and donated the money...and I've never been happier.
Let me tell you a story.
When I had my first really great year in mortgage, I bought myself an 18K gold and diamond Presidential Rolex.
And it became my idol. My, "I made it" proof...in my mind. I wore that thing and showed it off with everything I pointed at, everywhere I went, I was sure to somehow be showing off that thing. I was proud of it and subconsciously and consciously, wanted everyone to know it.
That is difficult to admit, it is embarrassing but it is true. When I was in the spotlight so much back then, material things were really important to me. I wanted to show people that I was something.
As if I had something to prove.
When I retired from mortgage last year and started my own business, it was not easy. I COULD have sold that Rolex to help with expenses, but I held onto that thing. I wasn’t ready to part with it. I kept wearing it, every day doing the same things that I had always done with it…but it was starting to feel different.
I had written myself a letter about 1.5 years ago…and it was about my speaking career. It was a letter from my future self to who I am today. I am going to show it to you here. I have kept this with me and I read it most every day.
As you can see at the end, I told myself that I was going to have to make some drastic changes in my life if I wanted to make a difference.
I was to give up my ego – I was no longer Jen Guidry the #1 Loan Officer - DONE
My identity – I had to become the authentic version of myself, not how I wanted others to see me – DONE
My shame – DONE
And my Rolex – NOT done
I was holding out on the Rolex. I didn’t want to let that go.
Fast forward to me getting ready to emcee a charity golf tournament, where I had to speak and run the live auction. I was getting ready for the event and all of the sudden, out of nowhere, I got emotional. I mean REALLY emotional. I was putting on my watch and God was like, “Jen, today is the day…you are going to GIVE it away.”
And I was like, “God, if that is really you, I need you to make it ABUNDANTLY clear that this is what you want me to do…and I mean abundantly.” (I really did say this out loud)
Then the next picture that came into my mind was this…
And I knew that it was time to let go. I was to auction it off as a surprise at the end and the money was to go to ThriveWell Cancer Foundation. I imagined all of the people that it will help and dang it, it still makes me cry.
It was the best thing that I have ever done. I am free.
Sometimes, we unknowingly place things on a pedestal, allowing them to become idols in our lives. It could be a career we’ve poured everything into, a relationship we hold onto too tightly, or even the pursuit of perfection…or it could be a gold Rolex. These idols consume our thoughts and dictate our decisions, leaving little room for God to move. While these things might bring temporary comfort or a sense of control, they often become chains that keep us from the freedom and blessings we’re meant to receive. Holding onto them can block the greater plans God has for us—plans that exceed anything we could create on our own.
Letting go is never easy, and the sacrifice feels like a loss….until you actually do it, then you realize that your idol was holding you hostage. When we lay these idols down, we make space for something far greater. Trusting God with what we cling to allows Him to work miracles in our lives. The blessings on the other side of surrender are often bigger, more beautiful, and more aligned with His purpose for us. True faith requires releasing our grip, not out of fear of loss but out of trust in His promise to give us more than we could ever imagine. When we sacrifice what holds us back, we step into the abundance and peace that only He can provide.
That is my story for today.
Cheers-
Jen