Karen Potter: 0:06

Hey everybody. Welcome back to the Covenant Eyes Podcast. We're so glad to have you joining us today. Rob, we have got an amazing guest joining us for our interview this morning.

Rob Stoddard: 0:14

Oh, absolutely, absolutely. Good friend of ours, known them for a long time. Yep. Jennifer Park.

Jennifer Parr: 0:19

Hello. Welcome here. Kevin Eyes

Rob Stoddard: 0:21

podcast. Jennifer, we. You know, we wanna talk about your podcast that you've been starting here, and just learn a little bit more about that and your ministry. So would you please just tell our listeners why you started the podcast and what it's all about? Absolutely. Well, first off, thank you all for having me, and I just love the mission that Covenant Eyes is behind and, and it's interesting how, you know, women play a part of that and what, what inspired me to start this podcast is really. All the things I felt like I had to unlearn to learn what success looks like for women.

Jennifer Parr: 0:54

Yeah. And so the heart behind the podcast is really just for women to redefine success. Mm-hmm. I come from this strong women kinda fell into the trap of like the feminist boss babe movement, which, you know, there are some not so healthy Yeah. Messages in that, but. As most women, we wanna succeed, we wanna be successful. But then I realized I'm trying to succeed and win the world's way. And that led to burnout. Yeah. It led to my capacity tapped, it led to me not being a healthy wife, a healthy mom. Just a healthy person in general. Yeah. Right. And so, uh, winning women is redefining ucce success on how to win God's way. Not the world's way. No. Excellent. I love that. Mm-hmm. I love that.

Karen Potter: 1:38

Yeah. So, uh, you know, for our listeners out there, they probably know that you're the wife of Pastor Allen Park, which is fun. So how has, um, you know, his success and his ministry really shaped a lot of, you know, what you've learned over the years and how you have now moved into a space where you're, you're a stay at home mom, right? And you're doing the podcast and you're doing all these things, but how have you found that balance and how has that all worked together? Absolutely. Well. A lot of people don't know this, but, uh, my husband, Alan Par, we have a YouTube channel called The Beat. It stands for Biblical Encouragement and Truth. And when we first started 10 years ago, I was the one behind the camera. Oh my goodness. So he was in front of the camera. So what you see is a him and he's so gifted, he's such a theologian. But I was kind of like the producer that was like, okay, babe, wrap it up. Like, oh, that'd be great if you know Alan, you know, he can take. One scripture and literally speak on it for like an hour. And back then there wasn't a lot of YouTube channels dedicated to just like Bible teaching ministry that were successful at least. And so we knew the attention Pan was was short.

Jennifer Parr: 2:42

Yeah. And uh, my background is in communication, so I was behind the camera just kind of like, all right babe, wrap it up. So we really started this ministry together. Yeah. And I was behind the camera, but as. As life happened, we, you know, got two kids. Yes. And I slowly started to move away and focus on the home. Yeah, yeah. But while doing that, Alan and I both were working full time. Oh wow. Um, I was working outside the home. He was working outside the home. Mm-hmm. So as God called him to. Kind of sacrifice that workload outside the home to focus on ministry. God was tugging on my heart to do the same thing. Aw. And that's really hard, especially for women. Yeah. When you feel like you either have your dream job or you're working where you feel like God placed you. Yeah. And then God's like. Just kidding time for you to leave and do something completely different. Yeah. Oh yeah. And so I think we still do ministry together, but it just looks different where now mm-hmm. He may be able to focus more so on the ministry, um, the public ministry that you all see. Yeah. And I kind of serve the, the home ministry. I love that.

Karen Potter: 3:44

Yeah. I love that. Yeah. No, that's, and that's such an important role and I think oftentimes. You know, we live in this world where it's like the two things are very polarized. If you work outside the home, you can, you know, you're very polarized if you are a homemaker and you take care of the children, people you know, are like, oh, that's not a real job. And it, it's like these are both important roles and we have to learn to listen to God and what he has for each one of us. And it may look different for each of us. Absolutely. But I think, um, you speak to that on your podcast. You talk about those struggles and, you know, listening to God and, and being willing to step out in faith. So talk to us a little bit about. When you knew the time had come to make the change and how that really has transformed your life. Yeah. Well, can we first just be honest and say that's not an easy decision? No. No. And if any of you are struggling with just you feel like a transitional decision like God is kind of tugging on your heart. Or you, you're, you're feeling this, but then you're like, but what about this? Yeah. I'm not even gonna sit here and say it's easy. I actually wrestled with God for a year. Oh wow. People don't talk about that. They're like, oh, pray and it's done. Or, or what's the other scripture? Like, be still, and then now you're just waiting for forever and you're like, God, are you still there? No. I wrestled with God for a year. Yeah. Because I, there was a lot of things. That I didn't realize my worth was connected to that job. Oh. And that's what made it so hard for me to leave. Yeah.

