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
This past week has seen such a joyous celebration for Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee, marking seventy years of service to the UK and beyond. It has been a wonderful nationwide occasion to gather with friends, family, and neighbours in a special season to commemorate our monarch, display national pride, and determine to choose joy after a challenging two years for everyone. Even before the … Continue reading A Very British Red, White, and Blue
I recently attended a school meeting with my daughter, who is about to go on her first school residential trip next month. As the teachers discussed the trip’s itinerary and logistical details, I couldn’t help but smile at the excitement of all the children in the room. Observing Anna’s wide grin and the classic fidgeting of an enthusiastic child sitting in a seat, made me … Continue reading Being The Cheerleader For Our Children
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
Nervous butterflies filled my stomach as I quickly checked the clock and then squeezed the rest of my practical and precious belongings into eight suitcases. A mixture of lightweight, summery clothes and shoes, not really suitable for the majority of the British seasons, took up most of the packing. This was followed by some favourite books, my journal, a cherished stuffed animal, some photo frames … Continue reading Eight Suitcases & Twelve Years Later
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?
Sometimes, I can read the Christmas story in the Bible, yet I don’t really take it all in. The beautiful story of God’s love, mercy, and goodness passes me by, and I can find myself distanced from the characters whom God chose to bring together that first Christmas so many years ago. I can almost be too sure of myself, feeling like I’ve already gone … Continue reading Breath Of Heaven
This post was originally published in April 2021 on our therapist’s website, Love Relations at: https://loverelations.co.uk/my-big-sibling-the-church-by-joy-a-mead/ For some time now, I have debated sharing this post on my personal blog. Through waiting, wondering, and praying I have realised that my main reason for not sharing was my strong fear of being judged by others, specifically by other Christians. However, the Holy Spirit gave me a … Continue reading My Big Sibling, The Church
Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble? Job 2:10 Praising God comes quite naturally when our situations in life are going well. We feel blessed with that steady job, nice house, having health, children, healthy relationships and these are all great things to acknowledge as blessings, having grateful hearts towards God’s provision. But what happens when our circumstances change for the worse? When … Continue reading Praise Beyond Circumstances
This week, England experienced a heat wave and I have loved seeing our happy sunflowers delighting in the continuous sunshine! Having grown them from mere seeds in an egg carton, it’s so encouraging to see them shining out their joyful presence in our garden. With some of the dead flower heads removed, I have been drying them out to save the seeds for the next … Continue reading Garden Lessons – Part Two
Joy A. Mead 