My Refuge

We live in unpredictable times.

Lately, we’ve seen massive floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and war. It makes us stop and give pause. It makes us think about the things we value, the people we care about, the lives we lead.

With so much turmoil going on in the world, our job is to spread a lot of Jesus everywhere—especially in our own homes. Our job is to be an example of showing others that we have a peace that passes all understanding. It is incredibly important for us to stay focused and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus during this time.

Hebrews 12:2 says, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”

When we see a verse like this, it reminds us to prioritize spiritual things over worldly ones—even when everything around us looks terrible. It helps us walk through life’s difficulties with faith and perseverance.

Last year in North Carolina, we went through a devastating hurricane—Hurricane Helene. It caused so much destruction that nine months later, there were still piles of rubble. But I also saw people with faith come together and help in incredible ways. And right after that, we were hit with forest fires. The air was filled with smoke. Every day we were getting alerts about possible evacuations. We had to pack a go-bag and be ready.

I wasn’t really scared during the hurricane. But during the fires, I’ll be honest—I started to worry. I remember thinking, What am I going to take? Does this stuff even matter? What if my house is gone?

The fires were only fifteen minutes away from me, and the stress started to build. But I got to a point where I couldn’t live like that anymore. I couldn’t live in constant fear of what might happen next.

So I said, “Lord, I know You’re protecting us, and I have to trust You in this.”

And that gave me peace. I stopped worrying about the fires.

The Bible gives us a perfect example of someone overwhelmed by fear.

David had served King Saul faithfully, but Saul became jealous and wanted him dead. So David ran. He fled to Gath—the hometown of Goliath, the giant he had killed. Imagine how desperate he must have been to hide in enemy territory.

When the people of Gath recognized him, David panicked. He was so afraid that he pretended to be insane. He let saliva run down his beard, scratched at the doors, and acted like he’d lost his mind. The king of Gath wanted nothing to do with him and threw him out of the city.

At that point, David had escaped death more than once. He was running for his life, surrounded by enemies, unsure of where to go next. He had every reason to be anxious and afraid.

But instead of giving in to fear, David wrote a Psalm.

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

—Psalm 34:1 (NKJV)

Worship helped him refocus. His situation hadn’t changed, but his perspective did. The danger was still real, but so was God. God didn’t remove him from the hard place, but He stayed with him through it.

David didn’t just survive that moment. He wrote about it. He gave us a window into what it looks like to run to God instead of running from fear.

“I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.”

—Psalm 34:4 (NIV)

This verse highlights the power of prayer and the comfort we can find in Him when we turn our focus away from fear and worry and onto trusting God that He will come through for us. For me. For you. And in whatever form that looks like. Sometimes it’s not even the way we think He should, but God will do it again.

God was the one who rescued David.

God was the one who protected, provided, and made a way—again and again.

And if He did it before, He can do it again.

The same God who showed up for David is still working today.

He still hears the cries of His people. He’s still present in pain. He’s still moving in uncertain times. And He’s still powerful—even when we feel powerless.

When nothing in life makes sense, you can still run to Him and find refuge.

Take a moment and think back.

Where has God been faithful to you?

Where has He protected you, provided for you, strengthened you, or encouraged you?

If you’re having a hard time seeing it right now, that’s okay. If praise doesn’t come easy today, open up Psalm 34 and let those words become your prayer.

If this blog has encouraged you, share it with others.

Share it with someone who you think would like to read it—or needs to read it.

The Journey to Joy

I’m so glad you’re here. This blog is a space for joy-seekers, for women who long to live with purpose, delight in the everyday, and find the kind of joy God always intended, even when life feels heavy.

Let’s be honest, we carry responsibilities, fears, unanswered questions that weigh us down. Here is the good new: joy isn’t canceled. Just because life is hard doesn’t mean joy is gone. It’s still available. It is still promised. It’s worth chasing.

In Psalm 16:11, we’re reminded: “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” This verse anchors everything I hope this blog becomes. Joy isn’t a temporary feeling or a reward for having it all together. It’s found in the presence of God. And even when life is confusing, painful, or heavy, He still leads us on the path of life, step by step, moment by moment. If you have ever wondered whether joy could be real for you, this verse offers a holy yes.

That’s what this blog is all about. Not perfect answers to polished lives that hide the mess underneath. Just small sacred steps toward the kind of joy that shows up in quiet moments, belly laughs, answered prayers and even in the middle of the unknown.

Jesus said in John 15:11, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” As I pondered this, I stopped at the word complete and looked it up. In the Greek, complete means to fill to the brim. Can you imagine living life where you are filled with so much joy that it overflows? This kind of joy doesn’t depend on how we feel, our moods, or whatever is happening in our lives. It is a joy that grows as we spend time with Him.

The Bible tells us “the joy of the Lord is our strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Not our own joy. Not our own strength. His. That’s what makes this journey possible. Joy doesn’t come from striving, it comes from staying connected to the One who gives it.

Joy isn’t a destination. It’s a daily invitation. And I would love to walk that road with you. So grab your coffee, exhale deeply and let’s begin this journey together.

Here’s to joy,

Famia