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. Chuckling, but wincing too as I feel the holiday squeeze coming on. I’m grateful for God’s direction, and you’ve sharpened my intention to be listening for His voice.

  2. Jennifer,
    Oh YES…you shared the Busy Breasts story lol!! But so true….every part of us gets busy this time of year. Oh how I need to go to “Fix it Jesus”!! I need to get my marching orders from Him. Sometimes that takes being still for a moment and asking for His guidance. I tend to just plow onward without sitting, being still, and praying for His instruction. Thank you for this very timely message so as to avoid the holiday “squeeze” – ouch!
    Blessings sweet friend,
    Bev xo

  3. I know your opening paragraph was meant to be humorous, but I am so concerned that it may scare women away from mammograms. My mother is a breast cancer survivor so it is an especially sensitive topic. Yes, mammograms can sometimes be uncomfortable (though they don’t particularly bother me), but mammograms save lives. Please, ladies, do not be fearful of discomfort. May all have blessed holidays and good health.

    • Your sensitive heart for others blesses me, Elizabeth. I understood the author’s point, but I also appreciate you looking out for those of us who may be a wee bit scared of the procedure. Thank you for encouraging us to look at the big picture. (Not the boob picture…sorry, couldn’t help it! Lol)

      • I absolutely understand the author’s point. I’m just especially sensitive given my mother’s history. I don’t want anyone to be scared of a relatively minor test.

    • Hi Elizabeth and Pearl,

      Yes. It’s meant in fun, not in discouragement. 🙂 … As a woman who has many women in her life (relatives and friends) who have dealt with breast cancer, I would never want to discourage anyone from having a mammogram. Having told this story in public, I know that this one has actually has encouraged women to go get there’s done, because they were able to laugh, instead of fear it. I truly think that most people will get that this is not a fear tactic, but a storytelling tactic. Yet I do appreciate your concern.

  4. Jennifer, thank you for your transparency and openness. I recently had a needle biopsy in one of my breasts (all is benign – Praise God!), and that experience beckoned me to slow down and just be with my Savior. Thank you for the reminder to just stop being a “busy bee” and just “bee” with our Lord.

    Joy in Jesus,
    Lara

  5. I work retail and it’s sad to see the STUFF that is bought. Huge baskets filled with just that – STUFF. I wonder about Jesus and how many truly celebrate His birth. So in my own little way I wish all the shoppers Merry CHRISTmas hoping they do the same.

  6. Love, love, love this…. I am bombarded with a lot of non-desirable life decisions right now, and this is perfect timing. I want to know, without his even saying, that he will take care of (it)- like Mary did. I want to trust him that much! I want to hear his voice “out of the storm”. Thank you for sharing this very personal account.

  7. Jennifer,

    The holidays can be a hectic time for many. We must be intentional & change our priorities. Let’s ask Jesus what He would have us do. Sure there are work & church parties, parades, shopping, decorating, etc. None of that is bad. It can take away form the true meaning of Christmas. I go back to Charlie Brown: “Doesn’t anyone know the real meaning of Christmas?” It seems in all our squeezing/hustle bustle we forgot. No one says Merry Christmas any more. It’s happy holidays. It’s more about the gift buying than the birth of a Savior. We need to slow down & ask Jesus just what He wants us to do this year. Let’s have a #FixitJesus kind of Christmas.

    Blessings 🙂

  8. Boy did I need this reminder today, as my to-do list is sucking all the joy out of life. God has been tugging on my heart lately to seek obedience in even the small daily tasks, and to take my to-do list to Him in prayer. I’ve gotten off track the last couple weeks and it shows. Thanks, Jennifer. Great message.

  9. Thank you for a great early morning laugh! I can totally relate to busy boobs and mammograms! I love the line “Become so intimately familiar with the voice of Jesus that you can recognize it.”

  10. So true this message. Busy boobs… How hilarious. We get so consumed with so much that we forget to listen to His voice. We push His voice aside and listen to what this world, this society tells us what and how to go about our days being filled up by staying busy. If we are not busy, then something is wrong with us, the world tells us. I am at a point in my life where I refuse to stay busy or keep my kids busy with sports or other activities to make me look normal. I love my family and that is why I want my kids to understand that it is okay to have days where we don’t do a thing and take time to enjoy what God have provided for us. Let us be reminded of His beauty surrounding us and take some time to tune out the noise even during this busy time of the year.

  11. I just loved this! Seems like each year at the holidays I plan on not getting too busy but find it’s almost impossible….never quite sure how to let go ,so I loved the advice to truly listen to and discern (that’s a huge one) what exactly HE wants us to do. So interesting that as I was on my way to yet another task, I sensed Him telling me to stop and read my devotion in my inbox, and here this was! Obviously He needed to remind me

  12. Jennifer, I completely love this! (Ok, everything except the mammogram…not looking forward to those.) It confirms what God reminded me of earlier this week, that it doesn’t have to go the way I plan – it just has to turn out awesome. And with Him, it ultimately does. So, how many times DID you decide to watch Elf? Thanks again!!!

    • Hi Pearl! Thanks so much for being here. As for the mammogram, it’s not as bad as my prone-to-exaggeration self made it out to be. 😉 … Just poking a little fun at myself. I’ve had such gracious mammogram technicians who have pretty much held my hand during some of those scares.

      As for ELF, I actually think you can never watch it too many times. 🙂

  13. Girl – you have no idea how I needed this. THANK YOU! God bless you for your gift of writing and humor and honesty. I am emotional about how close we are too! 🙂 Amazing how God spoke through you to me and made me laugh and cry at the same time. THANK YOU!

  14. I’m a little behind in responding because I’ve been BUSY. (*face palm*). But this was so good!

    Thank you Jennifer for your authentic self and openness! I love this: “Become so intimately familiar with the voice of Jesus that you can recognize it. Then say yes to the things He’s asking you to do.” DO WHAT HE TELLS YOU. I need to quiet my soul and listen to the one Voice that matters the most, especially in the holiday commotion.

    All of God’s BEST to you Sister (*which includes multiple viewings of Elf 😉

    Becky

  15. I’m living this lesson right now. Had emergency surgery mid October. Had just recovered from that when it became clear I needed a complete hysterectomy… So I hustled to complete Christmas preparations in just 10 days and had this surgery last week. Normally I’m the Queen of Lists, especially during Christmas… But this year there is one thing on the list… Just BE, rest & recover… It’s a strange feeling!