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It is what it is… Dec. 17, 2025 – Commentary with Jen Brien
December 17, 2025/
by Jennifer Brien, contributing writer, commentary
THE RESCUE MISSION
Here we are… another CHRISTMAS already! I can’t believe it! I actually had to ask someone this morning when Christmas was. She said, “NEXT WEEK”! WHAT!!!!! I’m not sure how that got lost on me, but it did. 2025 was another tough year. I mean, haven’t they all felt really crazy and / or tough over the last 5 years (come to think of it)… that’s how it has felt for me anyway, and so, here we are! The fun before the reflection. I always reflect on what happened during the year after Santa comes and goes… helps keep me grateful and aware of what I can do better in the new year to come.
So, this morning, I was doing the usual things I do when I get up at 4:59 am… pet “Molly the dog” on the head as she comes to get me for her breakfast. Ask my little Ella, “the golden doodle” if she’s “smiling” because I’m finally awake (she smiles when I get up… it’s so funny!) and tell “Lilah the cat” she’s loved and safe as she was once a throw away stray I rescued – all while thinking about content for today’s column.
In the middle of all these things, God whispered to my spirit, “Jennifer, Jesus was my gift to you”. Of course, I started to cry, and then I began to think about the RESCUE MISSION that Jesus embarked on to pull me out of this world only to send me back in. I know many people are not believers who read this and think its all mumbo-jumbo ( keep reading though), but all I can say about my experience with God is, I have known he was real and was aware of him since the age of 5. As I walked along in this life, he showed up in so many ways big and small and really, protected me from myself and the harm that could have upended my life. HE IS REAL.
Trust me when I tell you, I have heard his voice. ONCE. In all my 57 years of living. ONCE. I was in a rehab which was probably my last chance. Literally my LAST CHANCE to get well, and I was complaining and groaning and was really pissy… it was my second day there and I said to him (under my breath as I was forced to take direction from a snotty 19-year-old who had me mopping a floor) “GOD! ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!! YOU WANT ME HERE?????? THIS IS INSANE!!!!!”. As clear as day his voice in my head came through and said, “LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING”. I said HUH? What the heck is that? I was still pissed, but keep moping. Eventually, I came to know that’s a verse from the bible.
I was in a treatment program for my alcoholism that was Jesus centered and though I believed in Christ, I had never studied him deeply. The entire verse is “Trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths”. I spent 7 months in this facility and then left for whatever reason and found my way BACK into more trouble until I was at the end of me.
This was it. It was jail, institutions or death just like they say in AA… or sobriety. I choose sobriety because the other options… were not really options. That was back in 2017 and I’ve never looked back. Since then, the journey I have been on with God has been so insane and fun and sad and real and difficult and confusing and frustrating… it has been annoying, and funny and liberating and I have grown and learned what life really is. How hard it is. How much sacrifice there has to be in order to behave and live like God expects me to live.
I want people to know who wonder, question, doubt and struggle with faith that it is all totally normal. God expects questions. He anticipates doubt. This is why it is so important to be detoxed from this world and shaped into a new version of you. Walking with Christ does this. This takes time. It takes effort. It takes patience. It takes discipline and guts. I am alive because God rescued me. He said follow my breadcrumbs and trust me. I’m not a genie in a bottle. I watch you. I’ll guide you if you let me and I’ll help you grow and he has done ALL THOSE THINGS and more. Now, I still cuss like a sailor and really need to work on that, but I’m coming along. I may not be where I wanna be, but I sure ain’t where I was.
Christmas is more than a PS5 (though that was a damn good gift!), it’s God giving us the greatest gift we could ever receive if we only choose to unwrap it. I’m a regular person in a crazy world trying to get through each day the best I can. I wasn’t always here. I was drunk, homeless and broke and my spirit was crushed. Now I run marathons, show up on time, love the people who love me and love the people who don’t. That’s not me… that’s God in me.
This isn’t a Christmas song, but I listened to it on my run this morning and I knew I had to share it with you. I hope you listen. If you long for something other than the trappings of this world, try hitting up the Almighty. He’s waiting to take that call…
P.S — Next week it’s all about NORAD SANTA!!!!!!
Merry Christmas friends,
Jen
Hi Jen,
I watched this movie during a one night showing several months ago. It depicts the downward spiral of one man’s life and his climb back up with the Lord’s help. The film is called Broken Mary. Here’s the link to the film’s website. https://www.brokenmaryfilm.com/#digital-streaming
As all of us are broken, the message here is powerful.
Thank you Jen for so brilliantly writing about your life. Keep strong in your faith & A Very Happy Christmas to you!
Stay strong and stay on the path to happiness. Thanks for sharing.