Author: joymargetts

Book Review, Books, Children's fiction, Christian publishing, Christian Writer, Jesus, Kingdom books

BOOK REVIEW: The Place of Endless Lights, by Katy Hollamby

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‘The Place of Endless Lights’ (For ages 7-12yrs, Christian Fiction, colour illustrations)

Author: Katy Hollamby

ISBN: 978-1915034526 RRP £14.99 (Paperback pp269)

Front cover image of the book with the text The Place of Endless Lights in gold, on a background of a dark night sky, with a hand painted illustration of children running along a roof top.

THE BLURB

Aria Nightingale knows one thing for certain: she can never stop running.

Sharp-clawed tunnellers have seized her town, imprisoning everyone in a fear-filled sleep. Desperate to keep her little brother safe, Aria flees.

While her brother dreams of finding the fabled Place of Endless Lights, Aria’s not sure it exists. But when desperate events force them to accept the help of the mysterious Trailmaker and a collection of talking animals, everything Aria knows unravels. The Trailmaker promises a way out, but can he be trusted? Is there truly a place where fear loses its power?

Perfect for readers aged 8-11, The Place of Endless Lights takes readers on a beautifully illustrated, faith-inspired adventure to find courage, kindness and the lights that never go out.

THE REVIEW

You know when you have been waiting a long time with great expectancy for a book to be published? You have seen it advertised, heard it spoken about, got excited to read it for yourself? That feeling is even more pronounced when you have met the author and got to know her heart, when you have seen the beautifully evocative artwork that she produces. I couldn’t wait for Katy Hollamby’s The Place of Endless Lights to be available and I was so thrilled to get a copy as soon as it was!

Weird and wonderful

With all that excited anticipation, I was not disappointed by this book. Far from it. Written for 7-12 year olds it is an imaginary tale with lots of the weird and wonderful that small children love. Think CS Lewis, or Roald Dahl! But this is more than an exciting adventure story, it is an allegory with a deep meaning, a beautiful exploration of what it means to be trapped by fear, to run and not know where you are heading. About how the smallest glimmers of hope can speak to your heart, and about finding that place of peace and joy with the One who has all the answers. I know this book was inspired by some of the author’s own experiences and is more meaningful as a result.

Vivid and compelling

The text is beautifully written, the descriptions vivid and compelling, the characters believable. Added to that are the illustrations. They are stunning. I purchased a pre-order copy with colour illustrations, and I am so glad I did! The story draws you in as you journey with the group of travellers (children and talking animals) as they try escape the encroaching darkness threatening them, as they meet the mysterious Trailmaker and learn to trust him. I loved the gentle portrayal of the Trailmaker  – it was definitely Holy Spirit inspired. I won’t give away any spoilers, but there is a happy ending, a beautiful, satisfying and thought-provoking conclusion that I found deeply moving. Although I for one hope this isn’t the end – Katy definitely needs to write more!

Hand painted illustration of children sitting around a fire with a man, squirrel and hedgehog. Tall trees and a starlit dark sky surround them.

A beautiful book for children

I do really hope this book does well. If you have small children in your life, or even if you don’t, I think you should buy it. I can’t recommend it highly enough. If they enjoyed the Narnia stories, they will love this.

You can get a copy of The Place of Endless Lights direct from Katy’s publisher, and this is the only place you can get a copy with the coloured illustrations

The Place of Endless Lights
Photo of the author, Katy Hollamby

Can I also encourage you to check out Katy’s website to see and maybe even purchase her artwork, and read a bit more about her

https://www.katyhollamby.com

Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power.

She has also written two non-fiction devotionals. More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

The Healing
The Pilgrim
The Bride
The Stranger
Christ Illuminated, an advent devotional
Because of the cross: a lent devotional
Christian faith, Christian Writer, Devotional thought, Healing

GOD IS IN THE BOAT

joymargetts

We have recently come home from a boating holiday and it was a mixed blessing. Canal boating definitely has a way of bringing out the best and the worst in people!  We booked the trip weeks ago, not long after the loss of my parents, as something for us to look forward to. A break away, just for my husband and I, an attempt to have a nice restful time, space to relax and recuperate, to reconnect with each other.

