You Are Here

You are here

To do great things

With small acts of kindness

You are here

To show great love 

With subtle acts of service

You are here

To share great faith

With simple acts of obedience

You are here

Not somewhere else,

So do great things

One single day at a time

--Jessica

I Am Imperfect, But Loved by a Perfect God

Lately, I've been having one of those seasons. The kind where I'm struggling--daily--to fight the urge to feel worried or stressed. I'm in a constant state of flight or fight. And each day I awake to a greater trial than the one before.

Yeah, that kind of season.

I'm weary. I'm worn out. I'm exhausted. I don't feel like myself. I'm more agitated than usual. And my internal reserve of resources--encouragement, joy, patience, love--is drying up.

It's seasons like these that show me just how imperfect I really am.

God spells it out for me in the Bible:

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." James 1:2-4

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Matthew 6:25-27

These three verses immediately come to mind when I begin to think about my trials. God brings these three verses to the forefront of my mind when I begin to worry or stress. So, why am I so quick to not trust in God's Word?

Because I'm imperfect. I'm human. I think I am capable of handling things on my own when the truth is that I am loved unconditionally by a perfect God who cares about every detail of my day, even the small things.

I'm quick to forget, but God is quick to remind--his grace is sufficient for me. He loves me. He cares about my trials.

This season will pass. And when it does, I'm grateful God is using it to teach me, once again, that I am nothing without him.

I am imperfect, but loved by a perfect God.

--Jessica

The Things We Could Accomplish If We Respected One Another

Respect (noun)
: a feeling of admiring someone or something that is good, valuable, important, etc.
: a feeling or understanding that someone or something is important, serious, etc., and should be treated in an appropriate way
: a particular way of thinking about or looking at something

Caring about each other has become a lost art. This notion that if we love one another--truly love one another--then we respect each other.

You know what I'm talking about.

I'm talking about the man who walked through the door in front of the woman whose arms were full and just let it shut behind him.

I'm talking about the woman who stole her best friend's husband when she knew they were going through a rough patch.

I'm talking about the teenagers who cut the older gentleman in line because he was holding them up. 

I'm talking about the daughter-in-law who doesn't like the way her mother-in-law treats her and refuses to step foot in her house.

The list could go on and on. I have a hundred different examples of how we disrespect each other on a daily basis. And I can't help but wonder, what could we accomplish if we respected one another?

What if we did hold the door open for one another? What if we respected each others' marriages? What if we loved on the older people we come into contact with? What if we let offenses go and approached each other with an attitude of gratitude?

We could accomplish a lot.

We could raise children who love helping one another.

We could encourage the restoration of marriages and decrease the amount of divorces.

We could fill the empty, lonely houses of the elderly with life and laughter.

We could offer love and compassion to the people in our lives who desperately need it.

We could accomplish a lot if we respected one another like we used to.

So, thank the person who held the door open for you. Be good to your friends. Love all people of every age, class, religion, ethnicity. And approach everyone you know--and meet--with respect whether it's deserved or not.

The things we could accomplish if we respected one another are endless.

--Jessica

My Take On Mean Girls: Stop Competing!

A black stretch limo arrived in front of the elementary school. I stood off to the side--proudly--with the five other girls in my class not invited to the birthday festivities of a self-professed 4th grade "popular" girl.

They didn't have a term for it in 1999, but the blond-haired girl that popped her head out of limo and sneered at me as it drove by was my very first 'frenemy'.

Depending on what suited her agenda, she might ask me to spend recess walking through the crowded playground with her and her devoted groupies. Generally, I turned her offer down. I knew her ulterior motives. She wanted to spend 20 minutes of her day picking on someone and I was always an easy target. My clothes were purchased from the thrift store, I was sensitive and extremely gullible.

Other times, she wanted to use me to get something she couldn't obtain on her own. Mainly good grades. She could turn on the charm while trying to win me over. It never worked. I may have been gullible, but I knew when someone was treating me poorly. I give her all the credit for teaching me the power of saying the word, "No."

I was not invited to her birthday party in the 4th grade because I told one of her groupies--who also happened to be just another target for her cruel games--that I didn't like the ring leader of the "popular" crowd. She ran back to the Queen Bee and told her everything I said.

Later that day, as I was eating lunch with a group of boys I played basketball with, Queen Bee walked over to where I sat and crossed her arms.

"So-and-so said you don't like me. Did you really say that?" she snarled.

"Yes, I did," I replied as I took a big bite out of my peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

"Why don't you like me?"

"Because you're mean to everyone," I bluntly stated.

"You're not invited to my birthday party!" she screamed at the top of her lungs.

I shrugged and finished my peanut butter and jelly while she spent the better part of the day obsessing over the fact that someone she didn't like, did not like her. Then it became her sole mission in life to make sure everyone else didn't like me either.

And so it began...

I've come into contact with thousands of women over the years. And I always seem to run into a few self-proclaimed popular girls who have grown up into, for lack of a better word, mean girls. They'll be nice to my face then immediately turn around and attempt to turn everyone they know against me. I've just never understood that. I've never understood this idea that we--as women--are supposed to constantly compete for friends, men, careers, positions, etc.

Not all ladies are like this; I'm blessed to know several who aren't. But regardless of where I go or what I do, another woman is determined to compete with me. And it frustrates me.

I suppose I understand something they don't: we are all different. Every single person who wanders this earth comes from a different background, story, family. And I like that we're all different. We all have a unique view on life and that can be an asset to our relationships with others. And so the question remains: Ladies, why are we always competing with each other?

If I were to guess, I'd say it has a lot to do with our childhoods--and mainly our mothers. I'm grateful I was raised by a woman who was never interested in competing or stealing what other women had. She raised me to love everyone and to avoid the people who actively hurt me. She also taught me to love myself and appreciate that I am entirely, uniquely me, even though she often thought I was a little too loud.

I watch the way women treat other women. Their daughters--both young and grown--are watching, too. Which leads me to this point: Your daughters are watching you.

They're watching you be kind to someone's face, and then turn around and tear them down. They're watching the way you treat women who are different from you. They see you laugh at her clothes and the way she wears her hair. They see you trade kind words for harsh ones. They're watching you show favoritism to women who you believe can advance you because of their financial resources or positions while ignoring the women who can do absolutely nothing for you because you see no value in them.

