Married to her best friend for almost ten years, Jenifer is the mother of three precious treasures. She has been blessed to be a stay-at-home, home schoolin’ momma. She and her family moved to North Carolina four years ago for her husband to attend seminary and they have definitely bloomed where the Lord has planted them. Jenifer enjoys spending her days with her kiddos instilling within them a love and passion for Jesus and His Word. To relax, she enjoys writing devotionals and Bible Studies.
Jenifer graduated from college with a degree in Christian Counseling. Although she doesn’t have a “paying” job that supports her degree, she will tell you that the Lord uses those years of training everyday in the ministry that He has called her to. The Holy Spirit has placed within Jenifer’s heart a burning passion to study and teach His Word. Her desire is to share God’s unconditional love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness with ladies of all ages. God has opened the doors for her to share her story through teaching and writing women’s Bible studies and devotionals that can be used as tools to help women grow in their relationships with God.
How did you go about naming your blog, and where can we find it?
When the Lord first prompted me to begin blogging I realized that naming my blog was the first step in getting things up and running. I thought about what I would name my blog for days and those days turned into weeks. I didn’t think it would be so hard. I began praying two things: first, “Lord, how do You want me to use this blog?” Second, “got any suggestions for what to name this thing? I’m at a loss.”
Very quickly God answered me with the exact direction He wanted to take this blog in and what He wanted it to be named. The Lord has blessed my life in more ways than I can even begin to name. He has delivered me from deep pits of sin, saved, healed and restored my marriage which was on the doorsteps of a divorce, mended broken relationships and placed within my heart of burning passion to know Him more. The mission that He has me on through my blog is to lead women to the heart of a Savior who loves them no matter what. Speaking from one who likes to be in control of things, God has shown me that it is only by His grace that I am what I am today. In the end, there was no question that our ministry would be called “By His Grace” because without Him, I am nothing. We can be found at www.byhisgraceministry.blogspot.com
What do you find yourself writing about most often?
I normally write about what God is dealing with me on at the time- lessons He has taught me, challenges He has set before me, and areas in my life that He has shown me need some improvement. My kiddos also provide some great topics to share with others, as well as everyday life lessons.
What prompted you to start blogging, and when did you launch your site?
A friend of mine began blogging and introduced me to the idea of it. Then I was asked to set up a blog for the ladies of our church to have somewhere to visit to get encouragement from the Word. After much prayer, the Lord gave me the go ahead to set out on this journey. I began blogging in November 2007.
How much thought and time do you generally put into each post?
It depends. There are times when the Lord lays something on my mind and heart that I have to immediately share or I’ll bust wide open. Then, there are those times when the Lord begins dealing with me about an area in my life and He and I have to work through it for a while before it all fits together and I’m able to share. Right now, I have many “posts” that are in many different stages–some posts I have begun, gotten half way through and the Lord said stop, some have been completely finished but the Lord hasn’t given me the go ahead to share them yet, and some are still brewing in my mind and heart. My prayer for everything that I share is first, that it has become real in my life and then that the Lord uses it to somehow minister to others.
What are some of your hobbies or accomplishments outside of blogging?
Hummm. Hobbies!?! I don’t have much time for hobbies, although I do enjoy reading, scrap booking, and writing. My kiddo’s activities have now become my hobbies–dancing and taekwondo. Would Bible Study and teaching be considered a hobby? If so, I’m totally into that! I love digging into God’s Word and sharing with others what He has taught me.
What struggle have you experienced with keeping your blog updated?
My biggest struggle with blogging is balancing my time between all that I have going on in my life. I’ve had to do self-checks many times to make sure that those priorities in my life: God, family, and homeschooling my kiddos, were coming before my time on my blog.
What are some of your favorite blogs?
I have many favorite blogs. I hate to name just a few for fear of leaving some important ones out. So here’s a shout out to all of ya!!
What Bible verse has God recently placed on your heart?
The Lord gave me a verse a while back and I try my best to incorporate it into all that I do:
“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.” –Ezra 7:10
Through this verse God has shown me that I must first be studying His Word for myself, then practicing in my own life what it is that He has taught me and only after that will I be able to share with others.
Is there anything that you’d like to add in closing?
Jesus is my life. He is my joy, my strength, and my rock. It is a true honor to be a daughter of the King; for it is only By His Grace that I am what I am today. I praise You Jesus and give You all the glory!
Visit Jenifer at By His Grace