Jessica Franklin

Gentle reminder: God is more interested in your CHARACTER than your COMFORT. #characterovercomfort #gentlereminder #christianencouragement #faithblogger #infertility #infertilityawareness #infertilityjourney #inthewaiting #mamainwaiting #motherhoodjourney #adoptionjourney #hopingtoadopt

Truths to cling to in the waiting… Praying for you as you wait on the Lord sis. May He bring your heart & mind comfort and peace this season and always. Share this with a friend if this was helpful Save this post to visit when you need encouragement #waitingseason #mamainwaiting #motherinwaiting #waitingongod #infertility #infertilityjourney #journeytomotherhood #faithencouragement #christianwriters #ttc #miscarriageawareness

DAY 3: Today we will look to scripture for wisdom on how we can cultivate a heart posture of gratitude. ❤ ⭐ One of the best ways to grow in gratitude is through practice. When we practice giving thanks we invite the presence of God into our heart, our mind, and spirit. His heart is available to you friend, even when it feels hard to be grateful - we can trust in the Father's goodness, faithfulness, and kindness to meet us in our season and renew our hearts and give us strength. Ultimately, it's through Christ living in us that we are able to give thanks in all circumstances and give praise to the One who gives us all good things - because He is good. 👉 Today, get out your journal again and write a prayer of thanksgiving to the Father using your own words. If you need inspiration, turn to Psalm 100 and let these words of grateful praise wash over your heart and mind. "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture." 📖 End your time with the Lord by reading our 10 Day journey's scripture passage: Galatians 5. Write down 3 ways to practice gratitude that you find in verses, (ie - serve one another, love your neighbor, walk by the Spirit...) then ask the Lord to reveal ways you can implement these practices into your weekly rhythms. Save this post for later & share to encourage your friends today!. 🕊 #thanksgivingday #happythanksgiving #cultivatinggratitude #thankful #gratefulthankfulblessed #gratefulheart #heartposture #scriptureoftheday #waitingseason #waitingongod #journeytomotherhood #infertility #miscarriageawareness #adoptionjourney #mamainwaiting #motherhoodjourney #christianwriter #faithwriter #christianbloggers #christianbloggersofinstagram

DAY 2: Waiting with Gratitude - Make a list. As we begin our 10 day journey of thankfulness, I invite you to take out your journal, favorite pen, and your Bible (see yesterday’s post) and turn to Galatians 5. 🙏 Before you spend time in this passage, invite the Spirit of the Lord into this time and ask for the Father to open your heart and mind to what He has for you to receive in His Word. 📖 Read Galatians chapter 5 ✍️ After your time in scripture, write down any questions, thoughts, or emotions that came up for you. Jot down what your are hoping to work through or gain through this experience in light of your season of waiting. 🤍 Close your time by listing 5 things you are grateful for today. You’ll add to this gratitude list every day as we walk through our journey together and I pray it will bless you and open your eyes to the many blessings the Lord has for you each and every day. One of the very best places to start when cultivating a heart of gratitude is by praising and thanking the Lord for the many blessings He has already given us! The more we focus our mind & heart on what He has given us (both big and small) the more we become aware of just how much we truly have.🥰 Share below: what’s one thing/person/experience you can be grateful for today? 🙏

Join me for a 10 day journey to prepare & reset your weary heart and step into the season ahead with a grateful, renewed spirit. 🕊️ In the midst of a waiting season and as you’re navigating unmet expectations, disappointment, or uncertainty, I’ve learned the importance of cultivating a heart of gratitude. I’ve felt the Father pressing upon me to go on an intentional journey to prepare my heart for the holiday season, and to dig deeper into the fruits of the Spirit to help us learn not only more about who God is, but who He has created us - His beloved daughters - to be. ✨ Tomorrow we will officially begin, but tonight I invite you to find a journal that brings you joy, a favorite pen, and your Bible. You will need these each day of our 10 day journey. 📖 For tonight: Open your Bible to Galatians 5 and slowly read through the chapter, from verse 1-26. Invite the Lord to reveal any words or phrases that stand out and write them down in your journal. (We will dig into this more in the days ahead.) Pray over the next 10 Days and invite the presence of the Spirit to be with you and for the Lord to speak to you during this time together. Comment below 👇 to let us know you’re going to join us & so I can be praying over you sis. I can’t wait to see how He shows up for you! 🙏 #gratitudechallenge #gratefulheart #thankfulnesschallenge #10daysofgratitude #gratitude #waitingseason #mamainwaiting #journeytomotherhood #adoptionjourney #christianblogger #christianwriters #christianwritersofinstagram #thanksgivingweek