Phot of the bow of a canal boat entering an open canal lock

Canal boating is not relaxing! Well, it is, in that the pace of life definitely slows, but unless you are actually moored up all of the time, getting a heavy boat from A to B, with the wind and water flow often fighting against you, is hard physical work! Especially for novices. And stressful. Very stressful at times.

But we saw some amazing sights, encountered wildlife up close and personal, learnt some new skills, navigated beautiful waterways, and actually really enjoyed ourselves. And weathered a 36-hour storm with gale force winds whilst we were at it!

Safe in the boat

God has been talking to me about boats a lot recently. A few months ago, when I felt all my anchor points had been ripped out, when life was so confusing and the future so uncertain, He gave me a picture of a lifeboat in a storm. A dear friend shared what she felt God had shown her for me. That we had been on a big ocean liner (think the Titanic), but we had been forced to jump ship. This was God’s plan for us, and the lifeboat was a safe place for us to be, even if the sea was stormy and scary. The little boat wasn’t heading in any particular direction, and was being thrown about by the waves, but we were safe in it, because it was where He wanted us to be, and He was with us. At the time I found this strangely comforting.

The sail of hope

And then a few weeks ago, a couple of months after we had said goodbye to mum, and we were beginning to re-adjust to a more normal way of living again, God gave me another boat picture. This one was a literal picture – a painting on the wall of a cottage where we had gone to stay for a few days. It showed a small sailing dingy with figures in it. The waves were still choppy, and the little boat was being tossed, but the difference this time was that the boat had a sail up, and someone was holding onto the tiller. The boat was going somewhere. I felt God reassure me this time, that the sail was hope, and the wind was His Spirit. That although life still felt unsure, and stormy at times, that He was in control. That little wind filled sail filled me with hope and expectation. Things were moving on.

Image of a painting of a small sailing dingy on a choppy sea

Slower is quicker

The week on the canal boat has spoken to me too, in so many ways. A narrowboat is hard to steer. In fact, the faster you go, the harder they are to control. You have to be moving forward, the boat engine in gear, in order to be able to steer, but we learnt very quickly that we would get into a real mess if we tried to go faster than snail’s pace! As The Boating Handbook advises, ‘slower is quicker’.

I went away on that holiday with high expectations of having the time and space to think, pray and write. It didn’t happen. I was so tired before we even stepped on the boat, and the sheer hard work involved in driving the craft, navigating bridges, locks and tunnels, made me even more exhausted. When we moored up, we ate and we slept! I was so frustrated by this, itching to get started on another book. But God had other plans. This was not the time for that. I was going too fast. I needed to slow down and let Him steer.

Safe in the boat with Him

I am still healing, from loss and grief, on so many fronts. I need more time – He needs more time with me. He knows when I will be ready to write fiction again, but I cannot rush it. That would be disastrous. And in the meantime, I am writing – this blog, that I hope will bless its readers!

Maybe you are going through a stormy season, when the winds blow strong and cold, or perhaps it feels like your moorings are coming loose? If so, I hope that perhaps my boat pictures might encourage you. Boats are safe when the person handling them knows what they are doing! So, if you feel you are in the storm-tossed lifeboat, the plucky little sailing dingy, or the lumbering, slow canal boat, remember the Captain has you. You can trust Him. Just stay in the boat with Him and listen for His voice to reassure you. Let Him steer and let Him set the pace.

Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power.

She has also written two non-fiction devotionals. More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

Front cover of Releasing Janet by Alex Banwell
Book Review, Books, christian fiction, Christian publishing, Christian Writer, Kingdom books

BOOK REVIEW: Releasing Janet, by Alex Banwell

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‘Releasing Janet: can the truth set her free?’ (Benny Series Book 2)

Author: Alex Banwell

ISBN: 978-1915034649 RRP £12.99 (Paperback pp283)

THE BLURB

Janet’s identity is drawn from her role as Benny’s mother. Her epileptic son has needed her all his life, to the detriment of Janet’s own needs. Yet, she lives in the shadow of a childhood secret that her family never speak about. Not her distant parents, nor her rarely seen older brothers. Her husband and children? They don’t even know she holds it.

