Author: jendhooper

Spiritual Encourager and Mentor

Sheltered Under His Wings

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One day I was looking outside taking in God’s beauty when I spotted a bird sitting on my kids swing set. After a little while I noticed that he wasn’t flying away and that it looked injured. My heart went out to that little bird, but as I watched, another bird flew up next to it and began to feed it. Immediately it brought the verse to mind that God even sees the sparrow fall and watches over them. Then the verse goes on to say, “Fear not, for you are of more value than many sparrows” – Matt. 10:31.

This is such a precious image to me of how God looks after us. Sometimes it might seem like we are alone … but are we really?! What if we took those moments of feeling like we’re in the shadows, unseen, alone – and instead looked at it as we are in the shadow of the almighty … covered under His wings. Because really, that’s exactly what is happening. There are moments in our life/walk with Christ where God seems silent. This is where we need to get our binoculars out and adjust them so you can see more clearly with your spiritual eyes. God’s silence never means we are alone. It’s often times when God is about to blow your mind. Just keep those spiritual eyes wide open. Ask God to help you see clearly.

About a year ago, after several struggles that made us feel that the rug was being pulled out from underneath us, I began to doubt God’s goodness. Instead of inviting God into that space and allowing Him to heal me, I kept Him at arms length. I didn’t want Him to leave me, but I had the misconception that if God was close, than that would allow the enemy to strike again, and I didn’t have the strength for that. However, after one Sunday of singing the song Scars, I was reminded that I AM thankful for the emotional scars that I had because without them I wouldn’t have been able to witness the absolute miraculous things that God did for our family. My only regret is that I didn’t invite Jesus into that space of hurt sooner. I thought I needed to heal and then I would invite Him back close to my side. But, I know now that if I had invited God to sit with me in my healing, then He would still protect me. And really, He still was sitting with me!

There will be moments when you feel positively numb. You don’t know what to think or how to feel. As your friend, I want to tell you that it’s ok to feel this way. It’s ok to have that moment of anger, confusion, or questioning God. BUT, invite Him in to that space. Quiet your mind, and then simply say, “Jesus”. Sit in the shadows with your ultimate protector and healer. And then, watch God work.

Fulfill Your Purpose

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Have you ever had a strong desire to do something? You know that feeling in the pit of your stomach that kind of terrifies you?! But, you keep ignoring it because well … no one has asked you to share that story, write that blog or start that Bible study. Or perhaps its because many other people have said it before you … probably better than you could say it. I’ve been there … believe me! In fact, you’re probably not going to read anything new from me that you haven’t already heard before. But, let me tell you … someone needs to hear YOUR story in your unique way of saying it. You have something to give because God created all of us with a purpose. So, what’s that deep burning desire inside of you that always gets you excited … and terrifies you. Maybe keeps you up at night telling yourself why you shouldn’t, but wishing you could.

My desire is to love anyone and everyone, but especially to tell women just how loved they are and tell them what God thinks of them. Here’s why. Growing up and moving 30+ times made it hard to make friends because of how introverted I was. Others started to talk for me and I began to shrink back in my shell even more, telling myself that what I had to say was not important. Thanks to my very encouraging husband, he has pushed me outside of my comfort zone on numerous occasions. But it started with a ladies retreat. I had very high hopes for this retreat because I was determined to make friends. Instead of rooming with my sister (my comfort zone), I asked for a room with other ladies. I was positive that at least one of those room mates would become my new BFF. At the end of that retreat, I did not have a new BFF … shocker … or even the hint of a new friendship forming. Instead, I went home crying. Dramatic, I know. But, this was the very first time I put myself out there and did something hard for me. But, I felt like I failed. However, I believe because of my step of faith, months later I did start to see friendships forming. The next year, I decided to go back to the ladies retreat. Not only did I return home with one friend, but two! Do you see what God did there?

