Tag: Love Page 2 of 4

Hey friends! Ummm, where did Fall go? I hear it will be back by the end of the week but IT’S COLD!! Today, I want to continue our Thanks and Giving Series. In the past week, how many times has something bothered you? Did you complain about it? Have you ever met someone who is just negative about everything? I mean, look at me! I just complained about the weather! Well, let’s talk about it.

Years ago, I had a Mustang GT Convertible. I LOVED that car. It was so much fun and it would FLY. It was black with red leather seats. Seriously, gorgeous car. One morning, Logan had a soccer game. I got to the field toting my coffee and chair preparing myself to be cold. Another parent started talking to me about my car. I started griping that my wrist was hurting because the cup holders were at an awkward angle. Y’all. I didn’t realize how ridiculous that sounded until they just started laughing. I was very confused and didn’t know why they were laughing. THIS WAS NO LAUGHING MATTER!!! I NEED COFFEE AND IT WAS HURTING MY WRIST TO PICK IT UP AT THAT ANGLE! 🤦🏻 The couple simply said, “Jennifer. First world problems…”

I felt so stupid at that moment. I was so caught up in myself that I was complaining about the most trivial thing. I was so caught up in myself that I didn’t even realize how ridiculous that entire conversation was until they spelled it out. Why was I complaining about the extras in my life? The extras that at one time in my life, I thought I wouldn’t get?! As silly as it is, that was a turning point for me. I knew I needed to be more like Paul.

One of things I started doing was keeping a Grateful Journal. This was just a notebook. Nothing fancy. I started every entry with, “Today I am grateful for…” Sometimes, it was silly. “Today, I am grateful for spoons because how else would I eat soup?” Other days, it was deeper that ended in a story from that day. This journal helped to reflect on my day and focus on the positive and not the negatives. Like everyone, every day is not a good day. If for some reason I was especially down, I would open my journal and read it. The entries were MY specific joys that occurred in MY life. My joy and blessings that God gave me.

Another thing I stopped doing was use less negative language. Remember my Mustang story above? I said, “I felt so stupid at that moment.” And I did. That was a very accurate statement. At that point in my life, I felt stupid. Literally, uneducated and not smart. I was stumbling through life trying to not be a bad mom and a decent wife. I didn’t see anything wrong with that negative language because that’s how I felt. I decided I had to change my wording. Instead of thinking or talking like I was a bad mom, I would focus on what an awesome kid Logan was. His successes and attitude. Do you see how I shifted that mindset? Logan is a gift from God. Jon was an answer to my prayers. Once I started using positive words, it became easier to see the good. Why couldn’t I see that sooner?

Lastly, stop worrying. During the time of my story, I was a worry wort. Seriously. I worried about the things that could happen that NEVER actually happened. I worried so much that I developed anxiety attacks. At one point, I thought I was having a heart attack (seriously!). People would tell me, “Trust God.” I would have responded, “I do but…” There is no but when you talk about God. I am not going to lie and tell you that I am free of worry. But what I can tell you is my anxiety level is minimal compared to where I was at that time. What I didn’t realize (until I truly trusted God) was how worry distracted me from focusing on the good. When you focus on the good, it is just naturally easier to be grateful.

I would love to be like Paul all around. Paul didn’t grumble or complain. He spoke of struggles. And listen, if anyone has reason to complain, it was Paul. He endured a lot of suffering. But he used that suffering as opportunities to learn and grow. There were times Paul felt inadequate, unsuccessful and rejected but he never used these to complain about God.

This week, I want to encourage you to identify what is your struggle with staying focused on being thankful. Are you a worrier? Do you use negative language to describe situations? Do you make “mountains out of mole hills”? Once you identify your biggest struggle, tweak how you handle those situations. Pray about it. Seek encouragement from the Lord. He is your biggest cheerleader.

