New Year, New Purposes, Nothing Is Ever Wasted

 The blog "Joyfull Living" has been around a long time! It began as a creative outlet to cherish and record the moments of a growing family. As the seasons of life changed through the years, so did the vision for the blog. It began to center around the countless women who daily face the challenges of life and how 'joy' could be a force that carried us through those challenges. Instead of focusing on the seemingly endless days filled with required tasks of home, family and work, strength could be found as we searched daily for joyful moments. 

In 2022 I want to embrace another aspect to the blog that at first doesn't seem very 'joyfull', but when looking beyond circumstances, a deep abiding joy can be found. Joy isn't just an emotion and it is not based on feelings or circumstances. In hard times, 'the joy of the Lord is our strength' and in experiences that threaten to overwhelm us - God will see us through and bring a purpose to our pain. 

This year, I plan to share hope and strength that can be found in the midst of difficult circumstances. As a former crime victim - having lost my father due to a fatal shooting, I understand the pain of grief and trauma. Being a victim, however difficult the situation, does not define who we are. These events happen to us and are often devastating, but there is a journey to walk through these valleys and a light on the other side. Things will never be the same, but as we journey the path of pain, we can find peace and purpose. 

My story happened many years ago and the journey of healing has came to pass. It is now in the empty nest season of life, opportunities to share the comfort and peace from God have arrived. God brings comfort into our lives to help us heal, but also eventually to share that comfort with others. 

II Corinthians 1:3-4 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."

A resource of provides hope and help in times of grief and pain in Nothing Is Wasted. This is a ministry I am a part of that exists to help you navigate your trauma, tragedies, and major life transitions and find purpose in your pain. They provide content that inspires, community that encourages, and coaching that empowers you to walk through your valley well and come out on the other side equipped with a renewed sense of meaning and purpose.

Through the New Year, I will be sharing from the resources Nothing Is Wasted offers. If you are struggling or have previously struggled with pain, loss or grief, I hope you will follow this series here on the blog. Look for the Pain to Purpose tags. 

Know that pain is the common denominator of life and is the unifying human emotion. In the midst of our deepest pain, God can bring His goodness. His comfort can wrap around us to comfort us in our greatest moments of despair. No matter what we experience, we can still live a life of meaning. It is a process and a journey, but my prayer is for us to understand that God is good and His plans and purposes can be trusted.