How to Learn About Love from Animals w/ Jen Bleakley

Welcome to the Collide Kids Podcast! In this episode, host Christen Clark introduces guest Jen Bleakley, author of the Paw Verbs devotional series.Together, they discuss the power of animal stories in teaching kids about themselves and God. Jen shares her journey from grief counseling to writing about animals and introduces her devotional book series that gently helps kids process big feelings through the lens of animal stories. Join us as we explore the joy and wisdom animals bring and delve into the value of devotionals in grounding ourselves in God's word. Plus Kids Only Segment featuring Bella!

Special thanks to our editor, Jay Lee from Provision Podcasts.

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The Power of Prayer: "After my kids went back into school or started school, I started praying and just asking God, what would you have me do in this new season of life? And several weeks into praying those prayers, I met a blind horse named Joey who would change my life."

— Jen Bleakley [00:04:17 → 00:04:31]

The Healing Power of Animals: "I was just so mesmerized by how God was using a blind horse to help people see hope that I went home and told my husband and my kids about it."

— Jen Bleakley [00:04:36 → 00:04:44]

Overcoming shyness: "And I developed a love for the written word through those letters with my dad. Just never thought I would do anything with it professionally."

— Jen Bleakley [00:05:28 → 00:05:34]

The Power of Animals: "Recognizing that animals can teach us to be good listeners, to be present with another person and to be that source of unconditional love and acceptance, so for sure how to be a good listener."

— Jen Bleakley [00:11:53 → 00:12:06]

The Importance of Rest and Play: "My golden retriever is really good at that, that she doesn't take herself too seriously or seriously at all."

— Jen Bleakley [00:12:10 → 00:12:16]

The Healing Power of Therapy Animals: "So that a person who's trustworthy and wants to help can get in, but the animal provides the door."

— Jen Bleakley [00:15:32 → 00:15:39]

Family and Spirituality: "I love just the short format of devotionals and the chicken nuggets of spirituality."

— Jen Bleakley [00:20:38 → 00:20:44]

Living Life to the Fullest: "For us to live life to the fullest, for us to be able to help other people, for us to be able to make a positive difference in this world, we need the source that is love itself. That's God."

— Jen Bleakley [00:21:27 → 00:21:39]

The Power of Uniqueness: "And so I think kids are going to relate to a lot of those kind of ideas of what do you do when you feel different? What do you do when you feel really scared about something? How can you process big, angry feelings and having these animal teachers to help kind of show and guide."

— Jen Bleakley [00:24:56 → 00:25:14]

“That’s My King” is a vibrant praise song with an edge by Dove Award winning artist, Yancy.  Filled with celebration, praise, and amazing wonder. Yancy put her rockin’ fingerprint on this song originally made popular by Cece Winans. It’s time for every generation to unite their voices to take a stand and shift the atmosphere when they push play on “That’s My King”! LISTEN NOW!

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