Anyway, here’s my point. Because I stepped outside of my comfort zone and told God I wanted a friend, it grew to so much more than just a friend for me. You see, the friends I made at the ladies retreat turned into going to a book club that amped up my love for digging into books like “The Circle Maker” by Mark Batterson and “Fervent” by Priscilla Shirer (more recently, I’ve been digging into “You’re Already Amazing” by Holley Gerth and  “Peace” by Becky Thompson). These set a fire deep in my soul … a burning passion. I wanted everyone to know what I was learning. Those many women that came to my house for fittings (that I referred to in my last post), I prayed that they would sense Jesus’ sweet peace the second they pulled into my driveway. I had so many sweet moments with these women and it was no longer about the sewing, but about the relationships. Then, God moved Tim and I to Virginia (that’s a whole other story for another day). Through that move I ended up closing my sewing business and wanted to go in full time with the ministry Tim & I felt called to.

There was one day specifically that God got a hold of my heart. I was driving home from grocery shopping and it hit. I had been praying that God would help me to love people the way He loved people. Ever since, I’ve had this almost strange sense of loving people that I know nothing about. I’m not saying that I’m perfect in this, but it’s become a burning passion inside of me to want to grab hurting women by the shoulders, look in there eyes and tell them how much God loves them. That might have sounded a little creepy. Sorry! Since then, God has given me to the opportunity to co-host on a podcast, write books, start this blog and some other things I’m currently working on that scare me to death.

Jen, where are you going with all of this? Ok, my point is, God has been working in you. There is something deep inside you that you are longing to do but maybe it just seems too scary. I want to encourage you, DO IT! Someone needs to hear what you have to say. Maybe you need to do some research first. Or maybe you can talk to someone that is an expert in that field. I want to encourage you to take the first step. Yes, you may go home and cry because it seemed like you failed. But, DON’T GIVE UP! If you need someone to pray for you or encourage you every step of the way, I’m here. You can send me a message and I would gladly become that someone to encourage you. You have a story to tell … a purpose to fulfill. God wants to use you … yes YOU, to bring Him glory.

~ Jen

A Little About Me

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Welcome new friends! And welcome to my blog Coffee with Jen. There is something so special to me about being able to invite a friend over for coffee and a cookie or going out to a coffee shop together. Getting to know each other on a one-on-one basis, away from our busy lives so we can encourage one another. In this first post I wanted to share who I am at a glance, but am looking forward to digging even deeper with you.

I’m a wife to my best friend Tim for 13 years, and mama to four energetic, sweet kiddos that I also homeschool. I reside in beautiful rural Virginia where we own a 1930’s brick 4-story home that we are renovating, or maybe I should say Tim is renovating. I’m great at finding Pinterest pins and researching how to German Smear a fireplace and such. Or perhaps watching episodes of “Fixer Upper” and “Hometown”. We’ve called it The Journey Home and love having the chance to spoil couples and leaders to the best of our ability in a judgment-free zone of rest and renewal.

Baking is my jam and you will find me most days in the kitchen baking cookies, or a cake, listening and singing along with my worship music.

I had a sewing business out of my home for 12 years. It was during that time that I realized it was building the relationships with these ladies and having women come in and out of my home almost every day that I loved the most. In fact, the picture of those dear ladies on my home page was from a photo shoot of that year’s spring line. That has been the spring board for this blog, a podcast that I co-host called “Enough” along with my sweet friend Courtney and the start of my first book that you can find here.

I’m a sucker for Hallmark movies even though I could tell you the entire plot line from start to finish.

Most recently, I was diagnosed with breast cancer this past May of 2020. This diagnosis has changed my life permanently for the better in so many ways. It has been this journey that has made me realize that I don’t need to be afraid to speak up and share about my Jesus. He has become even more precious to me now than I could have ever imagined. Yes, there are days when this journey absolutely sucks … like yesterday and today as I just finished my last large dose of chemo, but still have 2 smaller doses to go. I’ve spent the last 2 days barely getting out of bed and yesterday I pretty much ate half of a banana and otherwise even thinking about food made me want to … you know what. But, as I’m writing this I get to hear my sweet kiddos jump on the trampoline from my bedroom window and I get to remember all that God has done and continues to do. He’s good ya’ll!! Can I get an amen?!

My greatest goal in life is to share how I’m completely in love with Jesus and it is my passion to love on and encourage ladies in their identity in Christ. I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you will walk this journey with me and send me a message or comment below so I can get to know you too!

Love you all, Jen