By Marilyn Tinnin
Editor’s Note: The Fresh Grounded Faith conference visits Madison, Mississippi October 24–25! Featuring authors and speakers Jennifer Rothschild and Stormie Omartian, this promises to be one of the best “girlfriend” events ever no matter your age and stage of life. With Lisa Whelchel, Olive Aneno, and music by Michael O’Brien, this is a rare opportunity for soul refreshment and a life changing encounter with God right in your own backyard! Watch for updates on MCL’s Facebook page. See www.freshgroundedfaith.com.
Like most working women, Jennifer Rothschild wears many hats. She is an author, speaker, Bible study teacher, singer, wife and Mom—not necessarily in that order. With 10 books, Bible studies, and several CDs to her name, Jennifer has inspired women of all ages with her down-to-earth and very honest presentation, whether in print or from the podium. You can count on Jennifer to tell it like it is, even when it is hard.
When Jennifer talks about hard places, she speaks from experience. She was a budding artist when, at the age of 15, she began to lose her sight through a rare disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa. Like Joni Eareckson Tada who began life with every physical component intact, Jennifer was forced to go from what we often call “normal” to “handicapped.” And that tough trial has given her the very special gift of relating to every woman no matter her unique struggle. She probably understands better than most what it is to deal with loss and disappointment. She learned the art of contentment through the very fire of adversity.
It is not surprising then that Jennifer says, “Not everything I write is tied with a neat Christian bow, but it will always be tied to my deep trust in the God I love.”
Jennifer and Dr. Phillip Rothschild have been married for 28 years. Dr. Rothschild is a professor of Entertainment Management at Missouri State University. They have two sons, Clayton and Connor, and have recently added a daughter when Clayton married his college sweetheart, Caroline.
Although there are restrictions on certain things a mom without her sight can do—she can’t exactly drive the carpool or serve as a lifeguard at the swimming party—Jennifer has always valued her independence and was able to devise very resourceful systems for managing almost all the regular duties of keeping home and family well. That fact becomes even more impressive when you realize she did so while having a writing and speaking career on the side.
She told one writer who interviewed her in Today’s Christian Woman a few years ago that, “Working around my blindness has added a strong dynamic to our family. I see my blindness as something God mercifully allowed to help us walk with him in ways we wouldn’t have otherwise.”
Jennifer’s relationship with the Lord and her tenacious pursuit of His word have equipped her to stretch and to attempt things that were beyond just difficult at times. She has tested many a promise in scripture and found God to be 100 percent faithful. Her mission is to encourage other women to learn that same grit and determination—to be “gutsy” as she puts it—in living their lives to the honor and glory of God.
Philippians 4:13,“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” is probably her favorite scripture, but 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 is also one she clings to. “Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Her latest book, God is Just Not Fair, is subtitled Finding Hope When Life Doesn’t Make Sense. Hasn’t everyone experienced that thought at one time or another? You won’t want to miss Jennifer at the Fresh Grounded Faith Conference held October 24 and 25 at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison.
