About the Author

Jennifer is an artist living in rural Nebraska with her US Army veteran husband. She loves to create and seeks to reflect the beauty of Christ and encourage others in meaningful, beautiful ways. You can find her and see more of her art on Studio JRU.

(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. Jennifer,
    I so understand the messy, the imperfect, the high expectations, and feeling of ‘not enough’. So right now, in my sleepless hours, I ‘welcome’ Him right into the messiness’ and am thanking Him for his tender mercies. I SO WANT this season to be about the gift of my Savior and not how pretty I can make things look or the wonderful gifts to buy. I want to give love, his love, in all that I do and say. Your words bring encouragement to this tired heart. Thank you!
    Melanie

  2. Jennifer,
    I am so grateful that Jesus did not wait until we had our world neat and tidy to enter in, just like He doesn’t wait until we have our act totally together to knock on the door of our hearts. He IS the calm amidst the chaos and Christmastime is a blatant reminder that we need Him now more than ever. I pray, like Melanie, that this season would be about the gift of my Savior and not about all the external trappings. Thank you for the reminder this morning…I needed it!
    Blessings,
    Bev

  3. Being familiar with the Christmas story from childhood up sometimes makes it hard to “find something new”. But you have done this for me…Jesus was born just the way God planned, but possibly not the way Mary and Joseph planned! A good reminder for me today!

  4. Our Advent sermon was a long this line. God’s Glory came to us. My life is Topsy Tervy, but God has a plan. The Price of Peace is with me

  5. Thanks for the reminder that Jesus entered into a chaotic situation, into messiness. In the middle of my own messy seasons, I sometimes forget to invite Him into it, thinking it’s all on me to accomplish things. Wrong!

    He’s very familiar with messy, and He’s comfortable in it. I’m learning to let go of expectations, and to ‘fess up when I’ve planned too much (and forgotten to take my boy to his literacy appointment!). And, I’ve begun making changes so that this season can be one of peace amid the chaos. 🙂

  6. Life is pretty messy today. Great post for a gal like me. Thanks so much. My emotions are messy, my mind is busy tired, my body is definitely frumpy, and my expectations are making me crazy. And the best part of all of this is that God loves me and is right here at this very moment with me. I appreciate your post and thank you for reminding me where my fuel for life comes from. Amazing Grace!!!!

  7. “Welcome him right into the messiness.” At any given moment, that’s about all we have to offer him–messiness! But there is plenty of documentation to indicate he doesn’t mind! Your example, Jennifer, of the Bethlehem birthplace for the Messiah is perfect. Couldn’t get much messier than that! So with confidence and a smile I say, “Jesus, would you please join me amidst the clutter? Help me see joy in the jumble and experience peace in the mayhem. Amen.”

  8. As I read these words a song by Martha Muinzzi played in my head as she sang “Jesus, God With Us, more than enough, oh how I love your name”. I will go pull out that CD right now and meditate on your words and feel Him here with us.

  9. “oh how He loves us”!!! even in the middle of our messiness. Thanks for the reminder. Christmas blessings to you and yours.

  10. Jennifer,

    This reminds me of a song “Leaving Heaven” by Matthew West on his Heart of Christmas CD. It talks about God leaving the splendor of Heaven & stepping into the broken messy of this world. My new favorite Christmas song.

    I’m blessed that God is willing to step in our messes! This year has been full of messes for me beginning with moving my aging father into assisted living and his health issues (been to ER 4 times). It also included hubby almost losing job-keeping it but getting crappy shift in ER-then finally a good job closer to home. In the midst of all that my job changed so that I hate coming to work. I’ve also had friends with super messes also–losing their mother, another one dying of cancer, etc. This has been one bad year and I’m glad it’s almost over!

    Praise God He was there to get all of us through these trials and tribulations!

    Blessings 🙂

    • What a year, Beth. A year that shows only by Him. Only by Him we can get through those times in our journey. Grateful He has been in the messes with you this year. Praying a happy year ahead for you and your loved ones.