Love you all,

Jennifer

Thankful Tuesday- Thanks and Giving Series

By Jennifer Robbins

On November 4, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! I thought I would start this month off with a Thankful Tuesday. Since Thanksgiving is this month, I would be amiss if I didn’t do a thanks and giving series. 🙂 Let’s get this party started!

Are you thankful? If you are, how did you become thankful? Were you just born that way? Well, let’s talk about it!

Over 20 years ago, when we had our son, we were financially unwell. We had alot of debts and not a lot of income. But, we tried! Jon and I both worked but in the end, the debt was too much. We were slowly losing everything so we declared bankruptcy (not something you want to do at 26). The bankruptcy we declared was Chapter 13 which meant we had to pay it all back and not wiped clean. One of us always worked two jobs to get it paid off quickly (it was still years) and keep up with our other financial commitments. Jon and I ate hotdogs and ramen A LOT while Logan ate chicken, peas and carrots. I was determined he wouldn’t suffer because of our mistakes. In the end, we paid it off and learned countless lessons.

Jon and I were talking the other day about how far we have come in life. Spiritually, emotionally, and financially. We started talking about our financial mindset today. We agreed that we are very appreciative of the financial security we have today and that we live day to day knowing it can change in an instant. That sounds pessimistic but truly, it’s not (or that’s not how we view it). We know what it’s like to feel like a complete failure. We also know what it feels like to feel like we are going to be ok. And, that feeling is a breath of fresh air. We are so grateful and thankful for all we have and all we have been through. It has made us stronger as couple in every way possible.

Over the years, I have become more grateful and thankful. I don’t know exactly why. Is it because we are older? Is it because we have lived through hard times? Is it because I have grown in my faith over the years and I’ve learned to let God? I don’t know for certain. What I can tell you is that everything good in your life comes from God (James 1:17). What can you do to become more thankful?

First, regularly practice giving thanks. Thankfulness should be your default instead of criticism. When there is something good in your life, point it out and stop. Thank God right then! I do this all the time. I will close my eyes and say out loud, “Thank you!” Look, we all complain. I do too! But, practice responding to your complaining by finding something to be thankful for. This helps rewire your brain to recognize the good in your life just like you recognized the bad.

Second, express gratitude regardless of the situation. I get it. This one can be really hard. Paul tells the Thessalonians to give thanks in all circumstances because God wills it (1Thessalonians 5:18). Why? Because God sees the whole picture. He is working every single situation and working them out for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). We have to purposely look for what God is doing while we are in the middle of it.

Praise God when all is well! Can I get an “Amen”? I feel like this is a no brainer but it is so important we practice it. We need to understand that when life runs smoothly, it’s a gift. Sometimes we take it for granted.

Make gratitude a part of your interaction with other people. Again, I feel like this is a no brainer. As a kid, I was taught to say my please’s and thank you’s. Whenever someone helps me resolve a problem (big or small), I make it a habit to say, “I appreciate you”. And I do! They took time out of their day to help me. And yes, sometimes they are paid to help me. But how many times have you asked for help in a store and they DIDN’T help you? By expressing gratitude, you have elevated their self worth. It might have only been a smidge but YOU did that. They will remember how that made them feel and they might make it a point to be more grateful and thankful. You could start a trend!

Thanksgiving is a superpower. It enables us to see past our experiences and embrace how God is moving. When Jon and I declared bankruptcy, that was a bad time for us. We felt defeated. But, looking back on it, I wouldn’t change a thing even if I could. It was hard to see at the time but God took care of us more than we knew. That time made us grateful and thankful for the good times AND the bad. It also showed us that He had us every step of the way. He took care of us.

Being a thankful person enables you to draw strength from gratitude. Thankfulness and gratitude really go hand in hand. So look, go out and spread it like confetti! This week make it a point to thank God daily for something in your life. By doing this, you will start to see all the good in your life. Also, make it a point to thank one person a day for something. If you don’t go anywhere, no problem. Call them! Text them! Tell someone you appreciate them.

