A couple weeks ago, we were at my in-laws house and the family tree was pulled out. My nine-year-old daughter was fascinated by all of these people who came before us on this scroll of many names. My mother-in-law’s father had roots back in the Netherlands and we enjoyed conversations about what their lives would have been like and speculated about what propelled them to … Continue reading Our Spiritual Tree
I had the privilege of writing a guest blog post for Amy Boucher Pye this week! Amy is a Christian writer, author, and speaker and you might have read her devotions in Our Daily Bread. Do check out her blog and her latest book, 7 Ways To Pray. So encouraging to read Joy’s reflections on her early-parenting years and how God met her through them. … Continue reading “Anytime Is Prayer Time” by Joy A. Mead: 7 Ways to Pray blog series
Slowly and unenthusiastically, I walked up the path to the log cabin at the back of our yard. I opened the door and was instantly reminded that it had been so long since going into our gym room, with spiders leaving their webs in all the corners. Before lacing up my dusty sneakers, I even checked inside of my shoes just to look out for … Continue reading Taking Care of the Body God Has Given Me
While I was having some quiet time with God, I was reminded of an old Hillsong worship song, “I Give You My Heart.” As I listened to this song, I felt the weight of stress, anxiety, and worry fall off my shoulders as I took a deep breath in and sighed. The verse that touched me straight to my soul was, “Have Your Way In … Continue reading Have Your Way In Me
“Your Future Is In Safe Hands.” I’m sure that is some insurance company’s slogan or at least it sounds like one! However, I’m not writing about insurance today but rather God’s assurance that He cares for us and our futures. I recently had a catch up with a dear friend and although we’re in different seasons of life, God has beautifully blessed us with the … Continue reading Your Future Is In Safe Hands
This was written last school year as a reflection on a difficult playground situation. I have chosen to share it as encouragement, because sometimes, despite our best efforts, relationships can be tricky and confrontations made awkward. Even amongst Christians, there can be numerous challenges to working out differences with others. We must surrender our thoughts, words, actions, and whole beings to God, asking Him to … Continue reading Fueling Up For The Unexpected Battles Of The Everyday
What makes someone rich and another poor? Can a wealthy person be poor and likewise a poor person be rich? These were the types of questioned discussed recently at my Bible study group while studying various verses from the book of Proverbs. My heart stirred as I listened to the story about a single mum with grown sons and how she genuinely had struggled throughout … Continue reading Rich Or Poor: Let’s Be Content With Enough
Sandwiched into the story of Esther are the thought provoking words, ‘For such a time as this.’ (Esther 4:14) Esther’s cousin, Mordecai, was encouraging Esther to be courageous and do the right thing by pleading for the king to spare the lives of the Jewish people, her own people. Mordecai makes reference to Esther becoming queen and that perhaps that was all part of God’s … Continue reading For Such A Time As This
A few weeks ago, I had a lovely catch up with a friend of mine. Likeminded, she is an intentional Christian mother, trying to nurture and guide her children through this rollercoaster ride of life. As we shared and discussed the things on our hearts, it was wonderful to end our time with prayer. Lifting all of our ideas, dreams, challenges, and victories up to … Continue reading Stamped Onto Your Heart
Have you ever felt like you’ve been praying and praying for something to happen, a dream for the future, only to one day, feel like God’s closed the door? My husband and I have been praying, waiting, and seeking God’s heart for His wisdom, direction, and blessing on some very unique future plans, which have seemingly taken years in the making and preparation. After more … Continue reading A Closed Door, Or Is It?
Joy A. Mead 