New Home Address!

Jen's Blog has moved! Check it out on:

http://www.mysoulmission.org

Blessings!

Superwoman

This morning I had the opportunity to drive myself to work. You see, my husband Luke and I work at the same place, which in our eyes, is truly a blessing. We not only get to ride to work together, but we also come home together. What’s funny is that as a teenage girl, I always dreamt of working in full-time ministry with my husband. Honestly, I never thought it would look like this, but grateful I am. It has been a blessing.

You see, I was able to drive myself to work today because Luke and I had another long night with our little guy. For some odd reason, he has once again decided to wake up multiple times throughout the night. I blame it on his teeth. Being that Luke is such a great husband, he did the majority of the night duty, so he ended up coming into work a few minutes late.

As I was driving to work, I just really wanted to worship God. Honestly, it has been a REALLY rough month for the Bennett’s. It all started when Liam got a nasty virus that took him out for a few days. Then Luke got the virus that pretty much put him out of work for a week. Then, we think it attacked me. I ended up in the hospital last Thursday with horrible stomach cramps that would just not go away. They ended up keeping me overnight to monitor the situation and on Friday, sent me home with a diagnosis of a virus. On top of all that, Liam has decided to not sleep through the night. And to make matters worse, I feel as though I am consistently tired.

Needless to say, it has been a rough month

I have to admit, this month has brought about many feelings of inadequacy. Can you relate? I can’t remember a time where I just felt so inadequate as a wife and mother. I have felt as though I don’t measure up. As if I can’t be the “Superwoman” that so many times I feel I need to be. You know, the wife who consistently loves on her husband, cooks seven well rounded meals for him throughout the week, and packs his lunch for him every night. “Superwoman” mom is one who never runs out of patience and knows exactly what to do and say to soothe her crying child, the mom who would never want alone time because that would be horrible, the mom who rocks her baby to sleep every night and in turn, is always the one who gets up in the middle of the night, joyfully. And of course, “Superwoman” always finds time to not only work a full-time job, but she can come home FULL of energy to spend on her child and husband. And last but not least, she not only has the energy, but she finds the time to get a good one hour run in keeping herself in the best possible shape for not only herself, but her husband!

I am far from being Superwoman

As I drove to work all I could do was cry as I listened to the words of the song, “I Gotta Keep Singing” from Mercy Me. Take a look at the lyrics listed below:

Another rainy day
I can't recall having sunshine on my face
All I feel is pain
All I wanna do is walk out of this place
But when I am stuck and I can't move
When I don't know what I should do
When I wonder if I'll ever make it through

I gotta keep singing
I gotta keep praising Your name
Your the one that's keeping my heart beating
I gotta keep singing
I gotta keep praising Your name
That's the only way that I'll find healing

Can I climb up in Your lap
I don't wanna leave
Jesus sing over me
I gotta keep singing

Can I climb up in Your lap
I don't wanna leave
Jesus sing over me
I gotta keep singing

Oh You're everything I need
And I gotta keep singing

Do you feel as though it’s been a long time since your face saw the sunshine? Do you just want to walk away from where you are in life right now? Do you not know what you should do? Do you wonder if you will ever make it through?

If so, let me encourage you to climb into the lap of Jesus and just let Him sing over you. These words brought healing to my soul this morning. I envisioned myself sitting in the lap of Jesus and Him just singing over me-a place that I didn’t want to leave.

Maybe you have hard a rough month too. If so, really find a quiet place and just pour your heart out to God. He wants to bring the sunshine back to your face-the sunshine that you will find when you allow yourself to sit in His lap and let Him sing over you.

Matthew 11:28

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Desperate for Strength!

This past weekend was rough. Honestly, at times I felt as though I just couldn't do it. My precious little boy became sick and the truth of the matter is that it wore me out!

Friday we came home after Luke's sister called and said that Liam had a 102 temperature. When we got home, the little guy just looked miserable. We immediately took him to the doctor where he quickly told us, your weekend will not be fun. Not the words I really wanted to hear! And yes, my weekend was not fun!

I remember Friday night being up with Liam at 1:00 in the morning just telling God, "Lord, I can't do this. I don't think I'm cut out for motherhood." I had lost all my strength. I truly felt as though I just could not go on. Not only was I exhausted, but I wanted nothing more than to be able to help my little guy feel better. I remember asking God, "why won't he just sleep! I DESPERATELY need sleep! If I don't sleep, I can't function! God, I can't do this!"

I think it was at that moment when I said, "I can't do this" that He said, "you are absolutely right. You can't do this-you need Me." It was then that I finally realized, how desperately I need Him. How desperately I need His strength. How desperately I need Him to carry me when I feel as though I can't go on. How desperately I just need Him.

As I've thought about this past weekend, I can't help but continually think upon 2 Corinthians 12:9:

"Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ can work through me."

You know what? I'm not a perfect a mother and never will be. There are days where I just want to pull my hair out and at times wonder, Lord, are you sure I can do this. It is then that He whispers in my ear, "you can't but I can and I'm here to help you and see you through it."

Where in your life today are you lacking strength? Where in life do you feel as though you can't go on? Trust Him-He will see you through it!

Mini-Makeover Madness

This past Saturday, I woke up just feeling blah and was really sensing that I needed to give myself a "Mini-Makeover". You know, my hair was beginning to look as if it hadn't been touched or brushed in weeks, my wardrobe was lacking (closet full of clothes yet I couldn't "find" anything to wear), nothing seemed to fit anymore, and my nails looked as if they had been through the ringer and back!

Needless to say, I woke up and decided it was time to get myself in order again! I spent the morning focused on this one thing and would not allow anything to get in my way of accomplishing the goal of "getting myself fixed".

Well later that evening, I felt as if the Lord was speaking to me. Now believe me, I do think it's perfectly ok and at times really needed, to get a mini-makeover. I tend to take part in one every few months. But I did feel as if the Lord was asking me whether or not I had ever been so diligent in wanting and desiring a heart makeover. Let me explain.

When I was busy running around on Saturday accomplishing those things that I felt I needed in order to make myself look better on the outside, I would not allow anything to stop me from reaching my goal. I was determined. But yet, Saturday evening I had to truly ask myself, when was the last time I was this diligent in allowing myself to look deep into my heart and in turn, wanted nothing more than to get myself in order again? When was the last time I was "disgusted" by what I saw on the inside, that I would in no way allow anything to get in my way from reading and meditating on God's Word so that my heart could have a mini-makeover? When did I last long for a clean heart? Honestly, it had been some time.

So, Saturday night I spent some time just reading and thinking about this person, Jen Bennett that He created and in turn, spent some time thinking about those "ugly parts" that I really want to change. And you know what? It was refreshing! It was time well spent.

So, you know I have to ask, When was the last time you longed for a heart makeover? Is it time for one in your life?

Confessions of an Imperfect Wife

I have a confession to make. Ready? I fail miserably at being a wife. Let me explain.

