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’ve been looking and have found a silver lining to this whole pandemic. First, it has driven me deeper into the well of God’s word (where I need to be). My quiet time has taken on a sense of urgency and need to draw near to my Lord in these turbulent times. I’ve been more bold in my writing, words, and actions as I am aware that our world is sliding closer to the ultimate end time. My husband has been working from home and we’ve been able to enjoy lunches together which is a rare treat in our day. I’ve witnessed neighbors with young children enjoying simpler activities like taking the dog on a walk as a family. We’ve enjoyed board games and actually reading books. There has been something restful in the forced slow. There are definitely some things I want to take with me when/if we move back toward “normal.”
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

    • I knew you have found a silver lining in all of this, Bev! Thank you for sharing so we can all be encouraged today. Hopefully we can all hold on to some of the restful, good things! xo

  2. Jennifer,
    Thank you for this heartfelt devotional. It was beautiful. My life verse is Jeremiah 29:11. I have a milestone birthday in 13 days. I didn’t really celebrate my 39th birthday last year because I thought I had 2020 to celebrate 40. I am doing a socially distant event this year. I have been planning and celebrating others for years. This is the first time I have focused on celebrating myself in 17 years.

    I have been working 100% from home since March. I have been sleeping a lot more while being able to invest more time into my relationship with God, myself and my tribe. I have been able to workout more consistently and do things around my home I have been delaying. God has even promoted me into two new Christian leadership positions. I am amazed in a pandemic how God continues to move. I have a posture of thanksgiving and humility as I love and lead others well as I trust God completely. Thank you for this stunning post.

    • I love to hear that you are going to celebrate yourself this year, Ada! Happy early birthday! Thank you so much for sharing how God has continued to move in your life during this pandemic. It is so uplifting and encouraging!

    • Ada,

      Happy birthday sweet sister. I pray it is a great one & God blesses you even more. Have a blast on your special day!!

      Blessings 🙂

  3. Jennifer,

    Thank you for this beautiful devotional and reminder! This season has definitely allowed me to slow down, which has been a nice break from the busyness I’m used to. I’m also getting married actually one month from today, so planning a wedding in the midst of an uncertain future has been very challenging. However, my relationship with Christ has only gotten more genuine and more real because I’ve been able to lean on Him when i’m weak. My fiance and I are focusing much more now on the actual marriage, and not just the day – since the day will be so quick as it is, but our marriage will last a lifetime. We’ve been able to grow closer to each other as well. Honestly, some say I’m crazy, but I wouldn’t change a thing about being engaged in a global pandemic. I can clearly see God’s love now more than ever before!

    • Oh how exciting, Allison! Congratulations! And what a wonderful, beautiful, precious thing that you and your future husband are focusing more on the marriage and not just the day. I think a lot of people seem to miss that and make it all about having to have the “perfect” wedding day. I am so happy for you and how you have seen the positives during this time! Many blessings on your marriage!

      • Allison,

        Congratulations on the upcoming wedding. Good for you both for focusing on the marriage & not just the wedding. Most people put tons of energy into the wedding & don’t think much about the marriage or their future. Great for you both in getting closer to God. Slower times like these allow us to focus on the really important aspects of life-especially having a great relationship with God. Praying you have a great wedding day & a beautiful marriage that lasts a lifetime!

        Blessings 🙂

  4. Ada,

    Happy birthday sweet sister. I pray it is a great one & God blesses you even more. Have a blast on your special day!!

    Blessings 🙂

  5. Jennifer,

    God works in mysterious ways. I believe this pandemic is one of them. He is showing us that even when life gets scary & hard there is good to come out of it. More people are focusing their spare time on God & family. Something that was lacking a bit before. I love Jeremiah 29:11 & recite it often. When life hands me lemons & it has many times I know God will do immeasurably more than I can imagine. Last year I lost a part-time job. When I got the news I was actually kind of happy (weird I know). But my thoughts went like “I know for certain God has something bigger & better in store for me.” Sure enough two weeks later I landed a part-time job in local hospital chain as ICU Step down clerical. It pays more & offers me more work time. Silver linings for me include more prayer time. Each day I pray almost constantly for someone or something. I’m getting more into reading my Bible & listening to preachers. This country needs a revival & I believe God is working on us to that end.

    Blessings 🙂

    • What an encouragement you are, Beth! I love how your thoughts went to knowing He had something bigger and better in store for you. That is such a beautiful attitude to have!

  6. Well. You KNOW what John Lennon said – “Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans.” So, yes, no vacation this year. No eating out. LOTS of cooking in (our bank account is happy about all this). But the GOOD stuff? My husband has a job after FIVE years of being out of work! I still have my job. Our daughter got pregnant in November-ish, and is having TWINS! Not the best way to bring babies into the world, but God still knows what He is doing. So we’re going to let him 🙂