They are learning how to treat other women from you.

I'm just going to be honest with you, ladies, we need to actively love each other better. I'm not saying we just need to be nicer to each other's faces--though we should always aim to be kind to each other; I'm saying we need to change our view of other women entirely so we can, in turn, change the way our daughters will view one another someday.

If you don't like someone, keep it to yourself. It's not your job to tell the world what their faults are. It's not your job to tear her down because she offended you. It's not your job to punish her. Ever.

Your job is to extend kindness to the women who offer you none so your daughter learns to offer it to everyone she comes into contact with regardless of how they treat her.

Your job is to teach your daughter that every woman has value--no matter how lowly her position in life is. Your daughter will love you for teaching her the value of being tender-hearted and she will be eternally grateful to you for helping her see the good in everyone.

Your job is to never speak ill of anyone so you will be blameless and pure in everyone's sights, including your daughter's. This is Bible truth ladies! Check out Philippians 2:14-15.

Your job is change the world one woman at a time. Start with yourself, and then encourage that change in your daughter. You have the power to affect change--so do it!

Ladies, stop competing! Let's replace any type of ill feelings towards one another with prayer and good thoughts. You can't be angry with another woman when you're communicating with the Creator about her well-being. Pray for her faith, relationships, health, strength, humility and attitude towards other women.

Prayer changes things. It changes us first, and then it changes the people around us.

Be unapologetically you. And help the women in your life to embrace who they are, too. The more we embrace one another, the less we're competing. And that's a good thing.

--Jessica

The Good Wife Chronicles: How To Build Common Interest With Your Husband

When Kelly and I first got married, we only had a few things in common. Our faith, love of road trips, life goals, and many personality traits.

But our passions--writing and web development--were very different. Our different passions have always given us an independence from one another because I have no desire to code or program and he has no desire to sit down and spend hours playing with words on a screen or sheet of paper.

In our marriage, our separate passions have always been a great experience for us. We share practically everything and go practically everywhere together, but our desks sit on opposite sides of the house and we normally separate to work on our passions.

As the years have moved forward, God has strategically used our separate passions to pull us closer to one another. Oftentimes, Kelly has to send long emails or write text for his web clients. Though I love to write long and short stories, I'm more focused on blogging now. That means we have had to merge our two passions to accomplish similar goals. It's been a beautiful experience watching our passions seamlessly flow together. And I know only God could have planned for them to collide. He knew we would each need the other's talent to further our dreams.

Our passions have expanded now that we're older. We both love to teach. We both love to work with our hands. We both love to explore with the dogs--and alone. And we do it together.

The more my husband and I have in common, the deeper our conversations become and the sweeter life itself  becomes. When we are old and frail, we're probably spend the majority of our time reminiscing about all the hours we spent in Lowe's holding hands or our trips to different cities to explore. If we didn't have a strong friendship, we probably wouldn't enjoy the time we spent together as much as we do now.

The things you have in common with your husband are an important part of your marriage because as children, careers, and life come and go, your marriage will end the same way it began, with just the two of you. If you don't have similar interests, now's the time to start working on it.

How to build common interests with your husband:

1. Pick an interest of your husband's and then ask him to help you understand it better.
My husband is a marketing whiz. He really is! He can market anything well with enough time and resources. I think marketing is interesting and needed to learn more about it to teach a class. Kelly and I spent--and still do spend--hours sitting at my computer as he showed me the basics of internet marketing. I like learning from my husband and I'm glad I found an interest of his I enjoy learning about. He also enjoys sharing with me. Your husband will enjoy sharing his passion with you, too!

2. Cultivate interests together.
I am not an adventurous person by nature, but I try very hard to be for my husband. We explore cities, national parks, new restaurants, and activities. I--who am a self-professed hater of roller coasters--will even ride roller coasters for my husband. Yes, I will subject myself to an entire day of feeling like I'm going to throw up at any moment just for him. Because I know how much he loves amusement parks and it's just one day that I sacrifice for his bliss. I also usually get a nice dinner out of it, so it's worth it for me. As we explore new adventures together, we do find things we love to do together--and some things we don't like to do. We've discovered that we love to work on house projects together. We also love to garden and take the dogs for long hikes. We like going to the lake and miniature-golfing. We have found interests--together--that we enjoy doing with one another. It's all about trial-and-error.

3. Appreciate the time you have together.
Life is busy and the older you get, the busier it will become. Regardless of the activity, you should learn to enjoy the moments you get to spend together. Life--though it may appear long--is very short. And none of us ever really know when it will be over. So, hold hands and laugh a lot. If he wants to take you to some monster truck extravaganza, GO! Feel honored that as he wants YOU sitting beside him as he engages in one of his favorite activities.

Your Wife-Friend In Christ,
Jessica

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To read more of my series, The Good Wife Chronicles, check out past posts below!
When He Drives You Insane

Be His Loudest Cheerleader
Dealing With the Proverbs 31 Woman
The Soul Mate Complex

Michal's Mistakes

Lord, I Need You

I've weathered many dark storms. The kind that have brought me to my knees in distress and defeat. In my darkest hours, I have always cried out in agony, "Lord, I need YOU!" And without fail, God has helped me rise from the ashes of a broken situation.

He always, without fail, replaces a crown of beauty for those ashes. (Isaiah 61:3)

You were never meant to weather the storms of life on your own. Cry out to Jesus. Tell him you need him. Every hour. Every moment of every day. And he will replace a crown of beauty for the ashes you find yourself surrendering in.

--Jessica

Slow Down

Some days, the hours pass too quickly. Between ironing my husband's shirt before he runs out the door to work and preparing his dinner before he gets home, time slips away from me. And tomorrow's To-Do list grows longer as today's hours grow shorter.

Recently, my husband and I have been fixing up an old table. We've had to rebuild portions of the wood, sand layers of stain off, and remove years of dust--the layers of life--from it's cracks and crevices.

For the last 2 1/2 years, we have been using lawn furniture as our dining room/kitchen table. When we first started our marriage, we had bedroom furniture and a microwave that really never worked right to our name. Slowly, as the years have pressed on, God has filled our home to it's breaking point with all kinds of furniture and gadgets. But this table has always been a significant part of my kitchen. It's a reminder that we once lived off of love and nothing else. It holds the wonderful promise that God can build great things out of nothing.

