Articles from Jackie
Here you’ll find encouragement, sage advice, and godly counsel I wish I’d had while going through the difficult seasons of life.
Feeding What Matters Most
As I watched the birds gather faithfully at the feeder, another thought came to mind. They come expectantly. Daily. Trusting provision will be there waiting for them. And I thought about God watching us. Not watching with disappointment or impatience—but with loving attentiveness.
Closing the Rings of Faith
Apparently, my new Apple Watch can do quite a lot. It tracks heart rate and sleep patterns, detects falls, and even lets others know where you are if needed. As I looked at those three rings lighting up on my wrist, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was a spiritual lesson tucked inside that tiny screen.
No Filters Required: Learning to Be Fully Seen by God
When my husband passed away, there were no filters strong enough to hide my heartache.
How Do I Express My Love to Him?
My first Valentine’s gift from my husband after we were married wasn’t chocolate at all. It was a puppy. We named him Nugget.
Giving Ourselves Grace in the Waiting Seasons
I used to measure productivity by progress, things accomplished, boxes checked, and goals met. But this season has asked something different of me. It has asked me to give myself grace when things don’t go as planned.
Seriously, I Don’t Have Time for This!
At Christmas, God used wise men, shepherds, and angels to proclaim His love. One day, He used a granddaughter…a frail widow… and a tiny Christmas tree to lead my hurried heart back to Him.
The Soundtrack of December: Let Your Heart Sing Again
Holidays have a way of stirring emotions that sit close to the surface. A familiar lyric opens memory’s door, and you find yourself standing in two places: the present and a moment held long ago in your heart.
Finding God in the Setbacks: What COVID Taught Me About Slowing Down
Healing is rarely swift. Growth is seldom tidy.
Sometimes God’s most tender work happens in the places we never planned to visit.
The Sisterhood of Widowhood: Finding Hope in Shared Loss
When someone you love passes from this life into eternity, everything shifts. None of us expected this path, yet here we are, finding ways to walk in faith even through deep loss. In this valley, I’ve realized something both heartbreaking and beautiful: the sisterhood of widowhood.
Standing Firm in Faith When Grief Shakes Your World
When the noise of this world distracts and depresses us, the words “whatever happens” call us back to the foundation of our faith. Grief is real, but so is God’s nearness. Sorrow comes, but so does His peace.
Faith in the Cracks: Finding Growth in Hard Places
Christian growth doesn’t only happen in lush gardens with perfect conditions. Often, it happens in the cracks, when we are pressed, when life feels barren, and when no one seems to notice. Yet, God notices. His Spirit nourishes us in unseen ways, giving us strength to rise day after day.
Removing the Rocks: Preparing Your Heart for Spiritual Growth
Hosea calls us to break up unplowed ground, not to sit in our hardened places. Just as that day in the field with my grandson, preparing the soil takes effort. It takes intention. It takes clearing. It takes surrender.
A Lenten Reflection: Fasting with Purpose
Fasting isn’t just about giving up something—it’s about making room for something better. It’s like clearing out the clutter in our hearts to create space for God’s presence. The hunger in our stomachs can prompt us to seek nourishment for our souls.
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