A couple of Sunday's ago, I was really looking forward to going to church-with my husband. You see, our pastor Tim Grosshans was going to speak on marriage-you know, that 1 Corinthians 7 chapter. Well, I was really excited about this because I felt like my husband could use a "reminder" about what it meant to be, you know, a good husband. So I was all excited about the "reminders" my husband would be receiving and in turn, was really looking forward to this service.

Well of course, our 10-month old decided to fall asleep in the car (he was truly lacking sleep at that point) and thus, my husband decided to drive around in order to let him sleep. So there I was, going to this marriage service by myself even though I knew it was my husband that needed to be there.

Needless to say, the Lord spoke to me in some big ways. I remember walking out of the service thinking, "Jen, are you serious? Did you really think that you had this marriage thing all figured out? All morning you spent thinking about how good it would be for Luke to be reminded of some things when the reality is Jen, you needed to be reminded of many things!" Some of these things included:

* Snapping at my husband when "moody"

* Becoming easily annoyed over stupid things

* Expecting him to read my mind at all times

* Focusing on the things that would annoy me instead of focusing on the great things about my husband

* Being selfish

* Expecting him to be Jesus-basically, expecting him to be perfect

It was at that point that I realized how desperately I needed God to work in my own life. Instead of always thinking about the things that I felt needed to be changed in my husband, it was time for me to start thinking about the things that Christ wanted to change in my life in order to make me the wife that He not only desires for me to be, but also the wife that my husband deserves to have.

So, let me ask you this-are you always thinking about those areas in the life of your husband that you feel need to be changed, or are you spending more time at the feet of Jesus asking Him to change you and mold you into the wife that He desires you to be?

What areas of your life do you need to change?

NEVER EVER GIVE UP IN LIFE

Does anxiety seem to get the best of you?

I am so excited to share this encouraging post from a great friend of mine, Rosie Wittleder. May her transparency encourage you!

“Papa God, I am a total stress case again. I hate this. There is so much going on that I have never done before and I am extremely out of my comfort zone. I feel like I am in way over my head. And my anxiety is high. Please help me. I know in my head that you wouldn’t have me doing all of this if you didn’t think I could do it with your help. But still this just looks too daunting. Please help me God. I don’t want to waste this day being preoccupied with worry.”

Ladies, this journal entry from 2 weeks ago, gives you just a slight glimpse of the battles I face with anxiety. Can you relate? What things do you worry about? Your children, your marriage, your plans, what others think of you, etc?

There was a woman that could relate to the fear and anxiety that comes with embarking upon a difficult task. And that person is Esther. She risked her life to go speak to the King in order to spare her people, the Jews, from being killed. In Esther 4:11, we see the tough predicament that Esther is in, when Mordecai suggested she approach the king. She says, “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned, the king has but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life. But 30 days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”

Can you imagine the anxiety Esther must have felt? She knows how miraculous it is that she is queen in the first place. And then, she is challenged to risk her life in order to save her people. To make things worse, the king doesn’t have a close relationship with her, since he hasn’t seen her in 30 days. If all of this isn’t cause for anxiety, I don’t know what is. Yet, Esther was bold. She was courageous. She proceeded to do the right thing even though everything was at stake. The king granted her request, and God used Esther to save his people.

As we relate this to our own lives, how can we overcome such anxiety that can leave us paralyzed in fear? What do we do when we are plagued with anxiety?

I’d like to share with you some of what I am learning about anxiety in Philippians chapter 4. Verses 6 through 8: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

As I was desperately studying these verses, begging for relief from my anxiety, it came to me in tangible steps how God suggests we deal with this issue:

Step 1 – Petition to God – What does this mean?
Definition of petition: A formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority. To petition means that at some level we are implying that the person we are approaching is in a place of authority or power. So this step is setting straight what the “org chart” is between God and us, where He is above, and we am under, in terms of power. Thus causing us to realize our need for Him.

Step 2 – Remember what things you are thankful for. Why this is important?
Expressing gratitude gives us a broader scope on the situation, causing our anxiety to start to subside, as we can look at our situation in its proper perspective. Especially after we consider what He’s already done in our lives. When we start out with what we are grateful for, suddenly our perspective begins to change.

Step 3 – Present all of our requests to God
At times, my pride got in the way, as I convinced myself that I didn’t need to give all my requests to Him since I could handle some of them on my own. The problem is, those other requests that I wasn’t presenting to him, were creating additional anxiety because I was frantically trying to solve them on my own. He wants to hear all of our requests, whether big or small.

What is the result of the first three steps? Peace that is beyond our comprehension will guard our minds and hearts. I love that! His peace protects our minds from going wild.

Step 4 – Replace the anxiety we once had, with truth about that situation.
It is important to replace those thoughts we used to have, with thoughts that are true. And choose focus on those things instead. So, during the course of our day, when those fears and anxieties creep up again, we will remind yourself of the truth in that particular situation. This gives us the ability to avoid going down that road of unnecessary anxiety.

For me, the last few months have been plagued with anxiety as I take on a new role of leading women. I feel too young to be able to do this well. In addition, I feel like I have too much baggage to be effective. All of these thoughts create a lot of anxiety for me. But, as I’ve begun to petition to God, come with thankfulness, present all my requests to him, and focus my mind on the things that are true, for the first time I am able to quit worrying about fearful situations for that day.

Today my challenge is, to look at how God suggests we deal with fear and anxiety, as opposed to other options we may take, such as food, shopping, others’ approval, public recognition, or any other choice we may prefer. Dealing with our fears in a healthy way allows us to be able to follow through on His purpose for our lives. So we too can be like Esther, who despite her fear and anxiety, fulfilled her purpose of saving her people. We can do the same, if we will commit to moving through our own fears and anxieties. So, what is God nudging you to surrender to him today that is causing stress, worry, or anxiety?

Do your reactions hold you back?

"God honoring reactions will give us a God sized reach"-Lysa TerKeurst,

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend the She Speaks conference in Charlotte, NC. I've actually wanted to attend for a few years now, but never really had the opportunity. All I can say is that it was an AMAZING weekend of not only spending some great quality girl time with two great girls, but also having the opportunity to meet a variety of women who desire nothing more than to follow hard after God and His calling on their life. It truly was an inspirational weekend.

While everything at this conference was great, there is one thing that has really stuck out to me-the quote listed above. I can't help but continually think about the way I react in different situations. Ever since Lysa spoke those words, "God honoring reactions will give us a God sized reach", I can't help but think before I react. While this is a good thing, it is also annoying at times because the reality is, I've come to realize what a major overhaul I need in this area. My reactions are not always so God honoring.

I've continually been "checking" myself when responding to my husband, coworkers, child, and friends. And you know what I have realized? The more I think before I react, the better my reactions end up being. And honestly, this not only brings a smile to my face (and I'm sure the the faces of those that I react to!), but also to the face of God.

How will you choose to react differently this week? Remember, "God honoring reactions will give you a God sized reach". Isn't this what we all long for? I know I do!

Are you a Risk Taker?

“When you risk walking into the unknown that God is calling you to, you will potentially encounter your own transfiguration moments on the mountaintop. You will become changed, from the inside out, for the better. But remember, sometimes we must die to the old in order to experience the new”-Laurie Beth Jones

Life is all about risk taking. Personally, I feel as though this is my word for the year. As I think about risk taking, I can’t help but think of the mighty people of the Bible. Honestly, in many ways, they were all risk takers. Just take a few minutes to glance over the stories of these remarkable individuals:

• Abraham-Abraham risked everything when he agreed to follow after a God he had not seen and to a place he did not know.
• Esther-Saves her people after risking her life by approaching the king when he had not called for her.
• David-Risked his life when fighting against Goliath. In the end, he becomes a hero.
• Deborah-Risked her life when she agreed to go out into battle.
• Daniel-Risked his life when he refused to worship a pagan God.
• Ruth-Risked her life and dreams when she agreed to follow her mother-in-law.
• Noah-Risked his reputation when he agreed to obey what God was asking him to do.

These are just a few examples of the extraordinary men and women of the Bible who took risks. What I have come to realize is that if you truly want a life of purpose, you must be willing to take risks. As Laurie Beth Jones states, “You must risk to get the reward.”

Where in your life may God be asking you to get out of your comfort zone and take a risk?

• Being open to change whether it is a geographical change, career change, or behavior change?
• Needing to make a personal sacrifice of time, energy, and/or money?
• Do you need to forgive someone?
• Do you need to ask someone to forgive you?
• Do you need work on restoring a relationship?
• Is God calling you to go back to school?

Is God nudging on your heart and asking you to take a risk? When was the last time you took a risk? “Risk is what separates the dreamers from the doers, the wannabes from the victors” (Laurie Beth Jones). Are you content with being a wannabe or are you ready to be a victor? What will you risk today?

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental
To reach out for another is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your dreams before a crowd is to risk ridicule.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk despair.
To go forward in the face of overwhelming odds is to risk failure
But to risk we must, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing is one who does nothing, has nothing, is nothing.
He may avoid suffering and sorrows, but he cannot learn, feel, change, grow, or love.
Chained by his certitudes, he is a slave - he has forfeited his freedom.
Only a person who takes risks is FREE (Author Unknown).

Are you ready to be a risk taker? If so, contact Jennifer today!

Laugh Daily

When was the last time you had a good laugh? Did you know that laughter can actually help reduce stress and may even help protect you against a heart attack?

Personally, I try to not take myself nor life so seriously. I try to see the humor in my every day activities. Let me share a recent "laughter" moment I had.

While vacationing in North Carolina, my husband, son, friend April and I were wandering at the mall. While we were wandering, we came across one of the stands that promises to make you look 100% times better by shaping your eyebrows. The method for shaping the eyebrows was some kind of "floss" like contraption. Well, our friend April was all about doing it-me on the other hand, I just wasn't sure. First off, the last thing I want is people watching me while I get my eyebrows shaped. To me, it just screams-I'm hairy and I need help. Second, I'm a big wimp and quite frankly that floss like contraption looked like it would hurt. Third-the lady who was shaping the eyebrows looked at me and said, "Oh, you really need to do this". Honestly, I couldn't believe that she said that to me. I mean, my eyebrows are not that bad. Its not like I have a unibrow.

I ended up saying yes and really, I questioned myself as to why I agreed to even do this. It HURT!!! I had to make the "eyebrow goddess" stop multiple times because it was hurting me so much. The reality was that all I could do was laugh. If I didn't laugh, I would just end up crying. The funny thing is that the laughing not only helped me survive the pain, but it created a memory that I truly will never forget! And yes, my eyebrows did end up looking much better!

Let me encourage you to make it a priority to find the humor in your day to day life. Not only will you feel better, but ultimately, your life will be much less stressful! Laughter is good for the soul.

When was the last time you had a really good belly laugh?

Be Content

Today was a sad day. My husband returned the cable box to the cable company. Why? Well, my husband and I are on a journey to save money! What do I mean by this? We truly want to cut back on expenses for a variety of reasons and the reality is, cable is one way of saving. Now, when I say cable, what I mean is that we no longer have 600 channels to choose from; we now have 72. Not only are we cutting back on cable, but we are getting rid of our house phone (who really uses a house phone anymore anyway?), Luke (my husband) will now be our lawn man, and we are looking at switching cell phone companies. All of this in our quest to save money. Additionally, we have been cutting back on eating out (we have done FANTASTIC the past two weeks!).

It’s interesting to me that all of this cutting back is taking place right as we look at what it means to be content. In our world today, it is so easy to get wrapped up in wanting more and not being thankful and grateful for what we do have. It’s easy to look at what others have and in turn, wonder why we can’t or don’t have what they have. It’s easy to compare our “things” to the “things” of others. When I get caught up in thinking that I need a bigger house, I think of my neighbor. First off let me say, we have WONDERFUL neighbors right beside us and across the street from us. Let me tell you about both of them!

Our neighbor’s right beside us have three beautiful children. They live in the exact same model as our house which means, their house is exactly the same size as ours. And you know what? They make it work with three children under five years of age!

Across the street we have our other great neighbors. What I love about them is they really know how to save money by eating at home and not eating out so much! Both of my neighbors inspire me in so many ways, and I don’t think they even know it!

The reason I say all of this is because again, it is vital that we learn to be content with what we have and what we can afford. If we desire to live lives of purpose, we must learn to be content with what God has blessed us with. Here are a few things to consider:

• When was the last time you thanked God for what He has blessed you with?
• Take some time to walk around your home thanking God for not only the home He has blessed you with, but what you have inside your home.
• Do you need to cut back in some areas?
• Are there things that you really can’t afford that maybe, you need to give up?
• Do you find yourself comparing your life to those of others? If so, ask yourself why?
• Does your bank account demonstrate your contentment?

Take some time this week to truly thank God for the many blessings in your life. Learn to be content with what you have and if you find yourself with things that you really can’t afford, look for ways to cut back. I’m on this journey with you!

Exercise Daily

Exercising-something so beneficial, yet so hard to not only find the time to do, but also the motivation to do. But as women of purpose, it is vital that we make exercising a priority in our daily lives. Believe me-this post is for me also!

Let me explain. Prior to getting married, I exercised all the time! Honestly, I was in the best shape of my life. I was known as the exercise girl! Not only did I look good, but I felt great! Needless to say, once I was married, I turned into a happy little wife and well, exercising took a back seat. Ever since, it has been a struggle. Not only a struggle to get moving, but a struggle to find a spare moment to actually get some kind of physical activity in my day. So, my goal for the week? To begin moving-not only this week, but every week!

Here are some tips that I too am applying in my life:

1) Make it fun-if you are going to make exercising a part of your daily life, you must do something that you enjoy. If you decide to run because everyone else is running, but yet you HATE running, this exercise routine will not last. Ask yourself, what do you enjoy doing?

2) Time-what do you have the time to do? For me, this has been a tough one. When I used to exercise all the time, I enjoyed going to the gym and the reality is, I still do to this day. But with everything else that is on my plate-getting to the gym is no easy task. As a new mommy who works full-time, I try to spend as much time with my son as possible. The last thing I need is to spend even more time away from him. Not to mention that most gym classes take place during the time my son gets his bath and goes to bed. So, with all of these factors, I've come to the conclusion that what is best for me now is to work out from home. Whether it be walking, running, or working on weights from the house, this is what I need to do in this time of my life. Really think about what you do have time for and what will fit into your schedule. If you try to take part in an exercise program that doesn't flow with your schedule, you're likely to fail.

3) Accountability-Do you have someone that can hold you accountable? Do you have someone that you can work out with? Someone who will push you when you don't feel like working out? You are more likely to succeed when you have someone holding you accountable.

Make exercising a priority-I know I will. What will you do this week to incorporate some physical activity into your life? I'll keep you posted on my progress!

Part Two-Guarding Your Time: Tips for Time Management

Here's Part Two to Guarding Your Time-Tips for Time Management:

7) Simplify your environment
Clutter in your office or home environment can create stress. It can actually make you feel like you have more work than you really do.

8) Simplify your tasks
This may involve over-responding and/or under-responding. For example, when receiving a fax, which needs only a quick response or a confirmation, write your answer on the faxed document and fax it right back. Or, if someone asks you for something specific, and you know that by offering more help than was originally asked you can avoid the form of a problem, then isn't it worth it to do more? Make a point of over-responding to any situation in which there is an opportunity to solve more than one problem in the process.

9) Really listen to others
When you are preoccupied with other thoughts, you actually create anxiety for yourself about what you are listening to and what you allow to intrude into your thoughts. This anxiety is created because you can not act immediately on either. You are left feeling incomplete with both.

10) Decide what you can give up in order to get what you want
One day has only twenty-four hours in it, and yet, how many times have you borrowed from the next day to finish a project thereby losing valuable sleep, or borrowed from your relationships to pursue a goal, or borrowed from your personal time to work on a project? When we choose among multiple possibilities how we will spend our work and/or personal time, we are almost always asked to choose what we will give up in order to have more. Much pain and suffering around "managing time" could be avoided if this process were respected.

11) Find some time each day for quiet reflection
When you commit to spending some time each day suspending your thoughts and judgments and creating inner stillness, you'll train your body and mind what awareness feels like and you can transform how you experience the flow of time.

Take some time this week to really think about how you can improve your time management skills! You'll be happy that you did!

* These "Keys" to Time Management have been taken from The Coaching Starter Kit by Coachville.com, published by W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Guard Your Time

Do you end each day wishing you had more time to accomplish the things that you did not get to throughout the day? If so, this post if is for you!

If we truly desire to be women who live lives of purpose, fulfilling that which Christ has for us each day, it is vitally important that we use our time wisely.

Time Management is something we all struggle with at different points in our life. Time management is something I have really had to work on being that my life is non-stop. In addition to working full-time as a high school administrator, I am also a Life Purpose Coach, Educational Consultant, Writer, Speaker, Doctoral student, wife, and mommy. Needless to say, I have had to learn to prioritize my time.

So, what are some time management skills you can apply to your life? Read on!

1) Start with giving your calendar over to God
There is only so much you can handle before it becomes a mess. Believe me, I know. If you really want to prioritize your time management skills, start off by giving your calendar to God. Truly seek Him and ask Him to show you what your calendar should consist of. When you do this, I promise, He will show you.

2) Make God the Priority in Your Life
I don't know how He does this, but every time that I have made God the priority in my life and in turn, have spent time with Him on a daily basis, not only am I able to accomplish everything that I needed to accomplish, but my day goes by much more smoothly. It's like God showing me that when I place Him first, He in turn will indeed take care of my every need. Try this and watch how God will bless your day.

3) Prioritize your efforts
Make the distinction between things that are important and things that are urgent. Most of the time, doing the things that are important, rather than urgent, results in greater effectiveness. In other words, don't major in minor things.

4) Do less to get more
Economize your efforts. For example, when you're boiling a pot of water, let it come to a boil while you do something else, or you can "watch the pot."

5) Reduce excess sources of adrenaline
These are substances, activities, relationships, situations, or attitudes that result in your feeling "charged up". Too much adrenaline can distract you from the focus needed to complete a project, increase feelings of anxiety, and intensify the feeling that time is flying. Over time, excessive adrenaline can have negative health consequences as well.

6) Eliminate time and energy-taxing elements
These are situations, attitudes, or behaviors that you're putting up with in your personal or work life, which don't serve you or your larger purpose but consumer physical, mental, and/or emotional energy. Eliminating them results in an increase in available energy for people and projects, an overall feeling of calm, and more time to get things done.

If you are having trouble with time management, take some time this week to implement some of the "keys" listed above. Also, if you have any time management ideas that you have implemented within your life, please, share those with us! Looking forward to reading your comments and be on the lookout for Part Two of "Keys to Time Management".

* Some of these "Keys" to Time Management have been taken from The Coaching Starter Kit by Coachville.com, published by W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Investing in Yourself

You know what I find to be mind boggling? Technology! If I’m correct, I really thought that with all the advancements in technology, we would have more time to focus on ourselves. But, if you’re anything like me, you tend to grasp for time where you can actually invest in yourself. It seems that with all the “upgrades” that have taken place, we have become much busier. Is life really supposed to be this busy? I don’t think so!

Take a minute to ask yourself, when was the last time you truly invested in yourself? As women, it’s so easy to allow ourselves to continually be on the run meeting the needs of others that we fail to make it a priority to take time out for ourselves. We often times get caught up in meeting the needs of spouses, children, friends, family, employers, employees, etc., that before we know it, we are completely burned out and longing for some “me” time. At times, we even tend to feel guilty for taking that “me” time. Let me share with you a few steps to help get you that time you so desperately need and want:

1) What is wasting your time? This is a question you must ask yourself. Take time this week to write down what you do every day and the amount of time it takes you to do what you do. You might be surprised. For me, I tend to waste time watching TV. After a long day, I just want to sit and veg on the couch doing something that requires no brain power. But you know what? This is a huge time waster. Instead, I need to spend that time doing those things that energize me.

2) Schedule time for yourself. If it’s hard for you to find time for yourself, make it a priority to schedule a time on the calendar for you to truly invest in yourself. Sometimes writing out that “appointment” will free up your schedule for “me” time.

3) Learn to say no. Do you tend to say yes to everything? If so, you need to begin to learn to say no. Really ask yourself-are the things that I am involved with allowing me to use my gifts, skills, and talents that God has blessed me with? Am I passionate about what I am doing? Do I look forward to those things that I am part of? If you find that you tend to take on “things” due to guilt, you must find a way out. You must learn to say no. By saying no, you not only open the door to more time for yourself, but you also open the door to opportunities that will energize you.

4) Wake up early. If your days and nights tend to be extremely busy-make it a point to wake up early when everyone else is sleeping. Take time to enjoy the quietness of the house. Enjoy investing in yourself before the craziness of the day gets started.

So, what changes will you make this week in order to invest in yourself?

Investing in Others

As we continue to take steps towards becoming women who live lives of purpose, we must not forget to take the time to invest in others, step number six. Be sure to click on the link below for a past post on Investing in Others.As you go through the weekend, ask yourself, who can I invest in this week? Until next time!

http://coachjenniferbennett.blogspot.com/2010/04/investing-in-others.html

Be a Life Long Learner

So far, we have examined four of the twenty-six steps (Trust, Focus on Today, Forgive, Love Others) each of us must consider and implement into our lives in order to become the best that we can be-namely, women of purpose. When we started this journey, I posed three questions that I really wanted you to consider. As you continue to go through each of the steps, always be mindful of these questions:

1) Who are you becoming?
2) What Legacy will you leave behind?
3) Are you blooming in such a way that people are naturally drawn to you and who you are?

The fifth step is probably one of my favorite steps of all time-Be a Life Long Learner. How are you doing in this area? What was the last thing you learned? In order to become women of purpose who live lives that Glorify God, we must be willing to learn on a daily basis. Let me share with you 8 steps to that will help you in this endeavor:

1) Always have a book with you.
What was the last book you read? What did you learn from it? Reading books are probably one of the best ways to not only grow as an individual, but also a great way to challenge yourself. You should make it a priority to read for at least 15-minutes a day. Always have a book on you. Anyone that has seen my “purse” will tell you that I usually have 2-3 books in it. I take books with me everywhere because you never know when you will have the opportunity to read. Just yesterday as I was getting my pedicure, I spent that time reading. Always have a book with you!

2) Surround yourself with people you can learn from.
What people do you surround yourself with? Are they people that you can learn from? Or are they people who tend to encourage bad habits or negative thoughts? Make it a point to seek out people that you can learn from. You will be a better person for it!

3) Learn from your mistakes.

One of the best ways you can learn is to learn from your mistakes. If you are not learning from your mistakes, you are bound to continue making them over and over again. What was the last mistake you made? What can you learn from it? Spend some time thinking about this and writing down your thoughts.

4) Listen to Podcasts.
With the advancements that have taken place in technology, there is no excuse for you to not be learning. Check out the many Podcasts that are available-listen to them. Listen to them on your way to work, as you run errands, as you exercise, etc. There are multiple opportunities for you to learn through this venue.

5) Connect with a mentor/coach.
Are you currently being mentored by someone? Whether it is a friend, someone you look up to, or even a coach, be sure to have someone in your life that will hold you accountable and challenge you in all areas of your life. Make it a priority to meet with them at least once a month either in person or over the phone.

6) What interests you?
Think about those things that really interest you. What is it that you are passionate about? Seek out learning in those areas. When you are learning about your interests, you are much more likely to make your learning a priority.

7) Attend workshops/conferences/seminars.
When was the last time you attended a workshop, conference, and/or seminar? You don’t have to travel far to find learning opportunities through these venues. Check out your local library, they are always offering free learning opportunities. Additionally, many organizations today provide online learning which gives you the opportunity to learn from the comfort of your home.

8) Always ask questions .
Last but not least, always ask questions. Whether you are surrounded by a group of people, or are cuddled up on the couch reading a book-question everything you read, hear, and see. Ask yourself if it lines up with God’s word. The more questions you ask, the more you learn.

Let me challenge you to pick one avenue of learning you plan on pursuing this month. Check out your local library, look into listening to a podcast, head to the bookstore, etc. How will you commit to being a life long learner?

Steps to Loving Others

Loving Others-easier said than done. But yet, as followers of Christ, we are called to love others. Matthew 22:36-39 says it perfectly:

"Teacher, which command in God's Law is the most important?
Jesus said, 'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them" (The Message).

Our purpose in life is to not only love God with every fiber of our being, but we must also love others as much as we love ourselves. Yes, even those who tend to get on our last nerve! Look at what Matthew 5:43-47 has to say:

"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that” (The Message).

Here’s what I love about these verses-it clearly states that we are to love our enemies and in turn, allow them to bring out the best in us, not the worst. I don’t know about you, but when it comes to loving those who I tend to not “like” – unfortunately, the worst in me comes out, not the best. When was the last time you allowed someone to get on your last nerve and in turn, allowed them to get the best of you? Scripture tells us that when someone gives us a hard time, respond through prayer-give it your best-let them bring out the best in you. Not only will you bring a smile to the face of God, but you will walk away feeling at peace and demonstrating to those around you, the heart of God.

Lastly, let me share with you 10 steps that you can follow in your quest to love others. These steps come straight from God’s word and His definition of Love:

1 Corinthians 13:3-7: “If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end” (The Message).

1)Love is a choice-don’t give up!
Wake up every morning choosing to love those that the Lord places in your path. Love is a choice-you choose whether or not to love those that you come into contact with. Start your day off choosing to love others.

2)It’s not about you.
When it comes to loving others, you must look beyond yourself. What needs are there around you? Who’s hurting? Who needs a helping hand? Who’s struggling? Remember-this life is not about you. When you spend time reaching out to others, you end up walking away feeling blessed. God wants to use you to reach out to others.

3)Be Content.
Be content with what you have and where God has placed you. If you tend to fall for the “grass is greener on the other side” syndrome, you will have a hard time loving others. Remember, it’s not about you. Be happy with the many blessings that are in your life. When you are content, you allow yourself to extend love to those around you.

4)Keep your emotions in check.
Do you tend to fly off the handle at every little thing? Do you think everyone is against you? Do you take everything the wrong way? If you are going to fulfill God’s command to love others, you must keep your emotions in check. Check them at the door every morning. Meditate on God’s word throughout the day. Commit to memorizing scripture on a weekly or even monthly basis-scripture that will help you keep your emotions in check.

5)Forgive others.
Colossians 3:13 says it best:
“So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it” (The Message).
Remember, love keeps no records of wrongs. You must learn to let the past be the past.

6)Trust God Always.
When you fully trust God with every area of your life-all you can do is love others because you have a quiet steadfast faith that God is who He is says He is and He will do what He says He will do.

7)Focus on the positive.
Do your thoughts tend to focus on the negative things that are taking place in your life or on the positives? Focus on the good that God has blessed you with. Once again, when you do, you are much more open to loving others.

8)Slow Down.
I don’t know about you, but when I am on the go, go, go-not only am I exhausted, but I tend to become grumpy and even a little snappy. When my attitude gets this way, I definitely do not love others. If you find yourself always on the go, not getting enough sleep, etc.-slow down. To love others effectively, you must slow your pace.

9)Tame the tongue.
Learn to speak words of blessing rather than criticism. Instead of looking at things with a critical perspective, learn to speak words of blessing. Be a woman who only allows “good” to come from her mouth.

10)Stay tuned into Christ.
Make it a priority to chat with God on a daily basis along with reading His love letter to you on a daily basis. Above all else, this will empower you to love others!

My challenge to you this week? Love others! Who you will you extend your love to this week?

Until next time!

Forgiveness

“Can you recall a time when you fell short in your relationship with someone and needed to be forgiven? Or a time when you were wronged by someone and had to make a decision to forgive the person or carry a grudge? These situations cause us to gravitate in one of two directions: healing and reaping the rewards of personal freedom or facing the damage of bitter resentment. These choices, when made repeatedly over time, determine whether we will live a life of sadness or joy, a life of regrets or God’s best” (Brazelton, 79).

Did you know that choosing to not forgive can keep you from experiencing God’s absolute best for you? Unfortunately, many of us get so caught up in the trap of holding on to bitterness and unforgiveness that we end up living a life that is characterized by anger and resentment. Personally, I tend to stay away from people who hold onto grudges. Why? Because all they focus on is the bitterness, hurt, and anger that they have experienced and quite frankly, it ends up bringing me down. Who wants to be around that?

“People who forgive become less angry, more hopeful, less depressed, less anxious, less stressed, more confident, and they learn to like themselves more” (Luskin, 78).

As a woman of God, what are you known for? Are you known as a woman who forgives and allows God to take those hurtful experiences and turn them into something beautiful? Or do you tend to hold onto the hurts and allow them to “run” your life? If you desire to truly experience God’s best for you and your life, forgiveness must be a part of your vocabulary and daily life. You will experience much hurt, grief, and rejection in your lifetime. We live in a fallen world that is full of sinners. But the good news is that God knows everything that you have experienced and He promises to take the bad and make it into something good.

Let me challenge you this week to truly allow God to work in your life and in turn, open your heart to forgiveness. It will not be easy, but the end goal will be a life that is not only pleasing to God, but one that is filled with purpose and fulfillment. Who do you need to forgive this week?

Until next time!

Dr. Katie Brazelton, Live Big!, page 79.
Dr. Fred Luskin, Forgive for Good: A Proven Prescription for Health and Happiness, page 78.

Focus on Today

What are you focusing on today?
• Negativity
• What you don’t have
• Past hurts
• Failures
• Rejection
• Happier Times
• What could have been
• The future

I don’t know about you, but this “step” in the journey of life gets me off centered at times. Let me explain. I tend to be one of those people who not only thinks about the “good ol’ days” (aka college, seminary, being a youth minister, etc.), but I also tend to consistently think about the future and what I hope for, what I think God will do in my life, etc. In all of this thinking about the past and future, many times, I fail to recognize what God is doing in my life right now, in the here and now.

I wonder how many of us are in this same situation. We want so much to go back in time or to see what it is that God will do in our lives, that we completely miss out on the small still voice of God that is saying, “Look! See what I am doing in your life right now! I’m here guiding your every step. Enjoy where I have you.”

One prime example in my own life was when I was attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. As I was studying for my Master’s in ministry, all I could think about was how God was going to use me in full-time ministry. At the time, I was a nanny to five WONDERFUL kids (who by the way, I still keep in touch with). While I LOVED and adored these kids, I couldn’t help but consistently feel as though my life didn’t matter. I would always question what God was doing in my life. He would hear from me quite often-“Lord, here I am studying to be in ministry full-time and all you have me doing is changing diapers, running errands, folding laundry, and cleaning. What kind of ministry is this?” Little did I know that God was using me in ministry in more ways that I could have ever of imagined. This became crystal clear to me when God opened the door for me to work in youth ministry full-time. Once I was settled into my new ministry, I received an essay that one of the children had written about me for her English class. The essay explained the impact that I had on her during my time as a nanny. It was then that I realized God was truly using me in ministry. Unfortunately, I was too focused on what I wanted for the future that I failed miserably to see how God was using me at that time.

Maybe you are not focusing on what the future has for you, but instead, are focusing on past hurts. This is just as detrimental as someone who consistently focuses on the future and what might or might not happen. This is another area of my life that I struggled with.

When I was in youth ministry full-time, I was extremely hurt by a church. It pains me to still think about it today. Not only did I not receive the support that I desperately needed, but I was talked about and made to feel as though nothing I did or said was good enough. What’s even worse, this all took place right as my husband and I were getting married. Not a great way to start off a marriage. Unfortunately, I ended up leaving the church because nothing was going to change. Can I tell you that it took me nearly three years to work through this hurt and forgive those who hurt me? During those three years, I really questioned what God was doing in my life. I would ask God, “Lord, what are you doing? I went to seminary because I really felt that you were calling me to full-time ministry and here I am just trying to lead youth to your heart and in turn, I get nothing but hurt and pain from the people of your church. What are you doing?” I spent many days and nights focusing on my hurt and rejection and because of that, I was missing out on the new thing that God was doing in my life.

I say all of this because you do not want to do the same thing! Don’t waste your life by thinking about what has happened or what can happen! Focus on Today! Focus on what God is doing in your life right now. Maybe you are going through a hard time at this point in your life and you have no clue how there could be any good in what is currently taking place. Hang in there-God knows what is taking place and in turn, He hears your cries, prayers, and moans. Always remember that while we don’t see the big picture, God does.

Maybe you are focusing on how great things were in the past. If you are, stop doing that! Thank God for those great days and in turn, ask Him to show you the good in today. If you ask, He will show you. Maybe you are spending a lot of time focusing on what you hope for in the future. While it’s not bad to set goals and have dreams and aspirations, don’t allow those thoughts to not only become your idol, but to rob you of what God is doing in your life today! Focus on today!

So, I leave you with the same question I started with, what are you focusing on today? Ask God to show you the good in today and what He is doing in your life right now. Don’t allow yourself to miss out on the beauty of today!
Until next time!

Trusting God = Risk Taking

Why is it so hard to trust God? Is it because we are fearful of what our lives may become if we do in fact give everything over to God and in turn, trust Him with every fiber of our being? Did you know that when you don’t allow yourself to truly trust God, you end up missing out on some of the Lord’s biggest blessings that He desperately wants to pour out on you?

When I think of the word trust, I can’t help but also think about the word risk. When we allow ourselves to truly trust God and allow Him into every area of our life, are we not taking a risk? You may be asking how is this so. When we give Him complete control of every area of our life, the reality is, at that present moment, we do not always know what God will do. Look at James 4:13-15:

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’-yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’”

The truth of the matter is that we have no clue as to what will take place in our lives today, tomorrow, or 10 years from now. Life in itself is a risk. So, what’s keeping you from truly trusting God? You will only come to experience true joy and fulfillment if you allow yourself to trust God with everything you have.

This is the way I look at it. Women who would rather stay within their comfort zones, tend to be like the people on a carousal. In life, they just go around and around. Nothing changes, everything remains the same. Eventually, the ride becomes a bit monotonous.

On the other hand, women who are willing to take risks, tend to be like the people who are ready to tackle a roller coaster-whether they are filled with excitement or complete anxiety! Roller coasters have all kinds of turn, climbs, drops, loops, highs, lows, etc. Women who take risks, experience life like no other. Life not only becomes an adventure, but more importantly, you get to experience God like never before!

So today, ask yourself-where in my life do I truly trust God? Am I currently taking any risks or have I recently taken any risks? If not, what’s holding me back? What kind of ride does God want to take you on?

Until next time!

Becoming The Best You Can Be!

In my last post, I asked you a few questions:

Who are you becoming?

What Legacy will you leave behind?

Are you blooming in such a way that people are naturally drawn to you and who you are?

Have you allowed God to mature you so that you may reach your full potential?

If you haven't already taken the time to truly ponder these questions, let me encourage you to do so. As women of God, one of our goals should be to never remain the same. We need to allow God to do His mighty work within us on a daily basis so that we may not only live life to the fullest, but also impact this world in big ways.

For the next couple of weeks, let me take some time to share with you some "steps" on how you can become the best that you can be! Tonight, I will post all 26 steps, but over the next couple of weeks, I will delve deeper into explaining each of these vital and crucial steps that in turn, will assist you in becoming the best that you can be!

1) Trust

2) Focus on Today

3) Forgive

4) Love Others

5) Be a Life Long Learner

6) Invest in Others

7) Invest in Yourself

8) Guard Your Time

9) Exercise Daily

10) Be Content

11) Laugh Daily

12) Simplify

13) Stay Positive

14) Do the Right Thing

15) Learn to Listen

16) Focus on Your Strengths

17) Don't Complain

18) Control Your Emotions

19) Learn from your Mistakes

20) Embrace Change

21) Pray

22) Get Enough Sleep

23) Learn Patience

24) Give Everything 100%

25) Get out of Debt

26) Surrender on a Daily Basis

Take some time to think about each of these steps and in turn ask yourself-Which step do I struggle with the most and why? If you feel up to it, feel free to share your thoughts with me-I would love to know and hear what it is that women have the hardest time working through. I can tell you-I too am a work in progress. Just like you, I'm working through each of these steps and will continue to do so as long as I live. So know, that you are not alone!

For me, I have to consistently remind myself to focus on today and not what has happened in the past or what it is that the future may hold. This is a step that I am continually working on and in the next few days, will share with you my personal experiences within this step.

Stay tuned and if you feel up to it, share your thoughts with me!

Believe. Blossom. Become.

As many of you know, I am truly fulfilled when I see other women living lives full of purpose. Not only am I inspired by these women who are living life to the fullest, but it continues to amaze me to see the impact that many of these women are making in their homes, communities, country, and world. What a sight to behold!

Unfortunately, I also come across many women who long to live lives of purpose, but yet, the "things" of this world have kept them from experiencing God's best. These "things" include:

* Fear

* Hurt

* Rejection

* Time

* Unforgiveness

* Depression

* Death of a Dream

* Weariness

* Other Responsibilities

* Confusion

* Past Mistakes

* Bad Decisions

* Debt

The list could go on and on. I have to ask-which woman are you? The one who is living the purpose filled life? Or, are you a woman who desires to live a life of purpose, but yet, something keeps holding you back?

Here are some questions I want you to consider:

1) Do you truly believe that God has a purpose for you and your life? Do you truly believe that He wants to give you the desires of your heart? Do you truly believe that the Creator of this world is madly in love with you-despite your past and the mistakes you have made?

2) To Bloom means to mature into achievement of one's potential, to shine out, to Glow. Are you blooming? Have you allowed God to mature you so that you may reach your potential? Are you shining? Are you blooming in such a way that people are naturally drawn to you and who you are? How are you blossoming?

3) Who are you becoming? What legacy will you leave behind?

Take some time to journal your honest responses to these questions. In the next few days, I will share with you some specific steps you can take that will not only help you believe that God does have a plan for you, but steps that will help you blossom and become the woman that God has created you to be!

Stay tuned!

Investing in Others

This past weekend I had the opportunity to speak to women on the subject of purpose. What a great weekend it was! As I spoke and met many of the women who were in attendance, I couldn't help but hear stories that included much pain. Women who have been hurt by the church, hurt in relationships, and women who have experienced regrets for past decisions. As I listened to each story, I couldn't help but hurt for each of them. What I also realized is that there are many women who desire and long for someone that they can share life with; another female that they can be open and honest with. Women today long for lasting friendships with other women.

Based on this, let me ask you this simple question: What are you doing to invest in the lives of other women? I have no doubt that there are many women who surround you on a daily basis who long for encouragement and friendship. How can you be the hands and feet of Christ to them? Mother Teresa once said, "A day lived without doing something good for others is a day not worth living."

Here are 10 simple things you can do to impact the life of another woman:

1) Write a note of encouragement

2) Invite her out for coffee and/or lunch

3) Offer her words of praise

4) Offer to provide dinner for her family

5) Offer to watch her kids so that she can have some alone time or a date night

6) Be someone who truly listens

7) Take an interest in what she is interested in

8) Give her a book that really impacted you

9) Pray for her and with her

10) Be trustworthy

Take some time this week to really reach out to one of the women that God has placed within your path! Who knows, she could end up becoming your best friend!

Working Moms

This week I have had the opportunity to really think about being a working mom. Let me explain. A friend of mine has recently decided that instead of working, she needs to be at home with her little boy. As she and I chatted about her decision, I couldn't help but to begin feeling a sense of guilt. Anyone that knows me, knows that not only do I love and cherish my little boy to pieces, but at the same time, I'm a very driven individual who is passionate about what she does vocationally. It's in my blood!

So, as I've been thinking about this, I've also been thinking about the many working moms who either work because they need that income or because they just truly enjoy their vocation. As I've pondered the many different points of view when it comes to working moms, I figured I'd ask you-my readers what you think. So, here are some questions that I would LOVE for you to comment on.

Everyone who comments on the following questions, will be placed in a drawing for a great prize-Katie Brazelton's book, Pathway to Purpose. If you want guidance on discovering your purpose-this is the book to read! Ok, here we go:

1) If you are a working mom, have you ever felt guilty for being a working mom? Where has that guilt come from? How do you work through the guilt?

2) Do you work because you need the income, or do you choose to work because you love what you do and feel called to your vocation?

3) How do you juggle being a working mom with all the other responsibilities that come with life?

4) If you are a stay at home mom, what was it (besides having a baby) that led you to be a stay at home mom? Husband? Family? Calling?

5) What is your impression of the Proverbs 31 passage in the Bible? What does that passage mean to you?

Ok, I hope to read many responses! Have fun answering!

Purposeful Women

Today I had the opportunity to take a group of high school leadership students to meet and learn from John Bozard, the President of Orlando Health and VP of Arnold Palmer and Winnie Palmer Hospitals. What an incredible opportunity this was for our students!

As we listened to John Bozard and some of the executives from the hospitals, I couldn't help but get excited for our students as they learned some essential truths. Let me share with you these truths that you can incorporate into your life.

According to John and the executives, when they are looking to hire someone, there are four specific characteristics that they look for in individuals:

1) Integrity: They want someone who is who they say they are.

2) Vision: They want someone who is not only committed to the vision of the organization, but also who has a vision-someone who can think beyond today.

3) Someone who has the right priorities: Basically, someone who can balance the different parts of his/her life.

4) Someone who has a personal sense of security: Someone who knows who they are, where they are going, and who has a desire to serve others.

As these characteristics were discussed, I couldn't help but think about how as women, these are characteristics that we should be striving for in our daily lives. We must continually ask ourselves:

* Who are we?

* How do others see us?

* Are we impacting this world in a positive or negative way?

* Are we women of integrity who have a vision-God's vision?

* Do we know what our priorities should be and do we know who we belong to?

As these leaders continued to share with our students, one of them made a statement that I was so happy to hear. It's something I continually strive to get across to both students and adults:

"Your job should not be a job that you just clock in and out of on a daily basis-it has to be a part of your life. It should be your passion-it's a calling. You should wake up each morning saying, this is what I get to do and in turn, be excited about it."

I LOVE THIS! If you have ever heard me speak, you have heard me say that God never intended us to wake up each morning dreading the day before us. God wants us to enjoy our lives and in turn, He desire that we use the gifts, skills, and strengths that He has given us. He gave us those for a reason. The reason we are passionate about certain things is because He desires nothing more than for us to use that passion to impact this world for Him. God never wanted us to separate our spiritual life from our vocational calling-the two must come together.

So, let me ask you:

* Do you wake up each morning saying, "Wow, I get to do this for my job and I love it!"

* Do you feel as though your job is a part of the calling that God has on your life?

* Are you passionate about what you do?

* Would you be willing to do what you do even if you didn't get a paycheck for it?

Spend some time pondering and journaling about this. Spend some quality time really observing your life and asking yourself whether or not you are a woman of integrity and vision, a woman who had her priorities straight, a woman who has a personal sense of security.

Then, really think about your job. Are you passionate about it? Do you view it as a calling? I have no doubt that when we begin to realize and truly believe that God has a purpose for our lives, in turn, we will begin to live as women of purpose!

Enjoy the journey of self discovery!

Jen

Journal Entry #2

As you continue to deepen your relationship with God-here's another journal topic that will allow you to spend some quality time with you Maker:

"What is my God-given purpose in life?"

What do you think your God-given purpose in life is? Do you know what your purpose is? Do you wake up each day looking forward to what God is going to do, or do you wake up dreading the day before you?

Take some quality time to discuss your thoughts with God. He desires nothing more than to reveal His purpose for your life.

Rambling Thoughts

It's been a busy week for me. As many of you are aware, this past Tuesday, Haiti experienced a devastating earthquake. My heart is truly saddened for the people of Haiti. As I watch the numerous news stories, my heart can't help but break. Seeing everyone living on the streets hungry for food, babies not having formula that they so desperately need, people trapped under buildings, etc-I just can't help but to truly hurt for each and every individual.

As the news has developed, I have to admit, I've never felt so hurt for a country and group of people. What this means-I don't know. I'm desperately trying to figure it out. Is Haiti a country that the Lord will allow me to minister to in the future? Who knows. All I do know is that for now, I can pray and in turn, donate as much as I can to help a broken country.

What's even more interesting is that the school I work for had a group of students there on a mission trip during all of this. They left last Friday and bam, the earthquake hit on Tuesday. All week I have been praying for these kids for not only their safety, but also that God would do a mighty work through them. I can't imagine what it was like to be in a country without your family and to all of a sudden experience an earthquake that has literally killed thousands of people all around you.

All I can say is that God WAS SO GOOD! Everyone on our team was safe and in turn, they were able to minister to those people around them. What excites me even more is that these students came back much closer to God and in turn, have a strong desire to go back to Haiti to continue ministering to the people. Oh how that makes my heart jump for joy. Nothing makes me happier than seeing teenagers living their lives for Christ and in turn, allowing God to use them. These kids came back with a fire and I pray that they would impact FA in some mighty ways! I pray that students all around will realize what a huge difference they can make for Christ in our world. Ultimately, I pray that they will help bring thousands upon thousands of lives to Christ because life is truly found in Jesus Christ.

I know so many people who do not know Christ and my heart breaks for them too because I know what they are missing out on. I have both family and friends who want nothing to do with Christ and it truly saddens me. When you are just so in love with someone, you desire nothing more than to shout it to the world. I am in love with Jesus Christ and I want nothing more than for people to realize that Jesus Christ does exist and that if we would just turn our lives over to Him, He in turn will love us like we have never been loved before. Our purpose in life can only be found in Jesus. True Joy only comes from our creator.

As I sign-off, I pray that not only the people of Haiti would turn their faces to their creator, but that the people of America would realize how blessed we are and that we too would turn our faces to God. He promises us that if we would turn from our evil ways and look to Him, He will heal our land. I pray that the lost would come to know Him and those that have turned their backs on Him, would come running back into His arms. He's been patiently waiting.

Journaling

Each year I come across women who truly desire to grow closer to God. In my experience, one of the best ways to truly draw closer to God and in turn, communicate with Him is through journaling. I don't know about you, but when I am able to just sit and write, something happens. I feel a sense of peace, relief, and closeness. It's as if I'm truly able to get all my thoughts, questions, ideas, concerns, confusions, etc., out in such a way that I would not be able to if I were to just speak them out.

For the next few days, let me encourage you to spend some quality time chatting with your Maker via journaling. I guarantee you that if you take the time to do this on a daily basis, you will draw closer to the Lord. Start the new year off fresh by purchasing a journal that will only consist of your letters to God. If you would rather type out your journal entries, set up a folder on your computer that is completely dedicated to God's letters.

In order to help you in this endeavor, I will be providing you with some specific "questions" that you can respond to in your journal. So, let's begin!

Question #1:

"Why did God create me?"

Take some time today to truly focus on this question. Why do you think God created you? What was His purpose in creating you with your specific gifts, strengths, talents, skills, passions, weaknesses, etc.?

If you feel up to-share your responses! I would love to hear them!