Checking In

Have you ever checked into a hotel, only to find that your room wasn’t ready yet?  Or maybe when you got to your room, you were greeted with one bed instead of two, no towels, or something else that was askew?  Earlier this month, I checked in to a hotel, only to find that the lock on the door did not work.  In the second room, the shower didn’t work.  In the third room, there were ants.  Problem after problem, yet with each move, I knew I was closer to something better.  While it may have had ants in the beginning, the third room that I was blessed with was a gorgeous 2-room suite.  All I had to do was have patience, trusting that each problem would be resolved.  I knew that God would take care of me, despite the shortcomings of my current surroundings.

In reality, this world is very similar to a hotel room.  Every morning, God wakes us up and we go to work, to church, to school, or some other location.  While all of these things are wonderful, they are temporary locations to which we attend.  Just like a reservation at a hotel, none of these things will last forever.  And just like there may be maintenance problems in a hotel room, we often awake to find various problems we need to solve or many bumps in the road that we must navigate.  Perhaps you had a flat tire on your way to work, or lost your cell phone, or accidentally spilled something on your new coat.  Many things in life cause us to become upset, lose patience, and often give us the desire to simply give up.  But just like the lock and shower that could be fixed and the ants that could be dealt with in my hotel room, the things that happen to us on a daily basis can be resolved quite easily as well.  One by one, God will send the answer to every problem in our lives, no matter how insignificant.  He cares about each and every aspect of our lives, right down to the moments we trip over our own two feet or get tongue tied when talking to someone during the course of our day.

You may be reading this, thinking, “Jennifer, there’s something much bigger going on in my life.  I’m at the end of my rope and there is nothing that could ever fix this problem.  It is a hopeless situation.”  Don’t be discouraged.  Jesus will give you hope, even for the most hopeless situations.  Maybe you have a loved one who is undergoing cancer treatments, or perhaps your son or daughter could be drifting away from you.  Your heart could be broken in two because your husband or wife is having an affair.  You may be wondering how you will pay next month’s rent, or where you will find money to pay for basic necessities like food and water.

I want to encourage you today.  I know firsthand that there are some things in life that seem insurmountable.  As a little girl, I sang at the funerals of my two baby brothers.  I experienced the loss of three grandparents.  Five years ago, my sweet Mama went to Heaven.  I have spent many weeks in the hospital, wondering when I would ever get to come home.  But through it all, God has remained faithful to me.  I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He will never give us more than we can bear.  He has a plan for my life and I strive every day to live according to His perfect will.  While this world has its share of trials and tribulations, one thing never wavers.  That is God’s love for you and me.  He loves you and me more than we could ever comprehend.

Along with God’s unconditional love, we can take comfort in the fact that this life here is temporary.  Just like the contents of a hotel room, we do not own this world.  We are not here to stay forever, so the curve balls that life throws our way are truly just temporary inconveniences, no matter how difficult they may seem.  They are not the end goal in life.  The Apostle Paul wrote in the book of 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV), “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”  The troubles we encounter in this world are just momentary setbacks, if you will, in comparison to the incomprehensible joy that awaits us in Heaven.

Maybe you are reading this, wondering how you could ever get into Heaven.  You may have done things that you regret and you may feel that you are not good enough.  The Bible says that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23 NIV).  Based on this verse, there is not one person who is perfect.  Not one of us is good enough on our own.  But Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, died on a cross so that our sins could be washed away.  His sacrifice paid all of our debts.  Call on His name today and repent of your sins.  Ask Him to be the Lord of your life and save your soul.  If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you will gain eternal reservations in Heaven with Him.  And unlike a hotel room, there will be no checking out.  Instead, we can joyfully anticipate the very moment that we walk through Heaven’s gates when we are finally checking in!

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

New Beginnings

August.  It is a month of new beginnings.  Students move on to a new grade level.  Many individuals embark on their first semester of college.  Teachers and professors anticipate a new school year with new challenges, new successes, and a new opportunity to make a difference in the lives of their students.  Still, there are others who do not find all of this “newness” to be quite so glorious.  Some students are fearful of moving to a new school, making new friends, and meeting new teachers.  And I am sure some college students much prefer the comforts of home to an initially barren dorm room.  Parents and grandparents suffer from the ill effects of an “empty nest.”  And while they may love teaching, many of those teachers likely long for the lazy days of summer when they could read a good book, go on vacation, or do absolutely nothing at all!  Even so, a new beginning can be a positive one, despite the many hiccups we may encounter along the way.