One day soon, the table will make its way to the backyard where time and elements will slowly destroy it. And, eventually, we will have to part with the table where many conversations and meals--good ones and not-so-good ones--have taken place. It's use will diminish and it will no longer be the central portion of our home.

As I was outside sanding what will soon be our new table while the wind blew through the leafless trees, I was reminded that all things--people, possessions, and life--wear out over time. Sometimes, we need to slow down and enjoy the things that we may not wake up with tomorrow.

Slow down and see the extraordinary in the ordinary.

--Jessica

From California to Small Town USA: My Story

I was six years old the first time someone asked me if I believed in God. I was standing outside my first grade class in line as the boy in front of me turned around and whispered, "Jessi, do you believe in God?" I replied, "Yes," then shushed him as we began walking down the long hallway toward the computer lab.

To be honest, I can't remember a time that I didn't believe in God. I'm not sure that anyone really told me about him; I've always just known that God is real and that his home was somewhere beyond the big, blue sky. The thing is, I didn't always know God as I do now.

I grew up in a city 30 miles outside of San Diego. San Marcos was a wonderful place to grow up. I always felt safe and my parents made sure we were always involved in sports and activities. We spent summers at the beach surfing and trekked to the mountains on occasion to see the snow. From the outside, I had an idyllic childhood.

Fast forward six years. At twelve years old, we lived in a beautiful five-bedroom house. My father's hard work and perseverance had produced the American Dream. He has always been a very hard worker, smart and talented. But I suppose the American Dream wasn't all he imagined it was going to be--it wasn't all he planned it out to be.

We were standing in the garage one sunny afternoon as he was looking through a box of mementos. He pulled out an aged paper that he had written in high school. He carefully unfolded it and then started laughing. On this paper was a list of all he had hoped to accomplish by the time he was 35. Get married. Have two kids. Buy a four-bedroom house. Own his own company.

He had accomplished all of those dreams and more before he was 35. My father was successful, well-liked (for the most part) and living his American Dream. But as his laughter turned to silence, I could tell something bothered him about that list.

I look back on that day from time-to-time and wonder if him discovering that old high school memento had anything to do with the choices he would make shortly thereafter. My hard-working, talented father would give up his American Dream in pursuit of something else entirely. The specifics aren't important; what's important is his quest for something different led me to the very thing I had always needed: Jesus.

One dark night, a couple of months later, I accepted Jesus into my heart and my life was forever altered. If my father hadn't changed the course of our lives, I don't know that I would be the person I am today. I don't know if I would know Jesus as intimately as I do now. Regardless of his decisions, he gave me the greatest gift a father could ever give his daughter: faith.

Dad and me circa 1991

As the years pressed on, I grew very bitter towards my father and his choices. I hated the feeling of never being settled. I hated the feeling of never feeling like I belonged somewhere. And I hated feeling like I had lost out on so much because he took the American Dream away from me.

Many dark years followed my acceptance of Jesus into my heart. I made bad choice after bad choice. I hated the world. And the thought of ever having a family was very far from my mind. In fact, the idea of marriage repulsed me.

When I was 19 years old, I cried out to Jesus and told him I could no longer live my life the way it was going. I needed to change and I needed His help to do so. That next day, my entire life changed for the better. God sent away every bad thing in my life and used my husband--a friend who was no longer talking to me because of my bad choices--to draw me closer to him.

It took many years to learn forgiveness and even longer to make peace with the past. Marrying my husband and then a move to Oklahoma helped. God is still changing me for the better today. But I have never forgotten where my journey started all those years ago. At six years old, I knew God was real. Six years later, I would accept him into my life for good. And seven years after that, I would cry out in my darkest hour and he would rescue me. Then, he would use my life to minister to others in ways I never could have imagined.

It's been a long journey and I have weathered numerous storms. God has not always answered my prayers, but he has always comforted me when I was in need. My life is not easy, though it may appear that way sometimes. There are--and will always be--hard times to work through. But there is one thing I know beyond a shadow of a doubt: God loves me. God accepts me. God uses me for his glory day in and day out. And though I fall short, he will never abandon me.

I haven't always lived my life the way I should have. And my actions have not always reflected the person that I have become today. But I'm grateful I'm forgiven and free from the chains of anger, bitterness and resentment.

My greatest hope is that I'm living a life now that shows my father Jesus can heal broken hearts, broken relationships, and broken dreams. And that one day soon he makes a decision about his own faith.

When my father walked out the front door, he gave me an eternity in Heaven--something I am so undeserving of. I hope that one day, I can give him the same gift in return.

"A holy life will produce the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns; they only shine." --D.L. Moody

Preparing For Marriage: The Hard Work Your Wife Role Entails

"Anything worthwhile is hard work." And marriage is no exception to that rule. 

If our country's current divorce rate--50%--is any indication of our nation's view on marriage, it's that hard work is too hard. 

It also indicates that a lot of marriages fail that don't have to. Naturally, there are extraordinary cases where it's the only option. But I'm not talking about those; I'm talking about the marriages that don't have to end.

I firmly believe that the majority of marriages end due to a lack of knowledge. That knowledge? Marriage is hard work and it can't survive without Jesus. 

We live in a culture that twists lust into love and encourages adultery, lying and stealing. If you don't believe me, turn on the T.V. Take a look around your neighborhood. Talk to your coworkers. Pick up a best-selling novel. The point is: our culture is trying to destroy perfectly good marriages over the idea that they're imperfect. 

So, what does this mean for you? It means that you are going to have to spend every waking moment of married life fighting for your marriage. That makes marriage sound impossible, doesn't it? It also makes it sound like I'm attempting to talk you out of marriage. That's not what I'm intending here.

Here's what I'm trying to do: I'm trying to prepare you for your wife role. I'm trying to give you all of the information up front so you're not shocked when your marriage goes through rough patches. I'm trying to arm you with every weapon you'll ever need to fight against the forces that will no doubt try to destroy your union. Because they will come. And you can't fight for something you're not prepared for.

At times, you'll be battling external forces. The loss of a job. Illness. Family members that are determined to keep you apart. Friends that don't want to share you with someone else. Mentors and advisers that give you advice from the flesh--not from the Word. Acquaintances that will attempt to tarnish your name and reputation. Strangers that will bad mouth marriage, speak negativity over you and attempt to harm you. There are numerous external forces and they will catch you at your weakest moments. 

Then, there are internal forces. Your husband will have a rough day at work and he'll come home in a terrible mood. You'll be physically and emotionally exhausted from time-to-time because keeping a house, running errands, working and church activities will wear you out. You'll snap at him. Maybe you'll nag him to help you take out the trash. Whatever the internal forces are, they'll be a result of both of you being human and imperfect. In my experience, these forces are worse than external forces. Because you can stand strong by each other to take on the world; you may not be holding hands as you battle it out over who gets to do the dishes. 

Marriage is hard work, but if you understand that now--if you prepare yourself for the hard parts of this God-ordained union--then you will enjoy the good and easy moments to their fullest. Marriage can be hard work, but it can also be fun and satisfying. The amount of work you're willing to put into your marriage will determine your success. The most successful marriages I know have worked through the darkest moments only to reach the other side stronger and better than ever.

So, how do you prepare for the hard work ahead:

1. Get in the habit of praying for your husband now.

That's right, right now! Don't wait until you're married, start praying for his relationship with God, spiritual leadership, health, humility, virtue, responsibilities, prayer life, obedience, patience, and desire to protect your future marriage. Make a point to pray for him whenever he crosses your mind. When you get married, you'll already be in the habit of praying for him. And he will need your prayers every single day.

2. Read your Bible.

I love reading about Ruth and Esther. After one read through, I spend several days studying out each woman--OFTEN. I study how they respond to authority figures, their husbands, and God. I study how they conduct themselves in the presence of others. I study the words they use to speak. I study them until I have learned something new about each lady. These days, I know their stories backwards and forwards, but I didn't always. I wasn't prepared for my wife role when I got married. These stories were just stories to me. Now, they're tools I use to help myself understand this wife role better. God put these ladies' stories in the Bible for you and me. Read them. Study them. Get to know them. They are wonderful examples of Godly wives. 

3. Don't get wrapped up in the world.

The world is full of interesting people who will cross your path. They'll try convince you that you're too young to get married. They'll tell you that you 'have to take the car for a test ride before you buy it.' And the world will try to sell you on the idea that if you're ever unhappy in your marriage, you can always end it. Don't listen to the world. Don't get caught up in the lies. When you let in the world's view, you'll set yourself up for failure. Focus instead on what God says about marriage. 

"...a man will eave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24)

"A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones." (Proverbs 12:4)

"Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them." (Colossians 3:18-19)

The best way to prepare for marriage is to pray it about often. God loves when his children come to him seeking wisdom. He freely gives it once asked. Ask for his wisdom concerning your future wife role. Ask him to help you prepare for the hard work that lies ahead. And ask him to protect your marriage at all times.

Your Wife-Friend In Christ,

Jessica

Encouragement for the day: John 14:27

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." - John 14:27

The world is a troubling place. If you focus too long on all that's wrong with it, you will end up frustrated and anxious. Peace and joy will leave you. Instead, they'll be replaced with discord and sorrow.

My job calls me to work in an environment with people from all walks of life. Some are old and some are young. But their concerns are all the same.

"I'm worried about my healthcare."

"I'm scared for my children's future."

"I can't find work."

"I'm struggling to keep up with technology demands."

"I'm struggling to get out of bed in the morning."

"Why can't people love each other better?"

The world will trouble your heart. It will give you heartache and chaos. It will take from you and give nothing kind in return. The ruler of the world is not the same ruler of the Heavens. Our God is so much greater than Satan. Our God is so much greater than our fears and shortcomings.

Rest assured, Jesus tells us in John 14:27 that he will give you peace when the world is troubling you. And when you find yourself scared and distressed, Jesus will calm your storms and take your fears. Give them over to him. He will give you peace, dear friend.

Set your eyes on Heaven--not on this world.

--Jessica

The Good Wife Chronicles: When He Drives You Insane

On the outside, married life seems pretty glamorous. At least, it did to me before I was married. I loved that quote about getting to have a sleepover with your best friend every night. It just made marriage sound so fun! 

Don't misunderstand me: marriage is fun. But the repeat sleepovers eventually become the 'norm' and you realize that you actually have to share a bed with someone. Until you die.

The other night, I woke up to the back of Kelly's head slamming into the front of my head. I screamed out a chorus of "owwwwwiieeeee" for two minutes straight. He gently patted my stomach and said, "Are you OK?" before passing back out.

I laid awake the rest of the night, mumbling under my breath. I bet I'm bleeding all over the pillow. I need a bigger bed. I need more pillows to use as a massive barrier...why are all three dogs piled on our small bed? I. CAN'T. SLEEP.

It's these nights that make for really long days. They also reveal one universal truth: eventually, he will drive you insane.

My husband woke up that next morning--after head-butting me--to a cranky wife. I hate to admit this because I'm usually not a cranky wife. But life was stressful and I hadn't had a good night's sleep in over two weeks. For the record, my nose was extremely sensitive that morning, too.

I attempted to brush it off but when my husband decided to stick his entire palm on my face to greet me good morning, I came unglued.

I'm pretty good at ignoring my husband's bad habits. Hey, we all have them. He ignores mine, too. But when he face-palmed me that morning, I had a meltdown. I angrily packed his lunch. I angrily ironed his clothes. And I angrily kissed him good-bye. When he was gone, I angrily sat down on the couch and proclaimed to the silence that I would not be able to do anything today because I had to make an appointment for my broken nose.

Looking back at my reaction, I know things were not handled well on my part. At all. And I may have overreacted.

Here's what I did wrong:
1. I did not sleep in even though I really needed to.
2. I chose anger over peace.
3. I chose to let the occurrence ruin my day.

Here's what I did right:
1. I did not say anything harsh or angry to my husband.

Hey, that's progress.

99 times out of 100, I will respond correctly to the things that annoy me about my husband. I will ignore, brush off, or simply laugh. But every once in a while, a perfect storm is set up and I fail miserably. The other day was a good example of that.

So what do you do when your husband drives you insane? You have two paths to choose from: engage or ignore.

Engage
Small annoyances can begin wars. They can divide a home and destroy its peace. Children are forced to choose sides and no one ends up happy. Winning a battle you've started with your spouse will not make you happy. It will drive a wedge between you. As the years progress, that wedge will widen until the divorce papers are served. A marriage that had the potential to set a good example for your children and the young people in your life will be ruined. A marriage that had the potential to do great things for the Lord will be ruined. If you choose to engage, you will start a war that neither of you can win.

