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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Comments

  1. Jennifer, this was so comforting and helpful. I usually end the day with a list of gratitude but I think I might start my day being thankful and praising God. It would certainly set a more positive tone for the day.

    • Maybe we could book-end our days with praise — some at the beginning, and some at the end!

  2. Good morning,

    I will praise the Lord with song and cymbals. Psalms 150:3-6.

    Thank you for sharing your story of your dear father and the legacy he left you. Your message encouraged me today.
    Blessings!

    • I love knowing that this encouraged you. So glad you’re here today. Have a fabulous week!

  3. One of my goals is to be able to live joyfully regardless of my circumstance. I’m not quite there yet BUT I’m closer than I was yesterday. Thank you for sharing your experience with your Dad, and what he’s taught you, and what you’re sharing with your part of the world!
    God Bless!

    • I am so blessed to have the Dad (and Mom) that I have. Thanks so much for being here today. xo

  4. What a legacy your dad left! My husband and I attended a celebration of life service last weekend for a man your dad would have loved to meet—one who smiled big and loved bigger and praised God until the very end of his cancer-shortened life. Nevertheless praise—how it moves God and changes us!

    • Sounds very much like someone my Dad would have loved to meet! In heaven, perhaps they’ll cross paths!

  5. I love this so much! What a legacy your father gave you! I’m in the midst of my own health crisis right now. After 7 weeks I was finally well enough to go to worship yesterday, and it felt so good to sing praises to our God with my brothers and sisters in the Lord. I resolve to continue to praise Him even in the midst of my pain and weakness.

    • I love that, Gail. I am so sorry you are going through a health crisis, and also I am inspired by your persistence in praising God anyway.

  6. Dear Jennifer…What a great story and unbelieveable it is to me as yesterday this is what I was fighting with myself about. I went to church and prayed most of the day, but I have so many very difficult situations staring at me, that if I can push one out of my mind, there is always something else I need to face. I do praise God for everything He has given me over the years. The one is truly a Miracle. I had just had a 9+ hour serious operation and then the doctor gave me some medication and I coded. They shoved my husband out and most of the rest I only know because he told me. I ended up in ICU in a drug induced coma for 2 weeks, but the doctor told Jim, he did not think I would survive. Here is what I experienced while in the coma. I actually saw Jesus and my Holy spirit was there with me too. Jesus said to me ” Betsy, you need to fight. This is not your time. You have so much to give to others right now. My Holy Spirit whispered also to fight and they would help me. ” Well, as you can tell, I did survive that, but I guess many people may never experience this or maybe they don’t remember. When they brought me out of the coma, everything looked white to me and I was very confused, but finally I started to recover and went home. I was so weak and all that I saw and heard in my coma kept going through my mind and I realized that it did really happen and at that time, I praised the Lord, Jesus and my Holy Spirit. I do praise them frequently, but I am now 77 years old and fear that these very serious things that I am still facing will not be solved before I leave this Earth. My father was quite like yous. He suffered from cancer and kept telling me while he still could, not to be afraid as he wasn’t, but like you my heart was broken in a million pieces when he left even though I knew he was sure to be in a better place, Jennifer I want to thank you for your story and I will read and re-read it as I think it will help me to face these other family problems. In the facility that I live in on Saturday mornings, we have a prayer, share and care service and this Saturday, the whole meeting will be singing songs that we have loved for many years and we actually have a piano player this week. Doesn’t this just fit into your story? It is amazing what you (in)courage women seem to peek into our minds and give us your story that is so similar. I send my prayers, love and a big hug (if I may) to you and a pray that your week goes well. Your story really touched my heart………Betsy Basile

  7. Jennifer,

    So sorry for the loss of your beloved dad. This post reminds me of Micah Tyler’s song “Praise the Lord”. Here is the chorus:
    I’m gonna sing it I’m gonna shout it I’m gonna lift my hands and praise No matter what is gonna come my way
    All You’ve done for me I give You the glory From the valley to the victory I know my God is gonna fight for me
    So when the devil come try to get me Gonna praise the Lord When the devil come try to get me Gonna praise the Lord.
    I love this song because it speaks of praising God in the highs and lows of life. I practice that daily.

    Blessings 🙂