Steadfast

To be steadfast is to be resolutely firm and unwavering. A person who is steadfast is loyal, faithful and devoted. Today I write to you about my dear friend, Jennifer Drake. When the greatest, horrific storm of life engulfed her into its roaring waves, she stood on The Rock that is higher than I and she remained steadfast in her faith. A year ago, her husband and our dear friend was murdered in his chiropractic office. We have watched Ms. Jennifer, as my boys call her, get hit again and again by waves of trail, words of rebuke and false information. We watch her raise her four growing children with selflessness and love. We see how when evil is done, evil wants to prevail. We see lies rise up in trial, we see her families name get thrown around with misguided accusations, and through all of it, this mama stands. Yesterday we celebrated her birthday, and today God nudged me to write truth about a woman who has remained steadfast in her trust, devotion and love to God.

I remember watching her at Mr. Brian’s funeral. She hugged everyone in line and told them it will be okay. As people came in and out of her doors, she made sure people felt seen and loved even though it was her husband that was no longer with us. Jen will go out of her way to make sure her kids, her family, her friends and to be honest people she rarely knows, are encouraged, taken care of and their needs come before herself. Jen is a seeker of truth and from the time I met her six years ago to now, she continues to stand on the truth of the word of God. She reads her bible and spends time with Her Savior and friend. She asks God for wisdom in every decision, every trial, and even for the smaller things. She seeks wisdom like a hidden treasure and her greatest weapon is prayer. 

Jen will be the first person to tell you that her faith was shaken to its core and questions of “why” will forever be in hear heart. I have watched her face in my carpet as she wept and wept, but she wipes her tears again and again with her little pointer fingers and she carries on. She is one of the most poised women I know. She talks with kindness and confidence; she is a natural leader. Little does she know that the way she has carried herself in this last year is a beautiful testament for all of us who have been watching. Every morning before her kids go to school, they sit around the table and read scripture together. Her children ask hard questions, and she answers with ease. She gathers up her crew of four kids and goes to church. She raises her hands in the air and worships Her Father who she knows is good. Jen continues to carry on the beautiful legacy that her and Brian started in the beginning. This family has always been one to be admired, and she holds true to the values and ways that her and Brian knew God was leading them to do. To hold on to the dreams her and Brian dreamed for their children and their lives. She carries the load well, and she again, remains steadfast in it all.  

In Jen’s great ability to be strong, God is showing her how to surrender to the things you simply cannot control. He is showing her how to trust Him with things that are out of her hands and gently reminding her that they are in his. She told me a story that happened on the “one year mark” of Mr. Brian’s death. Her sweet family wanted to make a fire on the back porch and roast hot dogs. For the strangest of reasons, they could not get a fire started. They tried everything, and mama Jen kept saying, “we will persevere Drake kids, and we will get this fire started.” Finally, after several hours go by, she surrendered. She grabbed the hot dogs and started to boil some water. As she was standing at the stove feeling defeated, suddenly her son rushed in the house, “mom the fire is roaring!!” Jen was shocked and ran outside and sure enough the fire was in full force. In that moment, Jen heard God in His still small whisper, “I have you, surrender to me and trust me.” After that day, I saw Jen walk with a new peace in her heart.

The last project that her and Brian did together was a stenciled saying on the wall above their beautiful piano. It writes, “When you Want Peace, Give God Praise.” Jen started to learn how to play worship music on the piano just a few months before Brian died. If you ever stop by to see her, it is a great possibility that you will find her sweet self, sitting on the piano bench singing worship songs to God. She said that some days, sitting on that piano bench worshipping is the only thing that brings her comfort. I find that God prompted them to know what saying to put on the wall before Brian went to His eternal home. 

 I will forever look up to Jennifer as a great example of a great mother, her devotion to God and her heart. She is a woman we can all learn from and as she celebrates one year older, I pray that this year God restores what has been broken, that he redeems what has been stollen, and justice will prevail. I pray that he continues to wrap Jen in His mighty wings. To be her comfort, strength and very present help in times of trouble from now throughout eternity. Keep remaining steadfast dear friend, you are dearly loved. 

“From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalms 61:2