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. Unbelievable that I’m finding words here that are spreading like comfort over my Saturday morning soul.
    I am on the same journey these days, preaching to my own heart that Jesus is not merely the consolation prize, the relationship I fall back on when other hopes are dashed.

  2. Jennifer,
    It takes real guts to put yourself out there to possibly face rejection again and again. As I’ve been submitting my book proposal to publishers, I’ve gotten some terrific feedback and helpful critique, but it often comes down to my platform not being large enough (middle school translation – you’re not “popular” enough) Ouch! God put this desire in my heart, yet the publishing door remains closed. I guess I could retreat and give up, but I’ve realized that the tremendous hard work I’ve put into this project is, in and of itself, an offering to God. He said, “Bev, write what your suffering has taught you about my furious love.” I listened and have been writing to other women who are facing multiple seasons of suffering. I’ve done my part and now I lay it on God’s altar to do with it what He pleases. It’s not about me…it’s about Him. I am writing to an audience of One. If God accepts my offering, then I will be glad. We are all seen, and are relevant in God’s eyes. Great post!
    Blessings,
    Bev xo
    Bev xx

    • Good morning, Bev! It’s so hard. Publishing is a business — even Christian publishing — and that means that platform becomes an important factor. So then, when we face rejection, it stings to think to ourselves, “Not enough people like me.”

      I’ve been exactly in that same place, and even though I’ve grown my platforms significantly over the years, I can look around and always find someone else who is even bigger and more “liked” than me. This gives me plenty of opportunities to remember that my value is not in human opinion. In times when I face the temptation to make life something other than God, I remember these words from Paul in 1 Cor 4:3: “it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point.”

      It matters “very little.” Wise words, Paul.

      • Bev,

        Keep on pushing to get the book published. I know if it is from God then it will happen. You have plenty to say about being abused, suffering in pain & yet finding God’s furious love in the midst of it all. You have a way with words that speaks volumes here at In Courage. I know it will be a great book. We just have to pray that one publisher takes a chance & puts you out there. Abba Father, You have given Bev the desire to write about her past sufferings & finding your furious love in the midst of it all. Please help her to get the book published. I know it will help many women out there. AMEN!

        Blessings

  3. Thank you for this awesome exhortation. I’m fully loved AND fully seen by the One who matters. I only have to do what He asks, it is for Him to do with it, as He sees fit. Blessings x

  4. Jennifer, thanks for being vulnerable and sharing your heart. It takes courage to put it out there to the world about one’s fears and insecurities.
    You’re post made me feel normal.
    You’re awesome! ❤️

  5. Great way to “review” the woman who’d reached out to Jesus… Thanks very much, Jennifer. Rejection I’ve experienced — anybody who writes screenplays and/or stage plays knows these feelings well. The good Lord, in His wisdom, inspired Paul to record, “But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied with contentment”. (I Timothy 6:6; cf. the context.) One of my favorite – and humbling – Scriptures God brings to my consciousness is John 3:30, to wit: “He must increase, but I must decrease”. His peace most assuredly follows… *By the way, Coach John Wooden advised, “Success is peace of mind that is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming”. After all, God does know our motives..

  6. Thank you Jennifer! Sometimes I feel as insignificant as an ant. Yet God has a purpose for all of His creation. Our souls matter more to Him. It’s not about “us”, it’s about Him! Keeping our eyes on Jesus as His plan(s) unfold in our lives. That is what’s important!

    • I’ve been right there, too, Trina. Isn’t it a great relief to know that God — who knows every hair on every head, who knows every feather on every bird — knows us fully?

  7. I absolutely love that story of the bleeding woman in the Bible. It blows my mind how Jesus cares about the individual, not just the crowd. And He purposefully called her out in order to encourage her lonely, unseen soul. Can you imagine being isolated for that long, feeling tossed aside, and then the Savior of the world acknowledges YOU in front of everyone. What a gift to this Daughter’s heart!

    Thanks for sharing. My heart needed this today as well. 😉

    Love,
    Becky

    • Ah, Becky. So good! Thanks for sharing. You’ve enriched this blog post today with your beautiful thoughts about the bleeding woman, here in the comments. Grateful for you.

  8. “ You are fully known, fully loved, fully relevant.”
    Sharing this will reach so many women. All of us need this encouragement right now. Thank you for love, kindness and authenticity.

