Sunday, September 4, 2011

Telling my story...

"Can you tell me a little bit about your story?" she said as we got closer to the end of the interview. It had been exactly a month and a day since I began my adventure in unemployment. Here I was sitting in only my second interview. The first one was 3 weeks prior. I'd given up on searching and praying prayers that sounded more like begging than seeking the will of God. I definitely wouldn't have quit my job to take the one I was applying for. It only pays for 10 hours a week, but I'd be working way more than that. Going from having a job that is full time with benefits to something hardly enough to call part time sounds crazy. But there I was telling this woman that I was willing to sign up for it. 

Am I crazy? Who in their right mind would do that?

"I'm not from here. I grew up in Jacksonville Florida" I started. I started at the beginning and told her of growing up in a Christian home, our family Bible study in the morning, coming into a relationship with Jesus Christ, being homeschooled, moving from the city to a small, country town and having to decide between fitting in or making my faith my own....
I told her about my first real crush and how God said no. Then I explained how I changed and grew during my 16th year, how I read my Bible like it was really written to me and how I started praying that I would only fall in love once and that it would be with the man I married. The words fell from my lips like a gentle rain. It was as if I was reading my life like a book. I saw the time God called me into the ministry (which all Christians are called to...which is another post!) and when I heard Him speak directly to me for the first time. It was so clear. I felt so special. "After that, I moved college when I was 17" I continued...
Then I told her of the sickness...I told her of the pain that plagued me for 4 years. Memories flooded my mind and took me back to the little pantry where I kept all my many myriads of medicine, when I was crying alone in pain because no one was there to hear or care, hearing doctor after doctor tell me that they didn't have any answers, and God all the while breaking down my pride, my perfectionism, my plans and my grasp on this life. By the time I was so sick I couldn't move from my bed, I told her that healing came. Oh, it was a miracle that happened because of the faith of the believers in my church! Ever since that day, I have been perfectly fine.
"Then two months later I met Jonathan at a Bible study" I said. That was the beginning of a new life for me. I certainly hadn't planned things to work out that way, but they did. I remembered the first time I ever held hands...it was with him...and our first kiss (my first glorious kiss) a few months before we got married. I told her how I graduated in December of '09 and how we got married the following May. I told her about how our passions are exactly the same and that we love serving together now. Then I explained how God told me to quit my job, what He was teaching me, how He led me to start this new photography adventure and that He led me to apply for this position...this ministry position that doesn't pay much and requires a lot of time and effort.

Am I crazy? Well, you could say that I suppose.

"For if we are 'out of our mind' as some say, it is for God...He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for their sake and was raised."
(2 Corinthians 5:13,15)


Going back over my story in that interview made me realize just what God has done in my life. I am so blessed. Before I was even born He knew that I was going to be there in that chair talking to her that day. He prepared me for this. He has walked me through life in good and bad circumstances, in joy and in pain, on days I couldn't help but sing and others when all I could do was cry. Everything I am, all that I have is because of Him. He has made me new and given me a new life in Him. He died so that I might live. 


So yes, I am out of my mind. I am crazy. I am foolish enough to follow Him because I realize that this life isn't mine. It hasn't been since I gave it to Him at 6 years old.

So I guess we'll see what He decides to do with it. I'm just the pages He is writing on...



49 comments:

The Arizona Russums said...

Love this. Beautifully written...but then again, it's a beautiful story written by HIM.

Chelsea girl said...

It's so good to reflect on where God's taken us...bah it can give us such perspective on where we are now. Here's to being crazy...crazy in love with Jesus!

Cassidy Robinson said...

I've loved seeing God's plan unfold in you, Jen. :)

grey rose (they/them) said...

beautiful glimpse into god's glory displayed in your life!! praise jesus!
praying for you, sweet girl. xo

Jen said...

This is so beautiful. I am starting to be led by God and I'm loving where he is leading me. I have a long way to go, but I'm starting to finally accept that He is in control. It is people like YOU that inspire me, and lead me to be more accepting. :-)

Anonymous said...

First off, I smiled reading this. Truly. Second, in my eyes ... happiness outweighs any amount of money. In a world full of greed and constant hunger for more ... it is SUCH a beautiful thing to see someone not sucked into what seems to be the 'norm'.

Thank you for sharing your interview with us today :)

Lori said...

beautifully written. congratulations on your new endeavor! very, very exciting, the path the God is taking you on :)

Olivia Grace said...

I had tears in my eyes reading this!! Good luck to you on your new journey, it sounds like you are exactly where you need to be. You are truly blessed to know that!

Monica said...

I know God has good plans for you. Hope to see you again soon.

Unknown said...

Loved reading this. The path that God is leading you on is so exciting and it's encouraging to be see how God has led you all your life up to this point. :)

Cassie @ Live.Laugh.L0ve. said...

Beautiful post. God works amazing wonders. It sounds like you are on the right path in life! =D

Mary Lynn said...

Love your beautiful heart sister in Christ! Praise God for his constant love and moving in our hearts! Your photography business will bring so much glory to Him. Your photography is BEAUTIFUL. So happy to follow along in your new journey!

Natalie @ NS Pottery said...

You inspire me ♥

leigh ann said...

Gorgeous & such a blessing. I love to watch your walk by faith & am encouraged to do the same! :)
Love, Leigh

Amy @ dwell in the season said...

