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“I wish it need not have happened in my time," s

“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.

"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

I read this today to remind myself why I choose to

I read this today to remind myself why I choose to bravely engage in difficult conversations. They are tough, but worth it.

“The word rumble has become more than just a weird West Side Story way to say, “Let’s have a real conversation, even if it’s tough.” It’s become a serious intention setter and a behavioral cue or reminder.

A rumble is a discussion, conversation, or meeting defined by a commitment to lean into vulnerability, to stay curious and generous, to stick with the messy middle of problem identification and solving, to take a break and circle back when necessary, to be fearless in owning our parts, and, as psychologist Harriet Lerner teaches, to listen with the same passion with which we want to be heard. More than anything else, when someone says, “Let’s rumble,” it cues me to show up with an open heart and mind so we can serve the work and each other, not our egos.

Open hearts and open minds are critical if we want to be brave. Remember, it’s not fear that gets in the way of courage – it’s armor. It’s the way we self-protect, shut down, and start posturing when we’re in fear.

When I feel myself reaching for my favorite armor (perfectionism, anger, being the knower, trying to control, emotional intensity, getting critical), I try to remember that the antidote to armoring up is staying curious.” Brené Brown adapted from Dare to Lead

My motto today: Social Media can be a break from a

My motto today: Social Media can be a break from a day well lived. See ya on the other side of it. Make today great!
Hugs, your friend Jen

I didn’t sleep the night before this photo... no

I didn’t sleep the night before this photo... not much at all. I heard a sad story about a kid we know who took her own life at 12. Mai and I cried a lot that night. I talked to my mom. It’s not supposed to be that way. Maybe you are asking why am I smiling here? I don’t know I cried all night. I see bags under my eyes in this photo. I woke up thinking I cannot bring that precious girl back and that is so devastating. I am awake. I am alive. I am going to spend my life reminding you and me that we are here for a reason. Hard days and seasons are so real. I am a warrior and you are too. I am going to fight those dark messages that condemn us claiming we don’t matter and we are not valuable with truth, light, love and hope. We will walk in the valley of the shadow of death. Jesus says fear no evil. We need comfort in hard seasons.

These are really hard times. Friends are losing jobs. There’s fear around where the next paycheck is coming from. Kids need kids and they have been away from school. I keep hearing on the news that mental illness is on the rise and that’s the 4th kid in schools my kids go to in the last 4 months we lost. That breaks my heart. 😭. If you are sad tell someone. Reach out. Therapists and doctors are trained to give you tools to work through these tough seasons.

I can relate to those dark thoughts where I think the world would be better if I were not in it. Please hear me say today, your life matters. You are irreplaceable. You are unique and everything that makes you you, we need you in this world. I am learning to celebrate our differences. Be kind to one another. This season is a season of perseverance. I know it’s a pandemic but give a hug if you feel safe. Stop by, say hi! Pull down the mask for a smile now and then. It’s okay to not be okay, but it’s not okay to stay that way. YOUR LIFE MATTERS! You can overcome this season. You are not alone. Triumph. These things going on they are not your fault.

You know who is #worthit ? YOU ARE!

Do yourself a favor, grab a worth it shirt and put it on and sing... baby I’m worth it with some BA goofy dance moves. Tell Satan to back off. Your life matters.

Do you HAVE to....GET to....or WANT to... Practic

Do you
HAVE to....GET to....or WANT to...

Practice asking for what you want. It will set you free.

What would it take to shift a HAVE to, into a GET to or a WANT to? Instead of saying I HAVE to try on...
I am CHOOSING to...
I would LIKE to...
I WANT to...
I have the OPPORTUNITY to...
I GET to...

A GET to, CHOOSE to, DESIRE to mindset leads us to a happier life.

“Scientifically, happiness is a choice. It is a choice about where your single processor brain will devote its finite resources as you process the world.” Shawn Achor

Here is an example, I asked a friend what her plans were for the week and instead of saying, “I have to go visit my aunt in who is currently in hospice.” She said, “I get to spend time with my aunt this week who is in hospice. I call this season ‘walking her home’.”

She spoke beautifully. A get to perspective fell like fresh rain on our conversation. When we communicate with gratitude about our day we build a joyful life.

We learn to take ownership of our choices by reframing a HAVE to statement. I try to make the words HAVE TO stop my train of thought like a fire alarm going off in my brain. The alarm reminds me to as myself these questions: Do you HAVE to? What are you choosing to do in this moment and why? If I need to break it down further I ask myself: Who is making you? Who has this control over you? Do they truly have control over you? What are my options? Do I HAVE to? What am I CHOOSING to do? What do I WANT to? When my personal interrogation is over I ask myself a fresh question. What would you like to do? I just moved myself out of a victim mindset into a mindset of ownership and positivity. I am leading myself towards joy.