Ignore
One of the best lessons I've learned in this life is to ignore people when they do things that annoy me. Here's why: first, you're not encouraging their behavior. And secondly, you're not allowing your negative emotions to emerge. Eventually, they will stop the behavior because you're not responding to it. However, people are creatures of habit so it may come out again in the future. Just ignore. When you choose to overlook their annoying behavior--and remember that they're only human--you're choosing joy. You're choosing peace. And you're choosing to set your relationship above all else. It's the wiser path. Trust me.

I was on the verge of engaging my husband the other day. But I'm thankful God reminded me that small annoyances are just a part of marriage. If you focus on them, you will destroy your chances of having a joyful union.

Choose to ignore and move on. You married a sinning, flawed man, give him some grace. He needs it more than you know.

Your Wife-Friend in Christ,
Jessica

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To read more of my series, The Good Wife Chronicles, check out past posts below!

Be His Loudest Cheerleader
Dealing With the Proverbs 31 Woman
The Soul Mate Complex

Michal's Mistakes

Moonshiners Son Becomes Multi-Millionaire Book Review

Photo Credit: Charley Jordan
https://www.facebook.com/moonshinersson

When Charley Jordan walked into my classroom in November, he had one goal in mind: learn how to market the book he wrote about his life journey from the son of a Moonshiner to the president of a poultry company.

Immediately, I was interested in reading his book. I had watched an episode of Moonshiner's on the Discovery Channel and was curious to see things from the perspective of a child who had witnessed his parents making and selling moonshine illegally.

I was pleasantly surprised several chapters in to see that the book itself does not focus mainly on moonshine; it focuses on Charley's journey from his colorful upbringing along the Illinois River where his father and mother made moonshine to make ends meet to his teenage years where his mother helped him get a job as a chicken hanger at a poultry processing plant in Siloam Springs. From there, Charley's journey climbing the corporate ladder begins. And yes, he does become a multi-millionaire. But instead of bragging about his money, he uses his experiences to help readers understand that money can always be earned--it's how you spend and save that's important. As Charley puts it, "I don't believe there is much difference between people who have money and people that don't have money."

What I love most about this book is that Charley worked hard to overcome the stigma of being a poor "moonshiner's son" to become a man that genuinely cared about the well-being of his employees. I also love that Charley's wife, Maxine, turned out to be the steady support system he needed to rebuild a broken life and become, essentially, the man he is today. And from personal experience, I can tell you that Charley is one-in-a-million.

I laughed all through the book, ached for the young man who was trying to figure his life out, and then cheered for the executive who focused all of his efforts on improving the working conditions of his employees. I won't give away his insider secrets, you'll have to buy the book to find out what they are, but I believe this book is for anyone who comes from a humble beginning. I loved this book and I know you will, too!

You can buy Charley's book, Moonshiner's Son, on Amazon Paperback, Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble.
Follow Charley on Facebook and Twitter to get updates on Charley, his dog Earl, and his book.

My Favorite Charles Spurgeon Quotes

Lately, I've been reading up on the life of Charles Spurgeon. And I'm amazed at how God used him in the New Park Street Chapel to reach out to so many lives in London in the 1800's. But, more importantly, I really love reading the words he spoke, thought, and wrote down. Spurgeon never fails to inspire me. So, I've decided to gather some of his words all in one place.

Some of my favorite Charles Spurgeon quotes:

"All afflictions are not chastisements for sin; there are some afflictions that have quite another end and object."

"How angels thus keep us we cannot tell. Whether they repel demons, counteract spiritual plots, or even ward off the subtler physical forces of disease, we do not know. Perhaps we shall one day stand amazed at the multiplied services which the unseen bands have rendered to us."

"Do nothing when you are out of temper, and then you will have the less to undo."

"Treat all creatures kindly, then, so far as you can, for the great Creator's sake."

"We should work with the hands of Martha, but yet keep near the Master with the heart of Mary; we want a combination of activity and meditation."

"If there is anything that is a miniature picture of heaven upon earth, it is a pair of Christians happily united, whose children grow up in the fear of the Lord, and render to them increased comfort and joy every day. Oh, how much some of us owe to the gospel for the happiness of our homes!"

"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes."

"A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble."

"Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of."

"I would go to the deeps a hundred times to cheer a downcast spirit. It is good for me to have been afflicted, that I might know how to speak a word in season to one that is weary."

--Jessica

The Best Valentine's Day Present

I remember our first married Valentine's quite well. In fact, I doubt I'll ever forget it. My husband brought me home a gnome. Yes, you read that right. A gnome.

It's one of those memories I like to look back on and laugh. Hysterically.

Kelly walked in the door that night and ran straight to our bedroom. He shut the door and I could hear him hurriedly wrapping something.

Of course, I was excited. He's gotten me jewelry, I thought to myself. It's what I had asked for. And I married a man who would definitely buy me jewelry. He did when we were dating.

He came out of the room carrying a lop-sided saran-wrapped bag. I think my mouth dropped open. I instantly knew he did not get me jewelry. I could distinctly see a single red rose sticking out the top of the messily-assembled bag and a brown basket.

Smiling, I took the bag and began unwrapping. Inside was a small vase holding the single red rose, a pack of gum and a garden gnome.

I picked up the gnome and looked at him. "This was an interesting choice."

"You said the other day that you always wanted a garden gnome," he smugly replied.

I gave him a kiss and started laughing. Only my husband would come home on Valentine's day with a gnome. But you know what, it was the most thoughtful gift I've ever been given. The best Valentine's Day present was the laughter that accompanied that silly garden gnome.

That Valentine's Day taught me a lot about my husband. First and foremost, he's a unique man. A few months later, he gave me a vacuum for our first anniversary. He likes to buy me things for the house because he knows that's where my heart is. And secondly, he's a much better listener than I give him credit for.

We spend a lot of time focusing on the idea of Valentine's Day. Flowers, chocolate, and jewelry. But Valentine's Day is about celebrating the person who has stolen your heart. Not just today, but every day.

What's the best Valentine's Day present you've ever been given?