When Benny’s blossoming independence creates a chasm in Janet’s heart, it’s time for the secret to come out. Will she find the reasons for her parents’ rejection so many years ago? Is there hope for healing – for her to be more than Benny’s mother?

MY REVIEW

Secrets, we all have them. Some things we keep secret by choice, because of shame, or guilt, or perhaps because of the fear that, if revealed, that secret knowledge could harm us, or hurt someone we care about.

What if we carried a secret so huge, so painful, that although buried deep it affects our whole lives?  It holds us captive, without us even realising. This is the theme that the beautifully told story in Releasing Janet explores.

Engaging Characters

Alex Banwell writes so insightfully, creating characters with thoughts and feelings that we can easily relate to. These characters draw you into their stories and it becomes hard to put the book down, as you journey with them. The author uses her own experiences to inform her writing, particularly in the area of disability, and how that can affect both an individual and their families. She introduced us to Benny in her first novel, Just Benny. Plagued by severe epilepsy since birth, he has been coddled, smothered and spoilt by his over-protective, sometimes over-bearing mother, Janet.

Releasing Janet reveals the truth of why she is this way. The devastating family secret that Janet only has a child’s perspective of, and yet affects every relationship in her life. Her obsession with protecting Benny drives a wedge between her and her husband, Ola. It also adversely affects her relationship with her daughter, Emma. She lives estranged from her own parents and siblings. Beneath it all is an unspoken fear. And fear has the power to control our lives, affect how we view ourselves and those we love. Hers is a broken family, one that needs healing, one where only facing the truth will set them free.

Great scene setting

Alex expertly divides the narrative between Janet and her family’s present reality and flashback memories into Janet’s childhood. Both time periods are well imagined with period detail added to authenticate the settings. The book is set around Christmas, so is a great book to read at this time of year.

A faith-building read

It is a gently told tale but so powerful, and Jesus is there throughout. Benny’s own growing faith stirs a distant memory in Janet of her own once easy, childlike relationship with God. We meet other godly characters whose influence on Janet is profound. Bit by bit, as the truth comes to the surface, as past hurt is remembered and dealt with, Janet comes to a place of peace, healing and freedom. And Jesus is right there with her in it all.

Releasing Janet is Alex Banwell’s second novel featuring the Wellander family, but it can be read as a standalone story. I was pleased to be asked to take part in the Blog Tour for Releasing Janet, and can heartily recommend it as a really lovely, encouraging and faith-building read. It would also make a great gift to give to someone who is exploring faith, or who is wounded by their own past.

Phot pf the author, Alex banwell.

Releasing Janet can be purchased in paperback or kindle edition via Amazon, in paperback or special edition hardback from the publisher, Broadplace Publishing.

For more information on Alex Banwell and her writing, do visit her author website at www.alexbanwellauthor.com

Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021. ‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022, and her third novel, ‘The Bride‘, published on 20th October 2023. Her first non-fiction book, an Advent Devotional, ‘Christ Illuminated‘ was published in September 2023.

‘The Stranger‘, her fourth full length novel was published 22 November 2024 by Broad Place Publishing and her second non-fiction book, a Lent Devotional, ‘Because of the Cross‘ was published in February 2025

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

Grief, Healing, The Word of God

A SNACK AND A SNUGGLE (LOVED AND HELD)

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Our 4 year old grandson has just started school full time, finishing at 3pm every day. It is a milestone in his life and we are very proud of him. He has coped very well – he was already doing part days – but school every day, all day, is a new and demanding routine for him. Inevitably, he is tired.

Photo of young boy walking away with a school bag on his back

When we picked him up from school the other day, he was so excited to see us, excited to be able to come to play at Nana’s house with his little sister. But within minutes of getting in the car he burst into tears, over something and nothing. It was obvious that in his tiredness he was just overwhelmed by all the emotions coursing through him.

