Welcome to Random Reflection, a space created to share ordinary everyday life moments in a way that provides encouragement and hope through life’s unexpected and challenging journeys.
Writing helps me to see the world around me more clearly. I consider writing a form of therapy for myself, but I began to share my reflections out loud, believing shared stories might encourage you in your journey.
I am a city girl who has fallen in love with the beautiful rhythms of nature and the life lessons nature’s seasons offer. Inspired by the beauty of the world around us, I find myself on a journey to notice and cultivate beauty in every season.
Currently, I reside in Eastern Kansas with my husband of thirty years and two rapidly growing boys. We were married for thirteen years and traveled a road of twists and turns before I was blessed to be called Mom.
In my mid-forties, I was diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune disease, Multiple Sclerosis. While my writing is not explicitly focused on life with a chronic illness, it greatly influences my reflections.
Very simplified, my desire is to love God and love people. I am an introvert passionate about gathering people in authentic community, preferably around a table. Reading, cooking, baking sourdough bread, and getting my hands dirty in the garden feeds my soul. I am not someone who loves to shop, yet during #pandemiclife, I discovered the impact of buying local and shopping with a purpose. Now shopping in ways that make the world better is my new favorite thing.
Mother Teresa said, “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” The same holds true for written words. One does not need to write a book to create an endless ripple of hope.
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”
Mother Teresa
May you find ripples of hope in the words shared as we travel together through the unexpected and everyday ordinary moments of life, seeking to live the one life we have well, cultivating beauty in every season.
May you always know that you are so very loved and welcome here.
Find Other Writings and Reflections Shared by Joy:
Tending Tuesday by Mariel Davenport: Taking Time to Tend
Begin Within: A Gratitude Series by Twyla Franz: Gratitude Must Become A Habit
Not My Story Essay Series by Sarah E. Westfall: I Have Prepared You For This
Out Of Place Series by Sarah K. Butterfield: Finding Belonging In Our Loneliness
Repeat The Sounding Joy, a Holiday Series by Gwendolyn Smith: The Joy of Presence
Hear Him Louder Series by Marnie Hammar: On Releasing The Goodness In Our Hard Stories
Once Upon a Time, I spoke Words Out Loud: Connect Women’s Sweater Weather Get Together
Good Day Podcast with Candace Cofer: Peace in Complex Realities of Life
