Author: Jenna

Dear Cherished Child,

You don’t have to do anything to make God love you. He already does. He already did, when he knit you together in your mother’s womb. The love of this world can be conditional, but not God’s love. His love is unconditional. There’s nothing you can say. There’s nothing you can do to make him stop loving you.

Live like you’re cherished, child. Dance in his radiant love for you. Or if that seems like too much, curl up in his embrace. Know when you are lying there hurting, his strong arms are wrapped around you. He cares for you deeply, especially when the sin and darkness of this world touch his beloved children.

No matter what you’re going through, God loves you. No matter what’s happened to you, God loves you. No matter what you’ve done, God loves you. Ask him to come touch you in that place that’s hurting. He’s never far away and desires his children to stay close to him. God has miraculous healing power. Sometimes it just takes time.

Know you are deeply loved by Our Great Creator. He’s holding you even now, even if he feels far away. Let him in. Let him into your pain. Parents care for their children. When their children weep, they weep. God doesn’t leave his children when they’re hurting. He comes alongside them, holding his cherished ones in a loving embrace.

Love,

Jen

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Isaiah 54:10

Dear Little Light,

I see you there, deep inside of me trying to burn bright for the whole world to see. But it’s hard. Because you’re so small, and anytime you start to burn brighter I feel like I need to protect you, shield you, cover you because it seems a brisk winter wind could distinguish you in an instant. But your source is indistinguishable. He’s strong. He’s power. He’s the God of the Universe. He’s put you deep in my soul to help a hurting world with hurting people who need you. Shine bright, little light. And if the wind of shame or insufficiency tries to blow you out, hold tighter to your source. He’s living inside of you, there all the time, even when you can’t feel his warmth. If all you can do is flicker today, little light, do that. For in our weakness we find his strength. Shine how you can today without condemnation of feeling you should be brighter. Your flicker can turn into a steady flame and that steady flame can grow into an illuminating fire. You are where you are, and our Great Source will meet you there. Even if you just flickering. I see you.

Love,

Jen

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-11

Dear Worn-Out Warrior,

You’ve been striving so long. You’re so tired. Lay down the useless weapons you’ve been trying to use to fight this battle and rest. Take care of yourself. You’re no good to anyone when you’re living as a shadow of yourself. Yes, God cares about all you have to do and who you need to do it for, but he also cares about you. God doesn’t call us to be an unrelenting zombie, plodding through life as an exhausted version of ourselves. He calls us to nourish our minds, bodies, and souls. You know this pace is not sustainable. You weren’t created to go at this speed. Slow down and listen to yourself, listen to God. How is he calling you to rest?  When we are healthy we can give to others. What do you need to stop doing, or start doing to take care of yourself? What do you need to say no to or yes to? Do that thing. You owe it to yourself. Doing what you need to do to find rest doesn’t make you weak. It makes you strong. When you’re strong, you’ll be able to run again, with the right weapons, the weapons that can fight your battle in a healthy way. You’re worth it, warrior. Don’t stop fighting, just start fighting for yourself.

Love,

Jen

For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.

Jeremiah 31:25

Dear Discouraged Dreamer,

Living out your dreams is hard. That’s probably why it’s called a dream. But I know God has put that gut-burning, soul-yearning dream inside of you, and He’s not going to let you down. It might not look how you thought it would look. It might not happen when you thought it would happen. It might not be what you thought it would be, but nothing will stop God’s plan for you. That thing you so desperately want to do or happen or be, God knows about it. There’s probably a good chance he’s gifted you for it, and there’s an even better chance it’s not going how you thought it would go. God’s plans are different than our own plans, but they’re also better. God knows. He knows what he uniquely created you to be. He knows your gifts, your passions, your desires. He made you after all. Your job is to take his hand and let him lead you down his path one step at a time. I can’t promise what’s at the end. But I know it’s for your good and others’ good. And the world’s good. Your dream isn’t just for you, and maybe that’s what pains you so much. You want to give the world something, be something, reach something to ultimately help others. God hears you. He’s leading you. Your job is to follow and not give up. Keep stepping, dreamer. You can only go forward from here.

Love,

Jen

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11