--Jessica

Divine Appointments

I believe in divine appointments. Meetings arranged by God at a specific point in time for two peoples’ lives to collide.

I haven’t always believed in these meetings as I do now. As a teenager, I was under the impression that the only reason people entered my life was to take something from me. But I have come to understand that every person who has crossed my path has left something wonderful behind. It may take me years to uncover the ‘gift’ they leave, but when I come across it I am so grateful for them.

My life has collided with numerous people over the years. People who bring something beautiful to my existence and people who take more than I have to offer. People who encourage me and people who try to tear me down. People who become like family and people who I have to walk away from. People who stick around and people who are just passing through.

Recently, God has arranged some pretty miraculous meetings for me. And He has solidified my belief that nothing in this life happens by accident.

Two weeks ago, he walked two students into my classroom that lived in the same town I grew up in. We formed a bond based on a place 1,500 miles away. All of my students bring joy and encouragement to my life, but I was pleasantly surprised to find two people, in the middle of Small Town USA, who come from the same place I do.

A couple of days later, a woman who opened many doors for me walked back into my life. I hugged her and thanked her over and over again for all the help she had given me. This woman invested great amounts of time and energy into my life. She was floored when I told her all her hard work had sprouted seed after seed in my life. Her investment is STILL blessing me to this day! God knew I wanted to thank her and planned a divine appointment on my calendar just so I could.

One of my favorite meetings happened a few months ago. A student of mine who I had been praying fervently for had been on my mind. I hadn’t seen her in over a year and just kept thinking about her. On a random Saturday in December, I literally ran into her at Sam’s Club. Everything I had been praying for had come to pass in her life. I wanted to cry tears of joy! I thanked God then—and still do—for that divine appointment. What an encouragement it was to see that my investment—the hours I had spent praying—had all come to pass. If you're wondering if prayer works, take my word for it: IT MOST CERTAINLY DOES.

There are no accidental meetings; they’re all divine appointments. There will be many people who cross your path. God has already equipped you with everything you need to help them on their journey. Because isn't that what we’re all doing here? We’re helping each other, encouraging each other and lifting each other up as we navigate the rocky waters of this life. If we’re not doing that, then maybe it’s time to start. 

The people that you meet in this life come to you by no accident. Yes, even the difficult ones. Thank God for his divine appointments. Make the most of the time he gives you with others. Thank the people you need to. Invest in the ones you need to. Encourage and build up. Have deep conversations about faith and life. Leave each person better than when you found them.

Take care of the people that you meet in this life. Even the people who continually take from you. I have never regretted investing in someone who has not returned the favor. When you aim to do good always—even when the world tells you that some people don’t deserve it—you will be shocked to see that God will bring people into your life that will build you up and restore your faith. The more you invest, the more people God will send to invest in you.

--Jessica

Encouragement For the Day: Exodus 14:14

One of my favorite verses in all of scripture is Exodus 14:14:

"The LORD will fight for you, you need only to be still." 

This verse is followed in scripture by the story of God parting the Red Sea for Moses and the Israelites as they outrun Pharaoh and his Egyptian army.

If you know the end of the story, then you know that God did fight for the Israelites. Pharaoh's army was swallowed by the very sea that was parted as safe passage for the Israelites to escape.

I know there Egyptians in your life right now. They're pursuing you. They're charging at you. They're trying to engage in a battle that you know you will lose if you fight on your own.

Take heart, God is your greatest ally. He will fight for you.

You need only to be still. To be motionless. To be stationary. To remain calm.

When the battle is over, you will clearly see that God is faithful and good. His word can be counted on. Rescue is coming.

Be still,
Jessica

The Good Wife Chronicles: Be His Loudest Cheerleader

The world will stop at nothing to tear down my husband. People willingly and openly oppose him. They try to damage his career, his character and his confidence. And I'm sure they do the same to your husband, too.

I suppose this comes with the territory of being a Christian. As my pastor says, "If you're not being met with opposition, it's time to re-evaluate your walk with Christ."

My husband was most recently dealing with a co-worker who spent their free time trying to control him. This person did a number of horrible things and he would come home frustrated and confused. I would be heartbroken.

I wanted to march up to his office and give this person what for. I wanted to tell them that if they continued to treat my husband in this manner, they'd be dealing with me (on a side note: I am much more intimidating than my husband). But I knew that wouldn't accomplish much. This person would not stop bullying simply because I told them to.

So, I prayed everyday as my husband left for work. "Lord, please give him patience. Help him to hold his tongue. Help him to return attacks with kindness. Arm him with your strength."

Eventually, the problem was solved. But the point is this: the world will try to tear down your husband and it's important that you don't.

The world will tell your husband that his talents aren't good enough. They will tell him that he won't measure up to much. They will tell him that they can't believe he lives off of so little income and that he should find a better job. They will tell him that his car is too old. They will tell him that his clothes are not nice enough. They will tell him that his choices are wrong. They will attack his faith.

I don't think I realized how cruel the world was to my husband until recently. My husband is a strong man. He really can carry the weight of the world on his shoulders and never let on that he's struggling beneath its weight. But when the load gets too heavy to carry, he knows I'm the person he can turn to lift those burdens. Or at least lift his spirits.

I'm not always his loudest cheerleader, but God is helping me understand how important it is that I become his.

There was a recent study done that showed your husband will hear your voice most audibly when surrounded by other voices. Your husband is most familiar with your voice. This can be a good thing--because he can shut out the world and focus solely on you--or it can be a bad thing--he can ignore your words and, eventually, you completely.

It's my belief that if we are cheering on our husbands, they will shut out the noises from others and focus on our encouragement. If we aren't encouraging, he most likely won't be listening to us. He may get beaten down by the rest of the world's opinions of him. Or he may find someone else to be his cheerleader.

So, how do we become our husband's loudest cheerleader?

1. Applaud his efforts; encourage his dreams no matter how crazy they sound
I doubt my husband from time-to-time. When he came home and told me he was going to build a hydroponic system to grow non-GMO foods for us using fish, I about had a heart attack. My first thought was, "Great, here we go again. Another experiment." My next thought? "How much is this going to cost?" But instead of saying these things out loud, I nodded in agreement and said to him, "Can you put together a budget so I can start saving some extra money to fund your hydroponic system?" He did it and we saved. Now, next to the desk I am currently typing at, I'm watching lettuce grow out of lava rocks. It truly is a miracle.

