Hello mom who just might feel frustrated and guilty for feeling that way…

Today I’m talking to Jodi Kinasewitz about her story “Peace on Purpose” in our devotional book Unshakable Peace in an Unsteady World. Jodi is one of four co-authors, along with Jess Carey, Michelle Wilbert, and myself.

Jodi lives in Mason, Ohio, with her husband of 20 years Matt, their four children, and their yellow lab, Max. She is a reading specialist and certified yoga instructor, passionate about leading Christian-inspired yoga classes, reading, and writing. She loves to travel with her family, and spends any time she can outdoors. Jodi has had several articles published with various Christian platforms including gritandvirtue.com, mommentor.org, makemeavailable.com, and she was published in Milk & Honey Women Devotional Journal, Volume 1. She started picking up more books and writing during the COVID shutdown.

Find Jodi Kinasewitz on social media. Particularly during May, she is sharing posts that relate to mental health. Her desire is to end the stigma around mental health issues, raise the awareness, start talking about it. Like we pick up our phones. And we Jodi’s hope is by sharing her story of struggle through a season of anxiety and depression her writing will shine a light on the importance of mental health while pointing others to Jesus. Find out more about Jodi on Instagram @jkinasewitz, Facebook – Jodi Kinasewitz, and read more of her writing on her blog Living to Learn (jkinasewitz.wixsite.com/website).

- Encouragement for writers or those thinking about writing - Jodi shares that she came through a pretty significant storm in 2017 and is now on the other side of it. So that was the basis of a lot of her writing. She shared it with friends and in social media posts. People said, “This is really good. Thanks for sharing. You should write a book.” She waved it off, then decided she loved to write and had a passion for it. So she joined Called Creatives with Lisa Whittle and Alli Worthington. That’s how we met. We were meeting regularly on zoom, talking, sharing life stories, and decided to do a devo on peace. She’s really excited about the book and I join her in being grateful for all the support we've gotten.

- Jodi shared her devotional Peace on Purpose – Underscoring Jodi’s encouragement to be intentional about seeking God. The anchor verse is Jeremiah 29:13 – “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.” When Jodi greeted her coworker cheerfully, though dripping wet from the pouring rain, the coworker asked, “How are you always so happy? Only you could come bouncing in here on a cold rainy Monday all smiles and chatty.” A little off guard, Jodi reflects, “What do I have working in my favor that my coworker or others I know don't have?” And she realizes, her morning routine benefits her in so many ways, along with exercise, plus giving herself enough time to ease into her day by not hitting the ground running. She has intentional quiet time with God. Prays, meditates, reads her Bible, and journals every single morning. She shares with her coworker the next morning, who mumbles, “Maybe I should give that a try.”

Reflection Questions based on Jodi’ story Peace on Purpose

1. How will you take the time to be present with God?

2. When and where in your day will you plan to pursue Him and His peace with purpose?

4. What kind of peace have you experienced in your life when you have actively sought out Jesus?

5. What are some fears you currently have that need to be displaced with His peace?