If you have visited my website, simplyjoy.online, you know the first line on the welcome page is, “I don’t believe in coincidences and I don’t believe you landed on this page by accident.” I say that because I have come to believe – no, I’ve come to know – that God’s hand is in every …
Expectations are funny things. They can excite you as you anticipate something wonderful or fun. Or they can weigh you down – weights of fear, inadequacy, impending failure, not living up, and letting others down. That’s where I am as I write this blog. Last week, I shared a life-altering experience (https://simplyjoy.online/blog/jesus-as-friend/up-close-and-personal/); a personal touch …
I am blessed to be writing this week’s blog from the deck of a mountain cabin we are renting in Banner Elk, North Carolina. It is our second year renting this beautiful home and I never tire of the view. No matter how many times I look out at the mountains, God’s majesty always takes …
The Road to Damascus Recently I was traveling in Virginia, and I saw signs for Damascus. Damascus is in south central VA almost at the NC Border. It is beautiful country as is all of rural Virginia. There is a simplicity about the surroundings. These towns are blue collar. Home to hard-working men and women, …
My husband and I are greeters at church. The third Sunday of each month we stand in the vestibule and welcome people to worship, fellowship, and praise. I am a people person, so I really enjoy serving in this way. Plus, because we attend a large church, it gives me a chance to meet people …
Contentment has been on my mind a lot lately. But in the last three weeks, God has placed it front and center and through a number of “God Winks” letting me know that it was time to share. The most recent being a sermon at our “home away from home” church in VA. The Pastor …
I don’t like birds. Well, that’s not entirely true. I like them from a distance. I hate the flittering of wings when they fly near me. I duck and weave just to avoid any close contact. When I was about five years old, I accidentally got near a Canadian Goose nest and let’s just say …
The day after the tragic shooting in Uvalde Texas that took the lives of 19 children and 2 teachers, I wrote this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I am coming to you in desperate prayer because I don’t understand, and I can’t comprehend the evil and illness that would lead someone to murder children in an elementary …
Last week I confessed that I can be a worrier. This week’s confession? I am also a warrior. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been driven to stand up for what I believe is right. This is especially true if I think there is injustice or unfairness. I can vividly remember walking out …
Confession time. I can be a worrier. Hands up! Anyone relate? Some people worry about everything and everyone. Their minds are on a one-way track to the intersection of what if and worst-case scenario. Their journeys are riddled with fears about health, work, finances, the world, friendships, school, home, pets. Or what I like to …