More than Unbroken

I, along with many around the world, was shocked by the 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony in Paris. Being a lover of arts and culture, I fully expected a Parisian opening ceremony to be nothing less than grand. Disappointment and sadness were not emotions I have typically experienced when I have followed the Olympic Games in years past. While the IOC and Paris organizers have made statements to the contrary, NBC originally reported that da Vinci’s “Last Supper” was being depicted by a group of men scantily clad in flamboyant women’s clothing. Another character, identified as Bacchus (or Dionysus in Greek mythology), was also seen almost completely nude, save for a vine “loincloth” that did little to hide the male actor’s anatomy. This is likely why the character was not shown on NBC during the live event. American television does not allow for nudity on mainstream TV with families watching. Unfortunately, this is actually the norm in much, if not all, of Europe.  As outrage and sadness...

Lately, my Instagram feed has been inundated with videos to determine if I have past trauma or adult ADD. Just a simple quiz and $30 per month can help me unlock the tools I need to be more productive in my personal life. After the free quizzes, I discovered that I do have unresolved trauma, adult ADD, and likely suffer from a new medical phenomenon that keeps me from losing weight. Obviously, I recognize the fallacies behind all of these advertisements. While some people definitely deal with significant issues that debilitate them on a weekly, if not daily, level, I know that this is not the case for me. There is no magic formula to make me want to clean my house, which is why my husband has lovingly gifted me with a phenomenal cleaning lady who cleans every other week. I will inevitably wait until the last minute to perform tasks that I don't want to do. This isn't new; I've done it since high school! I always flew through my English and grammar homework and saved math fo...

It's been two months since the unexpected death of my Daddy. To say I have lacked the inspiration or even the motivation to write would be a tremendous understatement. The process of grief is slow sometimes, and this loss is particularly difficult because of a complicated past with my dad. As I reach for the words to express my thoughts, I am reminded of the truth of God's word. But You, O God, do see trouble and grief...You are the helper of the fatherless. (Psalm 10:14) I am far from feeling abandoned by God, even in my sadness. If anything, this season has reminded me of His faithfulness through the years that Daddy and I struggled to have a positive relationship. But time and again, God's word reminds us that He is a source of comfort and help to the orphan and the fatherless. So today, as fathers are recognized, I honor my Heavenly Father. He continues to carry me through the days when I am too weak or tired to even hold myself together. I remember the life of my Daddy...

 Dear readers, I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for the calls, texts, and, most importantly, the prayers over the last two weeks as my family and I have worked to process through the unexpected loss of my father.  Grief and loss are the reality of our fallen world, and I’m thankful for the God of peace and comfort who has so lovingly wrapped me up through every season, including this one. With this in mind, I find it necessary to take some time to lean into the presence of God. I have decided to take a brief hiatus on the blog as I continue to work through the overwhelming process of grief in a healthy way. An empty cup has nothing to pour out, and right now, my mind and heart are still trying to catch up with reality. I hope you can find encouragement in some of my past posts. My story isn’t over, so I will see you back on the blog soon. And it is all for God’s glory. Smiles, Jill

This is one of the most difficult pieces to write. My dad, Steve, passed away this morning unexpectedly. He was the “Music Man” in my world who made life a song.  Daddy was responsible for putting me on the stage. At two years old, he stood me on the altar at church so everyone could watch me sing “Victory in Jesus.”   At twelve, he was teaching me how to set up equipment and mix sound. As a teenager, we wrote songs together. His love of music is so deeply ingrained in me that I feel a piece of that is somehow missing now. Things were not always great between me and Daddy. In fact, we went for a long time without having contact with one another. I’m so grateful that God restored our relationship in his final years. Neither one of us were perfect in our relationship, but I always loved him deeply. So today, I’m heartbroken. Memories are flooding my mind, and there are so many things I still wanted us to share. I know the coming days will be filled with waves of grief and the st...

Lately, I’m having to remind myself of this phrase a lot! Call it what you want, but I know spiritual attacks come in all shapes and forms. In moments of chaos, I ask myself how Christ would respond. Trust me, I’m a work in progress! But every now and then, God reveals something about His character that I can show. Case in point: right now, I’m reading through the book of Deuteronomy with Bible Recap on the Bible App. This particular study has brought formerly mundane scriptures to life in a meaningful way. And God definitely has His hands full trying to keep the wandering Israelites on track! I can totally relate. All I have to say is it’s a good thing God didn’t put me in charge! My flesh gets the best of me and my emotions wreck me and those around me. This week, I had such a moment (or several, if I’m honest). When I was praying and asking God to help me handle a particular issue, He reminded me of the servanthood of Jesus. He washed feet. He knew He was being betrayed. He knew his...

 Knowing that God has been on the move in my life, it was no surprise that this week has been full of spiritual attacks. Physically, emotionally, and mentally the enemy took full advantage of my recent comfort. The joke, however, is on him. When my heart grows heavy and my mind fills with doubt, I turn to the One who whispers the truth.  Don't get me wrong. I spent a solid afternoon in bed one day this week after battling sickness in my body. I would hardly call that time "sacred." But when I look back at every moment that felt like a gut punch, I can see it for what it truly is. And then I can lean into Jesus. Some days this week it took all of my strength to whisper His name and ask for help. It was even harder to hear Him through the unrelenting lies playing through my mind. I have to press in and dig my heels in to stand firmly on Christ the solid rock. If I'm being honest, the lies are still playing like a broken record. But I refuse to live in defeat. Instead, I...