"Poetically Speaking"

Do you feel the pressure? Because I know I certainly do
The pressure from all sides to do (and be) as the world tells me to

Follow the trends; just go with the flow
Be this, have that, all caught up in the undertow

We keep filling our lives with all these meaningless things
in hopes that our hearts will be satisfied with anything n’ everything

The world around us is so broken, needing the true love of Jesus
No other remedy or cure to heal us or appease us

Through motherhood, I see life differently than I ever did before
I’ve learned about sacrifice, priorities and oh so much more

My son will learn more from me by watching what I do
My example’s a stronger teacher than my words, sticking to him like glue

I don’t have it all together or even pretend that I do
Because then all I’d be doing is flat out lying to you

I have my own struggles, insecurities and fears
Some I’ve gotten over and some have stuck with me through the years

No, I’m nowhere near a size 2 nor am I perfectly fit
I can’t fit into my old jeans, not even one bit

I’m not a perfect mom and I’m not a perfect wife
But I strive to do my best with what I’ve been given in this life

I don’t have any extra letters that go after my name
No large bank account, no fancy home, nor fame

I may not have wealth but I sure do have plenty,
I always have what I need, my heart’s full n’ never empty

 The fact of the matter is this: I’m incredibly flawed
despite my shortcomings, by grace through faith, I’m a child of God

I won’t evaluate myself anymore by the world’s measuring stick
And if I do, I’ll always come up short, feeling “less-than” and sick

But my life has a purpose and I know why I’m here
and it’s not about me, my achievements or career

It’s not about being #1 or being “the best”
It’s not about our “stuff” or how we have obtained success

I won’t be defined by numbers, “likes” or praise
or how many friends and followers I have to my name

I want to see myself the way that God sees me,
to tune out the enemy’s lies that consume me so easily

You see, my faith is what’s key, my faith makes me, ME
All I have, who I am is found in Jesus - my identity

He sees my worth, my heart and who Jenna really is,
He calls me “precious, loved, chosen” and “His”

Nothing in this world has satisfied my heart
in the way that Jesus has given me hope and a fresh start

This hope that I have, it’s firm and secure
Like an anchor for my soul, giving me strength to endure

So to be perfectly honest, I could get caught up in me
what I want, when and how – everything according to me it would be

But I refuse to take credit for any good seen in me
Because without Jesus I’d be lost, self-centered and mean

We need to stop obsessing over the need to compare
It’s just not healthy for us, we really shouldn’t care

Because we are all on a journey, uniquely designed for us,
to look and compare ourselves to others is far from “harmless”

When people see me, I hope they get a glimpse of Jesus
A reflection of His love, mercy and how He redeems us

I was bought at a price and the same goes for you too
Jesus died on the cross to save me from me and you from you

We are our own worst enemies; we feel constantly beat
We tear ourselves down, waving white flags of defeat

But the simple truth is this: we are never alone
Designed to do life with Jesus – heaven meant to be our home

But the choice is ours, it’s left entirely up to us
our decisions, priorities and where we place our trust

I was made for eternity not just what’s here and now
so until I’m called Home, to live purposefully, is my vow

My faith isn’t fantasy and this is more than “a religion”,
All I am, I owe to Jesus, every tid-bit and smidgen

Our value isn’t in our appearance, what we have or the dollars to our name
it’s about our character, integrity, and glorifying God in what we do and say

This life sure is unpredictable; filled with it’s highs and it’s lows
but my feet are planted firmly – God is good, this I know

I’m writing this all down, (more for me than for you)
in hopes that I’ll refocus and shift my thoughts to the truth

Life is so short and in the blink of an eye things can change in an instant
with a sweet hello or tragic goodbye

So I’ll press on in my faith walk, unafraid of learning or change
because life’s worth living when the Lord’s got your back
In Him, I remain    

 Written by Jenna De Los Santos 

"It Is Finished" - Good Friday Post

"We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19)

As I get older, with every year that passes, I am able to grasp and understand a bit more the true love and extreme sacrifice that Jesus made for me (and for us all) on the cross. I don't think I will ever be able to fully comprehend it all just because God is an unfathomable God; His ways are not my ways; they are far above my own ... that in and of itself is a VERY good thing.

As a Mom, I can't wrap my mind around the thought of ever giving up my one and only son, to die in the place of others; to take the penalty of all mankind's sin upon himself especially if my son had never once done any wrong in his life! Completely and 100% sinless. No fault found. Not even one bad thought. How unfair does that seem? Why would someone so pure and innocent take on such a massive burden? ... Unless... UNLESS driven by love and obedience to God's will. It was all part of God's perfect plan in saving us. Oh what love!

God gave us His one and only son in order to pay the price for our sin - which is death. Jesus took on our guilt and our shame and stood in our place; all the while paving the way so that we could have a "redemption story". The most beautiful love story that can ever be told. He provided a way out for us; giving us the opportunity (AND a choice, mind you) to live with Jesus in heaven for forever!  P.S.) This is a free gift. 
No coupon code necessary for this life-changing purchase. 

Knowing that God sent His only son, Jesus, to this earth to die the most painful, torturous death in all of history because He loves us THAT MUCH is mind-blowing. He longs for me/us to be in a personal relationship with Him. This is life-altering. It's not something I can have knowledge of and then not do anything with it. My life has changed for the better because of His great love and sacrifice. I want every aspect of my life to be centered around Him. I want to love Jesus the way that He loves me. (And I want to love others the way that He loves them.) How do I do that, though? How can I show Him that I love Him? 

I give Him my life, my trust, my heart, my obedience, my will, my plans, my desires, everything. He gave His life for me, so how can I not do the same for Him?

Sacrifice = True Love. True Love = Sacrifice. 

Any way you slice it or dice it, this is the truth. I know because I've experienced it for myself in my marriage, in my family, in my relationships and in my motherhood. I've learned that through giving of myself, my time, my resources, etc, for the ones I love, whatever that sacrifice may be, in order that they may gain something from my that sacrifice, that's how I show my sincere love and care for them.

In the same way, Jesus showed us just how much He loves and cares for us by His sacrifice. To the point of death. He looks at us all individually and says "You're worth it. You are mine. And I love you THIS much." He opened his arms up wide and showed us what true love looks like. He led by example, He always did. 

Although my heart breaks every time I think of His death on the cross in my place, I am able to live life to the fullest because I know that Sunday is coming... and Sunday means MY REDEEMER LIVES. I can face today. I can face tomorrow. I can face the unknown, I can do this life because Jesus conquered death. In Him I find hope, I find purpose and I find all that I will ever need in Him. I don't deserve a single one of the wonderful things God has done for me and my life. And I guess that's what does it for me, knowing that I'm unworthy ... and still ... He chooses to love me, care for me and be there for me. To be my constant. Never once abandoning me despite my shortcomings; instead loving me for who I am today and 

loving me too much to leave me the way I am.

Love. Sacrifice. Redemption.