We all have stories to tell. Whether it be from personal obstacles or achievements, we are able to learn from our experiences and tell our story to others. Jennifer R. Strole, author of Mommy Says Jesus is Coming!, shares her own real-life story with Identity readers. We all have similar stories and we can all learn a little from each other to help better our own identities.
An interview with Jennifer R. Strole, author of Mommy Says Jesus Christ is Coming!
Have you accepted something about yourself or in your life that tells a story?
In my life I have accepted that I am in control of nothing. God made me what I am…allergic to peanut butter, a mother of two beautiful boys, and a person who loves to be creative in all things.
Do you appreciate anything about yourself or your life?
I appreciate the fact that I am kind no matter the hardships I face and I will try to raise my boys to be the same way. There may be times when life is harder than you could have ever dreamed, but that doesn’t mean that you have to choose to be unkind during the process.
What have you achieved that you are proud of?
I am proud of a few things in my life…graduating from a four-year University, marrying my best friend, being the best mother I can be, and writing a book that I know is pleasing to God.
Have you had challenges accepting yourself and your life or your “Identity?”
I have had many challenges accepting the circumstances in my life. I have lost a lot of people who I have loved along the way, either by death or by the road of life leading into different directions. I have had rocky times, desperate times, and just plain old sad times…but through all of it I had faith, kindness, and continued to have love in my heart. I believe that we choose everything in our lives. Do I go left or right? Do I take a path that will lead to destruction or not? Do I do good things even though everyone else is doing bad things? I choose every day to be positive, even when people are negative around me. I know my rewards on earth may not be grand, but when I get to Heaven my mansion may be bigger than any you have ever seen. I am not rich in money, but I have always been and will continue to be rich in love and I thank God for it.
Jennifer R. Strole Answers the Identity Five!
1. What have you accepted in your life that took time, physically or mentally?
I accepted the task of trying to write a book even though I knew that it was going to take a lot of time and that I had to meet a lot of deadlines. I just became a mother for the first time and was home with my brand new baby boy when I entered a writing contest online, I sent a sample of my writing to Tate Publishing after I won the contest. I was contacted and they sent me a contract in the mail. I prayed about it and the next thing I know I had written a book that is available online at many stores, including Amazon.com. God is amazing and I feel that He blessed me with the gift of writing. I could only write down the words that He wanted me to place on the piece of paper in front of me. He gets the glory, I was just a tool.
2. What do you appreciate about yourself and within your life?
I appreciate the faith that my grandmother instilled in me at a very young age. I know that she is in Heaven smiling as she looks down and I am thankful.
3. What is one of your most rewarding achievements in life?
Writing Mommy Says Jesus is Coming!, is a great achievement, because there aren’t many books about the Return of Jesus Christ for children to read. I want my children to know about the second coming of Christ, have something to look forward to, and be able to understand what it means to be a good Christian during our time on this world. I still have many goals in my life and I think as long as we are living that we should continue to have goals. God has given us this life and we need to enjoy it, live it, and come to understand why we are here. What goals do you still have? I would love to write more books in a series, however, there needs to be a certain number of the first book sold before the next can be published. I also want to learn how to make extraordinary cakes, like the kind you see on television. I think that no matter how old you are you should never know what you want to be when you grow up, because you should want to be everything and try everything
4. What is your not-so-perfect way? What imperfections and quirks create your Identity?
My not-so-perfect way, well, unfortunately I need to ask God to tame my tongue on many occasions. I am still a Jersey girl at heart and sometimes my patients runs out a little faster than I would like. However, I do believe that my imperfections and quirks have made me a strong person and I do know when and how to stand up for myself. Nobody is perfect. There has only ever been one perfect man on Earth as far as I’m concerned and His name is Jesus. I just try to love with my whole heart. I also try to always have compassion and understanding for others, that’s probably why I have worked in the mental health field for four years.
5. How would you complete the phrase “I Love My…?”
I love my life. I really do. Even through all of the hardships, loss, pain, and sorrow. I am grateful for everything I have, even if it’s not a million bucks. My husband is wonderful, my children are unbelievable, and God is good. Yes, hard times will always come around, but that is how God tests your faith and it is necessary. I love my life and that’s important.
