Hello sweet SheReadsTruth sisters!
We don’t often address y’all from a really personal place, since we like to let God’s Word do the talking, but Raechel has asked me to write this post and while I’m sad to, I’m also glad to get the chance to. SheReadsTruth has been a huge part of my life since that sweet day in the spring of 2012 when a few gals were chatting on twitter about reading the Bible together. It seemed like an incredible blessing of a project to be involved in – a complete no-brainer. I love God’s Word, I love the internet, I love women.
As SheReadsTruth grew, my appreciation and love for this community did as well. I felt really humbled and overwhelmingly gracious to be involved with something that was uniting so many women around His Word. There were stressful moments, because as I’m sure y’all can imagine, it takes a lot of emotional energy and physical time to run SheReadsTruth. The women I lead and wrote with gave endlessly and I wanted to match them hour for hour and word for word and meeting for meeting and be all in. Because who wouldn’t? They’re amazing and so is this community.
The only problem was the growing conviction in my heart. My husband is a pastor, we run a scripture print shop to help fund our church plant, and I also cofounded The Influence Network for women. When you add in four kids and occasionally sleeping, all of these things weren’t adding up – there just wasn’t time to do them all well. I so desperately wanted to make everything fit and in that process, I wasn’t doing anything well. I wasn’t giving my full support to my husband and our small church, I wasn’t stewarding my businesses to the best of my ability, and my family wasn’t getting the best of me. I felt the Lord continually ask me what I was going to do about it and I was open to ideas as long as they didn’t include giving up SheReadsTruth:).
I finally gave in two weeks ago after much prayer and wisdom-seeking. I told Raechel and the team that as sad as it makes me, I felt the Lord calling me to “give up good for better”, even if better just means being a better mom and wife in this season. I am so grateful for the chance to tell you all – I will miss you and miss writing for you and leading you, but I know you are in amazing hands.
The Lord has a beautiful plan for SheReadsTruth and I for one, will be the loudest one cheering on the sidelines. Thank you for letting me lead you all the last year and a half and know that I’ll still be right there reading His Word alongside you!
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28 thoughts on "a letter from our Jessi"
Jessi, You will be missed and have been such an integral blessing with the SRT team and in this community! Your writing was heartfelt and caused me to reflect and go deeper, inspired me and encouraged me to ponder. As I read this, I definitely believe this is from the Lord, “give up good for better”, but as part of this body of believers that you are a part of and led, we will miss this part that you fit here … your gift to this group, so we're counting on you to pop in when you can. I clearly understand that you have been stretched to the limit with your full plate of responsibilities yet the choice to leave one, I'm sure is difficult.
As I read John 16 for the first day of the new plan of God's promises, I thought of you (not in the portion we read, but from the beginning of this chapter as Jesus spoke)… and we can stand on God's promises and more PEACE for you as you focus on being who you are as mother, wife and then the other additional roles as pastor's wife, business, cofounder, etc. but you will always be a special part of SRT and a writer at heart.
Thank you for all you are and have given as you birthed this SRT and now must let it go and have wings to soar! May God bountifully bless you and yours as you go forth. May God give you fulfillment, joy, and rest as you have made this decision, may He bring you more peace and time to focus! Thanks for inspiring us and setting a good example! We'll look forward to having you cheer us on and treasure your input whenever in the comments or however God leads for truly you are seeking Him and His truth! God bless! Thanks!
Peace,
Peggy
Thank you Jessi, for everything you do, everything you have done, and everything you are!
Warm thoughts and blessings go with you now as you follow His lead down the perfect path He has chosen for you. ((hugs)) & ♡ 2 U!! :)
Will truly miss your wisdom and insight…hope you will still have time to post once and awhile or leave comments. May God richly bless you on your continued journey.
Jessi,
I am new to this community and have been so blessed by it. I’m reading your words and seeing so much of yourself echoed in my life…pastor’s wife, mom of five, church plant, running my own business, and several other big commitments…God has been giving me the same nudges of letting go. Thank you for sharing your heart and experience. I didn’t realize how much I needed your words, His words, of reassurance that I am ‘ giving up good for better’. God’s ways are not always my ways, but they are always good, they are always right…they are always perfect! Thank you for what you have done for SheReadsTruth, and thank you for continuing to step out on faith! Many blessings and love to you!
Thank you so much for the ways you’ve let God use you on ere, you’ll definitely be missed! Much ♥ ♥ ♥
Our Father commands all has this. Jessi I love hearing how God is working in your life. It has been a blessing knowing you and sharing your journey with you. Truly blessed to be a part of this family, God's family.
