Hey friends!!
Check out what’s happening this month at Spring Creek. Remember! VBS is here!
Kindness is one of those gifts that never goes out of style. It doesn’t require wealth, special talents, or perfect circumstances. Anyone can offer kindness. A smile, a word of encouragement, a note of appreciation, a helping hand, or simply taking the time to listen can make a tremendous difference in someone’s life.
As Christians, kindness is not simply a suggestion—it is part of who we are called to be. Galatians 5:22-23 lists kindness as one of the fruits of the Spirit. In other words, as we grow closer to Christ, kindness should become more evident in our lives. The world can be quick to judge, criticize, and divide. The church should be a place where people encounter grace, compassion, and genuine care.
I will NEVER forget how welcomed I felt when I came to Spring Creek. The reason I decided to visit was because of Jack Coleman, who at the time was 12ish. He was Logan’s best friend and I was so impressed by his testimony. Once I visited, I remember everyone welcoming me and just being so kind. Once I found my seat in a pew (which I am sure I took someone’s unofficial assigned seat…if you know you know), Hannah and Ben Locks came right over and just started talking to me! Listen, impressed is not the word. ALL of these kids were so kind and treated me like one of the crowd. I knew instantly I loved this place. To this day, I have never forgotten how I felt and that says something.
One of the reasons I was inspired to write this was a conversation I had a couple of weeks ago. I was getting a christian tattoo by a christian tattoo artist. In fact, I drove a couple hours to get tattooed by him. While he tattoos you, he asks A LOT of thought provoking questions about your relationship with the Lord. We got into a deep discussion about christians being unkind. Sure, this was a blanket statement and of course, not everyone is unkind. But for a religion that preaches to not judge but to hold people accountable; love unconditionally; stay humble; and, to be kind we, collectively, struggle with that. And when I say we, I am NOT excluding me! Nonchristians look at our behavior and decide if this is what they want to be associated with. Which is why in these motivations, I try to drive home that the church is made up of imperfect people.
One of the reasons kindness is so important is because we rarely know the battles others are facing. The person greeting you on Sunday morning may be carrying a burden you cannot see. The friend who always seems cheerful may be struggling privately. The visitor walking through the church doors may be nervous, lonely, or searching for hope (like me!). A simple act of kindness may not solve their problems, but it can remind them that they are seen, valued, and loved.
Proverbs 16:24 tells us, “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” What a beautiful reminder that our words have power. We can use them to build up or tear down, to encourage or discourage. Every conversation is an opportunity to reflect the love of Christ.
Kindness is especially important within the church family. We are a group of imperfect people serving a perfect Savior. We won’t always agree on every decision, preference, or opinion. There will be times when misunderstandings happen. Yet Scripture calls us to treat one another with patience, compassion, and grace. Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Imagine how much stronger our churches would be if we approached every interaction with that verse in mind.
Jesus Himself modeled kindness throughout His ministry. He welcomed those whom others overlooked. He spent time with people society rejected. He showed compassion to the sick, the hurting, and the brokenhearted. Everywhere He went, people experienced not only His power but also His love. As followers of Christ, we are called to do the same. We may not perform miracles, but we can certainly offer kindness.
Kindness is often found in the small things. It may be checking on a neighbor, sitting with someone who is alone, writing a card, offering a prayer, or simply choosing patience when frustration would be easier. These moments may seem insignificant, but God has a way of using small acts to accomplish great things.
This week, look for opportunities to be intentionally kind. Not because someone has earned it. Not because it is convenient. Simply because Christ has been kind to us. Let us be known not only for what we believe, but for how we treat people.
You never know how far a kind word, a compassionate heart, or a simple act of grace may travel. You may be the answer to someone’s prayer simply by choosing kindness.
I love you all and I hope you have a blessed week!
Jennifer
Memorial Day is a day set aside to honor and remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. It is more than a long weekend or the unofficial start of summer — it is a reminder that freedom has always come at a cost. Today we pause to remember courage, sacrifice, and the lives that were given so others could live in peace and hope.
But I think Memorial Day also speaks to something all of us can understand on a personal level: the impact of people who give of themselves for others. Some sacrifices are seen on battlefields. Others happen quietly every single day. Parents sacrificing for their children. Grandparents holding families together with prayer and wisdom. Friends showing up during hard seasons. Caregivers putting others before themselves. Ordinary people choosing love, even when it costs them something.
In a world that often encourages us to focus only on ourselves, Memorial Day reminds us that the greatest lives are usually the ones poured out for others. The people we remember most are rarely the loudest or the wealthiest — they are the ones who made us feel loved, protected, encouraged, and seen. Sacrifice leaves a legacy that comfort never will.
Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends..” Those words carry deep meaning today. While most of us may never be asked to make the ultimate sacrifice, we are all given daily opportunities to serve, encourage, forgive, help, and love the people around us. Sometimes the smallest acts of kindness can become the very things people remember for years to come.
So today, remember the fallen. Pray for military families carrying loss that never fully leaves them. Be thankful for the freedoms we often take for granted. But also take a moment to appreciate the people in your own life who have sacrificed for you in ways big and small.
May we honor sacrifice not only with words, but with the way we choose to live — with gratitude, compassion, humility, and purpose.
Happy Memorial Day 🇺🇸
Love you all,
Jennifer
Yesterday at church we honored graduates, and I couldn’t help but think about how exciting — and honestly a little scary — new beginnings can be.
Graduation is more than a ceremony. It’s a reminder that life moves in seasons. One chapter closes, another begins, and suddenly you find yourself standing in unfamiliar territory wondering what comes next. But isn’t that how so much of life works? We all face moments where God gently nudges us forward — into new opportunities, new responsibilities, new relationships, or even a completely new outlook on life.
The truth is, every single one of us is standing at the edge of some kind of “next chapter.” Maybe yours isn’t marked by a cap and gown. Maybe it’s a fresh start after a hard season. Maybe it’s healing. Maybe it’s stepping into a new job, rebuilding your confidence, or simply learning to trust God again one day at a time. New beginnings don’t always come with applause and celebration. Sometimes they arrive quietly, disguised as small steps of faith.
And if we’re being honest, new beginnings can feel overwhelming. We like certainty. We like plans. We want GPS directions for our entire future. But God often works differently. He rarely shows us the whole staircase — He simply asks us to trust Him with the next step.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” — Proverbs 3:5-6
Sometimes we spend so much time looking backward that we miss the new thing God is trying to do right in front of us.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” — Isaiah 43:18-19
God specializes in fresh starts. He opens doors we never expected, strengthens us when we feel unqualified, and reminds us that growth almost always begins outside of our comfort zone. The graduates we honored today may not know exactly where life will take them, but they do not walk alone — and neither do we.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11
So whether you’re walking across a graduation stage, starting over, stepping out in faith, or simply trying again after a difficult season, remember this: God is already in your tomorrow. Walk boldly into your next chapter. The same God who brought you this far will continue leading the way.
Love you all and see you Sunday,
Jennifer
Lately, I’ve realized something important. Sometimes it’s not the big moments that carry us through life…it’s the little ones.
It’s the first sip of coffee before anybody starts asking you for anything.
It’s getting into bed with freshly washed sheets.
It’s finding money in your purse you forgot you had.
It’s your favorite song randomly playing at the perfect time.
It’s laughing so hard you forget what you were stressed about for five whole minutes.
And honestly? Sometimes it’s just surviving the day and treating yourself to fries afterward because you earned them. (I’m partial to McDonald’s fries myself…)
Life can feel heavy sometimes. Responsibilities pile up. Stress sneaks in. The news is exhausting. The grocery bill feels personal. And some days we’re all just one minor inconvenience away from needing a group prayer and a nap. Am I right?
But even in the middle of all that, God is still so good at slipping little blessings into ordinary moments.
A cool breeze on a hot day.
A text from someone you love.
A quiet morning.
A beautiful sunset.
A really good piece of cake.
Your dog or cat acting absolutely ridiculous for no reason at all.
Those little things matter more than we realize.
This past weekend, I had the absolute pleasure of seeing my sweet momma on Saturday because of Mother’s Day. I love that my mom respects that I, also, am a mother and this day applies to me. She is adamant that I rest on Mother’s Day and not see her. So, I always see her the day before. Which all of that is a blessing in itself.
When I got home, I noticed my bird feeder was empty. I had seen A LOT of activity on the feeder the last couple of days. So, I went into the garage and grabbed the food and filled it up. Then, I noticed the squirrel feeder was empty. (Listen, I know! I know! Squirrels are rodents. But I love them! And I learned that if you feed them too, they leave the bird feeders alone.) I grabbed the squirrel food and filled their feeder. Y’all, that made me so happy. I got such a sense of joy feeding the critters on my property.
I think sometimes we expect God to show up in giant, dramatic ways. We wait for the breakthrough, the answered prayer, the big miracle. Meanwhile, God is over here saying, “Did you notice that moment of peace I gave you today? Did you notice you laughed again? Did you notice you made it through something you thought would break you?”
James 1:17 says: “Every good and perfect gift is from above…”
Not just the huge blessings. Every good gift. Sometimes we overlook the goodness of God because it doesn’t arrive with fireworks and a marching band. And not everything has to be miracle level. Sometimes it shows up quietly in everyday life.
Psalm 118:24 says: “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Not because every day is perfect.
Not because life is easy.
But because there is still joy to be found here.
And I think we need that reminder.
You’re allowed to enjoy your life.
You’re allowed to laugh.
You’re allowed to notice beautiful things without feeling guilty for it.
Joy is not something we have to apologize for.
Some of us have spent so much time surviving that we forgot how to simply appreciate the moment we’re standing in. And listen, I have been in survival mode A LOT.
So this week, pay attention to the small things.
The morning coffee.
The sunset on the drive home.
Watching/hearing the birds.
Watching squirrels on your fence hang on for dear life because they are too fat to balance there.
The peace that showed up out of nowhere.
The strength God gave you to make it another day.
Because sometimes the small things are doing the big work.
And maybe those little moments? Maybe they’ve been God reminding you all along:
“I’m still here. And I’m still taking care of you. It’s going to be ok.”
Love you all,
Jennifer
Hey friends!
Homecoming was fantastic this year. If you didn’t get a chance to come or you haven’t heard the sermon online, go listen to it. Chuck Hood did a great job. Now, onto this week’s motivation.
Ever feel like you’re behind in life? Like you thought you’d be further along by now. More healed, more secure, more there? Well, let’s talk about it.
If you have read these over the years, I share intimate struggles about my life. One of those struggles I have talked about is declaring bankruptcy after our son was born. I know I should be embarrassed we went through that but honestly, I’m not. We declared a Chapter 13 so our debts weren’t “wiped away”. All the bankruptcy did was stop foreclosure, stop car repossession and stop interest and fees from accruing further. We had to repay ALL of our debt while maintaining our current mortgage, car payments, etc. For about 4 years, we worked, ate alot of hotdogs and did free things. That was it. But, man, did we learn ALOT.
But you see, the bankruptcy was just the end to a brewing financial situation. We were steadily going downhill financially for a couple of years. Then, after the 3 years it took to pay everything off, it took several more years to climb out the hole that was dug. Compared to all of our friends, we were really behind. Everyone we knew had already moved from their starter home to a nicer home. They were driving nice new cars. They went out to eat! We still lived in our townhouse (loved that house! We just wanted more space for our son). We drove good enough cars. And going out to eat isn’t that great.
But we felt like a complete failure. We felt like we failed our son. We made really dumb financial decisions and we never wanted it to impact him. Instead of being happy we had a roof over head, cars that worked and food to eat, we felt pressured to be better and better. And WE WERE getting better and better but not at the speed I wanted.
It’s a quiet pressure we carry.
We look around and see other people moving forward—checking boxes, hitting milestones, stepping into things we thought we’d already have by now. And if we’re honest, it can make us question everything.
“Did I miss something?”
“Did I take a wrong turn?”
“Why does this feel harder for me than it seems for everyone else?”
But what if you’re not behind? What if you’re being prepared?
Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Not our timeline. Not our expectations. His time. And that’s the part that stretches us.
Because preparation rarely looks the way we expect it to. Sometimes it looks like waiting longer than you wanted to.
Sometimes it looks like doors closing that you were sure were right. Sometimes it looks like doing deep, quiet work in your heart that no one else can see.
