see the miracle, but we don't want to show the scars.

Maybe it's because we don't like the way it looks...or perhaps it's the memories they trigger.

But EVERY scar is a part of your calling!

EVERY scar is proof of healing!
And I want to encourage you to allow the healing TO take place!

USE your scars!
Tell YOUR story!

I'm reminded of this excerpt from a book I read:

"The great gift to us as women is that we have each other.  We are not designed to do life on our own, to struggle through, and to work out all our problems in isolation.  Many times, I've sat with my friends when it feels like all hope is lost and been vulnerable about my own challenges and concerns.  These are the times when having each other is what carries us through.  We shouldn't hide under a rock, because we aren't meant to do this on our own." ~ Anna Smith

Share your scars, tell your story!
It's ok to be vulnerable - that's why we have this ministry named "Shoulder to Shoulder!"
We want you to know you don't have to face anything alone!
You have a family of sisters who are able to help carry you through!

And I just want to remind you that scars and all - you ARE beautiful! And I am confident that God will use them, use YOU, to help another person along the way!

💛
Jenny

#shouldertoshoulder
#yourscarstellyourstory

He Chose YOU

As we're approaching Easter Sunday, I have some thoughts rolling through this mind....one of those being the "people" in Jesus' life; the disciples.

And here's what I'm reminded:
They weren’t perfect.

There were those who doubted Jesus.
There were those who denied Jesus.
There were those who betrayed Jesus.

Jesus knew they would.
But they were His people…
I mean seriously, if you knew you had one last meal – would you choose to spend it with someone you knew was going to betray you?

And yet…He still asked them to follow Him.

And they did!

Friends, here’s the thing – we aren’t perfect either!

But that’s just what is so amazing about our God.
He uses the doubters, the ones who are imperfect, the ones who feel unqualified.

He simply asks us to follow Him.

I think there are times we are so ashamed of ourselves that we may automatically feel like Jesus is, too.
But He’s not.
He knew we would struggle.
He knew we would make some wrong decisions.
He knew we would go through some rough phases.
AND He still chose the cross.

Because He chose YOU!
Doubting, imperfect, unqualified You.

He sees more!
He sees the You no one else does.

Nobody loves us like He does.
Nobody.

Don’t run from Him today – run TO Him!

If you want to know more about this love, about this Jesus who chose YOU, please join us this weekend for our Easter services at Emmanuel Wesleyan Church Salisbury Campus!

💛
Jenny

#shouldertoshoulder #hechoseyou #youareloved

Not Weighed Down

This past Saturday my girls and I, along with my mom, were part of the Salisbury marathon! No, we didn't run!! ;) But rather we were out on the course as cheer leaders, encouraging the runners as they passed us by!

This year we even made signs and had pom poms to help aide on our cheering!
And what a fun time we had!

I have to tell you, this is my 2nd year participating in this and it's such an encouragement to me to watch these runners.

Their strength.
Physically.
Mentally.

These runners give it their all.

And you want to know one of the things that stand out, that's obvious with the runners?!
.
.
.
They aren't weighted down.

They may be carrying a hand water bottle thingy, but other than that, nothing.

And I'm reminded of this scripture:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneerand perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  - Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)

[[...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles...]]

Did you catch that?!

Friends, not everything that is weighing us down is for us to carry!!!

Does anyone else need that reminder today?!

You need to throw it off!
You need to be free of anything hindering you on your course to run with perseverance, to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus!

The Message version reads, Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

I don't know about you but I want to be first in the race that is marked for me with Jesus!

I don't want anything weighing me down, holding me back.

I want to give it my all!

Now, I may not be able to physically or mentally (current day status, you know - just keeping it real) run any path or course set before me, BUT I am confident I can run with perseverance the path set before me spiritually.

Why?!
Because as scripture says, I will keep my eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. I will study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever.

And I want to be like Jesus!
And I want to have people on the sidelines cheering me on, saying, "RUN, Jenny, RUN!!!"

Who wants to join THIS race with me?!🏃‍♀️

💛
Jenny

#shouldertoshoulder #notweigheddown #runwithperseverance

Donate Life

It was almost 1pm when I finally headed to the cafeteria to grab my lunch today...standing at the salad bar pouring olive oil into the little cup, the tears just came.

Overhead they had announced there would be a honor walk on 2 Layfield in 15 minutes. 

