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HGTV Star Uses Scripture, Faith to Inspire Social Media

HGTV Star Uses Scripture, Faith to Inspire Social Media

By Jessilyn Lancaster, Managing Editor

FIXER TO FABULOUS is one of the newer shows to HGTV’s lineup, but host Jenny Marrs is already using her social media platform to inspire others.

The show debuted Fall 2019, and Season 2 just premiered last month to a horde of happy fans.

According to HGTV, FIXER to FABULOUS follows the Marrs family as they overhaul some of Northwest Arkansas’ oldest homes, from rickety Victorian estates to crumbling Colonials, all while raising five young children and managing their family farm. Jenny is the creative influence behind their personalized renovations, specializing in designing spaces that are warm, welcoming and a reflection of the family that lives there, while Dave spearheads the construction with his unrivaled knowledge and passion for reviving old homes.

Here are some examples of Jenny sharing her faith on social media.

 

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Yesterday was a day of harsh words being flung at me from across a screen. The words and the anger behind them rattled me. I didn’t sleep well. I woke up this morning unsettled. Then, as He does, the Lord gifted me a few quiet moments in between meetings and I found myself at a park mid-morning. As I listened to the birds singing and watched as a brightly colored leaf slowly danced in the wind and fell to the earth, I was reminded of the verse He had led me to at the start of the year “…in quietness and confidence is your strength.” {Isaiah 30:15} At the time, I didn’t quite understand why He led me to that particular verse. But as this year passes and the noise of the world becomes increasingly louder, I’m learning. I’m listening in the stillness, in the tender moments with my Abba Father. In quietness and confidence is my strength, indeed. May this Monday be blessed with quiet moments of His mercy, friends. ♥️

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@mattmahermusic’s “I Need You” is playing on the kitchen speaker and the familiar words transport me right back to those early days when Sylvie had first arrived home. Torn from every familiar thing and placed into our family, my daughter carried intense grief and debilitating fear like a heavy cloak. That summer, our home felt more like a trauma ward than a peaceful refuge. I remember singing the chorus, “I need you, Lord. I need you. Every hour, I need you,” over and over. The lyrics became my anthem through the long days alone with a newborn, a traumatized toddler and two four year olds who had just had their entire world turned upside down. Here I am, six years later, singing the same lyrics with the same desperate heart. Realizing that while we are no longer in a season of trauma and transition and upheaval, my need for God in every moment hasn’t changed one bit. As I stand in the kitchen and look around at the toys scattered, the dust bunnies in the corner, and the chips in the paint removed from flying matchbox cars, I breathe in immense gratitude. These, the signs of a life well lived, are abundant. Brokenness amidst beauty. Joy intermingled with sorrow, laughter echoing in our four walls after a season of pain. Lord, I need you. Every hour, I need you. And I am so grateful to you for each and every blessing of this wild and beautiful life. ♥️? Photo credit: @samanthakindred

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When I was in Zimbabwe with Help One Now, we visited the children at Musha WeVana on the afternoon before the start of a new school year and were able to help distribute new school uniforms, shoes and backpacks. I was on backpack distribution duty and I LOVED watching the children beam as they received their brand-new backpack. One little boy hugged and kissed it all over. ♥️ We listened as the caregivers explained the impact of these school uniforms – not only are they required for school attendance, but they allow the children to fit in with the other kids at school, rather than standing out as an “orphan.” {I know how hard we have worked with our own daughter to overcome her previous identity of orphan – the stigma, shame and lies of the enemy are deeply rooted in these children. Fitting in with “regular” kids from the community is HUGE and so, so beautiful}. Although they may appear to have nothing, that isn’t true at all. These kids are well loved. They are going to school. They have big dreams for their future. They WILL change their community. The cycle WILL be broken. Dave and I are fully committed to the work @helponenow is doing around the globe. We have met and learned from all of the brilliant local leaders (leaders leading within their own community – not an outsider coming in mandating what should be done), we have visited communities around the world and we have seen first-hand the impact of programs like the Family Empowerment program. Parents are starting businesses, kids are going to school, entire communities are being transformed. Today, you can become a part of the fight against extreme poverty by joining “The Circle”. I know times are tough for everyone right now. Yet, I believe generosity isn’t something we do only when it’s easy. Generosity is what we commit to because we value our fellow brothers and sisters and we see our own kids reflected back in these eyes. This world is filled with so much hurting and hatred but today we have an opportunity to push back against the darkness and stand on the side of justice and kindness and love. ♥️ Link arms with us: you can join via the link in my profile.