Why is waiting such a part of spirituality? Because waiting is where faith actually becomes necessary. [Like + Save this for when you need this reminder] If I could sum up my journey to motherhood it would consist of one word: Waiting. Throughout our journey to grow our family, we’ve experienced recurrent pregnancy loss and grief, and have also experienced the refinement and faithfulness of God who’s remained WITH us in every moment. He stayed, and continues to stay- even in the seasons I had little to no faith. Even in the questioning. Even in my anger and frustration. Even in my complacency and drifting…. He remained constant. He loved unconditionally. He never abandoned us. Our journey hasn’t been easy. (Loss and infertility changes you.) But in the darkest moments, and in my season of waiting and questioning - He has done and IS doing a New thing! He has allowed my faith to become unshakable by showing me His true character. He is the rock of our salvation. He is grace upon grace. The character of God teaches us that our seasons of waiting don’t have to be filled with fear, sadness, and regret. The Father has carefully, slowly, gently, and patiently revealed what the world meant to break me - He is turning it around & will use it for good. Our Great Gardener prunes away and uproots what He no longer needs us to carry in order to prepare us, and transform us for all He has promised in the future! To my friends in the waiting, cling to this: He who promised is faithful. Do not grow weary. But if you do, rest in the Father’s grace. In proper time, fruit will grow. Spring is coming. I’d love to know what you’re walking through sis. Save this post for later & comment below to share how God’s been faithful in your waiting season. 🕊️ #waitingseason #waiting #infertilityawareness #pregnancylossawareness #godisfaithful #journeytomotherhood #adoptionjourney

🍂Our Fall Family Adoption Fundraiser has officially begun!!🍂 Swipe to see the details & check out my saved “adoptfundraiser” highlight for more on how you can be a part of the story God is writing ✍️ as we journey to grow our little family through the gift of adoption. Thank you for your support & prayers! They mean more than words could ever say. 🥹 If you feel led - please feel free to share this post with your friends, family, and online community. It takes a village! 🤍 #adoptionjourney #adoptionislove #adoptionstory #journeytomotherhood #faithinwaiting #ittakesavillage adoptionfundraiser #franklinfamilyadoption #fallleaves

Here’s the “stupid” question that saved our relationship👇 Okay maybe SAVED is a bit of an exaggeration but introducing this 1 question into our relationship completely changed how we interact and has diffused so many situations that normally would escalate. Ya ready for it? “Who’s the boss?” Yep. We laughed when we finally figured this out one night after a complete disaster trying to cook dinner in the kitchen. We’re talking tears, fighting, frustration and not to mention an entire pot of delicious broccoli orzo pasta that ended up in the garbage. Y’all… it was rough. And honestly kinda stupid. But guess what? We finally had a *duh moment* and figured out that we were BOTH trying to be the head chef 👩‍🍳 in that scenario in the kitchen — and it didn’t work. There can’t be two leaders. There can only be 1 boss. Isn’t this how it is in all of life? Even scripture talks about the dangers of having two masters (Matt 6:24-26) and further yet, God has perfectly designed the union between man & wife to have our Husbands lead. In 1 Peter 3:1-22, we see God’s design for a healthy family and thriving home. It tells us that as wives, we are called to serve and show our husbands respect by submitting to them. I know this scripture often gets twisted and taken out of context in today’s culture, but if you read this passage carefully & seek the Lord’s understanding- He will reveal that our Husbands are called to show us understanding and to honor us. 🤍 ✨Let me be clear: The Bible tells us that there is a need for a leader in the marriage relationship. However, it also makes it clear that is it not supposed to be oppressive or abusive. God’s design for marriage is one that’s beautiful, filled with love, adoration, respect, & unity. Sounds a lot like the biblical depiction of how we are one with Christ, and called to live in unity with our Bridegroom, Jesus. Sounds a lot like FREEDOM. 🕊️ So, who’s the boss in our marriage? Ultimately, my Husband gets the final say & leads our household AND I joyfully come alongside him to be his helpmate (Gen 2:18) and fulfill my role as his wife. But when it comes to tackling life’s tasks? We’ll still ask: Who’s the boss? 😉