I appreciate all of you. No really. I do. I appreciate you and Spring Creek for the opportunity to write these week after week. Sure. It’s a lot of work. But these motivations keep me grounded and you all are my biggest cheerleader! You have given me the confidence to continue sharing my crazy stories and thoughts with a dose of Jesus. When I sign off with “love you all”, that’s not just something I say. I DO love you all and I pray for all of you. See you next week.

Love you all,

Jennifer

November Newsletter

By Jennifer Robbins

On October 28, 2025

In News and Announcements, Newsletters

We have a lot going on in the month of November! Clink on the link below to see what’s happening!

NL 11-2025

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On October 20, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! Guess what?? It’s almost Fall Festival TIME!!!! WOOOHOOOO!! If you have never been to our Fall Festival, you need to come. It’s a lot of fun and the kids have a blast. Make sure you spread the word and let everyone know. Remember, it’s next Sunday from 5pm-6:30pm.

Speaking of spreading the word…have you ever thought about what kind of influence you are? Are you a positive or negative influence? Well, let’s talk about it.

Overall, I think I am a glass half full kinda person. Don’t get me wrong, when I get negative, I am pretty negative. But, I like to believe people are generally good. I know that’s not the case of all people. I also know, people are sinners and not perfect. Just because they sin, doesn’t make them a bad person, it means they made a bad decision. Churches are made up of imperfect, sinful people. Sometimes, as we attend our church, we might learn something about a fellow member or church goer that “upsets” you. Something they did in the past so therefore you judge them. Are you holding them to the same standard as a coworker? A friend? A family member? Do you know the whole story?

Just because someone sins and struggles differently than you, doesn’t make them right or wrong. It doesn’t mean they deserve to be judged more or less than your other brothers and sisters in Christ. Our past experiences and sins make us who we are today and God uses those experiences (even sins) for you to use for His glory. So do you use your experience as a light?

In a world filled with darkness, uncertainty, and challenges, the call to “let your light so shine before men” from Matthew 5:16 is a powerful reminder of our responsibility as Christians. It’s an invitation to be a beacon of hope, a source of inspiration, and a reflection of God’s love in our daily lives.

The call to shine in Matthew 5:16 encourages us to let our light shine before others so that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. This verse tells us that our actions speak louder than words. We are called to be more than “just believers”. We have to put actions behind what we say. So how do we do that?

We are just nice. We hold the door open for the person behind us. We help our neighbor. We tell someone how good they look today. We make someone smile. We buy a homeless man some shoes. But here’s the thing! If you are not financially able to help that homeless man, no big deal! You can pray for him and that’s worth so much. You can talk to him. You are…kind. Small acts of kindness are so small and insignificant to us but it can mean the world to someone who is barely holding it together. These acts of love, kindness and empathy shines a light on the values and principles of our faith.

And while everyday kindness is essential, the most profound way to shine your light shine is sharing the gospel. Telling everyone you know about God’s love and salvation. God’s love is available to everyone even to those who make bad decisions. By sharing His message is the ultimate way to show love and compassion to others. People need hope. They need to forgive and be forgiven. And they will get that from Him but what if YOU were the reason they know Him?

Are there times you feel like you can’t talk to someone about something because you struggle or struggled with the same sin? Or, do you feel like since you are sinful, you can’t do something like write a Motivational Monday? Trust me. I get it. I struggle. But I try to use my life experiences- good, bad and ugly- to, hopefully, be a positive influence. And you, (yes you!) can do the same. And remember that being a positive influence is also recognizing those around you aren’t perfect either. We can’t hold them to a standard that we can’t achieve ourselves. There’s only one who is perfect. Remember, let your light shine brightly this week and make a difference in the world one person at a time.

Love you all,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On October 13, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! Thanks for being with me for the Wednesday message last week. So let’s get this motivation started! What do you do everyday? And I mean, your routine. Do you basically do the same things day in and day out? Or do you do the same thing on a specific day? Of course you do! We all do. When you do those things, are you looking for God? Let’s talk about it.

Y’all. Listen. I love coffee. Coffee is a form of therapy for me. I drink coffee first thing in the morning. I don’t think it helps me “wake up” like some say. It just starts my day because it’s my routine. Then, I have afternoon coffee when I get home. I use this time to unwind. It’s therapeutic. I’m drinking coffee right now while writing this! Typically, depending on the time of the day, I use the same cups and the same mugs. Again. It’s my routine. Do I feel God’s presence as I am brewing the coffee? Or selecting the same cup? I mean, truthfully no. Am I looking for Him? That’s a no too.

As you are going about your routine day, do you ever stop and say, “Where is God today while I am doing this task?” Again, if you are like me, I don’t normally ask that question. But if I did, I am not sure I would feel His presence or hear His voice. Of course, I feel close to Him when I am praying, worshiping, singing Christian music, etc. If I am going through a hard time, I feel Him. But just everyday life? Right here, right now?

Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Present. So, wait? He’s present when I am making my coffee? Yep. He’s right there. He’s a present God. Even on the most very basic day you live. “The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Psalm 46:7. So, who does He host? Angel armies, right? And the God of Jacob means what? It means He’s a personal God. He is there for just me. And just you. And that homeless man in Birmingham. He is here individually for all of us. So even when we don’t know our issues, He is there. He is our refuge, our fortress and shield.

It takes discipline to look for God in your routine days. You have to remember to look for Him. It takes faith.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7

Walking is something we don’t really think about (unless you suddenly can’t and you realize how you took it for granted). But 2 Corinthians 5:7 tell us to walk. Not run. Not stop. Walk. By walking in faith, we are living in the present. As we are moving in our mundane way that we don’t think much about, He’s telling us to see His mercy. To see His goodness. His faithfulness.

I brought this up because it seems like from October through December, we are busy. We are busy with the same things year after year. And most of us want to do these things. We look forward to this time of year. But we need to remember to stop and praise Him for the food you had for dinner tonight. Or the friend that sends a quick text to ask, “How are you?” Or the look you get from your child or grandchild when they see you. They light up! Do you look for Him in those moments?

I am writing this knowing I am guilty of living life everyday and not looking for Him in the mundane things. And lately, I have been pretty frustrated with the mundane in my life. But let me tell you something, Matt Fridy spoke in church yesterday about life and stress. And that made me think about my silly frustrations and my silly stresses. I think if we look for Him in our most mundane activities, not only will that strengthen our walk with Him but the byproduct will be less stress overall. Isn’t that how we are supposed to live?

Love you all,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On September 15, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Woah. We had a week last week, didn’t we? There is so much sadness and just pure evil. From the Ukrainian girl to Charlie Kirk to the anniversary of 9/11. It was…a lot for one week. So many are asking the question, why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? So, let’s talk about it.

If you haven’t heard Pastor Scott’s sermon from yesterday, please go watch it. He is doing a series on names of God and he talked about his kids asking who created God. The answer is no one. My crazy self honestly has never questioned who created God but I questioned why God created evil? Was it something He did to test us and it got out of hand?

Evil didn’t come from God. Rest assured, He never wanted to test you. Let’s go all the way back to Adam and Eve. Remember that serpent? That serpent was pretty sneaky. He slithered his way to Eve and told her things that just weren’t true. And remember, no one (up to this point) had sinned. God had given them instructions on what to do and what not to do. Well, you know the story. But you see, they were deceived and they turned against God. That evil was from Satan. Both evil and Satan are very real and go hand in hand.

As for the original question, why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? I hate to answer a question with a question BUT what is your definition of good? When deception happened and Adam and Eve turned against God, we now live in a fallen world. Our definition of someone who is “good” would be something like this: wouldn’t hurt a fly, hard working, God loving, helps others, contributes to make the world a better place, etc. But Romans 3:10-12 says, “as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’”

Look, I get it. By human standards, they would be described as a good person. And that’s all we have experienced, the human side. We have the Bible and we read it and we can quote scripture. We know what is written. But we experience this side. It’s hard to look at it from a Godly perspective. God knows we fall and need His grace. End of story. In God’s eyes, we all aren’t the definition of good. What makes us worthy is accepting Jesus as our Savior. You can do all the good deeds for society all day long, but there is only one thing that matters most.

Bad things happening to good people actually says nothing about God but it says everything about humans. Pain is just a feeling. Like joy. When we experience pain, it’s a warning sign and a way to protect us against danger. Kinda like when meat has been in the fridge a little too long and you smell it to make sure it’s ok. But just like how He allows us to experience joy, pain is the flip side. God has given us the freedom to experience all the emotions. But He has also provided a place with the greatest contentment we can imagine if we listen to Him.

God can give us victory over evil. No, this doesn’t mean bad things won’t ever happen to you or any other Christian. What it means is when they do happen, we know God is right there. Step by step with us. He will give us strength to stand against them.

As for specifically Charlie Kirk. This horrific tragedy sent shockwaves throughout the US and other parts of the world. People are starting to stand up and notice evil is all around. What happened to Charlie should never happen to anyone. But…look at what his death is doing. People are going to church. They are praying. They are standing up and talking about God. Evil slithered in but God is in control. We may not understand everything that happens, but when we know Christ, we are on the winning side.

Love you all,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On July 21, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! Listen, I knew yesterday what my topic was on today. Wanna know why? Because I was HOT! Yes, I was physically hot because it was a million degrees with 100% humidity but what I am specifically talking about is mad. 😡 As I am upset, I thought, “Yep. This is what this week’s topic is going to be about!” So, let’s talk about it.

We are having a deck built on our house. Some of you might have heard me talking about it. This deck is on the larger side and we are adding to our roof line. We have saved for this deck for YEARS and honestly, I am SO EXCITED to get it. But…like most projects, it is not going as planned for a lot of reasons. And truth be told, they are all avoidable reasons. Yesterday, as I was working in the yard (that I hadn’t cut in 2 weeks because of the deck project), I was getting madder and madder about the situation. I was working myself up in a tizzy and I was mad at EVERYBODY. You’ve been there, right?

So is anger a sin?

The short answer is no. It’s a God given emotion. Anger is a signal that something is wrong and needs to be addressed. What you should be angry over is sin and injustice because we serve a God that is just and holy. And man, let me tell you. When reading the Old Testament, there are LOTS of examples of when God was angry. Whew. The quickest example that comes to mind is the Great Flood. He flooded the whole world and destroyed all living creatures except who and what was on the Ark. Why? Because he was OVER the wickedness and corruption on the Earth. I would say He was pretty mad…

Whereas anger is not a sin, how we react to it can be. To be completely transparent, how I acted yesterday was sinful. I was quick tempered and infuriated by our situation. And trust me, everyone knew I was NOT happy. Everyone who couldn’t fix the situation knew about it. I was misusing my anger. “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”(Ephesians 4:31-32) Another short verse that is easy to remember is, “…everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment…” (Matthew 5:22)

When you become that angry, you need to pause, reflect on why you are angry and then ask God to help you. Now, look. I did ask God to help me with my anger yesterday because I didn’t like being around me. But was I ready yesterday to reflect? Truthfully, no. I wasn’t mentally ready to work through it. Was that right? Well, I asked God for help and that did help me to simmer down enough to get through the day. Then, I slept (I always have to sleep on it to have a clearer understanding). Today, I was ready to work through it.

Some of the questions I asked myself were:

Has there been injustice? Was there sin against you, another, or God? Before you look to who your angry with, are you convicted about your own sin or how you have contributed? If so, begin to biblically address sin in you. (Matthew 18:15-17)
Are you hurt? Has this person hurt you (physically, mentally or emotionally) or opened an old wound? Is your pride wounded or do you feel shame? Be honest with yourself and God about your pain, recall God’s forgiveness of you, and continue to take steps to forgive. (Colossians 3:12-13)
Are you afraid? Has something stirred up an insecurity? Do you feel threatened? Are you struggling to trust God? If so, confess your fear and lack of trust to God and begin to confront your idols. (Psalm 56:3) If this is the case, I would recommend immediately seeking help.
Are you frustrated? Has someone failed to meet your expectations? Have you yourself failed them? Examine whether your expectations are realistic and address how you may have sought significance or life apart from God. (Psalm 42:11)

Look, luckily for me, it is just.a.deck. But this deck means a lot to me because this is something I have wanted for years. And we have worked hard to get it. So, there is some minor hurt and a lot of frustration. After reflecting, I do know my anger was just but how I went about it was wrong. And I want to own that. I know that God is completely in control and can bring good out of a mess. I know it will work out one way or another because God’s got me.

I used this example because, typically, I am pretty easy going. And I know a lot of you out there are probably like me. Some of you might struggle and you consider yourself to be hot headed. What’s important to note is, most of us can name a time we misused our anger. Have you ever gotten mad and later felt bad how things went down? Well, that’s a sign your anger might have been misused. All you can do is confess and ask forgiveness from God and from the person you were ugly to unnecessarily.

This week, I challenge you to reflect on the why behind your anger. If you encounter someone who is angry, was their anger just and valid? Maybe, maybe not. But if it’s a “maybe not” situation, maybe you can show them grace. Because they will calm down and they will remember what you said or did. This will cause them to reflect and see that maybe they overreacted. 😬 Not that I’m talking from experience…nope not me.

Love you all and don’t be ugly,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On July 14, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! So glad you are here AND I am so glad I’m here. 🙂 I don’t know about you but summers are hectic. What’s odd is that my “child” is an adult so I don’t have an excuse. I used to think the older I got, life would slow down but so far I am still wide open! Why is that? I don’t know either. Which is a great segway into this week’s motivation…I don’t know. Let’s talk about it.

I know you have probably reread that last line and you’re confused. It’s ok. Lately, I stay in a constant state of confusion. It doesn’t matter if I’m at work or at home, one of the things I have said a lot lately is, “I don’t know. I just work here.” Lately, life has been full of shoulder shrugging and “I don’t knows”. That used to bother me. I realized I liked to be in control but now…now, I’m ok with not knowing certain things. And, let me be super transparent with that last sentence. If I could control it, I probably would. That’s just who I am. But, I genuinely believe God’s got me. Knowing and believing that God’s got me, offers a peace that is difficult to put into words. But if you struggle in this category, does it make a bad Christian? I literally giggled as I wrote that question because it’s absurd. Of course you’re not.

Those of us who like control (like me) want clarity on every situation. We want to know the why in every situation. Fun fact, ain’t gonna happen. It’s nice to know but God doesn’t owe that to you. Scripture tells us, “Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us” (Psalm 62:8). Trust.in.Him. If you are having an issue, God is your immediate refuge. When you seek refuge, you may not know what’s next but you’re safe.

A name that comes to mind when thinking about trust vs clarity is Noah. Here’s a dude that was told to build a huge, HUGE boat. It is dry as bone and here Noah is, building away. You know his neighbors were talking about him! “Hey Betty! I think Noah is off his rocker. He said God told him to build this thing because there’s going to be a flood. What’s he going to do? Save the town??! Bahahaha!” Noah never asked for clarity. He did as he was told and I am sure was judged for it.

I think most of us like a strategic plan. And we appreciate a copy of said plan. Why? So we aren’t surprised. We are prepared for what’s ahead. Good or bad. But when Jesus said, “Follow me” 21 times in 12 different conversations throughout the Bible, it was never followed with “and I’ll tell you what’s going on”. When He said to follow Him, it is an alignment of our lives to His teachings. You see, as a Christian you have been given a gift. Faith, not certainty, is the single most important ingredient to a life pleasing to God (Hebrews 11:6).

So, I say ALL OF THIS to say, I don’t know. I don’t know what’s next. I don’t know how long I have on this Earth. I don’t know if World War 3 is going to happen. I don’t know if or when the ice cream machine is working at McDonald’s. And you know what? By worrying about it, I can’t change it. Why? Because, God. He loves me and He loves you. Even if you are struggling in your faith because you are having uncertainty in your life. He wants you to lay it at His feet and give it to Him.

Love you all,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On June 30, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! Thank you for allowing me to take the week off last week for VBS. As always, it was a success! Kathy and all the volunteers do such an amazing job and these kids just love it. All the effort in the props, the Bible stories, and the food. Seriously, chef’s kiss. We might be a small church but one thing I know…we do VBS (among other things 🙂) RIGHT!

Today’s motivation is brought to you by the weather and the raging heat and humidity we have all endured this last week. 😂 Ok, ok, I’m joking but not. Over the last week, I have talked to many people who have been frustrated…including myself! The fuse has been short and I have been blaming the heat. Which is probably a huge portion of it BUT this got me to thinking. And you know what that means, let’s talk about it.

When we look at frustration at its core, it’s an emotional response to opposition to the fulfillment of an individual will. That is a nice way of saying, when we don’t get what we want, we aren’t happy. So, I want you to envision your current frustration (whatever that may be) as a roadblock. And the bigger the frustration, the bigger the roadblock. You are headed down this road, because we have a special assignment that only we can do by God. That’s why we are put on this Earth, right? And you get to the roadblock. If you are doing God’s will, why is it there? Well…funny you should ask. Go back to that first sentence of this paragraph. WE aren’t getting what WE want. What WE want and God’s will are two very different things.

So, let’s talk about a time in the Bible when frustration was high. For the record, there are A LOT of examples. Can you imagine Jesus’s frustration level??! Anyway, let’s go way back to the Old Testament because frustration has been around for a HOT minute. Moses. He leads the Israelites out of Egypt and into the wilderness and then BAM! Things don’t go as planned. Probably because they were OVER having it hard for 400 years. So they get frustrated with Moses and questioned him as to why he led them out of Egypt to die in the wilderness. They even said it would have been better in Egypt (pause story. Really? Would they have really been better in Egypt? No ma’am. They were just mad and they were probably in the heat and there were skeeters around…can you feel their pain? Ok, unpause story).

As the story goes, you realize they became angry because of the obstacles in the path. They could only see the roadblock and not God. Now, in their case, some of them completely left the path and found new gods, which, woah. They got WAY off course. But, not to ruin the story if you are unaware, but God showed them! He showed them He was in charge by giving miraculous provisions like manna and quail. But…He wasn’t super happy with their frustration level so they stayed in the wilderness for another 40 years. Back in the OT, God would show HIS frustration level more openly. But, you can see the entire lesson there, right? He gave them good times and bad times but it was all for His glory and their growth.

Like you and your frustration. It’s what we do with it and how we respond.

What is important in frustrating times is to focus on blessings. I know, I know. It’s hard when you’re mad. Deuteronomy 28:2 says, “And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God.” And when you are counting your blessings, it IS ok to feel the frustration. Even Jesus felt emotions. We just don’t need to get stuck in those emotions. Once you have your meltdown, ask God to realign you to His will and stop thinking your path is His path.

Look, I want to tell you that as a Christian, we will experience frustrations here and there. But to be fair, that is just not going to happen. I get frustrated over something everyday. It can be something simple like breadcrumbs left in the butter or something bigger like a deadly illness, whether it’s you or someone you love. And I know I am sitting here writing this, like I am a pro at managing my frustrations but I’m not. I just know a guy that helps me with all my frustrations and He is literally a prayer a way.

Love you all,

Jennifer

PS- Remember y’all. It’s hot. It’s humid. Fuses can be a little shorter and frustration can happen a little quicker than normal. Go find some AC and talk to God. ♥️. My experience says, that helps 😉

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On June 9, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! I am so glad you stopped by. Today, I want to talk about validation. Where do you get your validation from? Is it ok to want people to like you? Let’s talk about it.

As I do every Monday, I think about the previous week and decide what to write about today. I was laying in bed and I opened TikTok. I follow a K-9 police officer and he’s great. He’s funny, vulnerable and just wholesome. When I opened the app, there he was giving a Monday message (oddly enough, I have never seen him give a message like this one). He said, “Stop trying to find validation in a world that crucified the perfect man.” And that really hit me. Wow. I like to think of myself as someone who doesn’t need earthly validation but I do. Let me give you examples: needing to be reassured, people pleasing, difficulty in making decisions alone, feeling anxious without approval, over apologizing, overachieving to gain praise, comparing yourself to others, and list could go on and on. Do you see yourself in any of those? Transparency moment..I see myself in every.single.one of these.

So the pressing question, is it wrong? As with every Motivational Monday most answers are not quite black and white. There are a lot of gray areas. So the answer is mostly yes and some no. I’ll explain.

If you look at the examples I gave above, it all boils down to being liked. Which means we naturally want to seek approval, fit a certain mold, wanting to belong and feel accepted. But if you have ever been in this place of wanting these things it’s exhausting, frustrating and a lot of times end in disappointment. It’s an emotional roller coaster. For me personally, I struggle with wanting to be the best christian I can be (which can be difficult depending on the day). I feel like I need to be an example so I see myself needing to be validated by what I am doing. I know it sounds silly but that’s just how I think. But then, I think, didn’t God make me this way?

Actually, yes. Isaiah 43:4 shows us that God designed us in a way that we yearn to belong. But here’s the thing, if we are looking for approval from others (even godly people) we will never truly feel validated. They will fail you as YOU will fail them. This is because they can’t fill our souls with what we truly need. And truth be told, it’s unfair for you to place them on a pedestal for them to give the feeling of validation.

But if he designed us in a way of wanting to be validated, how is this wrong? What does God say about it? I need receipts!

So glad you asked. Let me deliver.

When you seek validation from others, it can be swept up by emotions, compromise our beliefs, and grow frustrated because they (whoever they are) are not living up to our expectations. In Galatians 1:10, Paul points out that if we are constantly trying to please people, we are not serving Christ. We literally can’t do both. 1 Thessalonians 2:4, tells us that we have the honor of sharing the gospel. So, basically, we can’t twist what the Bible says to fit their narrative. And in Acts 5:29, Peter warns of people pleasers. Pride cannot get in the way by wanting validation from others and placing ourselves above God.

Well, how can I determine if I am seeking external validation because I thought I was doing pretty good in the department? Same friend. I thought I was good but I realize I need work.

Here’s some scripture to help you weigh your personal situation.

Examine Intent- Galatians 6:4 reminds us to test our actions and motivations. Are you doing this for comparisons? Are you expecting or wanting an atta boy?
Consider your response to reactions- 1 Peter 2:23 shows us that despite Jesus facing insults and suffering, he did not retaliate or seek revenge. This teaches us our self worth should not be defined by others.
Quantity and quality of sharing- Matthew 7:6 shows us the importance of discernment in sharing aspects of lives with others. Listen, not everyone needs to know everything and that’s ok. Some people are negative. You can choose to not share certain highs and lows because it will expose you to negativity from certain people.
Dependency on external validation- Galatians 1:10 tells us who we need to seek approval from and it’s not those here on Earth. Our focus would be on pleasing God and not people.
Check your feelings- Philippians 4:4 tells us to find joy in relationship with God. Remember, true joy comes from within and not in people.

This week I want you to challenge you in being honest about your validation on Earth. Can you relate to these things and if so, how are some ways you change to seek validation in the Lord?

Love you all,

Jennifer