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I was flipping through an old journal this morning and came across a quote I had written on August 24, 2009: “If your situation looks hopeless, remember God can do the impossible.” I wrote those words after yet another failed procedure in our long journey to have children. I was heartbroken and exhausted. I wrote about how empty and frustrated and angry and grief-stricken I felt. I was mad at God for placing the desire to be a mother in my soul. If weren’t for that persistent longing for a child, the pain wouldn’t be so all-consuming. It felt impossible: infertility treatments weren’t working and adoption doors were slamming shut left and right. We were confused and edging toward hopelessness. But, God. He took a hopeless situation and did the impossible. Over the course of the next decade, we would watch God perform Red-Sea-parting miracles in order to graft together our little family. He took our deep sorrow and turned it into abundant, overwhelmingly beautiful, pure joy. When I wrote those words eleven years ago, I never could have imagined all He had in store for Dave and I. I didn’t see the miracles coming our way and never, ever would have believed I‘d find myself on the other side of the valley surrounded by FIVE perfectly imperfect and hilarious and messy and loud and beautiful little ones who call me momma. I still pinch myself that this great honor of motherhood is really mine. I’m sharing this because I know someone reading these words is in what feels like an impossible and hopeless situation. If I could go back eleven years and tell my younger self anything, I would say: just hold on, your story isn’t over yet. There is so much good in store. Keep on fighting for joy. Keep on believing and trusting and – no matter what comes your way – don’t ever, ever give up hope. Stand strong on this truth: God can do the impossible. ?: @samanthakindred

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While this pandemic has been tragic and terrifying and has forced the entire world to come to a screeching halt, I’ve managed to learn some really beautiful lessons in the midst of this season of uncertainty. Lessons about intentionality and fiercely guarding my time and appreciating the abundance of blessings around me. I never again want to take normalcy for granted. I never want to find my calendar so jam-packed that I can’t squeeze in a day on the water with my family. I never want to stop pursuing my people with love and creativity. I never want to take my health or my family’s health for granted. I never want to race through the morning without pausing for time in prayer. I never want to feed into the world’s fascination with fear and anger and division. What I do want to do is relentlessly pursue love and beauty and kindness. I want to rely solely on the firm, steady foundation of my trustworthy God. ♥️ (Also, I can’t get over this incredible shot our friend @flydkb took the other day while we were at the lake. I’m thankful for days of rest and memory making and amazing photos that capture those times).

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So many of us are making decisions about school – do we send our kids in person or do they attend virtually or do we homeschool or… or… or… ?? Some days it simply feels impossible to make the right decision for the year. But, the truth of the matter is that God goes before and behind us AND our kids. He isn’t surprised by this virus or by these decisions. We can make the best choice for our family and then offer grace and love and prayers to every other family making their best choice. Last night, my kids and I walked the halls and the grounds of their school and offered up very specific prayers over each space and precious person who will be inside. It was such a holy experience. Hearing their prayers for one another and for their teachers and friends was the peace my soul needed as we prepare for this strange year. It was a reminder that God is still in control and He can use even this for good. {Psalm 91 is a great place to start for prayer if you don’t have the words to pray. ? Also, I didn’t write the words on the second photo and I don’t have the original source to tag but a dear friend sent this to me today and I had to share because the Truth is SO good and I needed these words today}.

A post shared by Jenny Marrs (@jennymarrs) on


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