Our Blog
Encouragement for every season of life
St.Lucia
Last year, on Sunday, December 8, I did something I had never done before during the Christmas season. I attended a service for St. Lucia Day. It was held before sunrise so the path to the old church building was lit with candles to guide the participants. This small...
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
I’ll be home for Christmas! What excitement there is in that thought . . . home! What, exactly, makes home the place we long to return to, the place we dream of? I remember when my husband and I made a move to a different house after over twenty years in a home we had...
One Little Thing
Last summer, I was sitting on the screen porch working on my Bible Study lesson, and a minuscule bug crawled across the page. I’m incredibly brave when it comes to small bugs, so I squished it. (Please don't report me to PETA.) What I discovered was this: little tiny...
Praying Friends
As I was settling into my Monday morning work routine, a friend approached me and announced, “I prayed for you on my way to work today.” I’m always grateful for prayer and told her so. It was a great start to the workweek. Her church had been given a challenge the...
It’s Always There
The leaves have changed once again. I savor every minute of this breathtaking season, taking frequent walks. As we were meandering through the neighborhood recently, my kids asked me why the leaves turn colors. I inadequately stumbled over a crude explanation and...
20/20
How is your vision? Do you see clearly? 20/20. When I used to hear this, what came to mind was good vision and being able to see clearly—something that people who didn’t need glasses or contacts had. They could see both far away and close up. Seeing clearly is a gift,...
Expect the Unexpected
So often the struggles we have in our relationships and circumstances are unexpected and even shocking. The unexpected hurts, disappointment, and loneliness can feel as if they are here to stay. Rest assured, God is not surprised and he knows how to redeem any...
The Jennifer Jones Principle
I’ve always said that my husband could never work from home. He’s far too social to feel fulfilled home officing. And, if I’m being honest, we’re both too high strung, strong-willed, and opinionated to ever be relationally successful working in the same vicinity all...
Helping After Loss – The Power of Presence
“I just don’t know what to say . . .” This is by far the most common comment I hear from my fans as we talk about helping a friend who has experienced a death loss. Even though I lost my mom when I was 13, for the longest time I still wasn’t sure what to say to other...
Don’t Settle for Close Enough
We have a lovely three-season porch where we eat most of our meals in the summer. It's also where I go to pray and read in the mornings. I have a lovely view of the lake and can breathe the cool morning air . . . it's comfortable . . . it's convenient . . . it's...