Personally, I have found that the new school year has brought about a lot of positive changes for me as a teacher.  I am most excited about having a new classroom, which is the biggest change I have encountered this school year.  I am so blessed and I thank God for this amazing environment in which to teach my students.  I know the resources I have been given will enable me to help them achieve their goals.  I have an awesome group of students this year and I am enjoying the addition of a new course that I will be teaching, Digital Design.  God has truly shown me favor and I know that this school year will be blessed beyond measure!  Of course, it still seems like the alarm clock goes off way too early in the morning and there are never enough hours in the day!  But I know the weekends and holidays throughout the year will provide us with the chance to rejuvenate ourselves and before we know it, summer vacation will return once again.

While I am enjoying a good year, I have several friends who began the school year with illnesses, financial crises, and even the loss of loved ones.  My heart hurts for them and I pray that God will give them strength to face each new day ahead.  Having lost my mom at the beginning of August five years ago, I know what it’s like to have your heart broken and then be expected to continue teaching as if nothing had changed.  The meaning of life gets construed and things that once mattered seem to dwindle and things that never mattered seem to escalate out of proportion.  But through it all, I know that God is faithful.  While I still miss my mom greatly and I know that life will never be the same again, I have the calm assurance that I will see her again.  And I strive to enjoy each and every moment to the fullest.  Life is fragile and I know how important it is to cherish the ones we love every single day.  Even in the darkest nights of life’s journey, the Son of God shines bright.  He lights our path and gives us strength when we are weary.  He gives us joy when we feel no joy can be found.

Perhaps you are going through a personal struggle this month.  No matter what is bothering you at this very moment, Jesus Christ knows exactly what you are going through.  Call on His precious name.  Ask Him for a new beginning.  Not one that will be frightening, as it may be for students finding their way around a new campus, but a new beginning that will renew your strength, restore your joy, and bring you hope everlasting.  Jesus is the friend who will stand by your side forever.  He loves you so much that He gave His life for you.  Don’t sit there drowning in your sorrows.  Stand tall and reach out to Jesus.  Grab on to that new life that He is holding out for you!  2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”  Ask Jesus Christ to guide you through all of the hard times and the good ones too.  If you put your trust in Him, you will not only experience a new beginning, but you will receive a new life as well!

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

Escape the Worry

On February 10^th, I had the privilege of hearing my friends Karen Peck and New River minister at Taylor Church in Sanderson, Florida.  While the lyrics of the songs were a blessing and the music seeped deep within the innermost parts of my soul, there was one thing that stood out like a skyscraper in the midst of a sea of single story homes.  During the altar service, Karen spoke specifically of people who may feel bogged down with the worries and the cares of life.  She said that the service may be providing an escape from all of that worry.  As I stood there, I realized that this was likely true for the majority of people in the room.  And I knew that it was especially meant for me.  All week, I had been carrying a ton of bricks on my shoulders and just as I thought I would crack under the pressure, God reminded me once more that He always knows what I need.  And sometimes, I just need an escape.

February 7^th, just three days before, should have been the day that my dad and I celebrated a very special occasion.  I should have been busily wrapping gifts, writing a special card, and decorating a beautiful birthday cake for my sweet Mama.  She would have been 57 years old.  Now, nearly five years ago since she passed away, I wonder why God chose to take her at the young age of 52.  She died of a heart attack while we were watching The Waltons in our camper.  We were on vacation, our camper parked directly across from a waterfall, surrounded by the beauty and splendor of the Great Smoky Mountains.  One minute, life seemed like a dream.  And the next, reality gave way to a nightmare.

There were no goodbyes.  I cannot recall what I said to her last or what she said to me.  We pleaded for her not to leave us, and later stood by as the paramedic mouthed the words, “I’m sorry.”  While the disturbing nightmares have subsided, I still vividly recall the moment my dad and I sat beside my mom that night and tearfully sang, “Living by Faith.”  In the deepest, darkest moment of our lives, when no hope seemed to be found, we clung on to the words of this beloved hymn:

Living by faith in Jesus above,
Trusting, confiding in His great love;
From all harm safe in His sheltering arm,
I’m living by faith and feel no alarm.