‘Shall we have a snack and a snuggle?’ I suggested, when we got home. He sniffed and nodded. We put a favourite video on the TV, and had juice and biscuits and a cuddle on the sofa. After a little while he was happy and settled enough to go and find some toys and play with his grandad.

The unexpected overwhelm

Sometimes a surge of emotion hits us out of nowhere. We might be overtired, over stressed, triggered by the unexpected. Sometimes we might not even know why we are upset, why overwhelm threatens, and what makes us lose control. We want to cry, or scream, or lash out.

I am in a season of grief and loss. Lately I have been doing ‘well’. Life, with all it’s blessings (grandchildren included) has been good. The grief moments have been less, in both frequency and intensity. But last week was my late Dad’s birthday, the first one we have faced without him. I thought I might feel sad on that day, but the unexpected wave of grief I experienced, surprised and threatened to overwhelm me. The dam broke – there haven’t been many tears lately – and it seemed they weren’t going to be held back. The more I cried, the more tears came, along with memories both good and bad.

Let me wrap you in My arms…

I have a Father in heaven. Yes, my earthly father is there, but I also have a perfect heavenly Father. And He knows me so intimately. He knew why the tears came that day, He wasn’t surprised by my messy grief. He well understands loss, grief and pain. He weeps for my tears. He reminded me of all this as I poured out my heart to Him. His response was a whispered, ‘Let me wrap you in My arms, today. Let Me hold you.’

A snack and a snuggle?

God knew that all I needed was to feel loved and held. I didn’t need answers. I didn’t need to be told to pull myself together and stop the silliness. I just needed to rest back into His embrace. He fed me – taking me to verses in scripture that reminded me of my value to Him. And then through the words of a song that just happened to be playing, He reassured me that He loved me, in ways that my heart needed to hear. I wrapped myself in a soft blanket and sat imagining Him holding me. His peace descended and I knew He was there for me. I felt comforted, strengthened, and able to face the rest of the day.

Image shows three sparrows, two resting on twigs and the third in flight, with the words 'you are of more value that many sparrows' .

Loved and held

We knew instinctively what my overtired grandson needed – he just needed to be reassured, loved and held for a little while. God, our Father wants to do the same for us, if we will let Him. If we will come to Him in our vulnerability, just seeking His presence and not expecting Him to answer, heal, or act. He invites us to come to Him, in our messiness, and find a place of rest, in His more than capable arms.

Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022, and her third novel, ‘The Bride‘, published on 20th October 2023. ‘The Stranger‘, her fourth full length novel was published 22 November 2024 by Broad Place Publishing.

Her first non-fiction book, an Advent Devotional, ‘Christ Illuminated‘ was published in September 2023 and her latest 40 day devotional, ‘Because of the Cross‘ was published 7 February 2025

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

Bible, Book Review, Books, Christian publishing, Christian Writer, Kingdom books, The Word of God

BOOK REVIEW: The Wanderer’s Legacy, by Natasha Woodcraft

joymargetts

The Wanderer’s Legacy. Book 3 in ‘The Wanderer Series’

Author: Natasha Woodcraft

ISBN: 978-1915034953 RRP £16.99 (Paperback pp533)

THE BLURB

Adah lives trapped between the life she longed for and the life she chose. She’s failed to produce an heir for her once devoted husband. As Lamech becomes increasingly unpredictable and domineering, Adah seeks refuge in legends about the mysterious Wanderer.

Then Lamech takes another wife. Adah flees to her family home, where freedom causes hope to rise once more. But her body hides a secret that will propel her back into danger. Can a legend come to her rescue? Or does someone else hold the power to help her dwell in safety?

The Wanderer’s Legacy is a standalone story in The Wanderer Series, exploring the tale of Lamech and his two wives from Genesis 4 in Biblical Historical Fiction. If you love fresh spins on ancient Bible stories and diving deep into the human condition, then you’ll love The Wanderer’s Legacy.

MY REVIEW

How do you live a good life in a world that is becoming increasingly godless? How do you see hope for anything better, when culture is full of corruption and people all around you are being pulled into a way of life that is increasingly cruel and depraved? What if that advancing evil threatens to pull you in and overtake you, if the only way to make a stand for what is good, true and life-giving, is to risk abuse and personal persecution?