Want to know the truth behind this peek into our road trip from TX to SC to visit friends & celebrate our 5th Wedding Anniversary? • This would have NEVER been possible without saying “YES!” and trusting in God. You see, @mccallashleigh and I connected through a desire to be more intentional about what we’re using on our skin after we both took a leap of faith and became Advocates with our fave clean beauty brand… • Fast forward to a year later, and we’ve both been beyond blessed to mentor nearly 200 women between us, who are all on a mission to steward their bodies well & add additional income streams into their household. What a joy! • Never in a MILLION years could I have imagined driving halfway across the country to a tiny town in South Carolina to celebrate our (shared!!) Wedding Anniversary with friends. WOW. God, you’re just so creative and are so good! 🥹 • Behind this tiny glimpse into our trip there were moments of tears and tension (hello… hours stuck in a car haha) and lots of hard but important stories & convos share late into the evening night • We also enjoyed tons of laughter, and nature, and movies and games, and meals together. • And we wrestled with “un-met expectations” after Glen’s trip was “cut short” by sickness… But isn’t that life? I’ve learned a lot about navigating disappointment and how to walk through the highs and lows of a waiting season - and even a short week away can include this tension we all encounter to one degree or another… Here’s what I’ve learned: When we pray & plan well and then choose to surrender the outcome to the Father, we can be free from our limiting perspective of how things “should go” — This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t avoid preparing, planning, or scheduling… it simply means we can experience the FREEDOM of laying down and surrendering the outcome to how the Lord wants. It means we can fully trust the creator of the universe with ALL of it. It mean we can enjoy the present moment for the gift that it is. What’s something you’re currently planning for that you need to surrender the outcome to Jesus? Share below and follow @jessicalauran for more on walking in freedom. 🕊️ #freedom #cleanbeauty

Gentle Reminder: Even in the waiting, you are worthy, you are seen, and you’re loved beyond measure. 🤍 In our season of navigating waiting, pregnancy loss, and infertility I’ve learned to embrace the the journey through by joy in the simple, small things - like yummy homemade iced coffee, listening to my fave worship song, quiet time with the Lord, going on daily walks with my dog, spending quality time with my husband, going on Sunday drives, getting out in nature, and so much more… I know it can be so incredibly difficult to rediscover joy while in seasons of hardship, but I also know it is possible. The Lord allows grief and joy to coexist friend. And in case you’re in a place of feeling guilt or shame surrounding “feeling joyful” while your still in the middle of your journey - take this as your permission slip to stop that lie in its tracks! The Father invites you to walk into the freedom of experiencing joy in unfolding of your story. ✨ Save this as a reminder for later & share with a friend walking through waiting season! 🤍 #waitingseason #freedom #infertilityjourney #ttc #miscarriageawareness #miscarriageandinfantlossawareness #inthewaiting #mamainwaiting #journeytoparenthood #oneinfour #christianwritersofinstagram #faithblogger #gentlereminder #icedcoffee

How I radically changed my skin health: 1. EDUCATED MYSELF. In my research, I’ve learned the FDA allows know toxins to be used in our everyday skincare and personal care products, and they don’t have to remove them from shelves - even when people file complaints on reactions or side effects. 😳 Meaning, you are most likely being exposed to high levels of toxins that are absorbed through your skin and enter your bloodstream in just 30 seconds DAILY which wreak havoc on your health, your hormones, and is impacting the health of thousands of families across the US! 2. SWAPPED my old toxic favorites with my 💯 toxin-free, organic, high-performing skincare that won’t compromise my health and is honoring to my body - both inside and out! 🙌 3. COMMITTED to a simple daily skincare routine that nourishes, protects, and heals my skin with clean ingredients that gives me that smooth texture, clear complexion, & healthy glow of truly healthy skin! ✨ 👉 Want to ditch the toxins and get the best skin of your life? Comment “GLOW” below and I’ll send you your custom skincare routine, free! ✨ #crunchi #cleanbeauty #cleanbeautyblogger #cleanbeautymovement #toxinfreeskincare #cleanskincare #glowyskin #healthyskin #safeswaps #toxinfreeliving #cleanliving #simpleswaps #crunchimakeup #crunchiskincare #cleanbeautyadvocate #safercosmetics #safeskincare