For the past five years God has given me the gift of boldness to share how I live my life stepping out with Jesus always by my side. Hearing other people’s story as I gift them mine connects us in the most special way. God does that.
This is Lexi. She is studying in Dublin for a semester. She will turn twenty-one here. I bought her an iced coffee and listened to her adventures and how she misses her mom. She is so grateful for FaceTime to connect. I got to jot a note in her book about how courageous she is in this adventure.
Another book went to Jerome in Killarney who spends his day writing in his bakery. He doesn’t think anyone would be interested in his words but I did my best to convince him otherwise. Still another to a young waiter named Dave who was especially helpful and pleasant. He gave me my first ever gin and tonic. Okay I chose to drink that particular drink because of the pretty blue bottle. When I shared my book and my story, he shared the loss of a close friend to suicide two weeks before. He pushed up his sleeve and had a tattoo for Dylan on his wrist right where I have mine for Ryan and Hector. The embrace that followed was life giving. Connections bring us together in the most incredible ways. Then there was the young waitress in Dingle that had the scars of cutting up and down her arm. I shared how Alicia and I started writing because she craved the blade. Writing was an alternative to cutting. This waitress did not cover her scars but shared them with the knowledge that they were not to be ashamed of but to show what she had overcome. Each of us needs that lesson to share the hard things we have lived through.
Our trip was an archeology tour of Ireland in the eleven days we shared our group became family Each of us has a story that needed to be shared I am sure many of us will become lifelong friends As I gave each one my story in book form their own heartaches came out. Even our bus driver and guide had a twenty something daughter he needs prayers for. Connecting and expanding our prayer circle is the greatest gift of the trip
Finally, on our plane from Dublin to Barcelona we were by the most loving young mother. She had two girls who were more than a handful. Her nonverbal daughter was overwhelmed with her first plane ride and shrieked most of the trip. Did this disturb others? Absolutely. But this mom did not let that upset her. She loved her daughters through this without ever apologizing for who they are or how they handled this terrifying adventure. I let her know in the cover of my book just how much I admire her for staying calm in the chaos.
God gives me opportunities each and everyday to connect with others and let them know how much they positively impact those around them. I am beyond thankful to connect with people and let Jesus be the center of each encounter.
I left New Mexico with twenty-five books and have two left. I can’t wait to see who the next two are that will fill my heart with joy.
In Him,
Joyful
9-10-25
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