The Wanderer’s Legacy, the third and latest book in Natasha Woodcraft’s Wanderer Series, explores all these themes. Although set in ancient times and based on the lives of some of the earliest inhabitants of earth, it explores issues that are surprisingly relevant to us today. We meet Adah, one of the wives of Lamech (mentioned only once in scripture) and through Natasha’s imagination we are taken on a journey with her as she lives her life through increasingly dark and dangerous times.

The characterisation is so good that we are drawn into Adah’s world, we grieve with her, we flinch at every blow she suffers. We wonder, with her, if the heroic stranger, her ancestor Kayin (Cain), or ‘The Wanderer’, still follows after Yahweh, Elohim, the creator God. If he, and those struggling to hold onto the faith of their ancestors, carry the only hope that she has of escaping the life that has imprisoned her.

The author has proved in this series that she can take a small and obscure bible reference and with her God-given imagination create a story around it that loses none of the intent, or the truth, of the Word of God. It is biblical fiction at its best. The Wanderer’s Legacy paints a vivid and realistic picture of a pre-flood world, where the worship of gods other than Yahweh is already taking hold. Where His standards for living are already being chipped away at. Where men are choosing to break the covenant bond of marriage to take second wives… I found Natasha’s descriptions compelling and believable. Her handling of what life in that time might have looked like well imagined.

The other characters are also well drawn. Lamech especially, as we see an ordinary man enticed by the lure of power and influence, into a life of godlessness and idolatry. We meet his second wife Tzillah, his henchman Azurak, and evil brother-in-law Barsabas. We also meet Adah’s faithful, and faith- filled friends, the kind elder statesman Chanoch (Kayin’s son), and Eliana and Ruhamah.

But it is Adah’s personal story that keeps you reading, and it isn’t a short book! It should be a dark and depressing read, but it isn’t. All through the book there are glimmers of light in the darkness – laughter, kindness, the joy of children, finding friends in unexpected places, love even. And the redemptive arc plays out beautifully with a well written and deeply satisfying end (no spoilers!).

The Wanderer’s legacy is a beautiful piece of writing, and probably my favourite of all of Natasha’s books. I struggled to put it down, wanting so much for Adah to meet the Wanderer, to have her questions answered, and ultimately to meet Yahweh for herself. It’s not a spoiler to tell you that she gets all that she has hoped for, and in God’s great mercy, much more besides. A highly recommended read!

The Wanderer’s Legacy is available direct from the author at natashawoodcraft.com, via the publisher at broadplacepublishing.co.uk or from Amazon in paperback and kindle versions.

Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022, and her third novel, ‘The Bride‘, published on 20th October 2023. Her first non-fiction book, an Advent Devotional, ‘Christ Illuminated‘ was published in September 2023.

‘The Stranger‘, her fourth full length novel was published 22 November 2024 by Broad Place Publishing.

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

Bible, Christian blog, Christian faith, Christian Writer, Devotional thought, Seasons of life, The Word of God

HE KNOWS BETTER THAN I

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It’s been a while since I have felt inspired to write anything that might possibly bless anyone. It has been a season where I have felt unable to share much, due to the weight of grief, loss and uncertainty that has marked it.

Then today I heard God whisper to me. I have heard Him whisper many words of comfort and encouragement during the last few months. In my spirit, through His word, through the kindness of others. But today I think He meant me to share what He said to me, with you.

Joseph’s prison

I was prompted to think about the life of Joseph ( the one with the coloured coat, not the earthly father of Jesus) by a Kingdom Story Writers Facebook post. It was a writing challenge on the biblical character, and my immediate reaction was, as it has been for months, to dismiss it. To inwardly say, ‘…not for me. This isn’t a writing season. Let others respond.’ But it seemed that God had other ideas.