Having a positive mindset brings joy into your life.

“We not only need to work happy, we need to work at being happy.” Shawn Achor

I like this photo for this post as a personal reminder: I catch myself saying, “I have to make dinner.” I use making dinner as a trigger to practice training my mind into a get to mindset.

Good luck! Let me know if you catch yourself saying HAVE to and what happens when you reframe it into a GET to, WANT to or CHOOSE to!

I didn’t know I was carrying stress until I sat

I didn’t know I was carrying stress until I sat at the beach and I walked away feeling relaxed. I don’t know if it’s the sand, the waves, the ocean breeze... all of it. I needed these old weathered stairs, still standing. I needed the steady rhythm of the waves unceasing. I needed the sand under my feet soft and inviting. I needed salty fresh ocean air. I felt a layer of tension fall away.

Everyone is carrying more than we can see. Be kind to yourself. Make space to relax for an hour. Give yourself grace. Extend kindness and grace to others.

(We are living in a pandemic, an election year, a culture crisis, an economic depression, and other personal things we cannot see...)

We are going to need connection, grace, kindness and love that moves beyond circumstances for ourselves and for others. We aren’t going to do that perfectly. In all seasons we need to learn to take care of ourselves so we can care for others, but in this season we may need to work even harder to find ways to help ourselves be restored. For me an hour of movement outside is a huge boost to my mental health. Time at the ocean is rare for me and extra awesome.

I’m going to keep checking on you because I care. How are you doing? Is there anything you can do for yourself today? Set a timer if you need to. Give yourself one hour today just for you?

How are you finding ways to give yourself or others grace in this season? How are you living differently but intentionally right now? How are you recharging?

One hour can make a huge difference. You are #worthit #givegrace #lovebig #relax #findanhourforyou

#iloveyouscottsevern #thanksforthis @scottsevernhomes
@london_severn 📸 this trip is better with you in it! Thank you! Miss you @stormseverrrn @maileejenn 🙏🏽❤️💯😊 #worthit

“Everyone is a little on edge right now.” Righ

“Everyone is a little on edge right now.” Right?
Knowing that, what do you need to do for you to stay afloat? How are you doing? What would you like?

You may not be able to have what you are used to, but maybe you can get creative and get what you need in a new way.

How are you getting creative to get what you need in a new way?

Obedience over outcome. What’s your next step?

Obedience over outcome. What’s your next step?

Loving you is worth it. First hug of the day. Thi

Loving you is worth it.

First hug of the day. This moment made my heart burst open. Daddy daughter hugs are as sweet today as they were when she was a little toddler getting tossed in the air.

This is Scott’s new office. Not a bad place to work. Mailee ‘popped in’ his office to grab a hug as she headed off to a quick lunch with me then to nanny the sweetest kids. “Hey, we’re twinning!”

What are you doing today?

Everybody has those days where we want to check out instead of do the things on our list. What gets you to push through? Focus on why doing that thing is worth it. Give yourself a reward for getting it done too!

Why is what you are doing today #worthit ?

Not everything we do is easy, but we figure out why what we do is worth it.

It’s not easy.
It is worth it.

Is it a loving thing to do?
Loving people is worth it. Guess what, when we do the hard things and when we love people well, we find joy.

What’s on your list today?

If you need one of these shirts you can follow the link in my bio and get one for you and one for someone who is worth it to you today!

Who’s on top now? Joseph is but, not without a h

Who’s on top now? Joseph is but, not without a heck of a ride. God used him in huge ways as he worked as Pharaoh’s right hand man in a national crisis. Joseph forgave his brothers who hurt him deeply (nearly killed him, left him for dead and sold him into slavery). Now Joseph can see God used that mess for good.
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If your down and out... keep your eyes fixed on God. He’s not done with you yet.
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I have found scripture memory is a profound tool in my life. This is one of the first scriptures I memorized back in college. This scripture is still with me and pops in my mind just when I need the encouragement.
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“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”
Hebrews 12:1-3 ESV
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How I memorize scripture:
1. Write it down word for word including the reference 2 times a day.
2. Read the context of the verse.
3. For deeper understanding define words in the verse.
4. Look up cross references for the verse.
5. Write it on a note card and carry it in your car or wallet. Say it out loud word for word, including the reference a few times a day.
6. Pray the verse.
7. Share what you are learning and memorizing with a friend.
8. Once you have it memorized, review it once a week.
Result= you have planted God’s word in your heart, mind and soul. You will be amazed, like an old song you know the lyrics and tune to, it will spring to mind just at the right time. God’s word is living and active.

