A Heartfelt Christmas: Finding Home and Healing
- Jennifer Thumm MA LPC
- Dec 26, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 24
Christmas 2025 was a simple, quiet time spent with family at my brother Dan's home. There was good food, warm conversation, and moments filled with laughter as my boys gathered around the table. They played their guitars and sang cover songs, creating a joyful atmosphere. It was a moment of home, belonging, and a time to reflect on where I came from.
The Desire for Connection
Over the years, it has been my heart's desire to create a space where people can feel known, seen, heard, and deeply loved. This is a place without pretense or competition. Here, there is no need to earn approval; it is simply a space to be and to discover the person one was created to be.
In this nurturing environment, children can run free, get dirty, and experience what truly heals their hearts and minds. Growing up, I had that experience. I came from a hardworking farm family that put God first. They would give you the shirt off their back if you needed it. Our community was one where families showed up for each other during tough times. People didn’t slip through the cracks; they loved each other through it all, no matter what challenges arose.
A New Beginning with Haven
As Haven launches into a new phase of offering intensives and retreats, we invite you to experience that same nurturing space with us.
No matter where you've been,
no matter who you are,
no matter what you've done,
no matter what you're walking out.
The boys recently performed a cover of a song with their Uncle Dan. This song beautifully represents our journey and what we want you to experience as you gather around the table, take a walk, work with the animals, or sit around a fire at one of our Haven locations.
The Healing Power of Music
Where I Find God
The lyrics to "Where I Find God" resonate deeply with many. They speak of moments when we feel lost and how simple experiences can lead us back to ourselves.
The night I hit rock bottom sittin' on an old barstool
He paid my tab and put me in a cab
But he didn't have to
Cause he could see I was hurting'
Oh I wish I'd gotten his name
Cause I didn't feel worth savin'
But he saved me just the same
These words remind us that healing can come from unexpected places. Whether it’s in a quiet moment on the water or a heartfelt conversation, we often find God in the simplest of experiences.
And that day out on the water
When the fish just wouldn't bite
I put my pole down, I floated around
It was just so quiet
And I could hear my old man sayin'
“Son just be still—
Cause you can't find a peace like this in a bottle or a pill”
This message is powerful. It encourages us to seek peace and healing in our surroundings, rather than through distractions.
Embracing Community and Support
The Importance of Togetherness
In today's fast-paced world, it is easy to feel isolated. However, the importance of community cannot be overstated. At Haven, we strive to create a warm, inviting space where individuals and families can come together.
From a bar stool to that Evinrude
Sunday mornin' in a church pew
In a deer stand or a hayfield
An Interstate back to Nashville
A Chevrolet with the windows down
Me and Him just ridin' around, sometimes whether I'm looking for Him or not
That's where I find God
These moments of connection remind us that we are never truly alone. Whether through shared experiences or simply being present with one another, we can find solace and strength in community.
Creating Lasting Memories
At Haven, we believe in the power of shared experiences. Whether it’s through music, storytelling, or simply enjoying nature together, these moments create lasting memories.
Sometimes late at night
I lie there and listen
To the sound of her heart beatin'
And that song the crickets are singing'
And I don't know what they're saying'
But it sounds like a hymn to me
Naw, I ain't too good at praying'
But thanks for everything
These simple yet profound moments can be transformative. They remind us to appreciate the beauty in our lives and the connections we share.
Join Us at Haven
As we embark on this journey, we invite you to join us. Experience the warmth and healing that comes from being part of a community that truly cares.
For more information about our upcoming intensives and retreats, please visit our Counseling Intensives page. We look forward to welcoming you into our Haven family.
Vocals and guitars covering the song by Garrett, Chase, and Luke and their Uncle Dan can be found here: Watch the Cover.
Comments