Jennifer Parr: 5:04

Mm-hmm. And then I also realized God was kind of stripping me of some things that I had made idols. Oh, I didn't know they were idols. So I think that's where that wrestling comes in, and I think. It's healthy to give God your feelings. Yeah. Like a lot of times we feel like we have to just pray to God when it's like, God, I need this. Mm-hmm. And then, God thank you for this. Yeah. But it's okay to be like, God, I don't, I don't get this. Like, yeah, what is this? Like, why would you give me this job? Or give me these kids, or give me this house, or whatever it is. Yeah. That you feel like God's blessed you with only. For you to feel like maybe he's taking that away. Yeah. But he doesn't always show us the whole stairway, right? Mm-hmm. He just kind of shows us the first step and, and it really was one of those moments where after a year of wrestling mm-hmm. I just surrendered. Yeah. And so I think the success is more of a surrender driven success. Yeah. How I got there versus a, just like a overnight success. So when I say success is success now in this new role that That's right. Isn't, like you said, often. Celebrated. Which you should be as obsessed, right? Yeah, yeah, exactly. But it's almost just, I think it's harder. I mean, it was easier for me to leave home every day and go to work and come home, and I know that work was kinda left out there. Yeah. This work doesn't turn off.

Rob Stoddard: 6:17

No, that's for sure. It's constant. Yes. I'm sure you talk with many women who are similar, just going through spiritual battles of their own. I mean, and you have a chance to speak into that. What kind of biblical principles can you share from what you've learned to help them as they're kind of going through these spiritual battles? Yes. That's such a good question. You know, the first place I'll start, and this is specifically to a message, I think that is really. Uh, loud in today's society, and I think it affects women because a lot of our identity is on like confidence and it's like be confident. Yeah. So the first thing is just kind of death to this self-confidence. Mm-hmm. I know we hear self-confidence. And we think, okay, I gotta be confident whether I'm this or that, but self-confidence is actually one directly opposed to the gospel. I mean, the word says like, we have to deny our, ourselves, ourselves take up our cross daily. Yeah. So that means that we're, our confidence shouldn't be on us. Right? Mm-hmm. Also, self-confidence is something that can easily be faked. Think about it. That's true. Yeah. I mean, I can just, yeah. You know, look confident put, I can take a picture and make myself seem confident, but does that really mean that I am confident? So it's an almost a false outwardly, um, it's just a false message. Yeah. Where we're told to kind of look inward. Yeah. And we only find that through Christ. Yeah. We only find that through Christ. I think another, uh, another healthy approach is this more so surrender driven success. Yeah. Because then when you get success, it points to Christ, not yourself. Mm-hmm. Once again, this. Self ideology is just really plaguing women. And, and, and I think it, it makes us feel like we're failing. Yeah. Because we aren't supposed to do it alone. Right. Right. We're not supposed to rely on ourselves. We're supposed to rely on Christ. Right. And it's more of when this success happens. Does it point back to you? Yeah, I did it. Yeah. It was because I manifested or I did. No, it's only because of God. Right,

Karen Potter: 8:15

right. Oh, that's so good. That's good. Well, you know, you talk a lot about this kind of idol of the self, you know, and it social media really kind of horrifies that. I mean, I see. Kind of both sides of it. I see women out there in the workforce getting it done and then, you know, putting that all on their socials. Mm-hmm. And really boasting'em all their efforts. But then I also see this weird movement of stay at home moms. They, you know, the crunchy moms, this, that, and the other thing, but they're putting that all out there, painting these, you know, wonderful lives. So I'll making Yes, yes. And I think there's a danger in both spaces. How, what kind of advice do you have for women to really get. Centered and, and focused on Christ because at like you said, it's really about serving God and and doing his will. And how do we keep from falling into either one of those traps because it's very easy, very easy. Mm-hmm. And the common, I think the commonality in what you just shared, Karen, is there's one common kind of. Foundation in that. Yeah. And that's media. Mm-hmm. I think we have to silence the noise. I mean, think of it, I remember when we moved into our, um, our home and it was such a blessing. We were like, oh my gosh, this is a great home. Yeah. And then the pandemic happened and so we got to spend a lot of time in that house. Right. And I just felt good about all the things I was doing in the house, you know? Yeah. And so now we've made this house into a home. Yeah. Beautiful. But then look what happens. I get on social media and then I see like. All these other homes that have just different decor and all of a sudden everything, I worked hard and I was proud about. Yeah. I feel like it's not enough. Yes, and so I think it's that same. Same mindset with the extremes. Yeah. Right? Yep. Is you could be doing your best at home. Right. Just loving your kids, just trying to survive with your kids. Yeah. Let's be real. Right? And then you see this mom who's like, you know, the house is sparkly clean and you feel like I just made through my day, but then all of a sudden that looks like winning. Yeah. And now what I did is not enough. That's right. Or to your point that that. Woman who posted her new promotion. Right. And you may be in a job for years and then you're like, oh. And now I'm not successful. Yeah. So silence the noise. Yeah. Because whether we know it or not, why media is a. Good thing. Mm-hmm. It can be harmful, and I know you all know about that, right? Yeah, absolutely. Yep.