I love this - what a beautiful story! God has indeed blessed you (and me too!), what a good reminder! Can't wait to hear the rest of your story sometime! :)

Anonymous said...

Your story sounds beautiful. Did you have the lady on the edge of her seat? :0)
God is in control! :0)

Natalia Lynn said...

Wow, you're incredible! I am so happy to have found you blog, I love it! I have spent the last half hour at least sitting here reading through it. You are so beautiful, I am so glad to have met you. Truly inspiring!! Thank you!!

Jennifer Rod said...

wow what an amazing post. i love reading through your words and having god's love and mercy come through it as well as your passion for him. your heart to do his will is honorable jen... be blessed and i pray that the lord's peace may reign in your heart no matter what may come.

Unknown said...

This is beautiful, inspiring, and supplemented by awesome photography. You are incredible!

Thanks so much for following my blog, I really appreciate it!

<3 Daryl
Roots, Wings, and Other Things.

Laura Elizabeth said...

Great post, great story, great God :)

Love reading your posts!!!

Candice said...

Beautiful story...I love reading about how God orchestrates our lives!

Heart n Soul said...

Thanks for sharing ... beautiful honesty. His favour is upon you :)

memory said...

homeschooled?! me too! (:
(still am actually lol)

The Olive Tree Blog said...

you are not foolish or crazy friend...you are very very faithful ) thanks for sharing this lovely story

Laura said...

This is so inspiring. I keep being inspired by individuals who are totally sold out for God daily - I only hope and pray that God will develop this heart in me, too.

kelly summers said...

wow. what an amazing story. thank you for sharing. i can't wait to see what happens next!

daniel.and.stefanie said...

What a beautiful story! Thank you so much for sharing how God has been directing your steps to this very moment! I can't wait to see where He brings you with your new photography business :)

Heather @ Finding Beauty in the Ordinary said...

This is beautiful. I love this story! The pictures are great, too-- you go girl ;) xo

Luisa Rodríguez said...

I am so thankful I found so many faithful bloggers since I started my own.

I feel so good! Thanks everybody!


mustbeliberating.blogspot.com

courtney said...

aww, i love your story! God is so good!! your photography is beautiful too :)

flor said...

wow. you are amazing!! amazing i tell you!! you have something very special here, and i hope i can be a part of this blogging journey of yours (i am your newest follower).

xx flor

Anonymous said...

So well written!

Natalie said...

Really loved and enjoyed reading this! And the photos you put with it too =D

Leigh Ann Smith said...

I am so encouraged by this post. Thank you for these words, Jennifer.

Emma said...

hey Jennifer! where in Ethiopia are you going? SO excited for you - God is doing so many amazing things in ET! praying your heart is filled with so much love for that place - all the love He holds for it in His - and that it is forever in love with, broken for, and changed by all the beauty and saddness and joy that Ethiopia holds.

Ashley said...

Beautiful post, and GORGEOUS pictures! You have such a gift.

Annie said...

i love this. yes, God orchestrates our lives marvelously, and i know He's working in and through yours this minute! praying for you as you continue this adventure of employment in photography and ministry for His glory.

Annie said...

isn't it amazing, what God is doing when we don't even realize it? this past weekend, i gave a little talk about our stories, how important they are and how He is constantly at work writing them. those glimpses i take backward at my past remind me that He's been answering prayers, at work all along the way. great post!

Hannah {Culture Connoisseur} said...

I LOVE this story, and what a testament to the glory of God. But isn't that the whole point?

Great to read it, best of luck in whichever new job you find yourself!

ashley marie wilson said...

that was beautiful jen! really beeautiful. i really like the part about reading the bible like it was written to me... thats so good and something i had to learn recently to really get a deeper personal revealation from what i was reading. thank you so much for sharing, you are beautiful inside and out girl.

xoxo
ashley

Amy @ AGirlCalledBeloved said...

Jen...reading your story was such a blessing! Thank you so much for sharing it and yourself weekly on this blog. You may never know how much these words that God gives you bless so many others.

Emily grapes said...

I love thinking that God prepared me for the moment I'm living now. Knowing everything I'm going to be doing is planned out. Its comforting knowing He's taking care of me and truly, my life is not my own.

I liked your life story. :)

Emily w/Amazing Grapes

I'm Sydney. said...

God is just so awesome!!!

Emma Frances said...

I loved this. I need to review my life to remember all the ways God has blessed me. I hope you find a job soon though. I'll be praying for you! Also, thanks for jumping over and visiting my blog. I'm having fun perusing yours and already being inspired by your faith.

Emma Frances said...

I loved this. I need to review my life to remember all the ways God has blessed me. I hope you find a job soon though. I'll be praying for you! Also, thanks for jumping over and visiting my blog. I'm having fun perusing yours and already being inspired by your faith.

Eliesa said...

I loved reading this :) I know the job hunt is the. very. worst. Good luck. I'll be prayin' for ya!
Happy to have found your blog :)

Eliesa @ Good Day, Sunshine

Amy said...

What a beautiful story!

Rebecca said...

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

How scary-exciting-comfortable in the palm of His hand! I enjoyed reading!

Callie said...

I love this post, and good for you for telling your whole story in the interview! What a great way to witness.

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