About the Author

Jennifer is an artist living in rural Nebraska with her US Army veteran husband. She loves to create and seeks to reflect the beauty of Christ and encourage others in meaningful, beautiful ways. You can find her and see more of her art on Studio JRU.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
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  1. Jennifer,
    Just “one” story? I’ve got a bunch. A counselor/friend of mine once told me that if “Perseverance” was a class in school, I’d get an A+. Mind you, it took a lot of trials to get there and I have lots of scars to prove it. The one thing that I can say, undeniably, is that through every trial God was faithful. He didn’t leave me stuck forever in the valley, He brought me through to the other side. I also know that if I had not had to persevere through those trials, I wouldn’t have learned how to utterly and completely rely on and depend upon the Lord. I got to the end of me and found the grace of the everlasting arms. I KNOW His love and comfort in a way that trials tend to teach. The trials have built my trust in the Lord and certainly my confidence that “though weeping may endure for the night, joy comes in the morning.” Great post, as usual, Jennifer!
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

    • Thank you for this, Bev. I copied and pasted into my journal. I’m in a “holding pattern”, waiting to see if my husband follows through on saying he is moving out this weekend or soon thereafter after 32 years of marriage. This statement has rocked my world, our children’s world, friends and family, as no one saw this coming. Fears for my future creep in…and on and on…I’m trying desperately to let my faith be bigger than my fears, but I have never been more scared. So thank you for the reminders that He IS there and WILL see us through, even when we don’t see Him moving…yet…

        • Thank you so very much, Jennifer. I was inspired by your devotional – and by the ladies sharing their stories <3

      • Kimberly,
        I am lifting you in prayer right now. After 26 years of marriage, my husband left and starting living with his mistress. I know first hand the rejection you feel, the fear of the future, the grief, the anger, the whole menagerie of emotions. Though you don’t feel like it – God’s got you. He’s got the whole situation. He WILL see you through no matter what the outcome. It won’t be easy, but He will be there and He will NEVER leave your side nor forsake you. He knows your pain and hurts for his beloved daughter. He WILL bring you THROUGH this. It may feel like it will never end, but He will. Praying for wisdom for you, peace, comfort, and love. DO get a good lawyer to advocate for you. Your emotions will go on a roller coaster ride and you need the calm voice of reason on your side. You also want to financially secure your future. Most of all be good to yourself. Know the the opinion of one person does not determine your worth. You are of great worth to the Father and you are loved beyond belief.
        Love you sweet sister,
        Bev xo

        • Oh Bev, thank so much for taking the time to write back to me and share your story. I was thinking about connecting with some women at church who have been through this because it’s is so comforting to speak with someone who has walked this walk. I am thankful for your wisdom and guidance. Only God knew that when I saw your comment and replied that you would understand as you do and be faithful to share. Thank you so much for your prayers; encouragement and your advice. It is so greatly appreciated and comforting to me during this time. xoxo

          • Kimberly,
            Definitely seek out those who have walked this path before you. There is also a Christian support group called “Divorce Care” – see if there is a church around you that offers this group. It was a huge help for me. And, if you are able speak to a pastor, counselor, or someone who can come alongside you and remind you of your worth through this whole process. Feel free to contact me at my blog http://walkingwellwithgod.blogspot.com
            Blessings sweet sister,
            Bev xo

      • Kimberly,

        Praying for you and your family sweet sister. God has this! He will see you through to the other side. Like Bev said seek out others who have been down this road. They can provide the comfort & peace you need. By all means talk to a pastor or counselor. All that can help provide emotional support you & your family will need.

        ((((((Hugs)))))) 🙂

        • Thank you, Beth. These responses are such an encouragement to me. To have friends – known and unknown – lifting me up in prayer and sharing wisdom is a Godsend – for which I am so thankful for! I appreciate you taking the time to encourage me. God Bless…. :0) <3

    • So many things we can only learn by going through trials, Bev! Wear your scars proudly for all you have persevered through and for all you have learned because of them!

  2. I love the line ” Remember, we can endure anything when we persevere in faith. Hold on to Christ. Keep a secure grip on His faithfulness and reliability.” What a great picture of clinging to Christ in the midst of brokenness. We can endure anything. Thank you for sharing!

