Sharon JaynesForgiveness, When You Don't Like Your Story 41 Comments

Healing on the Other Side of Heartbreak

I watched my friend, Patricia, struggle through more than twenty years of a difficult marriage. Her husband left three times during the two decades—once before their three children were born, and twice after. They lived through nineteen different homes in multiple cities, revolving jobs, rumored affairs, cycles of financial plenty followed by financial deficiency. Eventually, after twenty-three years, Rodney packed his bags for the last time and left.  Read more…

Sharon JaynesTake Hold of the Faith You Long For 31 Comments

How to Have Big Faith

Harry called it a dune buggy. I called it a death trap.

My friend, Harry, invited me and some of my friends for a ride over beach sand dunes in his big wheel jeep. I like sand. I like rides. Sounded like fun. It was not.

We buckled in and Harry revved up the engine. We did not ride over the sand dunes;  Read more…

Sharon JaynesLiving Free, When You Don't Like Your Story 58 Comments

The Other Side of Why

My son, Steven, and I sat on the floor in his room playing a card game. The summer was proving to be the best ever. Our golden retriever, Ginger, had just delivered seven adorable puppies, Steven was enjoying his sixth summer of life, and after four years of negative pregnancy tests, God had surprised us with a new life growing inside my womb.  Read more…

Sharon JaynesGod's love, Never Less Than 290 Comments

Living Loved

I’ll be honest, for most of my life I felt like I was in second place, an alternate, an also ran, not quite as good as everybody else.

I was a cheerleader my junior year in high school, but I was what they called an alternate. That meant I was on the squad and did everything that the other girls did,  Read more…

Sharon JaynesWhen You Don't Like Your Story 44 Comments

Do You Want to Get Well?

Five-year-old Brooke was sitting in the backseat of the minivan while her mom and I ran errands. “Mommy,” she asked, “Is it worse to pick a scab or pick a mosquito bite?”

“You shouldn’t pick either one,” her mom replied.

I glanced back at Brooke as she tried to wipe away the bloody evidence that she had done both.  Read more…

Sharon JaynesEnough 35 Comments

What Do I Really Believe About the Bible?


My mom wore a two-carat diamond necklace that hung from a gold chain around her neck. My dad had given it to her for an anniversary. Before you say, “Good for her,” keep reading.

One day, when she was shopping in my little hometown, she walked through an alley separating two buildings. This spunky seventy-something year old held several packages and her purse looped over her wrist.  Read more…

Sharon JaynesPower of Words 29 Comments

Loose Lips Sink Relation-ships

I was having lunch with a group of friends when one gal made a derogatory comment about another from the group who was late. I gave her that “motherly look” that letting her know the comment wasn’t appropriate.

“Well, it’s true,” she said.

“Just because something is true doesn’t mean that you should say it,” I answered.  Read more…