Welcome to my blog. I live to be inspired, so that I can inspire others. The lessons I’ve learned through walking through the valley of the shadow of death have taught me 3 things:
Love redeems.
Joy comes.
Resurrection exists.
These are the themes I write about.
I was fine while I was talking with students, advising others. Two hours later as I was eating lunch, I experienced a feeling of panic. I suddenly felt unmoored. Drifting. Scared. I felt actual waves of anxiety distancing me farther and farther away from what I knew, what was safe…what was secure.
I hadn’t felt that in 18.5 years. I recognized that this was the exact way I felt on 9/11 and those days after. …and my heart goes out to my students even more.
So, let me say it again for the people in the back: Marriage is a gift for this life only - as long as we have it. Our marriage vows reach fulfillment when our spouse attains full union with Jesus.
What stands out to me the most is that John didn’t know everything at the beginning of his ministry or his calling. If John the Baptist had to be faithful with little, so that he could be entrusted with much – how much more is this the pattern for all of us?
I love these two examples because they show how gentle God is with His people and those He calls into service (which is all of us). He does not quench the wick smoldering - barely putting forth a flame. He sends his minister to tend it - to call forth life and usefulness.
Welcoming Christmas in the midst of loss
This might feel like the darkest year you’ve yet to endure…you are a seed. Press into the earth and let yourself be planted. You will grow.
Keep going - so that you can keep growing.
Balancing your love for your deceased spouse…with the new love…these are hard things to do, you guys. …because either way, feels a little like betrayal. Like you’re leaving behind your first love to embrace the second.
My past summer was … fine. It was fine. It wasn’t spectacular. It wasn’t life changing. …to be honest, I’d almost call it boring. …and you know what? It was exactly what I needed. I needed a summer of rest - and that’s what I enjoyed. A Sabbath Summer
As we look on the timeline of our life: where are your pivot points? Those times where your life changed dramatically - what was the event? Who played an instrumental role during that pivot?
As I have been learning to embrace my strengths (talent themes) as gifts instilled by my loving Father, this division I have felt for most of the past 25 years slowly is dissipating. My true self doesn’t lie entirely in “loud Jessica” nor is it solely in a deep pondering soul Jessica. I am both.
