Author: Jennifred Jones

July 4th!

Jennifred Jones

Today is July 4th. I am an American. I celebrate July 4th. I am privileged to live here and partake of the many good things that have come about because of freedom in this country.

Centuries ago, in other lands our ancestors were persecuted for their faith in God – Jesus to be more specific. After lots of suffering, pain and loss, they came up with a plan, an idea to have their own land where they could worship God, live before Him, do their own work. own their own property and raise a family as they saw best – not as others tried to force them to. 

As a result, America was formed. The governance was well thought out by intelligent men who disagreed with each other, but their goal was the same. Provide a country ruled by the laws of the people, not by a king. This unique form of government is a republic – just (fair, honest) laws drafted by good men for the good of all. This was not a democracy where majority ruled, this was a set of principles where if you were the only one right, you could maintain your freedom and be safe. No majority rule could overpower that right. (Might help here to reread your Bill of Rights).

There will always be people clamoring for their truth, trying to force you into theirs, but not so in America. Each here has the freedom to live and express himself as a valuable person provided it is done within the confines of the law which takes into account the freedom of others and good of all.

The God and His laws which our country’s laws are patterned after is for our good. We need to continually keep our focus on how good God is, how He gave us this good land, kept us safe from others who’d try to do us harm. He is the true light who will overcome the darkness so we can live in freedom, light and truth with each other. 

“Our father’s God, to thee, Author of liberty, to thee we sing; Long may our land be bright, with freedom’s holy light, protect us by Thy might, Great God our King.” 4th verse of ‘My Country Tis of Thee’ by Samuel Francis Smith (1832)

Preserve Your Mind

Jennifred Jones

News! World Events! Politics! Wars! Rumors! Gossip! YouTube! Instagram! AI!

I cannot keep up! Who said you’re supposed to?

It’s information overload. Knowledge of everything at our fingertips. So busy keeping up with the world we have no time to keep up with ourselves and our own families and communities.

I don’t think we’re intended to know and see everything. Why do we have to have an opinion on everything. Why do we need to hear everyone else’s opinion on everything and everyone? Our mind can only handle so much before it goes into stress mode. Don’t feel guilty because you aren’t ‘concerned’ about all the wars, death and sickness in other parts of the world. You are not being cold-hearted or uncaring. You are one person. You have your life and family and community. They are first and maybe only! We let go of much stress if we tend to our own immediate affairs and not jump on everyone else’s bandwagons hollering and waving concern.

There are many causes and needs hoping for support…your support. You cannot help everyone and meet all the needs clamoring for you. You need to say ‘no’ more than ‘yes’. Stay in your own lane and tend to your own – first and foremost.

Be at peace within yourself. Go outside and smell the fresh air. Look at all the spring flowers. Get a coffee with a friend. Sweep your own porch. Tidy up your place. Wash your car. Call a relative.

Let the rest of the world twirl on its own, while you stay in peace with your own.

A Hurting Woman

Jennifred Jones

The other day I was having lunch with a group of dear ladies.

One beautiful woman was telling her story of heartache…a bad breakup after 3 years of being together. This had happened at the beginning of the year. She was recently retired and alone now. Desperately searching for a new ‘love’ she was dating and doing many foolish things putting herself, her health and safety at great risk. But she was desperate.

Too often men and women, trying to make up for their own losses and hurts, do things they wouldn’t otherwise do because of their pain. The pain causes them to not think clearly and make unwise decisions – decisions, they later come to regret.

I listened to this dear woman, whom I’d never met before, I didn’t say anything, but I hurt with her. When we all left, we hugged each other and I said, “Take care of yourself.” and prayed for her as I drove home.

My prayer was for her to see past the pain and see her value…that just because someone she’d loved had ‘tossed her away’, that she’d not ‘toss herself away’, but become stronger and better in spite of it all. She is a valuable person.

Do you know someone who needs to be told they are valuable? Can you see in another’s eyes or hear in their voice the cry for help?

Be on the lookout and ask God to help.