    Courtney

  3. I was reading this morning in Psalm 91, words about dwelling in the shadow of God’s protection and deliverance, and it’s hard sometimes to align the reality of scars and jagged memories with the statement that “a thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand but it shall not approach you. . . No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your tent.”
    You and James and the psalmist are all singing the same song of God’s deliverance IN THE MIDST OF disaster which, I’m beginning to see, is even more miraculous than a deliverance FROM disaster.
    Thank you for the gift of your scar story, Jennifer.

  4. <3 this.. so many hard moments, so many scars but with God all things are possible.. through the trials and the joys I cling to Him… Ephesians 3:19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do infinitely more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,

  5. Yes…” 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. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)
    There are times I think I should be the most joyful person on Earth if I believe in this verse.
    With God’s help I am determined to turn my trials to gold, and live in that joy

    • I love referring to that verse, Joanne. Because as a human that can be so hard to wrap my mind around…. joy when I face trials. Easier said than done! LOL But that is why we don’t have to do it alone, do we? Praying He helps us live in that joy!

  6. I imagine we all have our own “scar” stories. They are nothing without the hope of Christ. I would not be where I am today without his love and strength because that is how I made it on the other side of the devastation.

    Thank you for sharing how “scars show that we may have suffered, but by the power of the Holy Spirit, we have overcome and know God is sufficient.” That is the truth that accompanied my scar stories.

  7. Your post is very timely. This weekend one side of my face became so swollen my face is disfigured. This morning it’s worse and I’m thankful I was able to get a dental appointment this morning at 10. I have always abhorred dental situations. Praying for the Lord’s strength to get me through this ordeal. Not even removal of my wisdom teeth decades ago caused this much swelling. Thank you for sharing your trials today. 🙂 It’s just what I needed to hear.

  8. I have many scars. Thanks to me having faith and never giving up on God i made it through my relationships of mental,physical,sexual and financial abuse. I was never alone and i survived.My relationship now is with God alone. He will never hurt me.

    • Oh, amen to that, Valerie! So grateful you know you were never alone through all of those terrible times. That strong faith is an example to us all. Thank you for sharing.

  9. Sometimes scar stories are actual, physical events that we walk through. Sometimes they are moments when God jolts us out of our place of complacency deep within our hearts. A sermon, a song, words from a friend, the still small voice inside of us. And that place becomes an altar, a place of healing, of worship, of transformation, of surrender.
    Scars are beautiful things because they speak of healing. The raw, festering, open wounds are the scary places. I am praying for scars there, for closure, for healing. For courage to bring them to the surface and face them, to lay them at the feet of Jesus and allow Him to do His work, His will, whatever it may be.

  10. “Scars are proof that He will carry us through anything.” This reminds me of something my mom often says that her success rate of surviving bad days is 100% so far. Every moment we’re alive there is something to battle or pain to process. (Perhaps this is why we are living sacrifices.) I was meditating on the song Great is His faithfulness this morning. Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. Love what you said about Jesus meeting us in our hard. Thank you, Jennifer!

  11. Jennifer, That must of been a terrifying experience, thankfully God saw you through. I have an unexplainable amount of gratitude for all the times that He has weathered me through. If it were not for He I can’t even imagine how it would of otherwise been possible. Recently when my son was given a DX for a new illness, well intentioned people chalked up as bad luck, (he’s 11). I don’t believe that to be true at all. And while I don’t know the reason why, more importantly, I do know that God has been there with us every step of the way. Thank-you Jennifer for sharing your God story with us this morning.

    Have a blessed day all,

    Penny

    • I am sorry you had to hear hurtful things like that. It certainly doesn’t help at all. It is so hard to understand illness and I understand wondering the “whys”. But it sure is a blessing of peace to know He has been there… and *will be* there every step of the way! Praying for your sweet boy, Penny!

  12. Thank you Jennifer. You’re right, scars can be a wonderful reminder of God’s faithfulness in our pain. they form part of our story and shape who we are as individuals and communities. My scars are cancer scars. From losing my mum and my sister and then being diagnosed myself – with rectal cancer – I know, it’s not sexy and doesn’t come with a pretty pink bow for sure. It’s shaped me and is a constant reminder of who God is, how He meets us in our pain and heartache and will never leave us. Thank you for sharing your story.

    • Oh I am so sorry for this trial you are facing, Niki! Thank you so much for sharing. Even through you are in the midst of a storm, you share from experience that He meets us in our pain and heartache. I know that will encourage others. Praying for you!

