Who is The Rescued Rebel?

Fair question, friend. I’m glad you asked.

My name is Jenée and I’m a Christ-follower, daughter, sister, friend, proud aunt, dog & cat mom, and unapologetic Cowboys fan. I’m an introverted, sarcastic, quasi-germ freak who has a knack for oversharing. I’m a passionate person who loves my people hard and is not shy about speaking up for people who are marginalized or overlooked (read: I have a big heart and a big mouth that are in the right place *most* of the time).

Most of that is helpful for you to know, but what is probably the most relevant answer to these questions at hand is that I am a warrior.

**This is the part where I tell you that my story is hard for some people to hear so, if you have the potential to be triggered by reading about eating disorders, miscarriage, rape, or suicide, please stop reading now and know that I will be lifting you up in prayer. You may also find some helpful supports by visiting the “Resource” page from the menu.**

I’m an overcomer. I am also someone who is thoroughly undone by the unrelenting grace that God has provided as He has walked me through the process of transforming my life after (mostly) recovering from a panic disorder that I’ve had since I was a teen, grieving the loss of a miscarriage from my 20’s, reclaiming my life after being sexually assaulted twice and attempting suicide in my 30’s, and beating cancer in my 40’s. I am a warrior.

I haven’t always been able to say that. Trying to carry the weight of everything I had gone through finally crushed me and the bottom fell out of my life. For a very long time, I insulated myself from the world and was consumed by depression and paralyzed by fear and anxiety. I lost friends and alienated loved ones because they didn’t know anything about what had happened to me, and I couldn’t bring myself to tell them. As my experiences compounded, they eventually changed the way I viewed the world, God, other people, and myself – and not for the better. At least at first.

I spent years running from pain, adding to the mayhem by turning to self-destructive, sinful behavior to keep from feeling it, but now, as I continue to accept God’s invitation to face it and feel it, I find Him waiting for me there in that place of heartache and shame. He has shown me that, if I’m honest with Him about my hurts, my sins, and my weakness, He can use those things for His glory. I have seen Him take even the darkest, dirtiest, most painful parts of my past and use them as a conduit of hope and healing as I share my redemptive experiences with others.

I never thought I’d be able to say this, but now I view the painful experiences that I’ve gone through as sacred. Believe me when I say that I never would have chosen any of those things for myself…but now having come through them after allowing the pain to do its work, I wouldn’t trade them either. It has been in my lowest, most desperate moments that I have come to know God in ways that I never would have known Him otherwise. I wouldn’t have known that He’s a healer (Jeremiah 30:17) unless I’d been sick; a provider (Philippians 4:19) unless I was in need; a comforter (Psalm 147:3) unless I was grieving; a restorer (1 Peter 5:10) unless I’d been broken.

It’s through my brokenness that God has shown me my purpose. Through the circumstances and the people that He has both allowed and brought into my life, He has completely transformed me, putting my shattered pieces back together into something beautiful. As I continue to surrender to the redemptive work He is doing in me, I experience new levels of freedom, along with the authenticity and authority to introduce others to the fullness and freedom that He has made available to us all. 

The same grace that sustained me through the intense deconstruction process over the last few years continues to uphold and propel me as I commit to the deep work of His reconstruction and press toward healing from other trauma and breaking free from an eating disorder that I’ve battled on and off since I was 11. I have by no means “arrived” and this blog will not be a manual on “how to survive your life imploding in 34 easy steps”, but I have gained a hard-earned empathy from my experiences and my healing process that has ignited in me a passion to be a compassionate companion to other women who are on their own sacred pilgrimage toward wholeness.

I’ve become passionate about reaching out to women, especially those who are hurting or struggling, because I’ve been there, and I know it can be a dark and lonely place . Shame and fear will tell you to stay there. My hope is that The Rescued Rebel will be a safe space where you can come to connect with me and with others to know that you’re not alone, as well as find encouragement for your own journey through devotionals and other resources.

I also want The Rescued Rebel to be a reminder that you have Someone who came to rescue you, no matter how rebellious you’ve been. There is no mistake too big nor sin too bad that would keep Jesus from meeting you exactly where you are, as you are, if you invite Him in. He’s not afraid of the mess. In fact, that’s where He does some of His best work. Take it from this former hot mess and a half, it’s pretty cool to see Him at work.

I’m excited that is the beginning of putting my passion into action by sharing my story as it continues to unfold. I hope that it will be a source of encouragement to you and to others. I invite you to come back each week to hear what God is doing in my life and to share with our growing community what He is doing in yours.