  9. Thank you! I needed that SO much this morning! I desperately need Jesus too. And I’m so glad I do.

  10. Wow, Jennifer! This felt like a warm blanket wrapping itself around me! I often feel unseen by friends. I feel like it’s always (or almost always) up to me to reach out. With words or cards or gifts. But Jesus sees me and hears me. And He gives me gifts every day. And His kind, reassuring Words are always available to me. I never have to feel alone. Thank you.

  11. I needed this so much right now. Just last night I deleted several social media apps, obeying the whisper to go to the brook of Cherith (1Kings 17:2-4).
    I will stay there while He sustains me.

  12. Just a thought: Personal rejection by others (not in a limelight-sense or in the way that you described) can hurt just as bad as business or publishing rejections. It’s kind of a training ground for bigger things, I imagine. Promotion in God’s eyes can look different than what the world sees as promotion. Just like there’s different types of blessings. What one might consider a blessing, others might deem a curse. Having the right perspective helps. When we see someone going through great trials, it’s easy for us to get judgy and wag our finger and say “so and so is not right with God” or “God is not happy with them” when in reality, that is not the case. Maybe when we look at someone going thru great trials we can say that that person is blessed by God. God’s going to use this for His glory if the person will let him/herself be used by God. Just some thoughts

  13. Wow, I needed this today. I have felt unwanted with my job, almost 24 yrs and because of covid the manufacturing business I worked for idled the machines. I was displaced by a senior person. I know God has something better for me, just trying to be patient.

  14. Amen! I so needed this! Appreciate your help and support. Thank you! God bless you.

  15. You have no idea how I needed to hear. I have been spending time with someone that I dated years ago and ignoring God saying to walk away. I didn’t and today when I tried calling him my number was blocked. Instead of thanking God, I cried. For what I thought that I was losing. After the tears stopped, I did thank God for doing what I couldn’t do. There was a deep sense of relief like I haven’t known in awhile. Glory be to the God of my everything. Be blessed.

  16. Oh Jennifer, there is always someone who seems bigger and better than us and makes us feel unseen and rejected. Even when we are crushing it and feeling accepted. I intellectually know I need to be me, who God created me to be, but oh this trips me up. I think I will be relearning this over and over again until the end of my life. Thanks for reminding us that Jesus does see us and accept us.

  17. Bev,

    Keep on pushing to get the book published. I know if it is from God then it will happen. You have plenty to say about being abused, suffering in pain & yet finding God’s furious love in the midst of it all. You have a way with words that speaks volumes here at In Courage. I know it will be a great book. We just have to pray that one publisher takes a chance & puts you out there. Abba Father, You have given Bev the desire to write about her past sufferings & finding your furious love in the midst of it all. Please help her to get the book published. I know it will help many women out there. AMEN!

    Blessings 🙂

  18. Jennifer,

    Everyone at some point in life will face rejection, feel unseen or irrelevant. It is a part of life. We must remember that God sees us & our efforts no matter how big or small matter to Him. I have often been the one to blend into the background not wanting the spotlight. Times I have felt like I was not enough to do anything big for God. I’ve done Relay (Cancer Society) for a few years now. Wanting to help out where needed. This year was different in many ways. I stepped out of the background & into the forefront a bit. We made a video about why each of us Relays. I was the recognition chair this year. I worked a little harder at fundraising. God showed me that I needed to step out on faith & touch the hem of His garment to activate His presence in me. Remember this you are never alone, rejected or unseen! God sees you & loves you immensely. He even went to the cross for you.

    Blessings 🙂

  19. Thank you so much for writing this! I needed it right now! I am feeling a bit invisible! Thank you for thr reminder that Jesus sees me!

  20. Thank you, Jennifer! This was a sweet reminder for my heart as I face the inevitable letdown that follows putting myself out there. But the yes I said to Jesus matters more than the answers I receive.

  21. Dear Jennifer, What a joy it was to read your wonderful devotion today! I don’t have many words to share, except to say THANK YOU for sharing from the depths of your soul. I would listen to your podcast in a flash!

  22. Thank you for your insight and devotion. In a time of working from home, I feel like I am in isolation and what I do is insignificant and finding myself wanting to become more introvert and isolated. I realize that is exactly what the enemy wants and is a lie from the pit. The enemy wants to isolate us and makes us feel unimportant and less relevant. As a DaySpring employee, I rarely read the (in)courage devotions that I receive daily but for some reason God knew I needed to read this one. Thank you again for sharing your heart and bringing hope and encouragement to so many people.

  23. Thank you, Jennifer. It’s so easy to feel alone and “left out”, but you’re right about only needing to matter to Jesus. I appreciate your reminder!