Who doesn’t want the joyful life? Joy is something we all crave, seek, and relish. We love to experience the deepest, richest joy and long for those seasons to stretch out before us like a never-ending yellow brick road. But in real life, that road is peppered with sorrow and stress and storms along the way, and yet we are still called to count it all joy. Finding joy in the everyday. Together. Welcome to THE JOYFUL LIFE…
(*affiliate links are included in this post)
“THE JOYFUL LIFE is a quarterly lifestyle print publication for Christian women seeking the authentic JOY found by inviting JESUS into our everyday lives.” The Joyful Life
Friends, if you have not yet heard about this beautiful brand-new magazine for women seeking joy in the daily, allow me to introduce you right now. The premier issue has just been released, and it is a work of art—not to mention a generous portion of encouragement and inspiration for your soul.
“Our goal is to help women find the joy and see the beauty in every area of their lives – home, work, marriage, motherhood, family, friendship, fellowship, and community. It’s a publication about REAL LIFE…as raw, vulnerable, beautiful, fragile & joyful as it is.” The Joyful Life
It’s written by women like us for women like us, touching on all things heart and home with words to encourage and images to inspire, ever seeking to treasure each day and every opportunity as a chance to dig deep and experience true joy. As Max Lucado says, “Find joy in the ordinary.”
I am utterly privileged to be one of the writers in The Joyful Life. My topic of choice is the empty nest—this is something very, very new for me but I know it will affect most of us at some point in time—so I consider seeking joy in this surreal season by “Filling the Empty Nest”.
“I believe we need to be intentional to fill the emptiness rather than allow the emptiness to overwhelm our hearts with grief.” Laura Thomas, “Filling the Empty Nest”, The Joyful Life
In my article, we ponder the following: Husband, House Rules, Holidays, Hospitality, and Heart… because you know I can’t resist some alliteration, and because I believe we are in possible danger of being sucked dry of joy in this somewhat fragile stage of life. Here’s a little excerpt:
“Ultimately, we need wisdom to navigate every season of life, and filling the empty nest is no exception. Proverbs 14:1 (NIV) says, ‘The wise woman builds her house…’ referring to the moral fabric and the heart of the home. As grown women with experience, maturity, and a whole host of gifts to lay at the feet of Jesus, we have a fresh opportunity to fill our nests with life-giving treasures—for His glory and for our joy.
Full heart, full nest.” Laura Thomas, “Filling the Empty Nest”, The Joyful Life
To give you a tiny taste, here are a few of the other articles included in this particular issue of the magazine:
- Spiritual Disciplines: Restful Exercises for the Soul⠀⠀⠀
- For Such a Time as This: Living the Life God has Called You To⠀⠀⠀
- Connecting with Christ through the Hustle of the Holidays⠀⠀⠀
- The Weary World Rejoices: Longing for Jesus in the Midst of Sorrow⠀⠀⠀
- The Art of Bible Journaling⠀⠀⠀
- 25 Days of Christmas Kindness⠀⠀⠀
- An Interview with Glynnis Whitwer of Proverbs 31 Ministries⠀⠀⠀
- Holiday Gift Guide⠀⠀⠀
“When large numbers of people share their joy in common, the happiness of each is greater because each adds fuel to the other’s flame.” Augustine
And that’s pretty much what is happening in this sweet publication! Sharing the joy.
Please feel free to take a peek at The Joyful Life and see if it’s something you would love, or perhaps gift it (there are even annual subscription options) to a friend or family member. (*My affiliate links are included, which basically means I get a small commission while you pay the regular price.)
CLICK HERE or on any of the magazine images to go straight to the store. Easy as pie.
“But life’s joys are only joys if they can be shared.” Ravi Zacharias
Can I be honest? I am thrilled to be featured in this publication, but more than that, I am thrilled to be able to share a joyful life in Christ with women like you. When we discover something that stirs our soul, we simply HAVE to share it. Am I right? 🙂
“May Christ be our joy, our confidence, our all.” Matthew Henry
Blessings and joy,
P.S. Want some FREE encouragement for your soul? CLICK HERE for my devotional e-book DIAMOND DEVOS 31… a free gift for my subscribers!
Linking up with some fabulous encouragers! Check them out: