Month: August 2025

Motivational Monday- Back to School 4

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On August 25, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends!  Today we will be wrapping up our back to school series.  As I have said in this series a couple of times, if your child(ren) does not have a strong foundation that you set, they will have difficulty standing firm in their beliefs.  I’m a grown woman and I have trouble!  Can you imagine a 10 year old?!  So let’s get to talking.

I am all over social media.  Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X to just name a few.  And truth be told, I have a love/hate relationship with it.  We have talked about it on several occasions in these motivations.  I like that I can stay connected and I like the opinions of others.  But, social media can skew perceptions of people, places and even words.  Social media can make or break businesses all over one person’s bad experience.  I am SO GLAD social media wasn’t around when I was learning to drive!  I would have been on my city’s page with a picture of my car and tag!

One of the buzzwords of today’s culture is courage.  There are a lot of messages geared toward kids especially of what it means to be courageous.  To take risks and follow their dreams.  To pursue self-actualization.  To have the courage to be themselves, accept themselves and love themselves.  But that definition is a lie.  You are basing that courageous behavior on the “I am enough” culture.  But you aren’t and neither are your kids.  You see faith begins at the core of we are NOT enough.  We are all sinners and deserve God’s wrath (Ephesians 2:1-3) but instead, we receive mercy by providing for us and the salvation in Christ.  Christ is enough, not you.

By telling your child they are not enough, give them courage…the right courage.

People, in general, want to be liked and accepted.  Perception is key.  For instance, you see a friend on social media driving a fancy car, living in a fancy house, travelling all the time and has met the “love of their life”.  But a year later, their life is crumbling.  All the smiles, money and love was just a farce.  They did that to “keep up with the Joneses” as momma would say.  I just gave you a scenario as an adult, children are no different.  Peer pressure hits every age.

Biblical courage is not the absence of fear.  In fact, they fear the right thing. (Proverbs 1:7).  We need to teach our kids to live before God.  They don’t need to worry about being condemned by their peers because God is the only one with that power (Romans 8:33-34).  But we don’t want to motivate them out of fear…that’s not the point.  We, as parents and loved ones, need to instill courage by pointing out the reality that Jesus already paid the price for our sins.  They don’t have to fear their peers because the Lord has already declared there’s no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1).

Biblical courage comes out of confidence that we are God’s children.  We don’t need to prove ourselves to others because we should live to please Him.  Not the other way around.  And as adults, it’s so easy for us to say, “Don’t worry about what little Josh is saying.  He’s just trying to hurt you!”  But your child is watching you.  They see you fall to peer pressure.  Their peer pressure may seem silly to you because “it’s kid stuff”.  But, it is the exact same thing you are succumbing to but on a bigger, financial level.  Right?  

So, at the end of the day, no.  You are not enough.  And that’s exactly where you need to be.  That’s exactly where your kids need to be.  It’s not a bad place.  It’s a place of knowing and needing the Lord.  You can face all of life’s circumstances with courage.

Love you all and see you next week,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday- Back to School Edition 3

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On August 18, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends!  I am so glad you stopped in.  This week, I want to continue our Back to School series on preparing your kids for school.  By now, most kids have started school BUT that shouldn’t stop us from continuing to help them cultivate their faith while battling the peer pressure of today.  So, let’s continue to talk about it.

I have A LOT of faults.  A.LOT.  But one of things that I do well is admit when I am wrong.  In fact, I have had coworkers pull me to the side and say, “You didn’t have to be THAT transparent.”  🙄.  But one thing I am NOT good at is asking for help.  And this could be asking for help for anything.  Putting together a piece of furniture, writing a report or even something to do with my mental health.  In my crazy way of thinking, I don’t want to be judged as weak.  And asking for help is a sign of weakness.

Part of helping our kids as they go back to school is reminding them they are learners.  They aren’t in charge, they don’t make the rules and they don’t know everything (but if you have a teenager, they might tell you differently).  Teaching humility is teaching vulnerability.  No one likes to feel vulnerable because that exposes a weakness.

But, did you know that being vulnerable is a spiritual practice?  You see, God knows our imperfections.  He knows our struggles.  God doesn’t see our weakness as weakness.  God sees it as an opportunity for you to lean into Him.  He’s a patient father and He remembers we’re but dust and has compassion on us in our weakness, (Psalm 103:13-14).  Cultivating the self-awareness in our children that they are needy and they don’t know everything helps them to live in a posture that teaches them to depend on God.  Plus, recognizing you have much to learn is a hallmark of wisdom: “Listen to advice and accept instruction,” the Proverbs advise, “that you may gain wisdom in the future” (Proverbs 19:20).

Some of you are reading this and you are thinking, “Good thing my kid is humble!  They are great learners.  They make straight A’s, never get into trouble, and are captain of the football team.  Really what more could I say about them?”  And I want to be clear here, seriously, that is awesome.  And you should pat them on the back and remind them they are making great decisions.  And you as a parent are doing something right too!  But…where did this rock star come from?It didn’t come from you or them.  It came from Him.  “What do you have that you did not receive?” the apostle Paul asks the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 4:7).  As their parents, you need to remind them to grow in gratitude.

I know this series is geared for school age kids but can you see yourself fighting to stay humble?  You know, a lot of times when we think of someone who’s prideful, that has a negative tone.  But when you stop and see yourself where you are weak, do you believe you are being prideful OR is pride getting in the way?  I know it’s the same thing, but is it?  To me it’s where the intent falls.

This week, when you are listening to the kids talk about their day, make sure to point out areas where you see an opportunity to have a lesson on humility.  That sounds like a negative conversation but don’t let it be.  This needs to be normal, everyday conversation.  No finger pointing or tearing them down (whether it’s intentional or not).  Your kid is just trying to make it (like you) and reminding them they aren’t perfect AND they aren’t expected to BE perfect, might actually help them.  It’s ok to ask for help and to not know it all.

Love you all and see you next week,

Jennifer

 



Motivational Monday- Back to School Edition 2

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On August 11, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends!  Today we are continuing our Back to School series.  This series is geared towards helping children transition back into school all while bolstering their faith.  This gives them courage, love and humility.  So, let’s CONTINUE to talk about it!  😉

Last week, I told you about my first big job as a bank teller.  One of the things they taught me was how to spot counterfeit money.  For some reason, I was fascinated by this!  And because I was fascinated, I REALLY studied the different bills and what made them authentic.  Because the only way you can spot the fake ones is to know the real ones, right?

Kids need to know the core truths of the Christian faith.  When you send your kid to school, they are facing the “real world”.  Their faith will be questioned and trials will follow.  Will they be like the man who dug down deep and built his house upon a rock? (Luke 6:48) Will they “be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks” them for the reason for their hope? (1 Peter 3:15).  Teaching the foundations of faith is based on what and why.

What is the what?

That’s easy!  I know we have all heard this before but kids are sponges.  Their little brains are ready to soak up knowledge.  This is peak time to make sure they KNOW the Bible.  They know the truth so they can draw from that knowledge for a lifetime.  We can help them store up God’s word in their hearts, so they’ll be equipped to fight temptation when it comes (Psalm 119:20).  By giving them the what, it’s an investment in your child’s life…entire life.  They will encounter false gospels and false gods no matter how hard you try to protect them.  So, you have to arm them.

What is the why?

You can teach your kids what we believe all day and they may or may not retain it.  But, if you give them the why behind it it shows our faith has substance.  There’s two ways you can teach the why: digging deeper in the faith with your child or allowing your child to ask questions.  Personally, I have taught both ways but I prefer the second option and I’ll tell you why.  When children learn the what and think about it and turn it into a question, then you know they are genuinely thinking about what is being said.  Also, it challenges me!  I don’t always know the answer and again, I’m ok with that.  I LIKE letting them know that I don’t know the answer and we look for the answer together.

When a child asks a why question that sounds like they are questioning the faith, it’s ok.  A questioning faith is a stronger one.  How you respond to the question (not the question itself) will dictate a lot of their feelings towards faith.  You know, when you teach the why it’s ok to elaborate on why people leave and reject Jesus.  It’s ok to expose false narratives that are being taught.  It’s ok to admit to them if you have ever had doubts or struggles.  Curiosity will come. And, if they’ve never seen it before, it might be bright and shiny, even as it leads to death (Proverbs 16:25).

I think sometimes, we are scared of questions.  We think if we can’t answer questions, that’s a reflection on our faith.  And you have even been around a child for 5 minutes, sometimes they can ask hard questions because they usually have no filter.  As adults, you need to remember that God has provided us with a family within our homes and within His church that can help with questions if needed.  That’s why we are all here.  Questions shouldn’t be looked at as a sign of their faith unraveling.  Reassuring them it shows a deeper confidence in God as they ask for answers.

Love you all and see you next week,

Jennifer

 



Motivational Monday

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On August 4, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Back to School Edition 1

Hey friends!  For the next couple of weeks, I want to focus on our kids.  If you don’t have children, no problem!  I promise there is something for everyone in this series.  Yep!  You heard that right.  A series.  This is just too much for one week’s motivation.  So let’s get this show on the road and let’s talk about it.

My first “big girl” job out of high school was a bank teller.  This job taught me A LOT.  They taught me how to quickly and accurately count money.  I can still key numbers faster than type thanks to all the training I was provided.  However, many things were not in training videos or sessions.  For example, I learned VERY quickly that you do not mess with people’s money or kids unless you want to see a volatile reaction.  As a 19 year old girl, watching people escalate quickly in their reactions was eye opening.  As a 45 year old mom and wife, I completely understand this reaction.  

When it comes to our kids, school is very similar.  They learn A LOT.  A lot is taught by teachers but a lot is taught by other students.  And man, peer pressure is something else isn’t it.  Sometimes peer pressure is good and sometimes…not so good.  You see, this is where you come in.  As parents, aunts, uncles, youth counselors, babysitters, etc. if the kid feels comfortable with you, they will talk to you.  And I don’t mean they tell you hello.  I mean, they will ask questions and confide in you.  If you get there with a child, whether they are 2 or 18 or 30 (I know that’s not a child but still! 🙂), congratulations!  You have fostered a good, safe environment for this kid.  They trust you.  

So, what does that mean exactly?  They trust you to tell them the truth.  And friends, sometimes the truth is not what they want to hear.  And that’s ok.  We don’t have to like everything.  But as a christian, we need to make sure we hold those we love accountable.  Which, if you have ever had to do with someone you love, it can be…sticky.  Especially kids.

So, how can you get ahead of this?  So glad you asked!

Start now bolstering their faith.  You and I both know, our culture shifts quickly these days.  And our children are who they target.  It’s cliche (but accurate) that our kids are the future.  If they are taught something is “normal”, they will just accept it as normal.  And those people who are older than them who disagree with this new normal are just fuddy duddies!  But if we teach them basic core truths, we are arming them against the “normals” that aren’t normal.  And that’s not because Jennifer says it’s not normal, it’s because God says it’s not normal.  In fact, it’s a sin.

What does bolstering their faith look like?  It’s about giving them courage as they face peer pressure, how to remind them of their standing before God when they’re tempted to measure their worth by their performance, and how to instill humility so that they can be lifelong learners. It’s about how to love the people God will bring into their lives, and how to be a place of comfort, safety, and belonging for those people.  Kinda like how YOU are to these kids.  Right?

I’m not going to lie to you, this isn’t going to be easy.  But who said life was easy?!  But I hope it helps you think through how to approach the children in your life. And I hope it reminds you that, no matter how prepared you or these children in your life are to meet whatever this fall brings, the Lord is good, and he does good (Psalm 119:68), and he goes before you (Deuteronomy 31:8).

This week, please pray for our kids.  Pray for their safety.  Pray for courage.  Pray they make good decisions.  Pray for humility.  Pray their relationship with God is good and whole and it stays that way.  And pray for those adults who are in charge of these kids.  They have such a hard job for so.many.reasons.  

Love you all,

Jennifer

 



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