The Christmas season is a time of joy, celebration, and family, but let’s be honest—it can also be overwhelming. Between shopping, hosting, decorating, and endless to-do lists, it’s easy to get so caught up in the hustle that we overlook the blessings God has for us in this season. Ladies, my prayer for us is that we do not get so busy doing, that we miss the hidden gifts of the season we're in.

Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Your life will always reflect what's growing inside you. So, ask yourself—what kind of fruit am I really producing?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt unwanted. My brother passed away from SIDS at just three months old, and I was conceived not long after. As a rainbow or hope baby, I couldn’t fill the void left by my family’s heartbreak. Brokenness seemed to follow my family like a shadow.

My life continued to shatter as I witnessed substance abuse and physical abuse from the adults around me. The emotional and sexual abuse I endured left me feeling confused, insecure, isolated, and abandoned.

My name is Jennifer Bouton-Espino. I've since added my husband's last name, but I couldn't bring myself to remove my father's last name, Bouton, because it feels like a connection to my history.

God met me in my lack. He met me in my hurt. My life has rapidly changed from the moment I accepted Jesus as my Savior. He expedited my healing. It was hard, there were days when I would come to Church on a Sunday and I was battling thoughts of self-harm. Ultimately, the more radically I trusted the Lord for my safety of mind, the more freedom he had for me. God is almighty, He can move the impossible mountains in your life.

When we find ourselves depleted, exhausted, weary or burdened, we need to ask, are we connected to the vine? Is Jesus in the center of our busy lives, or are we fitting him in? 

I can remember a season over the span of a few years where I asked the Lord “What good could this possibly bring?” The Bible says that He works all things together for our good, but I was having the hardest time trusting that promise.

Most of us have a dream or desire that has never been spoken out loud, never shared with another person, or perhaps it's something we've given up on. You even might find yourself hesitant to dream and hope due to the deep pain and previous disappointments you've endured. Does any of that sound familiar?

“Therefore, if anyone is IN CHRIST, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!” 2 Cor. 5:17

Have you ever wondered what it means to be a new creation? Do we just magically change? What does that process look like?

We’re halfway through the MADE FOR MORE series and God is already using this talk on “purpose” to activate us.  If we are honest, the idea of “finding our purpose” can feel a bit daunting at times. 

God has good plans in store for you this year. He wants to bring you into exciting new places, heal your pain, provide for every need, restore relationship, and bring joy to your life and family. He does this not from afar, but by being in a close relationship with us. Teaching us his heart, his character, and his love for us as a good Father.

Staying still and resting in the Lord is a daily choice to actively remain in line with what he’s spoken over us. Sometimes we wrestle a little bit. But, to believe God will result in being blessed every single time. To not believe leads to unrest and bitterness. 

Remembering God’s blessings and victories in our lives transforms our minds.

“Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.”
Psalm 42:7

The enemy loves to tell us, “It’s never going to change, this is just the way it is”. But that’s not true!  For those of you who have lost your way or feel forgotten, the Lord would say to you, “Hold on, you’re going to make it! It’s not always going to be this way. I am getting ready to make a way in the wilderness”

In my walk with God, sometimes I find myself in a similar place. I can have this idea of what my Christianity should look like, but the day-to-day elements can be difficult to maintain. Have you ever found yourself there, caught up in the attempt to perfectly perform your walk with God?

My challenge to us women today, is to be people who SEE.  We are busy, we are tired, we are running from one task, one appointment, one deadline to the next.  Can we be people who slow down enough to see the struggling sisters in our lives?  Can we ask God to give us His eyes, so that we can call out by name the women He wants to reach?  Can we be the people who make ourselves available to share the gospel?  It starts by SEEING those in need, and making space in our calendars for a meal or coffee or even just a chat. 

God wants us to live from a position of gratitude and to share it with others. When gratitude overflows, it blesses others and their futures. That same gratitude you extend will come full circle and overflow back to you.