Someone had chosen to give life upon their death and their time had arrived. 

I got myself together, paid for my salad and came back to my office asking if anyone wanted to join me. None of us knew what to expect but we went. 

And what an overwhelmingly emotional experience. 

Lined up among the corridor from ICU was representation from all areas of PRMC - providers, nurses, respiratory, college students, high school students, IS analyst, our CEO...and some of the patients family.

As we stood waiting, looking out of the corridor windows, the Organ Recovery Transport vehicle pulled through the circle drive below us...and the tears came again.

A few minutes passed and we were informed the patient had left their room.

And everything became silent.

As the care team rolled the patients bed down the hallway, the tears came again.

To be honest, I would have rather been clapping for this man! 
He has chosen to give life!
But, out of respect, remained silent.

His family behind him; some holding it together while others could not.

It's been over 3 years since I've really been able to be part of a patient experience. And what an honor this was.

Friends, as I stood there watching him roll down the hallway, I couldn't help but think that what this man is doing for another person(s) physically, Jesus has done for us eternally!

Jesus died so that we will have eternal life!

We heard a family member say, "He is at peace!" And while I don't know him, I do believe this is because he knows his body will be made new! He can give life physically here to a person in need because he will be whole in Heaven where he will have eternal life!

And friends, that's something to get excited about!

It's National Donate Life Month and I want to encourage you to sign up if you haven't already! 

#wearebettertogether #givelife #donate

Just Jesus and Me...

I was thinking about this quote I recently heard on my way into work this morning...

[ A season when it's just you and Jesus can sometimes lead to the most important thing you were put on Earth to do! - Beth Moore ]

This brings me so much encouragement!
And I hope it does the same for you, too!

God is going to call you to stand alone sometimes...to take a step back...to focus on Him and how He wants to use YOU!

He has set you apart!

THIS IS A GOOD THING!!!!!

I'm thankful for the relationships I have with "my people" for sure!!!

But those times when it's just been Jesus and me - it makes my time with my people all the better!

xox

There is just one...

God is able!

And He is speaking to me via nature these days!!

You see this daffodil?
We don't have daffodils planted in our garden...we never have.
But as I went to check on how my lilac plants were doing on the side of my house this evening - I immediately saw this burst of yellow and the first thought that came to my mind was, "I hear you, God...I hear you."

You see, we may not have daffodils planted in our garden, but each year at this time when I see them bursting with color and just brightening gardens and side roads, I always say to myself, "You should really plant some, Jenny...just imagine you could see this burst of sunshine everyday!"

But here's what I was even more drawn to this evening - there is just one.

One beautiful daffodil standing alone - but shining bright!

So often we get caught up with having to be in the group to belong...to be in the "in crowd" to get noticed. We have to be placed in the front or alongside a path that is frequently traveled.

But friends!!
Let this daffodil, that wasn't in the front or on a path frequently traveled (but rather hiding behind a big hydrangea) be a reminder to you - - - when God uses YOU, He will plant you right where you are needed!

And those that you will be a beacon for - they will find their way to you!

Just allow yourself to be planted!! To grow!! And to shine bright wherever that may be! ☀️

Lessons from my plant...

Just wanted to share some thoughts - it's been too long since I posted on here!!!

Last year about this time, my friend, Sara, gave me a Shamrock plant!

Some of the back story on why these plants are so special to her:

These were the last things that I took from my gma's house when we were in NC for her funeral (thinking that we would return to her house to sort through her things).  We never went back.  So, I have taken great comfort in looking at these plants and being reminded of my wonderful, God-fearing Mimi.

I didn't look into the "magic" or "mystery" of these plants until a year after her death.  If these plants face harsh conditions, they will wilt back and die on the surface and take refuge in the bulb, until the conditions change on the surface again.  (I guess that is what makes these plants so hardy).

It was significant to me, because that is what my Mimi's house was to us!  It was a place of refuge.  We did not have a "home" in the U.S.A. and her home was our home when we would return from PNG on furlough.  She provided nourishment, rest and shelter from the mission field for us.  

She also reminded us to take refuge in the arms of our Heavenly Father--when we were worn, tired, defeated, discouraged.  I will never forget her place of refuge--her kitchen table--her Bible and devotional never left that spot...even when we arrived for her funeral--it was still there.