It can feel slow. It can feel hidden. It can even feel like nothing is happening at all. It can feel like you are spinning your wheels working harder than ever and nothing….
But that doesn’t mean God isn’t working. Romans 8:28 reminds us, “In all things God works for the good of those who love Him…” All things. Not just the obvious blessings. Not just the moments that make sense. Even working 2 jobs. Even missing dinners with friends. Even the delays. Even the disappointments. Even the seasons that feel like a detour.
Especially those.
Because sometimes the very thing you’re frustrated by is the thing God is using to shape you, strengthen you, and prepare you for something you can’t quite see yet.
So if today you feel behind…
if you feel like life isn’t unfolding the way you hoped it would…
Take a breath.
- You are not behind.
- You are not forgotten.
- You are not off track.
God is not rushing you. He’s refining you. He’s building something in you that timing alone could never produce.
And where you are right now, even if it feels small, even if it feels slow…
It matters.
It’s part of the process. It’s part of the story. Your story.
Those bankruptcy years were the hardest in my life. But I promise I would never trade it for better. It was humbling. We learned to rely on each other. We appreciated help from our friends and family. I became a better cook! I learned to trust the Lord. That financial bankruptcy was just financial. It was spiritual.
So if you are going through something. Understand that one day, you may look back and realize this wasn’t the season you were falling behind, it was the season you were being prepared for everything that was coming next.
Love you all and see you Sunday,
Jennifer
Hey friends! If you read last week’s motivation, then you know my nephew was getting married. FYI- he DID in fact get married to his beautiful bride and they are honeymooning currently. Everything went great and it was God centered. In saying that, this week should be really low key compared to last week. Which, if you are anything like me, is GREAT. But you see, there was a mountain in my life (a good mountain!). The peak was the wedding and we are going back down the mountain quickly. So what is there to talk about this week? Exactly that…
Let’s be honest—some weeks don’t start with excitement. There’s no big breakthrough, no huge answered prayer, no dramatic change. Just alarms going off, schedules to keep, and responsibilities waiting.
And if we’re not careful, we can slip into thinking we’re just trying to get through the week.
But what if we did something different this time? What if instead of waiting for something good to happen… we started looking for the good that’s already here?
Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Not the perfect day. Not the easy day. This day.
Joy doesn’t always come in big, life-changing moments. Sometimes it shows up quietly—
- in a peaceful cup of coffee (my favorite afternoon relax time),
- a kind word from someone,
- a moment of laughter you didn’t expect,
- or simply making it through a hard day with a little more strength than you had yesterday.
James 1:17 reminds us, “Every good and perfect gift is from above…”
Every good thing—not just the big ones.
The truth is, God is moving in our lives every single day. We just don’t always notice because we’re looking for something bigger, louder, or different. But maybe the shift we need this week isn’t a change in our circumstances…maybe it’s a change in what we’re paying attention to. I know you have heard me say (or write) that I like to “disappear in the woods”. For the record, I don’t like to disappear 😬, I just like to reconnect. Reconnecting, for me, is easier when I’m in the woods. Probably because I am not connecting on my phone….I’m focused on the day the Lord has made.
Not every week will feel exciting. Not every prayer will be answered overnight. Remember, a prayer that you believe is unanswered IS answered. Just because you didn’t get the answer you wanted doesn’t mean He let you down. That wasn’t His plan. It doesn’t mean He isn’t working. Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is pause and recognize the goodness that’s already surrounding us.
So here’s your challenge this week:
Find three good things each day and write them down. And try to find three different things per day. And at the end of the week, reflect on what you wrote. Some things might be big things in your life, but most will be everyday things. But when you start looking for God’s goodness, you’ll begin to realize—it’s been there all along.
Let’s not just get through this week… let’s see it.
Love you all,
Jennifer
Hey friends!
As most of you know, I have one son. But what you don’t know is I have 6 other “kinda” children. They are the closest thing to my own child I can get without me actually giving birth. They are my nieces and nephews. This upcoming weekend, I get to watch one of my nephews stand at the altar and say two simple words… “I do.” And isn’t it funny how something so small can carry so much weight?