Every day I make a big deal about how much his plants have grown. I encourage him to start growing other types of plants and help him set aside money to expand. If he had failed, it wouldn't have been a big deal. He would have re-purposed most of the supplies for future ventures. But now he's talking about one day making a living off of his hydroponic system. Maybe he will, maybe he won't. Whatever the case, the man planted seeds in lava rocks that germinated in three days. THREE DAYS. I think it's safe to say God used my doubt to teach me a lesson: applaud your husband's efforts. He needs your encouragement. He needs your help. Even when you're sure he will fail. God just might make something miraculous happen.

2. Apologize--even when its not your fault
A long time ago, I learned a valuable lesson. The words "I'm sorry" can and will melt your husband's heart if you are sincere about it. My husband hurt my feelings unknowingly one day and I moped around for two hours. He kept staring at me confused. I was convinced that if I just kept moping, he would eventually figure it out. Long story short: he never did. When dinner time was approaching, I realized I was really tired of moping. I'm not a very patient person. So, I went to him and said, "I'm sorry I've been moping around all afternoon. You hurt my feelings and I was waiting for you to figure it out." He laughed and said, "I can't read your mind." Then he apologized and kissed me.

Here's what's important to remember: there should never be anything between you and your husband. If he hurt your feelings, tell him. Give him a chance to apologize. If he doesn't, pray about it. Don't hold it against him or nag him. If you hurt his feelings, apologize the moment you find out. A marriage can't be successful if it's not full of forgiveness.

3. Affirm his positive attributes
My husband would never admit this, but he walks a little taller when I'm bragging on him.

"You're so talented!"

"You are the smartest man I know!"

"You are a success!"

"You always look so handsome!"

"You are so strong! Did your muscles get bigger?!"

"You're the best husband a girl could ask for!"

"I'm so happy you picked me to be your wife!"

Ladies, I'm giving you great ammo here. Use it! Go ahead, give your husband a big head. Let him know you think he hung the stars in the sky. Pump him so full of confidence that the world can't deflate him.

His home really is his castle. Providing for his family is very stressful whether he likes his job or not. When he comes home, show him how much he's loved and cared for. Give him a kiss, tell him you missed him, and then lead him to the table where his dinner is waiting. Treat him like a king. There are so many young ladies who would give anything to be a wife--even to a man who may not always treat her well or appreciate her. Be grateful you have a husband who comes home to you every night regardless of his mood. A respected, well-cared for man who knows he has the loving support of his wife is a man who will be very happy to come home.

Be his loudest cheerleader. Encourage him. Build him up. Let him know that you have his back no matter what the world thinks of him.

Your Wife-Friend in Christ
--Jessica

Did you like this post?

To read more of my series, The Good Wife Chronicles, check out past posts below!

Dealing With the Proverbs 31 Woman
The Soul Mate Complex

Michal's Mistakes

Love With Intention

My Secrets To A Happier Marriage

Have You Thanked God Today?

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 136:1

I always look forward to the first month of winter. There's the anticipation of snow and curling up on the couch with a cup of tea and a good book.

But by mid-January this year, I was completely over winter. And when the forecast predicted more wintry weather, I almost cried.

A few days ago, I woke up knowing that my world would be covered in white again. Instead of focusing on the cold, miserable weather, I called for the puppy sleeping at my feet. She crawled--tired--to my side and snuggled up. I gently stroked her back as she made a nest in my arms.

That's when I realized that there is so much to be thankful for. Even on those days when the sky is gray and the frozen ground is slippery. God is good in every season.

The winter weather is a reminder that seasons will change according to God's will--not our own. And for that, I am truly grateful. I'm grateful that my life is on his schedule--not my own.

Your world may be covered in a blanket of white and the winter may appear to drag on and on, but it will eventually come to an end. Spring will pop up underneath the dead ground.

Have you thanked God today? For his timing? For his care? For his desire to see you grow and change as the seasons do?

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

--Jessica

Young Girls, Please Guard Your Hearts

I remember 13 quite vividly. I loved listening to Martina McBride CD's in the big, black stereo my mom got me for Christmas and riding my bike. I played soccer and collected my favorite quotes in a little purple journal that I still carry with me today.

To put it mildly, I was a child on the brink of becoming a young woman. And my activities reflected that.

Sure, I'd weathered my parents divorce. I was learning how to live out of a suitcase and get used to another family being around. 

But here's the thing: the topic of boys was THE last thing on my mind. 

I'm sure it had something to do with my mom forbidding me to date until I was 18 (a great rule my own children will have). Or maybe the fact that I was very cynical about love at 13. I mean, I had just watched a marriage crumble. Boys--though cute and entertaining--were not my main focus. And they shouldn't be yours, either.

I spend a lot of time around you, young girls. Most of you are clueless about the opposite sex much like I was at you age. But I come across a few who are boy crazy. 

And it drives me insane.

You date way too young. 

You give your hearts and virtue away without a second glance. 

You go from boy to boy as if you're trying on clothing. 

I try to reason with you. 

"You're young. You can't legally get married for another five years. Stop worrying about boys. Focus on God. Enjoy this time. The future will be here soon enough. Pray for your future husband, don't try tracking him down now. Like I said earlier, you can't legally get married for another five years..."

You usually roll you eyes at me and I can't help but wonder if I'm just blowing smoke. I get frustrated with myself because I can't reach you--I can't get through to you. And I want to so badly.

There's a big world out there, girls, and it's just waiting for you. It's waiting for you to come at it without the heartbreak of failed relationships. Without the emotional scars of giving yourself away before you should have. Without the life experience you were too young to really understand and work through.

You lose yourself. 

You lose sight of what you can truly accomplish. 

And this breaks my heart.

I remember I was reading a book in my teen years about preparing to be a wife. One of the opening lines was: "Do you want a husband? Or do you want to be a wife?"

The questions puzzled me. Of course I wanted a husband. I wanted to find the man who would love me more than anyone else in my life ever had. But the idea of being a wife...well, that didn't sit well with me.

I wasn't ready.

12 years later, I am a wife. And my Wife Journey has been an adventure. But I wasn't ready for it at 13. I wasn't ready for it at 17. And I wasn't ready for it at 20. When I was finally ready, at 22, God worked everything together for my good. And He will for you, too.

