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QUESTION #1: ACQUAINT

There's much more to food than palate and preference. How does a go-to meal at your favorite hometown restaurant reveal the true you behind the web bio? 

My parents loved to gather family and friends in their motor home and make the trip down Highway 17 South to the Edisto Motel/Restaurant. Most locals referred to this iconic diner as Jacksonboro. I don’t know if the folks from “off” understood what a treat it was since the small, stucco building was one of our best-kept Lowcountry secrets. I particularly loved ordering the fried shrimp, a baked potato and a side order of coleslaw. 

The Edisto Motel was one of the absolute best places to enjoy a full-blown South Carolina Lowcountry experience. The journey to Jacksonboro required patience and respect since we would wait in line for hours to get a table. It was a test of what my Lowcountry family considered worth waiting for: great food, amazing fellowship and one of the South’s hidden gems — not to be exploited but appreciated.

The soul food served in the small dining room was prepared by old-school Gullah cooks whose mommas taught one generation after another how to cook in lard. If cholesterol had been invented, they would have probably thought it was something else to fry! At one time, the restaurant was only known by the locals, but its popularity exploded through the years.

We were miserable after eating way too much on the ride back to Johns Island, but it was the kind of misery that was worth every bite. We talked, laughed, ate and ate some more. This was one of my sacred Southern bonds and another nuance of the ties that bind my heart.

QUESTION #2: REVEAL

We’ve all got quirky proclivities and out-of-the-way interests. So what are yours? What so-called "nonspiritual" activities do you love and help you find spiritual renewal? 

Along with growing vegetables, Daddy was also a soybean farmer. He constructed two large grain bins in the middle of the farm. I loved to sit on the top of those giant bins and dream. I felt invincible climbing the rungs of that aluminum ladder to the next level.

It was a spiritual experience watching the sunset in the summer, admiring the manicured rows of vegetables, and enjoying the beautiful 400-year-old grand oaks that graced the property. The gray, cascading moss decorating the gnarled branches reminded me of how uniquely blessed I was to live on a farm and grow up as a country girl.

There’s no telling how many dreams the Lord placed in this farmgirl’s heart as I sat on the top of those grain bins. My daddy did not finish the tenth grade; the best he could do was rear his family in a common tenant house. But life changed when Daddy had a successful tomato season. He was able to buy a beautiful piece of property called The Hut.

Yet my journey to the top of that grain bin had multiple challenges. I was diagnosed with Dyslexia, have had a low IQ and was classified as an EMR — Educable Mentally Retarded. But I am a hard worker who inherited a good sense of humor from my mother. I finished college, attended graduate school and traveled from the rows of the tomato fields to the runway of the Miss America Pageant and beyond. I never let anyone define who I am. After all, the Lord knows our hearts and he will direct our paths.

QUESTION #3: CONFESS

Every superhero has a weakness. Every human, too. We're just good at faking it. But who are we kidding? We’re broken and in this thing together. So what’s your kryptonite and how do you hide it? 

After Daddy passed away, my family fell apart. We were a closely knit group, and I thought family feuds happened to other people, not us. Nothing would divide us.

But land and other assets my parents had accumulated split my family. My sister’s husband improperly probated my father’s will, and Mother’s estate was being abused. Momma’s generosity was never enough for my brother, who abused drugs, and my insecure sister. I was put in an uncomfortable position to protect my mother’s estate; I was the only child she could trust.

I prayed hard and took a hard stand, but I became the family bad guy. I decided that the family dysfunction would stop with me, my husband, and my children. It was a shock to witness jealousy, greed, lawsuits and the untimely death of my sister only five months after my mother died.

But God is good. I learned the power of forgiveness through impossible circumstances as well as high-principled thinking in the midst of those who are low-functioning reactors. I sought out the help of a Christian counselor and began a new life free from the paralyzing effects of generational curses. I still struggle when hearing my reputation redefined and attacks on my character, husband and children.  But I remind myself that I would basically do the same thing if the situation presented itself again. Setting boundaries and borders offered tremendous healing for me. I also learned to let the Lord fight our battles.

QUESTION #4: FIRE UP

Tell us about your toil. How are you investing your professional time right now? What’s your obsession? And why should it be ours? 

With the Lord, all things are possible. My favorite expression is, “When I hear the word ‘no,’ I think next.” The desire of my wounded heart was to share my message of hope, humor and inspiration through my writing, singing and comedy.

“Next-level thinking” involves passion, persistence and a good sense of humor. So when my English professor gave me an F in writing, I thought about writing a book — and I did. Ultimately, this led to signing contracts with major publishers (Hachette and Tyndale).

I love to sing, so I studied voice and won a vocal performance award through the Miss America Pageant system. I have performed at Radio City Music Hall and opened many professional sporting events singing the National Anthem. Recently, I shared the stage with Lee Greenwood.

As a professional speaker, I began delivering musical motivation presentations in schools across the country. Now I speak for corporate events and associations. I loved speaking in New Zealand and Germany and being featured live on Direct-TV in a convention center filled with 20,000 people. I was inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame and currently serve as the chair.

I’ve discovered humor is important since people remember many life lessons through comedy. As a Southern Humorist, I appear regularly on SiriusXM Radio, Pandora, Spotify and other streaming services. My latest venture is performing “Sweet Tea Shows” in theaters across the South in conjunction with the release of my latest book, “Sweet Tea Secrets from the Deep-Fried South.”

QUESTION #5: BOOST

Cashiers, CEOs, contractors or customer service reps, we all need grace flowing into us and back out into the world. How does the Holy Spirit invigorate your work? And how do you know it's God when it happens? 

