Jenni DeWitt
About the Author

Jenni DeWitt is a fun-loving contemplative who is the author of two books -- Forty Days and Why Won’t God Talk to Me? She lives in Nebraska with her husband and two sons.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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Comments

  1. Really needed this today, thank you, after a Christmas and in particular a New Years Eve spent pondering a little too much on other people’s Facebook pages, and what our family life may have looked like without autism.
    But social media is often the white sheet of our hurts and pain, and you’ve reminded me that the real, truthful connections with real people have been where the real friendships have grown and where God has whispered “I’m here and I’m with you in this, and it will all be for the good”
    Thank you xx

    • Oh yes, social media can be the biggest white sheet! And on top of that, pictures in general. I was going through old pictures on our computer this week, trying to get organized. As I sorted and tried not to get too nastalgic for those years gone by, I realized I’d forgotten a lot of the emotion and extra baggage associated with the moments in the older pictures. I was taking them at face value. The truth behind those pictures – under that white sheet – that truth is where God was working in our lives. I’m so grateful for those moments when others let us see that truth in their lives. Thank you for commenting and doing just that.

  2. I’ve been embarrassed and ashamed of some of the hurt in my past for a very long time, but lately I’ve come to realize that it can be the very thing that, if I’m open and honest about it, can present itself as a ministry opportunity. Many women are secretly suffering the same shame, and I have the blessing of being able to show them how God can redeem that pain and bring beauty from the ashes. It’s time for me to stop wearing a mask, so that others may feel safe enough to remove theirs.

    • Amen, Penny! Nothing gives shame more power than keeping it a secret. Talking about it and sharing the pain is the number one step to healing. But that takes trust and bravery. It sounds like you have both. Sending you love and prayers in this new year!

  3. Wow, I just read and pondered Ephesians 4:1-16 this morning. Vulnerability is often scary. Something I have struggled long with, but have gotten better at in the past year. If we give and receive in Christ’s love, vulnerability can become our friend and growth our gift. Thank you for sharing your story.

    • Thank you, Kim! After I saw your comment, I went back and read all of Ephesians 4:1-16. What a rich passage. I just love it! You put it beautifully “vulnerability can become our friend and growth our gift.” Thank you for joining in the conversation. I hope you have a Happy New Year!

  4. Jenni,

    I am so blessed to have wonderful friends. One person in particular is my vulnerability partner, if you will. We share everything–our ups & downs good times and bad. We talk about 3 or more times a week to check on each other and family members illnesses.

    I am blessed to have her in my life so we can pray for and support each other.

    Blessings and Happy New Year@

  5. When our youngest son was 2 years old, he was diagnosed with cancer. An ugly, malignant tumor the size of a man’s fist was growing out of his liver. We had 3 other children at home, and we were in shock. Surgery, chemo, hospitals, doctors…I could barely string together a sentence. I totally “get” where you were coming from when you wrote this post. I had some great and understanding friends during this time. Thank you for this great reminder that someone needs our encouragement today…and that sharing our heart breaks down the walls. 🙂

    • Marty, my heart goes out to you. When a child gets cancer, it’s such a terrifying whirlwind. With this experience, I feel like we’ve had a crash course on life. I wrote a book about the first 40 days after my son was diagnosed. It’s full of lessons I learned from God about how to let go of fear and grab on to trust in Him. You can find my book on Amazon. It’s called Forty Days by Jenni DeWitt.

  6. Hi Jenni,
    Thank you so much for sharing, for being open, real & vulnerable….this does take great courage. I find it incredible that God is speaking such similar words to all of us – his daughters – encouraging us to step up & out & share our true selves – despite the fear & doubts that can threaten us…
    I am in the process of starting my first ever blog to do just this – be authentic & share from my heart in an open & real way – in the hope that I am following a God given direction & I will encourage & support others along their journey of life.
    I hope your son is going well & I hope & pray for all of you that God may always be your strength, grace, love & comfort through experiences we may never understand.
    Love Stacey

    • Stacey, I find it amazing when others write messages that God has whispered to me in the silence. It’s neat to hear you experience the same thing! I’m so glad you are planning to spread God’s love and support to other women. We are all His daughters — sisters in Christ — and I’m sure it makes Him smile so wide when we show each other love!

  7. I stumbled on this website I thought by accident. Ha! I thank you beautiful souls for sharing. I just keep crying because the pain is so real, so intense and I really don’t know where to start. I know I’m not alone but I guess I can say me to…

    • Welcome Kiowa! I’m so glad you stumbled onto this website. God knows what His daughters need, and He brings them to it! We are glad you are here. Stay in touch and know that you’ll be in my prayers!

  8. Shiny granite and polished stainless steel cannot quiet our hearts nor put warm arms around our necks – only friends can do that. I’m so glad your friend opened up to you.

    • Thank you, Susan. So am I! And it’s kind of a pay-it-forward situation. As we all open up to each other, we can spread the true love of friendship!

  9. Jenni this is beautiful! The support group for pain has many members. You pulled me and had my heart from the first line. Thanks so much for sharing your heart – for being vulnerable. Love you friend!

    • Thank you, Carmen! It’s so true, there are many members to pick us up when we fall on painful times. I’m grateful for the wisdom and vulnerability you share with us too!

  10. Jenni thank you for your courage. My heart hurt hearing your story. I love how He uses it all to transform us and soften. Your vulnerability is beautiful.

  11. I have found that sometimes all I need is some one to stand next to me and more importantly, there are times when I must stand next to some one else. I grow weary of these days when everything is abut what others do for us and there is so little about what we do for others. Your story reminds me of another quote from the bible
    KJV

    1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

  12. Jenni, wow, your courage is so inspiring! Thank you for writing truthfully about your struggles, especially with such a sensitive subject like the health of your lil one.

    “…sharing our hurts and vulnerability – and not just our house plans – had strengthened our friendship.”

    This quote inspires me. I struggle with being an introvert, but your wisdom has reinforced my need for community. Thank you for posting; God Bless!