Rob Stoddard: 10:29

Well, definitely you, one thing we hear from a lot of women that we talk with, especially around the issue of pornography, is just that shame and that fear of struggling with these kinds of things. Um, you know, for, for the women listening, what would you say to, to them about issues of shame and fear in our lives? Uh, yeah. You know, there's so much pressures around just. Women in general, right? Yeah. And like who we are, who, who we're not. I mean, now the message is what is a woman like, am I woman enough? Am I feminine? And you know, there's just so many messages. And to your point, there's. Underneath that is shame. And then what goes even further is then that leads to doubt and then it leads to anxiousness, depression. There's just it's layers to it. Yeah. And I think the enemy literally is looking back and is like, yes. Yeah. Because think of it, women, we have so much influence. Yeah. And the enemy may not attack us the same way he attacks men, but if he can diminish our shame, if he can like. Diminish our, our confidence. Yeah. If you can just do all those things, then all of a sudden we're, we're just not successful, right? Mm-hmm. And so what I have found, and I know this sounds so cliche, but every time I have put my identity in something else, I feel like it fails me. It robs me, right? So when I put my faith or my identity in money, and then all of a sudden. You know, finance has changed and now I'm like, oh, this is horrible. So

Jennifer Parr: 11:52

yeah, your identity only has to come from Christ and that's what makes you valuable. It's kind of like the other day I saw there was an auction and the dress for, um, breakfast at Tiffany's. I don't know if, I mean, I know you guys know, our listeners may not be old enough to know. The Breakfast with Tiffany's black dress. Oh yeah. Nowadays you see that you can get that like from Sheen. I mean, it looks like some of you can get from Sheen or like Ross or Target. Yep. But that dress sold at an auction for I think close to $800,000. Wow. But the only reason it sold for that much is because of who it belonged to. That's the only thing that made it valuable. Yeah. So we are valuable. Yeah. Not because of what we have. Mm-hmm. The kids, we have the house, we have who we serve, uh, what we serve, but it's. Who's we? Who's we are? Yes. And that's Christ. Yes. And that's what makes us viable. So if your identity can be centered in that, and I struggle with this every day. I mean, I have to remind myself, like when I feel myself feeling just less worthy, I have to remind myself, okay, this is not what defines me. God does. I love that. That takes lot.

Karen Potter: 12:55

How do women do a better job with each other? You know, I think oftentimes we can be our worst enemies. Yes. You know, I mean, we need to support each other wherever we're at on the journey, but how can we do better as women? Yeah. I, I mean, honestly, the comparison trap is. Real. Yeah. And, and we, there's so many examples in the Bible. I mean, you look at Leah, there's so many examples where you even see they struggled with like comparison, right? So on one side you hear this message of like, find community, you know, getting in groups. Girls are great. Yeah. And then you get in one and you're like, Ooh, this is a hot mess. Now I feel less about myself. Yeah. Um, I think we as believers, we just have to remember, and my husband and I have this motto because, you know, obviously. I don't know if you know, but we have over 700 like YouTube videos. Wow. Yeah. And so at some point, like you're gonna see people make the same content as you. Yeah. And, and you start to think, oh. Well, there's it better. Mine did better. And we're like, no. If it's for the gospel, if it's true in the gospel Right, there's no comparison. Yeah. Right. So I think if you have a sister in Christ, if you've identified someone that God has put in your life that is a sister in Christ. Yeah. Or just a sister growing in her faith. Yeah. You cannot let the enemy have comparison, divide you. Yeah. Because she's a sister in Christ and as long as we are together collectively moving towards mm-hmm. Pointing people to Christ. Yes. Whether that's through us. Anytime you have that thought of comparison, it's from the enemy. It's not from God. That's right.

Rob Stoddard: 14:22

Right. That's excellent love. I love that. Well, for, uh, women listening, how do they find you? How do they connect with your podcast and support you? Yes. Well, thank you. Well, most of the time most people find it about me because it's like, who's Alan Pars wife? It's like, that's me. Hi. And then I pray that when they come to my page, which I have an Instagram page, and that's just a Jennifer part that they see that, you know. While my husband is successful, we're purpose partners and their success looks different on that end and on this end. And so I have a podcast called The Winning Women Podcast. It's available on all platforms where you consume podcasts, and I deliberately made this podcast 15, 20 minute episodes because. Let's be honest. Yeah, that's all. We have time. That's seriously, I could listen to one hour, two hour, but it's tough. It's never consistent. It's broken up, right? Yeah. Yep. So it's winning Women podcast, and for that woman who just needs something while you're in the carpool line for that woman who is driving somewhere and needs just the truth spoken over her. For that woman who just got your first 20 minutes of. Time to yourself that day. This podcast is for you so that you can redefine success, um, and win God's way, not the world's way. Absolutely. I love

Karen Potter: 15:34

that. Well, listeners, definitely check it out. You will find a lot of encouragement and also just some wisdom there that you can really bring back into your own life. Jennifer, it has been so great talking you. Thank you for all you you do. Thank you for everything that you've pro, you know, brought to this podcast. I think there's a lot of women that could really be blessed by it. So thank you. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you all for having me. Well, thanks to everybody for tuning into this episode of the Covenant Eyes Podcast. We'll see you next time. God bless.