Sitting in our camper that night, I must be honest and say that having faith was nearly impossible.  The emergency lights flashing outside may have disappeared, but they had taken my Mama with them.  And she would not be riding home with us on the journey back to Florida.  The following week was a traumatizing blur of preparations for the funeral.  I had always looked forward to the day that my mom would help me select a wedding dress, but instead, I was selecting a dress for her that I would never see her wear again.

I miss my Mama more than anyone or anything I have ever lost.  I have three siblings, three grandparents, four great-grandparents, one parent, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends in Heaven.  But losing my Mama was the most devastating experience of my entire life.  My mom, dad, and I were truly like the Three Musketeers.  We were always together, enjoying life together.   Now my dad and I continue to enjoy life together, whether we are at home or abroad.  I am forever grateful for the close father-daughter bond that my dad and I share.  Together, we continue living by faith, with the knowledge that God has a perfect plan for our lives.  While we may not always understand the twists and turns we encounter on this journey called life, we can rest assured that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 KJV). 

While some days like my mom’s birthday and Mother’s Day are especially difficult, there are numerous days that are free from worry and free from the stress of this world.  Whether it is a word spoken or song sung at church, a smile or hug from a beloved friend, or a stress-free vacation with my dad, I find that God provides sweet escapes precisely when and where I need them.  I can tell you from experience that these are the moments in life that our faith is completely restored.  These are the times when we have a fullness of joy and hope abounds.  By putting our trust in Jesus Christ, we will find that the awesome days we experience in life will ultimately spill over into the not-so-easy days, providing a perpetual light in the darkness, hope when we’re hopeless, and an escape when we feel there is no way out.

As I write this blog, my heart hurts as I relive the sorrow of that tragic night in North Carolina.  Tears threaten to well up in my eyes and blur my vision as I type.  Yet I am speaking from my heart with the hope that I can encourage someone who is looking for an escape from the worry.  I want you to know that there is a way out.  I Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) says, “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”  No matter what you are facing, whether it is the death of a loved one or any other burden that you carry, God is faithful.  He will never give you more than you can bear.  Do not give up.  Even in the midst of the darkest night of your life, I can personally tell you that there is hope, even when life seems hopeless.  There is sunshine awaiting you.  Because at that very moment when it seems there is no way out, God will provide an escape.

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

Something New

I’d like to invite you think back to the day when you last purchased something new.  Perhaps it was a new car, a new pair of shoes, or even a new bag of potato chips.  Do you remember that “new car smell?”  Or the way your new shoes were so clean and bright?  And it’s always more fun to pull out the first whole potato chip, as opposed to reaching down in the bag for the last few crumbs!

What is it about something new?  It makes us feel happy and at times, it may even bring back fond childhood memories of a new bicycle or a new puppy or kitten to love.  As humans, we are not generally attracted to old, ugly, discarded pieces of merchandise.  While someone once said that “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” we can be assured that there are some pieces of trash that are just that: trash.  Still, we continuously find ourselves trying to sell this “trash” at yard sales, flea markets, and the like.  Or we may determine that something we own simply needs to be placed in the infamous “file 13.”  No matter how they get rid of the “junk,” people usually follow the old adage, “Out with the old and in with the new.”

Every 365 days, we are given something new: a new year.  Every year, we virtually are given the chance to hit the reset button.  We have the chance to live a fuller life, love a lot deeper, and laugh even harder.  A new year brings with it the opportunity to make amends with family or friends or spend more time with your parents, spouse, or children.  Yet, in our rush to get through another day, there are times when we simply stick to our old ways.

Likewise, there are times when we keep driving the same car, even though it’s broken down five times in the last week.  God may have even sent the money for the down payment on a new car, but we keep putting it off until next week.  And those new shoes in the closet never get worn because they’re not “broken in” yet.  So, we continue wearing our ragged pair instead.  Then we can hardly finish our work day because of the pain in our feet from the worn out soles that offer no support.

Similarly, you may already be ignoring the New Year.  Instead of using this fresh start as a reset button, you may be continuing to live as before.  You might be living in fear, feeling unloved, or struggling with no hope in sight.  You may have plans to give God your life next week, next month, or next year.  Your old life is “broken in” and while it has its flaws, a life with God may seem even more uncomfortable, much like a new pair of shoes.  Yet, a life with God will be clean and bright, filled with God’s amazing unconditional love and grace.