Jessi. When you wrote on your blog about giving up good things for better things, I was hoping She Reads Truth wasn’t what you were talking about, but at the same time, I suspected that it was. Thank you for sharing about your decision so honestly and publicly. It is a great example to those of us watching. Although your voice here will be missed, it’s not really about a person or group of people’s voices anyways. I hope that you can now be as blessed by She Reads Truth as you have blessed it in the past year and a half (almost). <3
Alesha
God bless you for being so open with us.. AGAIN.. and demonstrating what it looks like to make hard choices. Undoubtedly, He has guided you, and I am grateful that He has gifted us with your words. I wish you much love + peace during this awesome season of your life. Thank you Jessi!!!
Awww Jessi, we are going to miss you, but we realize sometimes God just wants us to slow down a bit and just breath. Thank you so much for your beautiful writings, and the lead of the Holy Spirit we all followed thru your devotions. May god continue to bless you and uphold you dear.
We will miss you but you must be in the will of God for your life. Many blessings and peace to you.
Thanks so much for your obedience. Why is it that God asking us to "give up good for better" is ALWAYS the hardest thing to do. Thank you for continuing to set us an amazing example, even in your departure! Blessings to you, your family and your ministry
Having been one who got to the place you are and continued on until things were wrecked, I commend you for making the wise choice. God will, according to His word, bless you and your family for your obedience. Thank you for serving us for this season.
Thank you for everything you’ve done with SRT. I’m convinced this decision is God-led. Be blessed as you refocus your priorities, take a deep breath, exhale and take a little “you” time too. I have to remind myself that I was created as a human being, not a human “doing”… So I understand a bit of your struggle. You only have your kids for a season, on loan from God. Enjoy them!
Wow! I have been so blessed by your devotions and theSRT ministry in general . Obedience brings blessing as we have seen in our study of Daniel. So, Jessi, God's abundant blessings to you and your family as you follow Him. You will be sorely missed.
Thankful for your leadership in listening and obeying. xo.
Aw, I haven't been with SRT long, but I will already MISS YOU! BUT I REJOICE in knowing that you are being obedient to the Lord and letting him close a door so that he can open many more. It's a time and season for everything. I pray that you and family will continue to follow God wherever he may lead you for his plans are greater! Many blessings, peace, love and joy. I pray the blessings of the Lord follow you ALL the days of your life.!!
What an awesome gift God has given us through you. Thank you for sharing your life, time, and love. Will be praying for you and your family as you follow Gods direction. What I blessing!
Jessi, you will be so missed but I’m grateful you spent this season with SRT. You are so right about trading in good for better! God keep blessing you and your family and businesses and all the other hats you wear (very well, I might add!). Sure we will see you around SRT again! ;)
May God bless you out of the storehouse of His Abundance. May you find Peace in your obedience, and the blessings tucked inside the 'letting go'.
From glory to glory – you will go from good to better…..may God bless you as you go!
Jessi, you will be greatly missed but are clearly making a wise and difficult decision. I pray the Lord fills you up everything you (and our other leaders) have poured out. Thank you for all the time and energy you have poured into this community…it has not been in vain. Bless you!!!
Bless you for heedng God's will. Now breath and go bless your husband and children :) thank you for your time and devotion to God's word.
Never say, "just a wife and mother". Highest calling on Earth with the best possibility to have a lasting impact! May God continue to bless you and your family. Thank you for your ministry here!
Giving things up dear to us is always painful, but be assured that you have made an impact on many women across the world. God bless you in your new season and rest in The Lord.
Jessi, Thank you for everything you have poured out for this community. Thank you for being willing to do the work to establish She Reads Truth. God honors and blesses obedience. I know He will do no less in your life as you take this step of obedience. Blessings to you and your family.
Oh, Jessi! You will be missed, but I completely understand your situation and am so very proud of your obedience to our Father. I love your writings here and at Naptime (are you still planning to blog?), you have a wonderful gift of words and drawing people together. This site has been a life jacket for me during a turbulent season. Thank you, thank you for all you have done to contribute to that!! Much love to you, Sister!
Jessi you will be missed and I pray that God will continue to lead and guide you. Thank you for being apart of these wonderful group of women. Thank you for showing us how to follow after God even when we are not sure where he is leading us. Be blessed in all that God has for you.
Ah, I will miss you too.
You ladies have done amazing work, and you have left an amazing legacy. I will always be in awe of how God has used you ladies to touch so many other women, including me, how your leadership have helped me grow in the Lord, have helped me understand my life seasons better and have helped me know the Lord more and more everyday.
I pray that you will be even more blessed in your new direction, blessed in everything — time (and quality time), finances, wisdom, love and joy.
You are wonderful. All you ladies are so wonderful and inspirational.
To God be the glory, everything for Him,
amen.
I definitely believe every thing has its season. Thank you for allowing God to use you. Thank you for also being an example of how to evaluate yourself and listen to God’s direction. I pray that your family, ministry, and business be blessed.