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Proverbs 4:23

Young girls, please guard your hearts. Protect your heart as if you are protecting a precious gem--because that's exactly what it is.

Don't be in such a rush to grow up. I know patience is not your forte--it wasn't mine at your age either--but the time will come. And when it does, you'll be grateful you guarded your heart for the man who will stand before you, gently place a band on your left hand and promise before God, your family, and your friends to love you until your last breath.

--Jessica

A Proverb A Day

"Have you ever noticed that there are 31 Proverbs in the Bible? And that there are around 31 days in each month?"

My pastor asked a good question. 

Had I ever noticed? 

The answer was "No". 

I remember writing this question down in my notebook and scribbling beside it in capital letters, "THIS IS GOOD STUFF!"

Because it is good stuff. 

I love when other Christians share with me the information God has revealed to them about the Bible. I believe it helps make me a better Christian.

Now, I make every effort to read a proverb a day. Because surely it wasn't an accident that there are around 31 days in each month and 31 Proverbs in the Bible.

Today's Proverb? Proverbs 7

"My son, keep my words and store up commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart." -Proverbs 7:1-3

--Jessica

The Good Wife Chronicles: Dealing With the Proverbs 31 Woman

When I started this series, "The Good Wife Chronicles," my hope was that I would help myself--and others--become the good wife Proverbs 31 talks about. A woman of "noble character" who brings her husband "good, not harm, all the days of her life." 

If you're a wife, I'm sure you've read this passage many times and marveled at the woman described. And then slowly beaten yourself up about how much you so do not resemble the woman the Bible talks about. 

I used to feel that way, then I did Laurie Cole's Beauty By the Book Bible study and learned a thing or two about this passage in scripture.

The first is that this woman is impossible to measure up to because she is not all of these things at one time. Maybe you go through seasons where you do get up "while it is still night" to get your husband out the door for work. Other times, you may need to sleep in because your wife role calls you to be up late at night. I used to pride myself on getting up early to take care of my husband. But then quickly realized that my wife role made it hard to stay up late and get up incredibly early the next day. I was moody, unhappy, and sleep deprived. 

Our solution: I sleep in on the days I need to (which is probably two days out of the month) and my husband gets himself ready for work. If his lunch isn't made, I take it up to him after I get up.

The takeaway: Don't beat yourself up; this woman can do many things, but she also recognizes her limitations and works with her husband to set aside time to rejuvenate herself.

The second thing I learned is that this woman looks nothing like the world. I have a difficult time watching any type of reality TV that involve husbands and wives (unless it's 19 Kids and Counting!). Mainly because I cannot stand how worldly wives treat their husbands. I'm always shocked at how these women boss around their husbands and act as though their men should just be happy they come home at night. 

Recently, I was looking through wife articles online and found one devoted entirely to the Real Housewives franchise divorces. THEIR DIVORCES. It saddened me greatly because these women are missing what their true calling in life is: to be a helpmeet to their husbands. It grieves my heart that our society attacks the submissive housewife and instead holds up these women who value popularity, careers and money over their marriages. 

Society assumes the submissive wife is weak and frail. They assume she is controlled by her husband and cannot stand on her own two feet. They could not be more wrong. The Proverbs 31 woman described is strong and independent. She is a hard worker. She uses her talents to provide for her family. Perhaps she earns money working from home or cuts coupons to save money. She serves others selflessly and is prepared for all seasons of life. She is also wise and focused on her home. This woman is not concerned with the world; she's concerned about her family. 

The takeaway: The Proverbs 31 woman is the type of woman we should try to emulate. She is a blessing to her husband and knows that being married to him fulfills her God-given role in this life. She considers herself lucky and happily busies herself with her wifely duties.

The Proverbs 31 woman can be intimidating, but she stands for a beautiful truth: wives are the backbone to the family unit. If you are a wife, don't wear yourself out trying to be everything at once. Change priorities as seasons change. 

Your Wife-Friend in Christ,

Jessica

Did you like this post?

To read more of my series, The Good Wife Chronicles, check out past posts below!

The Soul Mate Complex

Michal's Mistakes

Love With Intention

My Secrets To A Happier Marriage

Contentment, My Theme For This Year

Each year, I choose a theme for my life.

What I hope to accomplish personally over the year.

What I hope to learn spiritually.

How I hope to grow.

Instead of New Year resolutions, I pick a yearly theme.

Last year's theme was joy. And God taught me a great deal about having a cheerful heart. I really loved growing in this area. I decided to search myself and pray about finding what it is I need to focus on this year. What I hope to take away from the next 365 days here.

So, this year's theme is contentment. 

And the Bible verse to accompany 2014 is: "...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." (Philippians 4:11-12)

Generally, when I think about contentment, I think about being content with my material possessions or living situation. But I learned how to be content with the size of the roof over my head many years ago. We went from a beautiful five-bedroom house to a two-room studio. And God showed me that the size of the house didn't matter; it's who you shared it with that did.

The definition of contentment is: the state of being contented; satisfaction; ease of mind.

So, no, my contentment for this year is not focused on worldly desires or material possessions. My goal of contentment this year is to find ease of mind during each season I encounter on my Christian walk.

I'm no stranger to the changing seasons. I've learned how to recognize them when I'm in them. But for a long time, my sole focus is to get through one season and move on to the next. What I want to accomplish this year is to find contentment in each season. I want to thrive; not just survive.

When God is blessing abundantly, I want to enjoy those blessings without worrying that tomorrow there could be a change in seasons. I want to stop worrying about tomorrow and be content with today.

When I am in a stressful season, I want to learn how to find contentment in God's strength knowing that He will provide the calm and quiet I desperately need.

When things begin to pick up, and life flourishes beneath the weight of a stressful season, I want to figure out how to gracefully approach those busy times without getting overwhelmed. I want to be content with being busy.

When I am in a dry season, and things have slowed, I want to take comfort in the simplicity of my days. I want to learn how to be content when there is no storm raging--when God does not have to rescue me from my hardships. I want to be content with the times He gives me to recover and recoup.

I want to learn how to put my mind at ease in all situations. That is my hope for 2014. That is my goal for this year.

Do you have a theme for 2014? If not, maybe now is a good time to ask God what you need to focus on this year to help you improve your Christian walk.

--Jessica