Uncategorized Archives - Jenny Leavitt

The Song I Didn’t Choose

Jenny Leavitt — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 20:07:40 +0000

There are songs you choose for a memorial service.

And then there are songs that choose you.

In 2015, we lost our teenage son, Jacob, in a tragic accident. Three weeks before his death, he stood in our church and shared how God had worked in his heart at youth camp. He challenged adults not to give up on his generation. We had no idea that testimony would become one of the last times we would hear him speak publicly.

When it came time to plan his memorial service, everything felt unreal. Our older son was in critical condition from the same accident. Hospital rooms, medical updates, and the fog of shock swallowed our days. Friends from our church stepped in and lovingly created a slideshow of Jacob’s life because we simply could not.

One of the songs included in that slideshow was “I Am Yours” by Lauren Daigle.

I hadn’t heard of her at the time. I didn’t choose the song. In fact, I remember feeling a flicker of irritation that something had been added that we hadn’t personally selected. Christian grief does strange things to our sense and desire for control. When everything else has shattered, even small decisions can feel sacred.

But then the song played.

And a line about seeing God’s fingerprints — the evidence of His hands — pierced straight through the numbness.

In the middle of shock and chaos, those lyrics declared something my heart desperately needed but could not yet articulate: that God was still over the storm. That nothing was left to chance. That we were still His.

For those navigating faith after loss, this tension is familiar. We know the theology. We’ve sung the songs. But when the worst happens, belief and breath do not always move at the same pace.

I didn’t know it then, but something was being planted.

Years later, I would write GodPrints: Finding Evidence of God in the Shattered Pieces of Life. Only recently did I realize that one of the earliest seeds of that language may have been sown the day that song played at my son’s memorial.

It wasn’t dramatic. There was no lightning-bolt revelation. Just a quiet impression that even in the wreckage, God’s fingerprints were still there.

Ten years later, I still see them.

Sometimes they are faint — a conversation that comes at the exact right moment. A memory that feels like mercy. A strength I know I do not manufacture on my own.

Sometimes they are unmistakable — the survival and healing of our older son. The ways Jacob’s testimony still echoes. The unexpected doors that opened for ministry and writing.

Music has a way of slipping past our defenses. It can carry truth into places our theology hasn’t caught up to yet. That song did that for me.

The artist who wrote and recorded it never knew my son. She didn’t know a grieving mother was sitting in a memorial service, bracing herself for a slideshow she wasn’t ready to see. She simply stewarded the gift God gave her. That obedience carried us in a moment when we could barely stand.

If you are walking through Christian grief right now — planning a memorial service, wrestling with questions, or simply trying to find God after loss — I want you to know this:

The fingerprints may not be obvious at first.

But they are there.

If this resonates with your story, I share more about tracing God’s presence in the shattered pieces of life in my book, GodPrints: Finding Evidence of God in the Shattered Pieces of Life. It was written for those who are learning to look for evidence of grace when everything feels broken.

You can learn more about the book here.

You may not have chosen this storm.

But you are still His.

And His fingerprints are closer than you think.

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Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Jenny Leavitt — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:09:22 +0000

As we wrap up another year, I just want to take a moment to say how deeply grateful I am for YOU. Thank you for being such an important part of this journey—whether you’ve purchased one of my books, read my newsletters or blog posts, watched my YouTube videos, or left a kind review. Your support, encouragement, and prayers have made all the difference.

I truly couldn’t do this without you. God has blessed me with an incredible community, and I’m so honored to walk this road with you. I hope you’ll join me in the year ahead as we continue sharing stories of healing, hope, and faith. There’s so much more to come, and I’m excited to see where God leads us next.

Thank you for being part of this ministry. I am so grateful for you.

With love and gratitude,
Jenny Leavitt
www.jennyleavitt.com

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A Special Playlist to Fight Loneliness | Curated by Jenny & Caleb Leavitt

Jenny Leavitt — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 00:39:43 +0000

Hi friends,

Caleb and I are excited to share something close to our hearts—a curated playlist designed to bring comfort and peace when you’re feeling lonely. 🎶 Music has a unique way of speaking to our souls, and we’ve handpicked songs that have personally encouraged us in difficult times.

We hope this playlist helps you find solace, lifts your spirits, and reminds you that you are never truly alone.

You can listen to it here: Fighting Loneliness Playlist

May it bless you and bring you peace.

Blessings,
Jenny & Caleb

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Free Source of Hope: The Bible

Jenny Leavitt — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 14:12:26 +0000

When I was a preteen Sunday school teacher, I assigned my class a scripture to memorize. I started the new school year by explaining to them why it wasn’t for “busy work” or to be “super spiritual”. It was because I knew from firsthand experience the power of hiding God’s word deep inside us.

Despite the havoc cancer treatments caused, memorized scriptures gave me something to hold on to. As I’d come across new ones, I’d find whatever scrap of paper I could and write them down, trying to commit them to memory. There were index cards, post-its, and construction paper taped by light switches, on mirrors and doors, and even on the front of the refrigerator.

Those words of life took root in my heart and grew into a sturdy, dependable tree that could withstand the tests of my life. I can honestly say that God’s word helped me keep my mind in a healthy place, back in that time of health crisis but also many times since.

The best news? We here in the Western world have access to God’s word 24/7, 365 days a year! For free if you use the YouVersion app on your phone. But, really, even if you want a printed copy, you can find one for less than a meal in the drive-through nowadays.

I’ll tell you some tips I told my class:

Find a Biblically sound translation that you can read. If you dislike reading Shakespeare, don’t get the King James version. There are many other sound translations. Find one you can (and will!) read. Then read it!
Reading four chapters of the Bible every day may be a lofty goal for some, but is it attainable for you? As with any new habit, set goals that are realistic for you. Can you start with five minutes of scripture each day and then meditate on that throughout the day? Once you get used to five minutes, can you increase to ten?
More than the number of chapters or verses, focus on really thinking about what you’re reading. How can it apply to you today? Are there things you need to talk to God about?
Up for a challenge? Find a reading buddy and challenge each other. Be creative and come up with what works for you. For instance, maybe you both commit to reading one chapter a day and then check in with each other once a week. Or maybe you both agree to do a word study on, say, stress, and then check back in with each and compare notes. It makes accountability fun!

What else would you add to my tips? Please share them below!

PS Here are some other posts I’ve written that may help you too:

Blog Post I wrote about the power of Scripture in the battle for your mind:

Who’s Winning the Battle for Your Mind?

Free Instant download of 10 verses to give you hope:

10 Verses to Give You Hope

Get your FREE copy of 100 Eternal Truths To Anchor Us in the Storms Of Life by Jenny Leavitt: 100 Eternal Truths

This is part of the Free Source of Hope Series:

Free (or Cheap) Source of Hope: Videos & Movies

Free Source of Hope: Blogs & Newsletters

Free Source of Hope: Podcasts

Free Source of Hope: Books