Happy 4th of July! This is my daughter, Mailee! I

Happy 4th of July!

This is my daughter, Mailee! I LOVE YOU! You give sparklers a run for their money!

📸 @micky_isdone

I’m back... I’m trying to figure out my relati

I’m back... I’m trying to figure out my relationship with social media.

Things I’m learning: I care a lot about what others think and feel = A counterfeit God of mine (a reference to an incredible book “Counterfeit Gods” by Timothy Keller.) I’m sensitive and insecure. I really don’t want to hurt others. It’s so easy to compare, feel left out, know when you are unwelcome and uninvited, unliked... to use this tool for good is challenging. I over think everything. I turn off social media and I keep thinking about it... thoughts racing. I want more of my brain back. I want to be present, not half of me online. Self glorification vs God getting the glory is tricky. It’s hard to communicate deeply here. I want to be better in person. I feel tender. I’m in negotiations with myself and how I show up for myself and others. I don’t have a clear path forwards... except to keep trying to fix my eyes on Jesus. Run the race. Love the people in our life the best I can. I don’t want to social media to bring out the worst in me. When I find myself arguing with people in my mind I don’t talk to in real life... that’s not my best. A friend of mine keeps reminding me, “Everyone is a little on edge right now, right?” 2020 is a whole new animal.

With that... hi! I’m Jen Severn. I have a business called Bring My Best. It’s about running after abundant life. It’s not about perfection it’s about finding JOY and LOVE in the journey.

Social media is hard for me right now. I’m in the middle. Have you been there? How do you hold the balance?

Love you! Good to see you! How about this sunset shot by @kimlebrowncreative

She said, it’s me running away from social media! We laughed... I took a little retreat! Seriously... how do you hold all this?

When you are worried about your future Jesus has a

When you are worried about your future Jesus has an offer on the table, “Follow me.”
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“Walking along the beach of Lake Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed.
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A short distance down the beach they came upon another pair of brothers, James and John, Zebedee’s sons. These two were sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, mending their fishnets. Jesus made the same offer to them, and they were just as quick to follow, abandoning boat and father.”
Matthew 4:18-22 The Message

The Only Way Up Is Through When you are caught be

The Only Way Up Is Through

When you are caught between a rock and a hard place, remember you can do hard things.

What difficult situation are you going to navigate like a champ today?

I’m taking a long overdue vacay from social medi

I’m taking a long overdue vacay from social media!

Love you!

Have a great day today! You are #worthit ⠀⠀ Br

Have a great day today!
You are #worthit
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Bringing our best is making the day great. Squeeze the goodness out of this day!🍋

Eat! Rejoice! Gather! Love! Share! ⠀⠀ REJOICE

Eat! Rejoice! Gather! Love! Share!
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REJOICE before the LORD our God.

“Hey Girl! I love that hat on you.” ⠀⠀ Bea

“Hey Girl! I love that hat on you.”
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Beauty is a funny thing. I think most of us can call out all the flaws we see about ourself in the mirror, it’s harder to see the gold, the beauty in ourselves.
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Take a minute to call out the GOLD you see in the people around you.
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Help her see her GOLD.
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I rarely wear hats beyond a snow hat & baseball hat. My friend Kim said, “Try that on. It looks good on you.”
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Beauty goes far beyond what we wear or how we look, but I think we all could use some help loving ourselves from the inside-out & back. Beauty, not to gain acceptance or power, but true beauty in our design, created in the image of God.
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I see GOLD in YOU.
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To Bring Our Best we call out the GOLD we see in the people around us. We build a community where we hold each other in our weakness & build each other up.
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Don’t be a wrecking ball.
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Be a Gold Digger in the most beautiful way.
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I SEE GOLD IN YOU. 📸 @kimlebrowncreative ❤️
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#worthit #bringmybest #gift #hereforit #youareworthit #friendship #loveyou #fullsend #forGodsGlory #createdtoshine #creastedbyGod #madeinHisimage #displayofhissplendor #worthit #relationshiprichlife #identityinchrist #bringmybest #bringmybestshop

The screen doesn’t have a heartbeat. ⠀⠀ This

The screen doesn’t have a heartbeat.
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This is me talking to myself. My kids, my husband, my family, my friends need my face, my eyes, my full attention. Life is for the living.
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Can we love well distracted? I can’t, but I get caught up in it sometimes. It’s okay to turn it off.

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