She taught me, the importance of consistency and dedication to communing with God by setting an example of just that!  

And the cool part of these plants as well is that the reach for the sun--they respond to the sun--and each new morning, they open back up to the sun.  I want to do the same--reaching for God, with each new sunrise.  I am nothing without Him!!!

These are her plants:

Beautiful and bursting with life and color!!!

So... back to the one I have...

Here is the GOOD news - I have NOT killed it...but the bad news is that I neglected to care for it as I should have this past year.

Until last night that is! :)

I see this Shamrock every morning - or rather its flowers opening to the sun as I open the curtains to my kitchen window.

A few weeks ago I had the thought to actually look at the soil and I was not pleased with what I saw.
I had neglected this plant.
Yes - I was watering it, but it wasn't staying as moist as it needed to.
Yes - it was still blooming each morning, but there was no new growth because I had kept it in its same, small container it had come in.

I hadn't taken the time to really "look" at it - only what I saw at my eye level...only what was on the surface.

Yet - each morning as I open my curtains - there it sits - opening up, reaching towards the sun.
And last night as I went to close those curtains and noticed it closing up - it truly caught my attention; day in and day out, for a year, this plant has persevered!  So I asked my hubby to help me make it healthy again - so he found some planting soil and a bigger, beautiful yellow planter for us to re home this shamrock.

I know it's hard to see but in the top middle - there is a small sprout bursting through the soil!  I didn't even see that when it was all jammed packed in the unhealthy soil.

And then this morning - just look at it!!!

Opening up to the sunshine just as happy as can be!

And then my wheels got spinning...thinking of Sara's comments and my own thoughts on just how much I wasn't doing for my little plant, here are some thoughts to share:

Sometimes we struggle to reach the light. At the end of the day, much like these shamrocks, we close up.  

Sometimes, I'll simply say, "I'm just done."   Have you ever had that kind of day or maybe even days?  You just want to close up and shut it all out and just be?!

Maybe you've found yourself recently planted and the dirt is still covering you, and you're slowly being fed and watered but you just haven't burst through the soil yet - you're still struggling to reach the light.  Guess what?!?  The light hasn't left you - every day - it's shining to help you grow!  Your time IS coming!!!

Or...Maybe like my poor shamrock, you've been planted for some time and it's your environments, those surrounding you - that is adding to your struggle to reach the light.  Can I encourage you to check your surroundings?  Are the people in your circle good for your growth?  Do you need to find some better soil and a new planter to allow yourself the healthy environment you need to open up?

It's up to us what we're going to do with the morning light!!!  I want to encourage you to be like these shamrocks!!!  Wake up and open your arms to a new day and welcome the light - reach for the sun!

Some of our most beautiful moments may come as a result of some of our most difficult struggles.

Let my shamrock be a reminder for you - beautiful flowers still grow out of ugly dirt!!

Sometimes, we find ourselves in seasons where we are having more asked of us than we ever expected...and we just need to remember to take it one day at a time, allowing our body and mind to rest when we need to.

As Sara mentioned, when these plants face harsh conditions, they will wilt back and die on the surface yet take refuge in the bulb.  Once the conditions change on the surface again - you see them come back to life!

So whether they close for the night and take time to rest - or completely wilt back and die...under the surface they are taking refuge in the bulb.

Friends!!!

I want to remind you today that while we don't have a "bulb" to take refuge in - we have each other, but most importantly, we have God. 

The struggle is real, y'all BUT so is God!

Find your refuge in Him during the difficult times and watch the beautiful moments unfold!

There really is more than what you see on the surface!

Let's be honest - I use my dishwasher 99% of the time so I'm not standing at my kitchen sink a whole lot.  What I "see" daily is the burst of the flower opening up and reaching out for the sun.

What I was neglecting to see was that clumpy, old dirt I had allowed it to stay in for too long.

BUT underneath that "surface" - the bulb, the roots to this plant were holding on strong.

We're going to interact with so many people day in and day out who we are only going to get a glimpse into their surface level...and I want to encourage you to think about what kind of bulb/root system they have to take refuge in.  

Let's not make assumptions that just because they look "well" that all is well.  

Let's work on taking time to really look at others.

Learn what makes them bloom.

Or what's preventing them for fully reaching for the sun!

And let's provide a healthy environment for them to strengthen their root system!

Friends, we are so much better together!

xox,

Jenny