The thing that came back to my memory was a scene from the animated film ‘Joseph: King of Dreams’. I haven’t watched it for years, not since my own children were small. But I vaguely remembered Joseph in his dungeon prison in Egypt, wrongly accused by Potiphar’s wife.  There in the prison was a shoot of a dead branch, with one live leaf. As Joseph sings (‘You know better than I’), we see him support and tend that feeble shoot and leaf, and as time passes that sprig turns into a rooted, fully flourishing tree, under the single shaft of light above him.

There is still a glimmer of hope

I knew God was speaking to me. When we feel like life has thrown us into the darkest of places, where we feel alone, stripped of the familiar and unsure of the future. When it seems that life as we knew it has ended –  there is still hope. It might only be the smallest glimmer of hope, but we need to tend and protect it. We need to let it take root and grow in our hearts. Knowing that God really does have a greater plan for our lives, as He did for Joseph.

Photo image of a pair of hands holding a seedling rooted in soil, against a green, light filled background

Giving it back to God

Watching the video clip again today (YouTube link) the words of the song touched me deeply. It is a declaration of trust in the most hopeless seeming circumstances. It is an acknowledgement that sometimes we have to give up our own understanding, and just give it all back to Him

…to see the best that I can do, Is put my trust in You.

For You know better than I, You know the way.

I’ve let go the need to know why, For you know better than I.

A personal word

But it wasn’t just hope and trust that God was speaking to me about. It was something much more personal. This is what He said to me,

Take what you have, what I have given you, even in this season. That gift that feels shrivelled and barely there. Tend it, pray over it, hold it in your heart, and then watch in grow and develop. Because what was rooted in the darkest place, what just started as a glimmer of hope, of a life beyond, will grow into something glorious, life-filled and fruit bearing. Even in the dark places my light finds a way. Even where there seems no easy way out, I am still working behind the scenes. There is more for you. I never abandoned Joseph. I will never abandon you.

I knew God was speaking, in part, about my writing. I need to not abandon the gift He has given me, but where it feels feeble and barely alive, to tend it, and hold it out to His light. So I listened, and today I wrote this. I pray that His light and truth will bring it alive as you read it.

He knows better than I

Joseph’s story ends well – you can read it all in Genesis chapters 37-50. He becomes more than he could ever imagine, and God uses him to miraculously save millions of people, his family included. Now we may not all become people of influence and status, we may not all do incredible things that change the course of history, but God does have a big plan for each of our lives if we choose to trust Him. A good and perfect plan, better than we can possibly imagine. He knows why we have had to walk the difficult paths and where they might lead. He knows better than you, and He knows better than I.

Photo of a desert landscape with the words of Jeremiah 29:11 and Genesis 50:20 imposed.

Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022, and her third novel, ‘The Bride‘, published on 20th October 2023. ‘The Stranger‘, her fourth full length novel was published 22 November 2024 by Broad Place Publishing.

Her first non-fiction book, an Advent Devotional, ‘Christ Illuminated‘ was published in September 2023 and her latest 40 day devotional, ‘Because of the Cross‘ was published 7 February 2025

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

Devotional thought, Grief, Lessons from life

QUESTIONS GOD WON’T ANSWER

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I am currently living through one of the most difficult seasons of my life. Grief, loss and uncertainty are my constant companions. I am saying goodbye to dear loved ones, and experiencing the loss of other things that have given my life stability and certainty for many years. I have questions. Lots of them. The ‘why’s?’ The ‘why now’s?’ The ‘when’s?’ and the ‘what will it look like?’ And the big one, ‘what will my life look like when all this has passed?’

A child’s question

Those of you who read my blog regularly know that my grandchildren teach me so much. My nearly 4 year old grandson has lots of questions. He wants to know ‘why?’ an awful lot. He needs to know exactly where he is going, who will be there, what we will be doing, and for how long! A few days after my dear father went home to be with Jesus, my grandson was visiting his great nanna’s home with us. He got his toys out as usual, sat eating his usual snacks, and then suddenly realised something was different. ‘Where is great granddad?’ he asked.

Now as the grief bubbled up to the surface at his innocent question, it would have been easy to change the subject, ignore his question, lie even. But that wouldn’t have been the right or healthy response. His question was valid and needed an honest answer, however hard that was for us. He deserved to have his question answered, even if it made him sad too.