Seven is a biblical number and has a lot of significance in my life. On the seventh day of the seventh month of the seventh year since my family fell apart, I held my mother as she took her last breath. It was the year 2007. In January of that year, the Lord spoke to my heart and said, “Get ready. I will amaze you, and you will be set free.”

I also felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit to ask my sister for forgiveness only one month before. I did not understand since I had tried everything humanly possible to heal our relationship but nothing worked.

I was attending an event and knew my sister would also be there. I prayed and asked the Lord to help make it possible for me to speak to her since she truly hated me. It was such a hard shift in our relationship because my sister and I had been so close for many years.

Miraculously, the crowd parted and there stood my sister. I asked her to forgive me if I had done anything to hurt her. She looked at me in a strange way and simply replied, “Okay.” There was no fanfare, nothing spectacular just normal.

Almost one year from that day, my sister suddenly died. The Lord quickened my heart that my encounter with her was about my obedience to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit. That experience has given me tremendous peace and allowed my writing, singing and other talents to flow naturally to serve him.

QUESTION #6: inspire

Scripture and tradition beckon us into the rich and varied actions that open our hearts to the presence of God. So spill it, which spiritual practice is workin' best for you right now? 

I married a godly man, and we have a routine. In the early morning, we brew a strong cup of coffee and watch television or stream a message from a person of faith who shares the Word of God. Then we both read our devotions and pray before we start the day.

I am aware of my learning issues, so short devotions are the perfect way for me to focus my time and attention on the Lord. I also listen to podcasts that are motivational, spiritual and inspiring. I tend to hyper-focus on my work, so during the day, I will walk, ride my bike or visit a friend to help me keep my personal and professional life in balance.

I also take great joy in helping other people achieve their goals in writing, singing or crafting a speech. I believe that God gives us gifts, and we are meant to find our talents and wring ourselves out each day in service to others. I believe that service is the highest calling.

QUESTION #7: FOCUS

Our email subscribers get free ebooks featuring our favorite resources — lots of things that have truly impacted our faith lives. But you know about some really great stuff too. What resources have impacted you?

The first is “Foolproofing Your Life: How to Deal Effectively with the Impossible People in Your Life” by Jan Silvious. This wonderful resource contains an honest and open conversation about others. But it’s mainly about how you allow these individuals to control your life. I read this book many times to retrain my brain! 

Next is “Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life (Updated and Expanded Edition)” by Henry Cloud and John Townsend. This book gave me permission to protect my heart and learn skills to fight the enemy from stealing my joy. No kidding, in the South we are supposed to love each other unconditionally. Well, we should love each other, but we don’t have to like how folks act. I feel as though I’ve earned a Ph.D. in staying away from unhealthy relationships and people. Yay! 

But enough of the serious stuff. Let’s laugh! “Can’t Make This Stuff Up: Finding the Upside to Life’s Downs” by Susannah B. Lewis is Southern humor and story-telling in their best form. The audio is really funny, and you have to love the Southern accents and strange stories! In fact, this author inspired my latest book.

We all have things we cling to to survive (or thrive) in tough times. Name one resource you’ve found indispensable in this current season — and tell us what it's done for you. 

I enjoy listening to and reading books by Dr. Nido Qubein, the president of High Point University in High Point, North Carolina. Nido is an amazing servant who is inspiring a generation of young people through education and opportunities.

Dr. Qubein interviews folks from all walks of life who have interesting stories of faith, careers and great achievements despite adversity. His recordings offer the listener an opportunity to connect with incredible peak-performance experts. I love to hear great stories to develop an open mind and heart. It helps me grow as a person of faith.

I ask myself how I can minister to others who may be confused and are looking for healthy solutions to finding and becoming the best version of themselves. How can I share Christ in our COVID-confused world? How can I reach those who are searching for hope, encouragement and humor?

QUESTION #8: dream

God is continually stirring new things in each of us. So give us the scoop! What’s beginning to stir in you but not yet fully awakened? What can we expect from you in the future? 

I am a professional “noodle thrower.” I’m always challenging myself to see what new idea may stick. I am constantly learning new music as well as improving my writing and speaking skills. (We should all continue learning!)

Comedy shows are my new passion to entertain folks and make them laugh. And yes, folks have tried to squash that dream, but remember, “no” actually means “next.” 

I am super excited about “Sweet Tea Secrets from the Deep-Fried South.” I’m a Lowcountry South Carolinian, and you can't get more Southern in the South than being reared on the Southeastern coast of South Carolina. Hopefully, folks reading the book will laugh, snort and be reminded of their unique roots and have the courage to share their story.

The truth is, that story is how we speak in the South, and my stories are filled with sweet tea wisdom and Southern-fried humor.

In this fallen world, discouragement is inevitable. Whether it’s due to the economy, health problems, relationship issues or unmet expectations, all of us — at least at some point in our lives — will face intense heartache. (Is it any wonder that nearly 10% of American adults suffer from some sort of depressive illness each year?)

But in that discouragement, can we still find beauty? Can we find joy? Can we find laughter?

We love that Jane Jenkins Herlong so honestly shares her painful story — but she also finds the good. She shares the heartache, the lessons she learned and the things that made her laugh!

What if we did the same thing? Without ignoring or downplaying the hurt, can we find the beauty and the humor in the dark moments we face? Let’s see how much good God can bring out of hard times.

Jane Jenkins Herlong is a SiriusXM Southern Humorist, international best-selling and award-winning author, singer, recording artist and speaker. An inductee into the prestigious Speaker Hall of Fame, Jane is the author of five award-winning books. A former Miss America contestant, Jane travels the country sharing her sweet tea wisdom and Southern-fried humor. Jane is wife to Thomas Herlong and mother to two adult children. Active in their church and community, Thomas and Jane live on the family peach farm in rural South Carolina but also spend time in the Lowcountry on Johns Island.

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