  13. Beautifully said, Jennifer. — And, I think about Jesus…even He had/has scars. Scars that serve as memorials of His sacrifice. God is all about memorializing things, isn’t He? I read over and over again in scripture how He asks us to remember, how stones are put in place as memorials, etc. — Love how he uses our “scars from the journey” as memorials of grace. ♥

  14. It’s almost as if a scar is a tribute of sorts – if we continue to see it as God’s grace in the midst. Thus, nothing to hide, just to muse, rejoice over perhaps, and moving forward – strengthened for the next hard thing. Keep that metal in the tree. Like a cross around our necks. We forget so very easily.

    • I have walked with God through years of Lyme Disease and 3 different kinds of cancer, among other things in my 70 yrs. I have known His love and healing in these times. Lately I am struggling with eye problems and as a writer and avid reader, this has been challenging. Fear settled in and I am finding myself on a sometimes shaky foundation. Your article today was a beautiful reminder of God’s faithfulness. It brought the focus back unto our Provider, Healer, Our Lord. A good place to be. Thank you.

      • I am sorry for the struggles you have had, Renee, and those ahead. Praying His faithfulness and your faith in that, provides a way to overcome the fear when it creeps in.

  15. Jennifer,
    Thank you so much for this post today. I really needed to hear this. I have a few scars myself, some physical and some emotional; some more recent than others due to cancer and losses from cancer. And today, when I was reminded of my most recent scars and inadequacies by hurtful words from a colleague, I felt so lost and down, but your post has reminded me of what I have known and almost forgotten: My scars are reminders of the battles fought and won. I am victorious. God is faithful. I will not let others put me down because they feel they are better than I am. I have something of more worth than all their earthly achievements. I have the love of my Saviour, Jesus Christ, and He is my shield and anchor through the storms that come my way. That is more than enough for me.

    Blessings x

  16. Boy oh – lots of scars here! I don’t know where I’d be without God’s faithfulness. The most life altering was when my only child was in an accident several years ago, and while they’re scarred on the outside, I am scarred on the inside. We made it through to the other side but day after day we were in the battlefield – yet no matter what was happening, I never felt alone nor forsaken. We serve a mighty, loving Heavenly Father who meets our every need, whether in the valley or on the mountaintop. He proved to me over and over again that His timing is perfect and He loves us scars and all! He has turned many of my trials into blessings! Great post!

    • Thank you for sharing your example of just how loving and faithful He has been in your life, Indiane. That is a beautiful encouragement for us all to hear how He turns trials into blessings!

  17. Thank you. I will need to reread this several times to get out of the pit of depression from the pain, cruelty and neglect that my Grandchildren have to endure at the hands of their parents. I am forced to never voice an opinion or suggestion or I will be angrily cut off, as I have been several times for doing nothing wrong. It is such a devastation to not be able to help these innocent treasured little ones. Also the parents are of such stature in the community and workplaces – and church even – that no one would dare talk to these parents about what they are doing or the consequences to these children. Many of their acquaintances would not know the extent of this behavior. I pray and read the Bible and work on trusting God with all this mess, but I find it very difficult as I see what goes on when we are “allowed” to be together. I am at give-up sick stage right now.

    • I am so sorry for this difficult time with your family, hmd. I can feel your pain. I pray that He shows you a way through this and that you feel His presence and that it gives you peace in the waiting.

  18. These children have lots of festering open wounds from their journey, as I do. We are not to healing or scars yet.

    • Even physical wounds can take a very long time to heal and scar. I imagine things like this can take even longer sometimes. For sure longer than we want. Praying the healing starts soon, hmd. Praying He is carrying these children through the situation in ways we can not even imagine.

  19. Jennifer,

    If you have lived long enough you will have endured trials. God said we will have trials on Earth but take heart I have overcome the world. Each trial has made me stronger & helped me trust in God more. My faith has grown immensely. Trials no longer faze me. I just say God’s got this. Sure we have scars to show for our battle wounds. We can use them to encourage & comfort others going through similar trials. Faith is tested in trials Romans 5:3-4 states: we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

    Let us not forget that Jesus endured the worst of trials & had plenty of scars to show for it. In the end He was healed by God the Father & put back in His glory. One day we will get to see that glory & revel in it. Our scars 7 the battles we’ve fought will be a distant memory.

    Blessings 🙂

  20. Jennifer, thank you for this! what a beautiful reminder that not only does god always make beauty our of our messes but that he is always walking with us and we can always trust he will never leave in the Storms of our lives! the scars may be left but God knows how to make beauty out of those scars!

    Thanks you for this! 🙂