More than Unbroken

In Florida, we don’t typically get to enjoy the four seasons over time. Actually, in the Panhandle, we are often blessed with winter, spring, summer, and fall all in a single day! Still, as I sit today with windows open and temperatures at a perfect seventy-one degrees, the smell in the air and clear blue skies reveal the transition of the weather. Changes can sometimes be difficult. However, in many cases, change is necessary to usher in a new season in life. We ebb and flow along with each transition. If we welcome the change, we open our hearts to the next thing God wants to bring into our lives. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. (Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬) For two years, I have stood at the edge of what’s next peering into the unknown new thing that God is preparing me for. Each day, little by little, He is chipping away the mystery of it all to re...

Hello friends! My husband and I celebrated our anniversary this weekend, and I was reminded of this piece I had written several months ago. I pray it ministers to you as we enter the holiday season and will be surrounded by family and friends. Smiles,  Jill So Ruth worked alongside the women in Boaz’s fields and gathered grain with them until the end of the barley harvest. Then she continued working with them through the wheat harvest in early fsummer. And all the while she lived with her mother-in-law. (Ruth 2:23 NLT) Pat Benetar sang “Love is a Battlefield.”  Any woman who has been in a relationship understands that true love is more than happily ever after.  True love is showing up every day to do the work. This applies to all women who have relationships in their life. And God created us to be relational creatures--especially women! The story of Ruth and Naomi is one of the best examples of true love.  When Ruth’s husband, Mahlon, died in Moab, Ruth could have re...

I’ve never particularly cared for phrases like “good things come to those who wait” or “patience is a virtue.” Waiting for something to happen that you know is inevitable is not a fun or easy task. In fact, this last month has left me feeling a little stalled out on this writing journey. Enter the word of the Lord. “ Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭36‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Obviously, God’s timing is perfect. But when I’m in the waiting, it seems like Heaven doesn’t hear. Or perhaps, I misunderstood God’s mission. I have to stop and force myself to look back on the journey to reflect on how far He has brought me. All while I thought I was just waiting, God was working for my good. When I stop to see that goodness, I can carry on in patience. “ So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬ This is o...

  Check out this week’s VLOG below: Or use the link:  https://youtu.be/yLJzjz8TaLI © Jill Cook and Unbroken & Undone Ministries.  All rights reserved.

I knew it was coming. Physically, my body began manifesting signs of it before my mind would give in. The tired, achy bones seemed to overwhelm me. Yet, things had to be done. If only I could make it to the end of August. September. October. Then I would have some relief. What can I say? I’m a glutton for punishment. The fact is, I quit teaching theatre over the summer so I could focus more on my family. Unfortunately, for nine years, I have been used to busyness during the fall season. Despite everything I walked away from, I found myself with more to do. I proceeded to fill my proverbial plate with things that were easily justified as family-focused. The problem is that my family wasn’t my focus. It happens quite easily. We see things that are important. The world needs to be fixed. And we know just how to fix everything (and sometimes everyone!). How so very simple it is for the enemy to slither in and whisper that things outside of the home matter more than what happens inside our ...

Yesterday was my husband’s birthday. As we are currently consumed with so many things in the busyness of life, he spent the day working and taking care of the mundane tasks that make up life. So many people go into marriage blindly thinking that all things will just fall into place. Friend, that couldn’t be further from the truth! Over time, I have learned and now understand that love is a choice, and it is work. Oh, but the work is so very worth it. Pastor Chuck used to say, “the grass is greener where you water it.” This is such a true statement. Often, we neglect our own yard (relationships) because we are too busy looking at and comparing to others’. This is unfair to our spouse and our family.  “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬ What do you treasure? If you aren’t sure, check your heart. What your heart desires reveals what you treasure. I’m so very grateful God gave me Lyndon. He has a way of steadying me when i...

I read this comment on a social media post this week,  and boy did it resonate with me! Last weekend, my body finally forced me to stop, rest, and give myself margin. It’s no secret that this is something I struggle with. Those that know me well know that I feel compelled to participate in activities that are important to me personally in addition to saying yes to help those in need. I’m still learning that the word “no” can be used as a complete sentence. In reference to the titular quote, however, this pause encourages something more than just taking “me time.” Truthfully, I lose my emotional and vocal filter when I am stressed. It’s easy to lash out, especially at those that I care about. My frustration is exhibited in quick remarks and knee-jerk reactions that may be justified, but aren’t necessarily Christ-like. It’s an ongoing battle with this flesh of mine.  Practicing pause in this instance means taking a moment to breathe before reacting to a harsh situation. Does thi...