It Has Always Been About Jesus

It was never just about peanut butter and jelly. It has always been about Jesus.

What began on May 7, 2013, in an old elementary school-with one van, a borrowed van, simple sack lunches, and willing hearts-grew into a ministry that has spent years making God's love visible throughout the community.

In this 90-day devotional, Lajuanta Mattox shares the true story of Jesus & Jam: the joyful beginnings, the painful pause, the courage to begin again, the volunteers God sent, and the unexpected gifts that arrived at exactly the right time. She recounts the remarkable journey from borrowed space to land God provided, a foundation that waited for nine months, a debt-free community center, and a new van purchased with cash after the old one broke down.

But this book is about far more than buildings, vehicles, and sandwiches.

It is about children who need to know they are seen. It is about families carrying hunger, addiction, grief, and uncertainty. It is about men from Bridges of Hope discovering purpose through serving others. It is about volunteers from different churches and backgrounds becoming one family around a sandwich table.

It is also the deeply personal story of learning to trust God through cancer, chemotherapy, physical limitations, and seasons when serving had to look different. Lajuanta shares how God taught her that resting is not quitting, receiving help is not failure, and weakness does not cancel a person's purpose.

Each devotion includes:

• A Scripture-centered message
• A true Jesus & Jam story or personal reflection
• A question for personal application
• A heartfelt prayer

Through stories of empty pantries, unexpected checks, borrowed buildings, hurricane outreach, recovery meetings, children's programs, Saturday routes, and countless "ONLY GOD" moments, readers are invited to recognize how God uses ordinary things surrendered to Him.

A sandwich can become ministry.
A brown paper bag can carry love.
A van can carry the Gospel into a neighborhood.
A folding table can become an altar.
A Saturday morning can become worship.

This devotional is for anyone who has ever wondered whether a small act of service truly matters. It is for volunteers, ministry leaders, churches, families, people walking through difficult seasons, and anyone longing to make a difference but unsure where to begin.

You do not need a large building, a perfect plan, or unlimited resources. You only need a willing heart and the courage to place what you have into God's hands.

Come to the table. Make room for one more. Discover the joy of serving. And be reminded that when Jesus is at the center, even the simplest offering can become part of a much greater story.

It was never just about the jam.

It has always been about Jesus.

To God be all the glory.