God often opens doors for us in our lives.  He may open the door to a better paying job, a new home, or a new family.  He may even open the door to a new life with God at the center.  When God opens a door, He gives us the choice as to whether or not we will walk through it.  If we just stand there on the wrong side of the door, nothing will change.  But if we take that first step across the threshold, everything changes.

God’s Word says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV).  This is the 29th day of the year.  Don’t wait any longer to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  He will restore your hope, fill you with joy, and mend your broken heart.  Throw out the old, ugly parts of your life and replace them with new, joyous ones.  Take that first step.  Walk through the door.  Embrace this New Year by beginning a new life in Christ.

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

The "Big Break"

 Are you waiting for that “big break?”  Do you spend every waking moment dreaming about that moment when you win the lottery, land a role in the next box office hit, or finally get the job you have been waiting for all of your life?  In your zest to radically change your life, do you often overlook the daily joys because of your focus on the single moment that you hope changes everything?  While it is easy to center your life on one lofty goal, make sure you take time to enjoy the small victories in life.  As one wise person once said, “Take time to smell the roses.”  Otherwise, you may easily miss out on what is happening right now, simply because you are waiting for something to happen.

Personally, I often find myself thinking of the future, as opposed to delighting in the present.  There are times when my Dad and I will be anticipating an exotic voyage on a cruise, or other adventurous vacation, and it seems all of my thoughts revolve around that one trip.  At times, I can scarcely concentrate on my daily tasks, due to thoughts regarding our adventure…  What clothes should I pack?  How many SD cards should I format for my camera?  I need to make sure I take my curling iron.  Oh, and I certainly cannot forget to take my iPod!  And most importantly, I need to pack my Bible.  The list goes on and on.  I know there are times I spend a much greater number of minutes planning what to pack than I spend actually packing.  But, it is the anticipation of the joyful journey that lures me in, and causes me to center my thoughts on all of the tiniest details, often to the exclusion of what is going on in the immediate present.

Other times, I find myself dreaming of the moment that I am blessed to have my first book published, a dream I have had since I was a little girl.  I write and write, anticipating this very day.  The desire to write becomes so great at times that nothing but writing will provide contentment.  The words come flowing forth, and I find such relaxation when I am writing them all down, sure to not miss even one.  Does this mean I don’t like to do anything but write?  Certainly not!  But, there are times when I want to focus all of my thoughts and energy on this one passion.  At the same time, there are moments when I put all of my resources into singing or speaking to women about my journey to finding joy around the bend.  Even so, I realize that I have so many opportunities to minister to others, whether I am writing, singing, speaking, or simply performing my normal daily routine as a middle school teacher.

We may want to be the next big superstar or we may wish we were a millionaire.  Inevitably, though, the most important thing is whether or not we are in the will of God.  In His timing, He will move us to the next phase of our life.  We are called to give 100% of ourselves to the Lord’s work, knowing that everything we do as unto the Lord is valuable.  I Corinthians 15:58 (NIV) says, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”  God calls us to stand firm.  In other words, we should not waver.  We should put our complete trust in the Lord that He will give us the ability to complete every task with the knowledge that we are on a journey to a destination much bigger than Hollywood or Broadway.  We are working toward a Heavenly goal.  And what is the best part?  This “big break” is given freely to all who will believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God.

So, if you’re constantly thinking of what step you should take to strike it big, remember this: the most important step you will ever take is to ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life.  Once you begin this personal relationship with Him, you will be able to immediately say that you are a servant of the Lord of Lords, a child of the King of Kings, and a friend of the Savior of the World.  Worldly successes may be enjoyable, but only for a season.  The successes you find in Jesus Christ, however, last forever.  So, the next time you think about your next “big break,” think about the ultimate “big break.”  If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you will experience a life beyond any you could ever imagine on this earth below.  One day, you’ll have that mansion you’ve always dreamed of, and you’ll be walking on streets of gold surrounded by gates of pearl.  Everyone will know your name, and you’ll know their names as well.  Best of all, Jesus Christ will be walking right beside you, just as He’s done all of your life.  Why wait?  Take the first step today.  Your “big break” has arrived…

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer