About the Author

Jennifer Dukes Lee is the author of several books, including Growing Slow. She and her husband live on the family farm, raising crops, pigs, and two humans. She’s a fan of dark chocolate, emojis, eighties music, bright lipstick, and Netflix binges. She wants to live life in such a way...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. I have been recovering from my hysterectomy forever. I’m tired. Overweight. Alone. Lonely. I don’t have a community, but I try to encourage others online daily.
    Family are strange people on both sides. They don’t visit. My husband works long hours.
    Friends, I gave up long ago in a domestic controlling situation. So, I know them on Facebook only. Me and my two Kids with Aspergers 17 and 21 are it.

    I need strength to hold on until I can take up my bed and walk! Not to give up on God. To just hope for one one day. Hopefully, that He will provide inner strength a community of safe, loving godly people to be a support system for me and my kids where our family had walked away!!!

    • Hi Webbgurl,
      Praying for strength and healing for you. God is always there…even though circumstances want to make you believe otherwise. He sees, He knows, He cares, and He loves you!! Here’s a cyber hug and a thank you for the way you make me laugh…that’s a gift!
      Blessings friend,
      Bev ((Hugs))

    • Webbgurl,
      Prayers for complete healing. May God give you the strength, courage, peace and comfort you need! I pray He will send one good friend your way to encourage you.
      ((((((Hugs))))))

    • Webbgurl, May the Lord bless you so deeply with His love and gentleness today. He never leaves us and understands our sufferings, wanting to give us all good things. May He grant you a godly family that will walk with you as you journey with Him in closer relationship 🙂 Hugs 🙂

    • Webbgurl2000,

      I understand about loneliness and people misunderstanding or walking away from you, but Jesus is close to you. He is close to the broken-hearted and He will never leave or forsake you, even when it seems like He has. (I feel that way now actually, but He continues to get me to hold on.) I think God gives community in a strange but life giving ways. I’ve found community online, where I don’t have it in my life right now. Because I struggle with making people into God, this is I think helping me to lean on Him and talk to Him alone. It’s still a struggle whether on or offline really, but I know He is with me and hears.

      May he send you a friend that sticks closer than a brother and in the meantime be your strength and joy. He will fight for you, you need only be still. In Jesus name, amen.

  2. Jennifer,
    This reminds me of days with my dad at White Swan Park. I remember the big roller coaster that, as a child, seemed so daunting. As an adult, I remember looking back and saying, “That little thing…what was I so afraid of?” That’s another thing about fears, they often present themselves as much bigger than they really are. The message you so beautifully gave still holds true. If I take hold of my Father’s hand… climb into the seat beside Him…I will be in for the greatest adventure and He will never let me fall.
    Blessings,
    Bev

  3. Denise,
    Life can get scary at times. There are days & times you want to take the chicken exit. Doing that you might miss the adventure God has planned for you. Sit back grab your daddy’s hand and go for the ride of your life! God has a trail He wants you to blaze & an amazing journey of His amazing grace!
    Blessings 🙂

  4. Hello dear companions. Would you please pray for all those whom the Lord knows that I pray for this week? Would you please pray that the Lord helps me to receive what He wants to give, to surrender to His love and will in trust? May Jesus bless each of us today and always in His good, good shepherd way that we may walk with Him in hopeful joy and peace 🙂

  5. I pray that God gives me strength to accomplish the things that He has set before me in my home, work, & school. There are times when I want to take the Chicken exit. Then I remind myself that His grace is sufficient, & He won’t let me fall. When I slip, He’s there as my safety net.

  6. Wow, Jennifer, what an awesome post. I write Living Braver so this really resonates. Beautifully written and such a good illustration. Your Daddy is using your fingers to reach the hearts He loves and wants to encourage to stay the course.

  7. I remember being about 4 or so and I had to get my mother to have them stop it. I haven’t been on a roller coaster since but I’ve had plenty of other opportunities to let fear in, and thankfully have not. God is good all the time, even if we have to hold on through ups and down.

  8. This was a really excellent post…loved the imagery. Thanks for helping me see where God is leading today…and be ready to laugh tomorrow!

  9. Oh man Jennifer… We are on a major adventure over here! House on the market, Family Pastor job search in full swing and 5 kids in the middle of it all. The fear stricken days come and thankfully they go – but only when my heart is set on His timeline and not resting on mine. Thanks for helping us all feel normal and needing His strength :).

  10. I need God’s help to allow myself too feel. I’ve turned off my emotions almost entirely for years due to some traumatic events, but I believe God is wanting me to change this. I don’t know how to go about this, and I’m very afraid to let go of the tight control I’ve had in this area for such a long time.

  11. Oh I need this for myself and my family. Our next door neighbour assulted my husband in front of our children as we were trying to take them to school. He wriggled out of being charged by lying and intimidating another neighbour so they won’t testify against him. Since then has compliained to anyone he can think of about anything he can think of so we have had letters from the council, visits from the police etc. they all say that they know we didn’t do the things when we talk to them about the history. But the upshot it constant stress I have had 8 migraines in two weeks, my husband is in sleeping pills. My daughter is scarred to get in or out of the car if he is outside we keep praying on the armour and trying not to be intimidated but it is tough. He has now applied to be a director on the management committe of our housing estate and canvassing people to vote for him. We can’t move as our house is only worth 50% of the market value as we bought it as an affordable so we cannot buy anything else. We are daydreaming of moving and running a holiday buisness but this cost a million. It is the only thing keeping me sane. I need to lean in God, maybe not laugh in the neighbours face as it would inflame him. Feel like we are waiting for the next attack so we can get evidence against him. (He has hit. My husband and thrown cat food at him previously as well as stopping us doing a paid job around the estate.) I am very proud of my husband for literally turning the other cheek but just want it to end

  12. Wow, I love this picture you created with your words. I want to go for the ride and fly past that chicken exit. No need to fear because God’s got me 🙂

  13. Wow, did this speak to me today! through tears. I haven’t taken the exit, but I’m not getting on either. thank you for reminding me I’m not alone.
    I read the comments below, and realize we all feel so alone when we are scared, tired, weak. And this is when God sends girlfriend angels into my life. What a miracle this connection is – it is our community.

  14. Oh, Jennifer, you are truly a brave soul! When I was very young, I went to a birthday party at a children’s amusement park and got on one of those baby roller coasters. I screamed so much, they had to let me off! Have never ridden another one! Hmmm…story fodder? LOL Always love your stories. And this was another wonderful one. Thank you for sharing your gift. Blessings to you! 😀