Jessica Manfre
5 min read ⭑
“I truly feel that when I’m about to fall apart or give up, [God’s] presence or reminders show up. This is evident in everything I’ve done — from writing my book to coping with the loss of loved ones. I’m never alone.”
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 grandmother passed away in June 2019. She was the foundation of everything in my life. To give you some context, I was raised in a small town in Florida by a single mother. My father was an alcoholic who left my sister and me when we were really young. My grandparents stepped in — big time.
When I think about my best meals these days, the memories of each moment always revolve around her. The last time I saw her laugh where she knew me was the year prior over dessert and coffee. The last time she cooked for me was a few years before that, and it was her homemade tomato sauce with rigatoni pasta. I can’t eat pasta dishes these days without thinking about her and smiling at the beauty of how lucky I was to have my grandmother in my life for almost 34 years.
Clay Banks; Unsplash
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?
I love being outside. As a therapist, I know the health and mental wellness benefits of the outdoors. And as a human, I crave it!
Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my grandfather and his much younger brother, my great-uncle. They were my de facto dads, for sure. When I close my eyes to remember my favorite memories with them, they involve fishing, camping and two cross-country trips from Florida to Idaho. I saw the beauty in nature and the peace that comes with it.
That explains why I now love country living in our new home state of North Carolina, why I still put hiking at the top of my list of favorites and why I’m my happiest outside.
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?
We’re all human, and even this therapist messes up, going against the very good advice she gives her patients. I yell when I shouldn’t because I’m frustrated, I pour a glass of wine at the end of a hard day sometimes and I indulge in chocolate to “feel better.”
My weakness is being human.
The lesson is that even when we should have it all together, we don’t. I’m constantly striving to be a better version of myself and show my children the importance of being kind and good.
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?
My passion these days is helping people. I do this through offering therapy to my community, telling the stories of the military and running a nonprofit that serves people in need. It’s also my way of coping when I’m feeling down and allows me to refocus in a better headspace. Getting lost in the service of others is my way of getting back to center and drives me each and every day.
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?
I’ve learned to listen over the years — hard.
God has certainly been present in my life in such vivid ways. I truly feel that when I’m about to fall apart or give up, his presence or reminders show up. This is evident in everything I’ve done — from writing my book to coping with the loss of loved ones. I’m never alone.
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 spend time with Jesus each Sunday in church but also in the quiet moments outside when I look at God’s beautiful creation. One of the ways I’m intentional with growing in spirituality is by engaging in Bible studies. Book by book, I give the time I can to deepen my understanding and knowledge of God’s Word. I also like to make it fun by doing it with friends!
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 are some resources that have impacted you?
I was raised Catholic, which in my experience, didn’t lend to truly connecting and understanding the Bible. Here are some resources that changed everything and gave me such a deeper appreciation and connection to God’s Word:
“Summoned: Answering a Call to the Impossible” by Megan Brown is an incredible study through the book of Esther.
“Seamless: Understanding the Bible as One Complete Story” by Angie Smith is an amazing look through the whole Bible.
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.
Honestly, my YouVersion Bible app. I have daily verses that pop up, various studies I can do by reading or listening, and a way to share them with friends and family. It’s my favorite go-to!
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 wrote “Never Alone: Ruth, the Modern Military Spouse, and the God Who Goes With Us” because I deeply believe loneliness is an epidemic. And when we understand that God is always with us, everything can change. But these days, I’ve been digging a lot into forgiveness. My next project will be a deep dive into how it works and its importance.
How do you respond when you’re hurting or discouraged? It’s easy to let our pain drive us further inward, focusing on our problems and how they’re affecting us. But what if we looked outward instead and focused on serving other people?
The Bible says not to “use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love” (Galatians 5:13, NLT).
When we serve others, we’re not only obeying Scripture; we’re also giving ourselves space to heal — even physically! According to CNN, a 2017 study found that people who suffered from chronic pain had less pain and a greater sense of purpose when they volunteered. And another series of studies indicate that the regions of our brains that respond to pain seem to be deactivated when we give and serve.
Once again, it’s clear that God has our best interest at heart. So in our journey toward healing, let’s not forget to serve in love.
Jessica Manfre is a therapist, licensed social worker, chief financial officer of the nonprofit Inspire Up and author of Never Alone: Ruth, the Modern Military Spouse, and the God Who Goes With Us. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Central Florida and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Northwestern State University. Jessica is the proud wife of a U.S. Coast Guardsman, Scott, and momma to their two children, Anthony and Raegan. She is passionate about creating a kinder and more generous world — one that she believes Jesus prayed and gave his life for.
