Lisa Jacobson's Blog, page 20

The Day My Love for Fashion Collided with God’s Call to Modesty

It all started in the spring of 2014.

I had recently rededicated myself to Christ and was committed to living a life fully submitted to Him.

One afternoon I was rummaging through my closet in search of something to wear. I reached for one of my cropped tops when God spoke a word to me, that at the time, I’d rather have not heard.

As clear as day, God said, “Throw your revealing clothes away.”    

Out of my commitment to being obedient, I grabbed a trash bag, and less than willingly began to remove every questionable piece of clothing from my wardrobe. I tried negotiating with God to keep my short shorts, but He just wasn’t having it. 

Shortly after this incident, God spoke another word to me.

A little back story – I had worked in the fashion industry for about five years at this point and held a managerial position at a rapidly growing company. I had the opportunity to travel all over the world and work in places like Paris, London, and New York.  

I had always dreamed of starting my own business within the industry; however, my ideas didn’t necessarily do anything positive for the Kingdom.

Continue reading The Day My Love for Fashion Collided with God’s Call to Modesty at Club31Women.com

Great Summer Reading: My 4 Favorite Series for Biblical Fiction

I’m a product of flannel graphs and puppet shows, AWANAs and Bible trivia.

My brother and I can both still recite the books of the Bible to the tune we learned in Sunday School 25 years ago.

Though I am forever thankful for my Christian upbringing and early Bible education, my scripture knowledge hasn’t always been a boon to my faith.

Sometimes, I find it hard to engage with well-known stories and not be distracted by their familiarity. My mind and heart go into auto-pilot, leaving the living and active Word of God seeming tired and worn, which is far from the truth.

If you’ve been a Christian for some time like me, Bible stories can become stale.

If you’re new to the Bible, it can be overwhelming to jump into so many stories and teachings.

When I get in this type of rut, I try to, first of all, pray for God to reveal new things as I read a familiar story and, second, get a different perspective. One of my favorite ways to accomplish the latter is to read fictionalized retellings of Bible stories.

Continue reading Great Summer Reading: My 4 Favorite Series for Biblical Fiction at Club31Women.com

When Being An Excellent Wife is Too Hard

I recently addressed the question, “Why Should I Be an Excellent Wife?” and the short of it is this: because we should want to honor God by honoring our husbands. Yet sometimes that can seem like such an overwhelming concept.

We often carry the misconception of what it means to be excellent; such as being an excellent wife means being a perfect wife.

We can also believe being excellent will look the same for every couple when this is not always true.

It’s important to understand why being an excellent wife isn’t just some biblical fad. It truly is foundational for a strong marriage.

Each husband will hold to desires, preferences, and needs which will vary from other husbands, and as a wife, it’s up to us to know these and how that affects our marriage.

So when the idea of being an excellent wife seems too hard, start here…

Be Kind.

At first, this may seem to be a simple task, but to really nail down being kind, you must be kind when things don’t go your way; when things aren’t done the way you prefer; when your husband has a stressful day at work and comes home less than happy.

Continue reading When Being An Excellent Wife is Too Hard at Club31Women.com

The Daddy Love You Long for Is Real

Matt was at the grill, and my son, mother-in-law, and I were watching him flip the chicken periodically.

That’s when we heard the sound of van doors slamming out front and an explosion of little boys coming around the side of the house. First came the twins and then Zane being whipped around on a leash, by a very excited puppy.

A short time later, I went inside to lay out my mise en place (I’ve been watching too much Food Network) for fried rice. As I set out the cabbage, minced ginger, eggs, and green onions, I heard my brother-in-law quietly talking to his oldest son in the living room.

I looked over and saw that Zane was on the couch, tucked under his dad’s arm. He was crying.

“Is it the same shoulder you hurt before, Z?” Luke asked. I couldn’t hear all of the reply but enough to learn that the ride behind the puppy had included a sharp yank to my nephew’s shoulder.

Luke kept asking questions and speaking gentle sympathy. Then he called out to see if Aunt Noanie had any children’s Tylenol.

Continue reading The Daddy Love You Long for Is Real at Club31Women.com

Chilled Orzo Salad

You may not know this about me, but I’m kind of a perfectionist with maybe a tiny bit of OCD. A tiny bit.

All of my dresses and skirts are hung up by length, my tops by color, and I have to stop myself from sweeping my kitchen three times a day.

Don’t even get me started on my Pinterest boards! Because food is almost as important to me as the air I breathe, all of my food boards are organized alphabetically.

I like order. Or maybe it’s control that I like. 

This is not really the side of my personality that I am most proud of, and it is something I have to diligently try and keep at the forefront of my mind, otherwise risking not only pushing my children away, but making them feel like I’ve set impossible standards that they can never reach, therefore making them feel like they will never have my approval or that I can’t be proud of them unless everything is perfect.

“Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” Colossians 3:21

About four years ago, I was even more of a perfectionist than I am now.

Continue reading Chilled Orzo Salad at Club31Women.com

The Art of Learning to Love Well

“I wish we were sisters.”  

My daughter and her bestie sign nearly every single note to each other with that one sentence.

Interestingly enough, they both already have sisters, but wish for just one more -that best friend that is the same age, the one they laugh so hard with, share so many of the same interests with, are comfortable with, silly with and never seem to tire of – they wish for that sister as well.

And I get it.

I don’t sign my notes that way, but I get it.  Sometimes we wish we could handpick our friends and family.  The sisters that God gave us, the parents, the husband, the in-laws, the friends, the children – sometimes we wish they were a little different.  There are times we wish they were a little more this and a little less that.

More compassionate, less opinionated.

More authentic, less guarded.

More independent, less needy.

More loyal, interested, affectionate, engaging, the list goes on.

We love them. 

Continue reading The Art of Learning to Love Well at Club31Women.com

How to Have the Kind of Marriage Your Kids Really Want You to Have

You don’t realize how much they’re watching.

Or at least not how closely they’re watching.

Because I thought I knew how much it meant to them. 

But it wasn’t until this recent discussion that I found out just how much our kids take careful note of our marriage.

Our daughter came home last week for a quick visit from her freshman year at college and started telling me about a conversation she’d had with one of her guy-friends.

And it’s not what I would have expected.

As in, she casually mentioned to him, “Yeah, I’d call my parents right now but I can’t because they’re out on a date.”

“What d’ya mean they’re ‘out on a date’ – I thought they were married?” The guy seemed somewhat confused.

Our daughter started laughing. “Um, yes, they’re definitely married. Like for over 23 years now.”

“So why would they be dating?” He was baffled but wanted to understand.

“I dunno know, they’re always going out on dates.”

He thought about it for a minute or two.

Continue reading How to Have the Kind of Marriage Your Kids Really Want You to Have at Club31Women.com

Risky Faith: Where to Turn When You’re Anxious or Discouraged

I was absolutely miserable.

Stuck in a middle seat on a packed international flight, I could barely move my arms or legs. The air was stifling. Next to me a man snored shamelessly, his mouth opening and shutting in concentrated rhythm. Like a yo-yo on a string, drool hanging from his chin.

I was dirty, smelly, and my back ached. My body felt like it was encased in a straight jacket.

And I still had hours and hours to go.

For several weeks, my husband John and I had been speaking in Africa. It had been a tremendous time, but now my body was shutting down.

I felt like my adrenaline was leaking from every pore.

I was exhausted mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

As I sat in my tight bundle, I began to think about my children. I missed them and couldn’t wait to get my two feet on the same continent as theirs. All five were adults now, out of the nest and making their ways through college and jobs.

Turning my thoughts to them, I focused on one in particular.

Continue reading Risky Faith: Where to Turn When You’re Anxious or Discouraged at Club31Women.com

22 Marriage Tips Every Newlywed Wife Should Know

I couldn’t help loving the way he looked at her.

With so much admiration and tenderness in his eyes.

She was talking to me. But she was the only one he could see.

They hadn’t been married for very long, these two. Less than a year.

But, clearly, they were off to a great start.

And I don’t just mean they were starry-eyed for one another – although there was plenty of that going on – but how obvious it was that their two hearts were one. Close, kind, and passionate. Two lovers married for life.

Later, when there was a lull in the conversation, I casually asked how it was going.

You know, that whole first-year-of-marriage thing.

He seemed almost sheepish in his answer. “Yeah, I’m not sure. Everyone said it would be so hard and yet…it’s been rather wonderful.”

He said it as if it was something for which he should apologize. Almost as if they’d done something wrong – instead of something good and right.

And that’s when I saw the way she was looking at him too.

Continue reading 22 Marriage Tips Every Newlywed Wife Should Know at Club31Women.com

When God’s Girls Ask Questions

What does God want me to say when I pray?

Why can’t I do whatever I want?


Why won’t my friends do what I say?

I remember being 12 years old and asking myself these very questions.

Ok let me be honest, I can remember asking myself a version of these questions last week!

Please tell me I am not alone.

I have had the privilege of knowing about God my entire life. When I was one year old my mother and my grandmother dedicated their lives to Christ. As a result, I was guided towards the love of Christ for many years before I made my relationship personal.

I am grateful.

I have learned a lot about God but the more I get to know him, the more I am aware that I still know very little.

As a young girl I felt bad for asking and just did my best to get it right.

That was a mistake.

I wish I would have known that God not only has the answers but He understands the questions.

Continue reading When God’s Girls Ask Questions at Club31Women.com