Years ago, I worked with a young go-getter who almost drove the whole office crazy. It wasn’t his work ethic (that was incredible). It wasn’t his work product (that was impeccable). Truth be told, it took me years before I was able to pinpoint exactly why my co-worker drove us all nuts, and even longer…

Have you ever been forgotten? Or at least, felt forgotten? Several years ago, my youngest daughter, Ashton, and her fellow cheer co-captain wrote end-of-year tributes for graduating Seniors. On the night of the sports banquet, each girl’s name was read and her contributions recognized. After the final name was announced, Ashton and her co-captain took…

My best friend and the waitress both had tears in their eyes. What’s going on? I wondered as I approached the table. I took my seat, they smiled at me, then our waitress made a polite, but quick exit. “Her sister’s a mess and her mom has cancer. She’s doing her best to be the rock…

Could five words change your life? Spoiler alert: They can. Seriously. Read on to find out how… Recently, group of gals sat around a table discussing the first chapter of my book, Seek. As we turned to John 1, each of us had a brand new “a-ha” moment which was so good I knew I…

Last week I posted an Instagram video discussing one sure-fire way to improve all relationships, something everyone could benefit from and apply. If you didn’t see the video, here’s the crux of the advice: “Do to others what you would have them do to you.” – Jesus You probably know this as The Golden Rule.…

Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like more people have faced more decisions in the past 18 months than any period I can remember. Decisions like, What should I do about the kids’ education? Should I move or stay? Rent or buy? Take this job or that one? Choose one course of medical treatment or…

We never saw it coming. I expected this kind of behavior from a non-believer, but from a Christian? Never. The gap between my expectations and my reality left my tender soul shredded into tiny little pieces, like the bits of paper you throw as confetti. Except this was no celebration. I wondered how a heart…

The days of family dinners are few and far between these days. Still, when we can linger over a meal I usually find our conversation as nourishing as the food. Such was the case with our Monday night dinner last week. Half-way through fried chicken and potatoes (a rare and completely unhealthy treat, which I…

I opened the door, peeked inside, and knew in an instant what I’d done wrong. My washing machine–overloaded with items I stuffed in early that morning–sat sideways, away from the wall in the middle of the room. It had spun out of control. Just like I do when I cram too much stuff into my…

Raise your hand if you want God to use you to bless others. Your hand is raised, isn’t it? Even if only in your heart. There’s something in each of us that longs for God to use us for good. Why is it, then, that too many of us feel like God doesn’t use us?…

Picture one of your relationships–preferably one you’d like to improve. Got the person pictured in your mind?  Good. What if just five words could increase your odds of having a healthier relationship with that person? What if those same five words could help you have healthier relationships with everyone? And, what if these five words…

My daughter was gathering her things to leave when a 20-something gal walked into our church office. “Can I help you?” Ashton asked. The gal had driven to church in hopes someone would be there to help relieve her anxiety and spiraling thoughts of despair. “I know I’m supposed to feel like God loves me,…

2021 certainly hasn’t started out like we anticipated. Not for any of us. This week’s events have left most of us emotionally on edge. Personally, our family has also been… The post Where is God? Calm For Your Chaos appeared first on Donna Jones.

Tonight the world will pause. Picture it in your mind: Believers in Beijing, Boston, London, Lima, Laguna Hills; people of every nation, every race, every color, every language will–for a day at least–stop their worry and start their worship. All for a baby born 2000 years ago. This was no ordinary baby. This infant was…

No room. It was a problem the day Jesus was born, and it’s a problem, still. Even in the midst of a crazy 2020–though one would think this is the year we’d make place for Jesus, if ever we did. Clearly, we need Him desperately. When we read the Christmas story, it’s easy to shake…

Kylie sat a safe six feet apart in a circle of teenage girls. As their youth leader, she was eager to hear how each would answer the ice breaker question:  Name three things you’re thankful for. Kylie’s question was received with a wall of blank stares; a sea of deer-in-the-headlights expressions, as if she’d asked…

The past few weeks have been hard ones for me. In addition to the stress we all feel during this tumultuous 2020 season, my dad’s been hospitalized for over three weeks now. You have your own stress, too. We all seem to be living with our stress levels very near capacity, given everything that has…

The stress of 2020 has taken its toll. Fear. Anxiety. Loneliness. Hopelessness. Worry. These are real. We all battle them–sometimes on a daily basis. Breathe. You aren’t alone. Recently I’ve had several conversations with women who feel overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. I’ve heard gals say things like… I’m afraid life will never feel normal again.…

She tugged on my pant leg to get my attention. I bent down to be eye-level with my small daughter. Her chubby little hands formed a cup around my ear. Clearly, she had something on her mind; a request for my ears only. “Can you help me, Mommy?” Because I love her, I did. We may…

I saw her in the religion section of Barnes and Noble. Her eyes were wide, her mouth ajar; her expression an equal mixture of stunned and overwhelmed. And all she wanted to do was buy a Bible. I stopped to ask if I could help. “Why are there so many choices?” “How do I know…

Every once in a while I need to heed my own words. Yesterday was one of those days. I found myself wondering (more than once, I might add), what’s wrong with me today? Can you relate? If so, you’ll want to read on. I actually googled my own blog post–one I wrote a few years…

She was in the middle of a bona-fide meltdown. Like an old rubber-band, she’d been stretched too far one time too many. Looking back, I’m not sure why I acted as I did. I suspect it was simply because I understood the stress she felt. I pulled her onto my lap and wrapped my loving…