Jen Thompson shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Jen, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
As I type this, I am at my family lake cottage in Walloon Lake, Michigan. My children are the seventh generation of my family to enjoy these waters, in this place that is steeped in tradition. When I am here, I take deep breaths and savor the moments more than I seem to do anywhere else. For many years, one of the things I have anticipated with a mixture of excitement and nerves, is the annual swim across the lake. Nobody knows for sure how far it is, but the swim takes anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour, sometimes crossing very deep waters. I know I can do this swim but every time before we begin – I question myself. Is this the year I will need someone from the boat to toss out a floatie to me? Is this the year I will have to get on the boat halfway through the swim? About a quarter of the way in this year, as I looked ahead and the shoreline across that seemed so far I thought – I don’t know if I can do this. Then, I looked at my two daughters, my sister and my brother-in-law who were doing the swim with me, and all of those cheering for us on the boat and thought, I’m not going to let my mind get the best of me. I can do this. I will do this. And do you know what? I did. And as my feet touched the shoreline on the other side I was reminded, if my mind and heart are in it – I can do it. And so can you.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jen Thompson and I am a blogger, social media content creator on my Truly Yours, Jen pages, podcaster, freelance writer and the author of the books, Return to Jesus: An Invitation to Abide with Him in Every Beautiful, Stressful, or Tedious Moment and Grace In All Places, A Devotional Coloring Book.
So many days were spent as child flipping through pages of books and being transported to different times and spaces, or taking a pen and putting it to paper to record my most intimate thoughts. This dream of being an author has always been inside me, I just didn’t know how it would ever come to fruition. Through many doors opening and closing, a lot of hard work and determination, and the belief and support of others – I can now say, I”m an author. It feels surreal to type those words and my heart will always be grateful for the opportunities I have to share my heart and my words on a variety of platforms.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed I had to perform a certain way, or achieve certain accolades, to be worthy of the love of others. I worked so hard to fit into the mold I thought I was supposed to fit in. Dress this way. Talk this way. Act this way. Smile a lot. Offer to help at all times. I’m not sure anyone ever told me these things, but for some reason – it was the message I picked and what I made my truth. I had to earn love and I had to work hard to keep it. This truth affected my relationships not only with others, but also with God. I didn’t think He could love me just because of who I was. I thought I had to earn His love, too. Over time, this lie has been replaced with truth. Not everyone is going to like me, and that’s okay. I may not be everyone’s cup of tea, and I don’t have to be. We all have unique personalities, life experiences and gifts that we bring into every space we enter. I can not be everything for everyone – nor was I ever meant to be. This has changed how I live. I am loved because of who I am, not because of what I do. I am a precious child of God and He loves me as is, because I am His. Nobody is asking for perfection. That’s unattainable anyway. I now walk in freedom, with my arms swinging lightly, knowing I don’t have to perform. I don’t have to fit a mold. I can show up as I am – and that is enough.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would approach my younger self with so much tenderness and compassion. I would get on her level and look deep into her eyes and give her the warmest smile in an attempt to share everything my heart was feeling. I would extend my arms wide and ask her if it would be okay if I gave her a hug. I would let her cry if she needed to. I would stroke her hair. I would sit there for as long as needed. And then, I would let her know I see her. I would address all the pain and the sorrow she is feeling. I would acknowledge the chaos she lives in and tell her she doesn’t have to try so hard to be so good all the time. I would let her know she is beautiful and loved and worthy just as she is – in this moment. I would also let her know that she will come to the other side of all this pain. I would tell her that every valley she is making her way through is building a resilience in her spirit and a compassion in her soul that will seep into all she says and does. I would tell her not to avoid the pain or numb it or run from it. She can’t bypass it. She has to go through it. But joy will come in the morning. I would let her know how very loved she is. How precious she is. And that there is no-one else in the world like her, nor will there ever be. God made her in this time and space for a reason. Live into that truth, sweet girl. You are seen. You are known. You are loved. Not because of what you do. But because of who you are.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am committed to keep writing and to publishing more of my work. This road has been bumpy. Many doors have closed that I believed would never open again – but at the right time, they have. I believe everything happens when it is supposed to, as it is meant to and I am trying to live into this belief. I am passionate about sharing the raw and vulnerable pieces of my story. I want others to know they aren’t alone on their journey. I will keep moving forward and I will keep writing, trusting that when the time comes, my next book will be published.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
The story I hope people tell is a simple one – I hope people will say I loved well. That I was there for them. That my faith was a bright light that guided me. I hope my life is one that is full of grace and kindness. The story I want people to tell is that when they were with me they felt seen, they felt loved, they felt respected, they felt known. I want people to say that when I sat with them and was fully present. I want my love to be loud and big and to fill the spaces I enter. I want to love my God and my people with my whole heart and I want that to be my story.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jenthompsonauthor.com
- Instagram: @trulyyoursjen.
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trulyyoursjen/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trulyyoursjen/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReturntoJesusPodcast1
- Other: Blog – www.trulyyoursjen.com
