S6 Episode #2- Georgette Jackson
THE ONE WITH GEORGETTE JACKSON
This week we are honored to welcome author, podcaster, and non-profit leader, Georgette Jackson to the podcast. Georgette is the founder of Divine Rest, which provides guidance, support and housing for women who are in need of a fresh start. In this episode, Georgette shares how she walked through a heartbreaking story of loss, and found freedom, healing and joy in the midst of her grief. If you are longing for rest, walking through grief, or waiting to see God’s promises fulfilled, then this episode is for you!
Check out Georgette’s Other Projects :
Get a GRIP! Prodcast * Shop Georgette's books
MORE ABOUT GEORGETTE
Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Georgette was educated in the public schools in Chatham County and graduated from Windsor Forest High School in 1977. She studied one year of Business Administration at South University. She is the oldest of three girls raised by a single mother who passed away in 1998. Georgette is the loving mother of two daughters and a son who have all gone on to be with the Lord. She raised her two grandchildren after the passing of her youngest daughter Dee in 2012 when they were ages 15 and 10 years old. She also raised her 16-year-old granddaughter after the passing of her oldest daughter Char in 2015. Georgette is a proud Nana to her five young adult grandchildren, she has a one-year-old great-granddaughter and a great-grandson due in February.
In 2008, Georgette was led by God to start a 501 C (3) Non-Profit, Divine Rest, Incorporated, to assist single homeless women without children, with a goal to purchase a home to help them get back on their feet. In August 2021, Georgette earned a certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University, and in December 2021, she earned a certificate in BIPOC Nonprofit Leadership Symposium from United Way of the Coastal Empire. Georgette earned a certificate from Light University in Coffee Cup Counseling in September 2022, and She is currently pursuing a mental health coaching certification from Light University.
Georgette is the published author of 3 books, 30 Days of Divine Rest, Heart to Heart, and Inspiration in the Mourning. Her fourth book is an anthology, Champions in the Ring and she is currently working on her first children’s book to be released early Spring of 2024. She is also a podcast host of Get A G.R.I.P. (Grace, Restoration, Inspiration, Prayer) which speaks to the heart of those experiencing grief. Georgette recently launched Heart 2 Heart Creatives and The Authors Room where she brings authors together to not only promote their books, but to give them a platform in which to tell their “Why” behind each book.
Georgette demonstrates great compassion for the homeless, the hopeless, and the brokenhearted. She is affectionately known as an encourager and inspiration to those who know her. Georgette enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also loves to steal away to a quiet place to read, pray, and write as she hears from God. Georgette loves to travel!
Georgette is available for speaking engagements in which to share her journey in hopes of helping others get a G.R.I.P. on death so that they can continue living, loving, and enjoying life to the fullest. Her motto and how she ends her podcast is “Have hope for a better tomorrow!”
LISTEN
READ
Georgette grew up in the church, but at the age of 16 she began to really dig into The Word and learn who Jesus truly is. She decided to get baptized at this time and fully commit her life to following The Lord.
OVERCOMING OBSTACLES
When Georgette was 17 years old, her aunt passed away and left 7 children behind. Georgette moved in with her cousins to help take care of them. At this young age she learned how to take care of people. Little did she know that God was using this season to groom her for the dreams that he would place in her heart further down the road.
Another obstacle came when Georgette was 22 years old. She had 3 kids of her own at this time. Her third child, a son, was born in August, and he passed away in October. She had prayed for a son and longed for a son. They were overjoyed when their son was born, but so devastated, confused and angry when he was taken away so quickly. She questioned why God would answer her prayer only to then take it away. At this time, Georgette began to turn her back on The Lord.
Her community never gave up on her. They showed up everyday to love and support her. It was their love that pulled Georgette back from the brink. God used Georgette’s community to pour His love out on her.
When you are walking through a time of grief, surround yourself with a community of people who will pray for you and allow you to be honest without the fear of judgment.
Georgette lost her two daughters later in life and raised her grandchildren. She has walked through so much pain, and yet she radiates joy. She says it’s all because of Jesus. She didn’t always feel the joy, but she clings to The Word of God in moments of weakness. One night she had a dream in which God spoke 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 over her life:
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
DIVINE REST
One night Georgette was watching the news and saw a story about a women’s shelter that was closing. Her heart broke for the women who would have no place to go. That very night, Georgette had a dream with the Scripture Matthew 11:28:
“Come unto me all who labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest.”
