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
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. I was reading Exodus 27 today & the phrase in verse 20 jumped out so I had to Google what is beaten oil. Turns out there is alot of God honoring symbolism in that one word, beaten. First pure oil released from the olive as it is broken, cut or torn but not crushed. Parallels God giving us His Finest; our tithing to Him. Beaten oil used to constantly fuel the Lamp stand in God’s meeting place equals the promised Messiah- The Light of the world. God using our bruises & afflictions to bring out Jesus qualities in us not to defeat us. God in the smallest of details indeed! Thank you for reinforcing the principal I read in my devotion this morning!

  2. Thank you for this beautiful reminder to look for God in the small things. When we focus on Him all else seems to fade away. God is good~

  3. Thank you for a wonderful message. I try to start each day when I go outside with those wonderful words, This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! Sometimes I sing it to myself. It is hard to see the little things but I find if I am quiet, no matter how much I am hurting, there is something to be grateful for- a bird singing, a flower, even newly fallen snow. It helps me, sometimes, as I forget for the moment the sad and hurt. As a former school counselor, I would try to remind others that we can’t always see the “boo boos” others carry. This is a good reminder for me that while others may be smiling, we all have some kind of hurt.

  4. “Find joy in the small things because God meets us there. The big things are the small things because God is so good!” These words are exactly the encouragement I needed to refocus as I begin another day of chronic pain. Thank you!

    • Oh I am so glad these words met you today, Joanne. I am sorry for what you have to endure. We know that same difficult road in our family. It’s hard, but He is there!

  5. This is beautiful and a needed reminder! My words for 2021 are abiding joy and I have to say, lately, finding joy much less abiding in it has been difficult. Thank you for penning this and for the beautiful artwork you create!

  6. Thank you sharing that little thing! Joy! Joy, unspeakable joy! God’s great joy! Soul saving joy! Amen!!!

  7. This is very beautiful, Jennifer! I hope you’ll feel better in days to come, but also have joyful moments in the meantime.

  8. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
    This is exactly what I needed to read this morning. Actually an answer to my prayer of yesterday.
    It reminds me that when we focus on the wind and the waves, we sink. But if we keep our focus on Jesus- and the things He has put in us, we live.

    May this change of focus bring healing to our hearts, minds and bodies. Amen.

  9. Thank you Jennifer for your encouraging message that spoke to my heart this morning. God is so faithful to meet with us and bring comfort in our hours of need.
    Please thank your husband for his military service. God bless you both. ❤ Mary

  10. Good morning Everyone, I pray that you enjoyed your Holiday weekend. I am thankful to God for encouraging my husband to move an old work van from our carport driveway. I even danced a little and smiled so much I had to chuckle at myself.

    This prayer has been answered after more than five years. I know time belongs to God. I truly believe that changing my attitude and my character position about the matter made all the difference.

    I often tell my girls about waiting for prayers to be answered with obedience, being good to others and waiting with a great attitude. That’s much easier said than done. I don’t want to be a hypocrite or a liar. I am learning by teaching my girls.

    Thank You Lord for showing me where I need to give more Grace and showing me that being right is overrated. Give what you need to others, even your family members.

  11. Struggling with chronic failure, blockades, impossibilities. Teetering on the edge of settling for existing, giving up, putting in time. Tired of following a dangling carrot. No one encourages me; everyone says it’s time to quit. What do you do when your heart won’t let you?

    • Sharon, lift your eyes off the dangling carrot and up to your Father in heaven. Even if. Even if you are in a season of waiting, discouragement, impossibilities. Even if Gods answer isnt in your timing or doesnt come how you think it should. Even if you see no light past the darkness, lift your voice to Him and Praise. It doesnt come naturally in a season like that, but it changes our hearts and puts God back into proper perspective. He Is Almighty. He goes before us and makes a way where there is no way. He Loves us so deeply. Praise, and then praise some more <3

    • It’s hard, Sharon. So hard. I have been in those seasons. But let me and others encourage you. You keep going knowing God is at your side. He has great plans for you and this is part of your journey. (Although a part that doesn’t make sense to us and we wish were not part of the journey.) You will find the way, His way! Praying for you!

  12. It is often the small things that bring me the greatest joy. They also come more often than the big things. Which means I can find some small thing every day.

  13. Amen, Jennifer! Thanks for the uplifting post! As always, so many great comments too. Yes, thank the Lord for all the little things that daily bring us joy!

  14. Jennifer, I can feel your joy through your words here! What a beautiful and timely reminder for all of us. Setting aside the struggle isn’t easy — but I sense God’s invitation to experience a fresh dose of joy and beauty when we do. So glad you are painting again!

  15. Absolutely agree with you Jennifer.

    If only small things we are able to see big things done gradually by us through God’s help. Hallelujah ..

  16. Jennifer,

    We all have trials of some kind. The pandemic didn’t help any making life a bit harder for many. It can be so easy to get caught up in the struggle & miss all the “God” moments right before us. We need to take time to be still & look around us & upward. Make a thankful list & remind yourself of ALL God has blessed you with. For me it is simply turning on Southern Gospel or contemporary Christian music & praising God in my home. That helps me get my focus back to Him. Then my joy comes back. Praying everyone won’t let their struggles steal the joy right in front of them.

    P.S. Praying God will send His healing touch to you. Asking God for more good days & the desire to create again.

    Blessings 🙂

  17. I have just read verses and I agree with you and I have seen GOd in small things when ever I believed. But lockdown hurts us. What GOd says on this situation-? Am pastor Mukisa peter Uganda east Africa