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
Amidst the Christmas preparations and the final week of school, I found myself preparing gifts for the teachers. Writing out cards of appreciation and baking chocolate orange cookies, I was focused on giving to others. And after an appointment in the city, I did one last round of shopping for a few presents for our children and the cousins. Genuinely, I love preparing gifts and … Continue reading What Can I Give Him?
Do you remember that childhood game? Children would line up and the teacher would hold up a green circle symbolizing, “Go,” and all the children would speed across the room. Next a red circle would mean you had to, “Stop!” And everyone would abruptly come to a halt. Similarly, life itself can feel a bit like, “Stop and go,” just like the childhood game or … Continue reading Red Light, Green Light
Before children, I think I was a decently considerate friend—spending time, calling or sending messages, and posting birthday cards on time were all routine activities. However, since having children, I have had to let my previous standards slip, while struggling to keep up with the daily demands of raising a family. Often, as a mother, it is all I can do to keep up with … Continue reading Expectations In Friendship
I remember, what seems like ages ago, applying for university as a senior in high school. All of my friends were applying to at least three to four schools to make sure they would receive an offer and then hopefully have the choice about where they wanted to go. Having viewed multiple options, I felt specifically called by God to go to a fashion school … Continue reading It Just Takes One
I think a lot of our motherhood challenge these days is believing into the lies that everyone else has it better. If we spend too long on social media or are simply looking at the wrong things, we start to become envious of other moms in how they look, what clothes they wear, their tidy homes, perfect-looking moments with their children—at least what appears so … Continue reading Mama’s Worth and Value
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
Everything was on schedule—a roast chicken dinner was about to be served, the next day’s cottage pie dinner was being prepared, and the last load of weekend laundry was happily spinning away in the washing machine. We were about to sit down at the kitchen table when I heard an unrecognizable beeping noise coming from the utility room. My load of laundry had stopped mid-cycle … Continue reading A Laundry Lesson
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
“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
Joy A. Mead 