She then heard the words, “Divine Rest”. God told her that she would receive divine rest so that she could usher other women into that same rest. God told her to “find my forgotten daughters. They are forgotten by society, but not by me. Find them and show them my love.”
At work the very next day, a coworker came to her office and said, “God told me to come talk to you. He said you had a dream last night that you need to tell me about!”
WOW! This coworker walked her through the steps of starting a nonprofit. God provided all of the finances, open doors, and connections. God did all of it! Now she is 15 years into this journey and God continues to provide!
Along the way, Georgette felt like she wasn’t equipped for this work. Also, in the process of starting Divine Rest, she lost both of her daughters. Helping others also helped her heal her own pain.
BEING FAITHFUL IN THE WAIT
Sometimes God gives you a vision for what is to come, but it might take longer than you ever expected. He is using this time to prepare you and pave the way, but sometimes the wait is very challenging.
In these seasons of extended waiting, we need to keep moving. If you become stagnant, you will become more discouraged. Continue to trust God. It He gave you the mission, then he will make it happen. He has already gone before you to prepare the way. The Bible says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” But that means that we need to be taking the steps. Continue walking in step with Christ and He will lead you to the next right place.
Over and over again in the Bible, people had to wait a very long time to see the promises of God fulfilled. Moses, Joseph, David, Sarah, Hannah…
Your feelings can be fickle, just keep moving. Be faithful with what God has placed in front of you right now.
CHARACTER OF GOD
God is faithful to fulfill anything He has promised. He is faithful to His Word. You can trust Him.
He is kind. He is good. He is a good, good Father. He is always there, no matter what loss you are walking through, you can never lose the presence of God.
He is trustworthy!
IDENTITY IN CHRIST
God has equipped you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you. It is the strength of Christ that will carry you through the moments of unimaginable struggle.
The Word of God is our biggest asset. It is our greatest weapon against the enemy. We can access the power of God’s Word!
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
When you feel heavy-burdened, shake it off and throw it at the feet of Jesus. Christ already has victory over all evil, so we do not need to carry the weight of it.
Accept the invitation of Christ to rest. Rest in His promises. Rest in His love. Rest in His peace, comfort, and joy.
OTHER PROJECTS
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you know God, then you have everything that you need. You are not without HOPE. Jesus is our Hope. He is the Price of Peace, the Lord of Lords, and IN HIM we are victorious.
You are a daughter of the King. Don’t give up, don’t give up, just rest in The Lord!
WATCH
CONNECT WITH GEORGETTE
Thank you, as always, for listening! Please remember that everything we do is funded by those who benefit from our ministry. Our ministry a 501(c)3, so your contribution is tax-deductible.
The Collected Podcast is sponsored in part by BeautyCounter. Use this special link to shop for all of your clean beauty needs and 10% of the profit will go directly back to benefitting The Collected Podcast! Also, use code CLEANFORALL20 for 20% off of your first purchase.
Our events are centered on worship, restorative creativity, and designated time for reflection, evaluation, and setting intentions.
We help you provide a safe environment for your community to practice low-stakes creative risk-taking that will spur them in their gifting + step further into their calling. Leaders will rise up, ministries and businesses will be born, and all will find a new connection with their true identity.
Imagine what a whole community of Believers who
know who they are in Christ + understand their purpose as Kingdom cultivators can do!
Email us at info@collectedministries.org to book your own Collected Workshop or Retreat today!
CHECK THIS OUT:
The Collected Podcast is a production of Collected Ministries, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping disciples of Jesus discover and live from their true identity in Christ, recognize and walk in their divine purpose within the Kingdom of God, and experience growth in their capacity for mature, healthy relationships.
Follow us!
Jes Biondo: @jesbiondo
Jes’ Hand Lettering: @sprezzafoundry
Charitable partner: @flourishkenya
The Collected Podcast is produced by Jes Biondo and edited by Jacob Early. Cover art designed by Ben Biondo.