When my heart’s hurting, she’s the one who calls immediately, the realest deal, so much like Jesus. My dearest friend Jennie Allen is a Bible teacher, author, and the founder and visionary of IF:Gathering, and lives with a contagious passion to help the next generation love God more every day, see Him for who He is through His Word, and give Him away as we meet and love the people around us. With every word she writes, the underlying message is: God sees you. He loves you. He has invited you into the beautiful story He’s written for this world. And, because He is a God of abundance, He wants to use you to bring more of His love into a world that desperately needs it. It is a grace to welcome my friend Jennie to the farm’s table today…

Guest Post by Jennie Allen

A few years ago, we watched our oldest son become a man. Mid-football season, Conner was asked to play starting quarterback, as a sophomore, in one of our biggest varsity games of the year. The older starter was injured. It was a lot of pressure, even for a boy who, not so long ago, wanted to be the real Spider-Man as his chosen profession.

The morning of the game, I dropped him off to meet the other players for a team breakfast. He opened the door and paused. He turned around and said, “Mom, I’ve never been so scared.”

Then—bam!—he slammed the door and stoically walked into breakfast with all the other boys slipping into men.

I couldn’t drive. I pulled over into a parking space and cried a bit because tenth-grade football players maybe can’t do that over breakfast tacos, but their moms can outside in the car! 

Then I texted him—a seriously long text with all the words I wish I could have said before he closed the car door. I thought maybe these words would be fitting for you today too:

“This is my prayer for you–that you would experience how much God loves you, how much He wants to help you, how powerful it is to trust Him to do what is beyond your own resource.“

Nearly everything you have ever done has been within your capacity. This may be what excites me most about this moment in your life: what is required of you is beyond your age, experience, and current ability.

In my life, these have been the moments that have most built my faith in God. Because as you surrender and trust Him and jump into what scares you with all of yourself, you watch God strengthen you, help you, at times even carry you and you don’t remember what happened. 

This is my prayer for you–that you would experience how much God loves you, how much He wants to help you, how powerful it is to trust Him to do what is beyond your own resource.

He is in you. He is with you and we’ll be there too. And if you feel afraid, overwhelmed, stretched beyond your capacities, the Holy Spirit will guide you. I imagine Him saying these words to you from Scripture:

“My child, I am here. I am with you, and I have such a great adventure for you! I am with you always, to the end of the age. Because of Jesus’ payment for your sins, we no longer have to be separated from each other. In fact, we get to be friends! 

“There is nothing that can separate you from My love. Nothing!”

We can walk together and talk together.

We can play together and sing together.

We can dig together and dance together.

If you have surrendered your life to Me, we can do all things together for the rest of your days. There is nothing that can separate you from My love. Nothing!

I can’t wait to teach you all about Myself. I’ve been on tiptoe, waiting for you to know Me, because I have known you and planned you since before you were born. I have given you the ability to know Me through My Word, the Bible. 

I put My Holy Spirit inside of you, to give you power to obey Me and to remind you that you are never alone. 

“You will always have enough of everything you need, if you stay powered by this Light.” 

I have gathered My church for you to belong to so you would always have a team to help you accomplish My plans for you. I prepared good works for you to do each day you are alive. 

I chose you and adopted you as My child so you would know for sure that you are safe and secure in My love. 

This is the greatest adventure you could ever sign up for. 

This Spirit I lovingly put inside you . . . the Light of My presence! That Light is like a superpower inside you that helps you love people and love Me! You will always have enough of everything you need, if you stay powered by this Light. 

Can I tell you something fun? I want us to be so close that we talk about everything! I want you to tell Me everything on your mind. I promise I will always help you. Look to Me, and I will show you the path to take. 

My plan for My children has always been the same . . .

“The best way for others to know My love is to see your love.”

I want everyone who loves Me—including you—to come together and help each other. 

I want you to get along.

I want you to take care of people who can’t take care of themselves.

I want you to notice and love the people who don’t love Me, and show them the depth of My love.

The best way for others to know My love is to see your love. 

So . . . tell everyone about Me. Love all kinds of people. Remember that every human is created in My image, and that I love every single one of them. 

Will you do that for Me? Will you help Me show all people just how strong and powerful and beautiful My love is? 

“When you feel sad, when you feel lonely, when you feel like the world is scary or dark, remember that I will always be with you”

And one more thing: When you feel sad, when you feel lonely, when you feel like the world is scary or dark, remember that I will always be with you and I have a plan that is unfolding even now, as you read these words, as your lungs take in one breath after another, as you put your head on your pillow tonight and wake tomorrow to enjoy the day. 

I promise I will make everything right one day. 

I will build My church through you, and no enemy can stand against it. 

I am on My way. 

I am coming soon. 

Until then, remember: My love for you lasts forever and ever. 

My kingdom is coming. My will is going to be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

You have a God who is with you as you give your kids a big view of God. He can lead and carry the burden that feels heavy to you. In our own power, we will fail, but if we allow Jesus to work in us – that is all we need to give our kids – His living, breathing, and active Word.

For Further Reading: Matthew 28:20, Romans 8:38–39, John 15:14, Acts 2:38, Psalm 139:13–14, Psalm 119:18, John 14:26, Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 1:4–5, John 17:18, Philippians 4:19, Proverbs 3:5–6, Hebrews 13:16, John 13:34–35, Romans 5:8, Ephesians 3:17–19, John 14:15–17, Revelation 21:4, Matthew 16:18, Revelation 3:11, Psalm 138:8, Matthew 6:10