About the Author

Jen encourages women to embrace both the beauty and bedlam of their everyday lives at BeautyandBedlam.com. A popular speaker, worship leader, and author of Just Open the Door: How One Invitation Can Change a Generation, Jen lives in North Carolina with her husband, five children, and a sofa for anyone...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Seek first the kingdom of God. It centers me and helps me rise above the daily, petty things that threaten my peace and awareness. Thank you for sharing this. I’m getting ready to gift my nieces Bibles for their confirmation, highschool freshmen. I kept questioning what verses to highlight for them ❤️

  2. 1st Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

  3. Being 12 & 10 years younger than my sister & brother I felt compelled to be into what they were into. As an adult I realize our parents’ teaching us to seek God’s kingdom first was their way of telling me if I put God first He would add what was needed in His timing. I did not/do not have to strive to know it all right now! What a comfort!

  4. Thank you so much for this. Watching what social media is doing to the next generation terrifies me. Hearing about the current decline is Americans that identify as Christians. It is so crucial that we continually support our kids with the reminders of the love of God.

  5. Thank you Jen! Thank you for sharing your home and sharing fond memories of sweet, and beautiful hearts of 7th grade girls.
    I agree today’s times are “immediately very much in ones face” and that can really hurt a young heart’s confidence. I pray daily for my grand babies…who no longer are babies..

    The balm for my soul…”Lord, You make no mistakes. I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalms 139:14)
    I am the product of 2 teenagers that “had to marry”!! So whenever that voice creeps in, I remember this Psalm
    PLUS…if I wasn’t made, neither would my daughter and her marriage and her babies \0/

  6. I am forgiven. I am loved. Nothing can change that, not because of anything I do to deserve that love but because of His Beautiful Amazing Grace.

  7. It was when I was in 7th Grade that my Mom had me memorize Psalm 139. Later in my 20s, when I was a Counselor at Church Camp for several years, I based my Devotions on Psalm 139. Most of those Girls had no knowledge of those powerful Scriptures.

    When we memorize Scriptures, it’s well worth the time & effort. Because we strengthen our Spiritual Sword, to fight the enemy’s lies!

  8. For me, I need to meditate on this “I have been redeemed and forgiven (Colossians 1:14), free from condemnation (Romans 8:1-2), and any charge against me. (Romans 8:31-34)”

    I went through an awful time about 3 years ago when I finally divorced and removed myself from an abusive, unsafe situation by my church disowned me because of my choice. I have done my best to move on but struggling to feel loved, accepted and that I still belong to Christ. I feel like an outcast constantly judged and unworthy of Gods blessings in my life. And in a recent job interview I was told that I was direct, not in an offensive or threatening way but in a way that’s difficult for sensitive people – again the message of there’s something wrong with me. I’m continuing to pray for the Lord to highlight his truth in my life and fill me with discernment to notice and rebuke the lies more quickly.

  9. Jen,

    Thank you for opening your house & heart to those precious 7th graders. This world needs more caring people like you. Young men & women, especially, need to hear the truths of God. Other voices like the internet are shouting lies & doing so loudly.

    This verse speaks to me Genesis 127 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. I once heard a speaker say that since we are made in the image of God calling ourselves “dumb, stupid, ugly, etc.” is equal to calling God the same thing. WOW!

    Blessings 🙂