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