I have been married for a million and one years now (just kidding! It’s been 23.5 years…). I remember my own wedding. We got married at the courthouse. Why did we choose the courthouse? Well, I was marrying a guy who really didn’t like to be the center of attention and I didn’t see spending “all that money”. We were going to have a small wedding but then it hit me. No matter the amount of spend, big or small, the end result is all the same. We still say our “I do’s” the exact same.
What I didn’t know at that time is that marriage isn’t built on one “I do.” I had no idea the roller coaster of marriage would be. And it’s not that we don’t get along. In fact, when we are in sync we can be dynamic. We really are each other’s half. But it’s buying a house, money problems, having a child, losing a loved one, making mistakes, etc. It’s all the time, we could have said, “I’m done” but we continued to choose each other. Marriage is built on a thousand little “I still do’s.”
It’s choosing patience when you’re tired, grace when it’s undeserved, and love when it would be easier to walk away. Marriage is hard. Not because you don’t love someone enough. Sometimes you just think the grass is greener on the other side. You know, the side you really don’t know but you made up in your head.
And if we’re being honest… that doesn’t just apply to marriage. That applies to our faith too.
Joshua 24:15 says, “Choose this day whom you will serve…” Not just once. Not just when life feels easy. But daily. Every single day, we’re given the opportunity to say: “God, I still choose You.” Even when we don’t understand. Even when we’re weary. Even when life doesn’t look like we thought it would. Because real love—whether it’s in marriage, in faith, or in life—isn’t a one-time decision. It’s a daily surrender. A daily commitment. A daily yes.
So as I celebrate a beautiful new beginning this weekend, I’m reminded of this: We don’t have to have it all figured out. We don’t have to feel strong every day. We just have to keep showing up… and keep choosing. Keep choosing love. Keep choosing faith. Keep choosing the life God has called you to live.
And some days, that choice might feel small. But those small, quiet “yeses”? They build something strong. Something lasting. Something God can use in ways we never imagined.
So today, whatever you’re facing—just start with a yes.
Hey friends! How was your Easter? Listen, we had a CROWD at church on Sunday and I LOVED EVERY MINUTE!!! I wish our church was packed like that every Sunday! Seriously, it warmed my heart.
I was thinking about today’s topic. Or maybe I should say, I was trying to figure out today’s topic. And I thought, “Well, Easter is over…” That’s when it hit me. After Jesus rose, then what? You know the drill, let’s talk about it.
Every year on my birthday, someone will inevitably ask, “How does it feel to be a year older?” such a dad joke…The answer is the same every year. “Well, no different than yesterday.” And that’s the truth. You don’t suddenly feel older. Kinda like the day after Jesus rose from the grave.
Easter Sunday is powerful. The tomb is empty. Jesus is risen. Death is defeated.
But then comes Monday… And if we’re honest, life doesn’t suddenly feel perfect after the miracle. Can you imagine all the ups and downs of the emotions in three days? Talk about roller coaster! And I’m just talking about the people who are like me and you! What about Jesus’s closest friends?
The disciples didn’t wake up the next day with everything figured out. They were still confused. Still afraid. Still unsure what came next. In John 20:19, we find them hiding behind locked doors.
Jesus had risen… and they were still hiding.
Let that sink in.
Because if we’re honest, we do the same thing. God moves in our lives. He answers prayers. He brings us through something hard… and yet we still find ourselves:
- worried
- doubting
- unsure
- hiding in fear
But here’s the part I love…Jesus didn’t wait for them to get it together. He came to them anyway.
“Peace be with you.” (John 20:19)
Not shame. Not disappointment. Not “why are you still like this?” Just… peace.
And then? He stayed. He taught them. He walked with them. He even cooked breakfast for them (John 21—don’t miss that part).
Because resurrection wasn’t the end of the story…It was the beginning of a relationship where Jesus meets us right where we are. Literally. Today. Right here. Right now.
So if today feels like a “now what?” kind of day…
If your faith is real but your feelings are messy…
If you’ve seen God move but you’re still a little stuck…
You’re in good company.
The same Jesus who walked into that locked room is still walking into our lives today. Not waiting for perfection. Just offering peace.
Take a breath this Monday…
You don’t have to have it all figured out. Man, I sure don’t!
Just don’t lock the door.
Love you all and see you Sunday,
Jennifer
