Skip to main content

On Faith...and Laughter

I had the opportunity to go home this past weekend in order to say goodbye to my sister who is heading off to Nebraska in just a few days. When in church on Sunday morning, something  was said that I just can't let go.

"How will people remember you at your funeral? What will be the first thing that is said about you?" Although I have heard this many times over the years, it really hit me this time.

If I were to die tonight, would you remember me as a Christian who seven years ago rededicated her life to the Lord, someone who's shared the gospel with you, no matter what the cost? Up until about a year ago, this was the case.

I venture to say, actually I know, some of you have never heard me talk about my faith. This is something that is very unsettling to me. When in the world did I stop caring about someone's eternal future? Is my faith really that embarrassing to me? Sure, I still have my standards and convictions. Most of you know  that I am a Christian, but that's probably as far as it goes- how incredibly sad is that?

Here's to being courageous, living with zeal, and the desire to spread the gospel, no matter what the cost.

On a side note, in tonight's episode of What did Jess do now? if laughter truly is the best medicine, than surly I will never ever get sick! Today, I think I laughed more than I ever have about my very poor sense of direction. It is really very embarrassing, but at some point, I have to laugh! It's pathetic, but so true! I can barely get anywhere by myself! Do everyone a favor and immediately call the police if you ever see me behind the wheel of a car!

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15


"My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry..."
Maya Angelou

Comments

Unknown said…
Jess, maybe you feel as though you have failed to express your faith to others, but, really, you are a light in the darkness. Everyone that meets you instantly knows your love...it just oozes out of you, whether you are testifying your faith or not. You are the kind of Christian I want to be...I wish that everyone I meet would instantly feel special and loved. That is how you work to make life better in this world

Popular posts from this blog

On 2025

 In 2025, fear and frustration, anxiety, and uncertainty have crept in. I’ve struggled with trusting God during the hard and scary moments. Even still, He is faithful. When I’ve had questions, I’ve heard no audible response, but I am comforted by His quiet strength and reassurance. He remains on the throne and none of what has or will happen to Jessica Dineen is a surprise to Him. I am thankful for my quiet time with Him, reading His Word, pleading for guidance and wisdom. God is in control, His time may not be mine, but somehow He will work everything out. Along the way, I reman immeasurably blessed by the people in my life. I have a loving family, deep friendships, a fulfilling career, and so many other things. Even in the hard, I remain rich with all that is good in my life. Here’s to a 2026 blessed by God in a way that only He can.

On This Messy Life

 I recently learned of a young woman who intentionally drove her power wheelchair into the lake in Edinboro. This woman, not much older than myself, whom I did not know, has been on my mind nonstop. I suppose it is because of the parallels in our lives: age, cerebral palsy, Edinboro, some of the same interests, etc. It's haunting in many, many ways. My heart breaks for her and her family. The demons of life must have been too much, but I pray that she knew Jesus, for now she is resting in His arms- able to walk and move freely without the struggles of disability. If I could talk to her, I think this is what I would say: As you were wheeling around Edinboro that day, I wish someone could have known you needed to be heard. Did you have an opportunity to call someone? Did you send a text message to a friend? As the pressures of life boiled over, could you feel His presence surround you? With your last breath, with your last thought, did you want to fight? I'm sorry that you felt a...

On Giving Thanks in Everything

One of my very favorite authors wrote a book in the last few years on the four wills of God. One of those is based on 1 Thessalonians 5:18- Give thanks in everything. This can be a foreign concept for most.  As 2025 showed to me, it was a near impossible to give thanks for the year that unfolded. But, God. He was faithful, He was always there, despite the uncertainty. 2026 came, and I was tired of trusting, tired of giving thanks. But God. He reminded me that His timing is not my own. March 2025 to April 2026 may have been the toughest year plus of my life, a culmination of several bad years. It was a gentle reminder of that very principle that I have tried to live by- Give thanks in everything. Now I find myself wanting to doubt Him once again. Does He really know what He’s doing? Is this a cruel  joke? I don’t know how all of these challenges will end, I don’t know when, I can’t say with certainty that the worst is behind us in this trying time. But, I do know that God comma...