Limited understanding

He is not yet four, with limited understanding of life’s pain, and with a soft and innocent child’s heart. He had just noticed that there was someone missing, who had always been there. Sitting in a chair in the corner, with a ready smile and warm hug. Did he need to know all the details of how my father had died? Did he need to know about the trauma surrounding his unexpected passing? Of course not. We told him that great grandad got very old and tired and went to be with Jesus. We had to explain, in response to more questions, that yes he was going to be staying there, that he was really happy to be with Jesus in heaven, and that, yes, we were sure he had a really comfortable bed to sleep in there.

A ‘need to know’ basis

His parents chose not to bring our grandson to the funeral because he did not need to know what cremation was, to see the coffin containing dad’s earthly remains, or have the role of the funeral director explained to him. He did not have to see us all in tears. He did come to dad’s Thanksgiving Service and he loved it – the joy and hope and love was palpable. He got to be with family he loved and played with some of his great grandad’s ‘toys’ (military models that my dad collected and painted) as what he called ‘the show’ went on around him.

Photo of a young boy watching a butterfly displaying its coloured wings on a wooden railing.

Questions God won’t answer… for my good

God spoke to me really clearly through this. I may not be a nearly four year old, but to him I am His beloved child. I have questions, and sometimes wish I had all the answers, but God knows that I cannot cope with knowing all that He knows. He knows that would hurt and harm me. He loves me too much to not expose my already fragile heart to more that it can take. He always acts to protect His own.

His ways are higher than mine, His understanding infinite, whilst mine is finite. Yet there are certain things He does want me to hear and know. Like the reminder of the promises written in His word, the reminder of His constant presence and provision, the reminder of His unending love for me.

God whispers His answer

I know there will be a time when all my many questions are answered, or perhaps when I will no longer need answers. When I see Him face to face and nothing else matters any more.

My questions are valid, and God does not brush them off. Instead, He whispers to my heart,

I know, beloved, and I have you. You need to trust me, that I have all of this, and that I am with You. I see your pain, I hear your heart cry, and it moves me deeply. Please know that every promise I have made over you and your life, are yes and amen. This season will end, as surely as spring follows winter. I give beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

All your questions are answered in Me.

Image of a deserted shingle beach with blue sky above and the words of Isaiah 61:3

Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022, and her third novel, ‘The Bride‘, published on 20th October 2023. ‘The Stranger‘, her fourth full length novel was published 22 November 2024 by Broad Place Publishing.

Her first non-fiction book, an Advent Devotional, ‘Christ Illuminated‘ was published in September 2023 and her latest 40 day devotional, ‘Because of the Cross‘ was published 7 February 2025

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

Bible, Christian blog, Christian faith, Devotional thought, The Word of God

BETWEEN THE OLD AND THE NEW

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Have you noticed snowdrops appearing from the cold hard frosted earth? Winter is coming to an end, finally, and spring will surely follow. From what appears dead, new life appears. The seasons of earth reflect the seasons of our lives.

Photograph of snowdrops appearing from a frost covered soil

LETTING GO

Personally, we are in what I guess you could describe as a grieving season. We are grieving the loss of precious loved ones, but also experiencing upheaval in other ways. Huge change is happening, things that we thought were foundational to our lives are being swept away, It is a time of questioning and pain as we work through letting go of the familiar and moving into a place of uncertainty.

One of my favourite promise verses in the Old Testament that I have gone back to many times over my lifetime is Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord,

thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.                                                                                                                                                                                            NKJV

JEREMIAH IN CONTEXT

This year I have been reading through the book of Jeremiah. It hasn’t been easy at times! The prophet Jeremiah had it tough, really tough. Called to deliver a crushing message heralding the death knells of Judah, (all that remained of God’s once great Kingdom of Israel) he experienced depression, grief and constant persecution. Still he was obedient to speak as God asked him to.

Reading Jeremiah 29:11 in context has brought it into new light for me. A few chapters earlier God had told the people, through the prophet, that Babylonian exile was going to be an inevitability, God had orchestrated it. But that there was hope – if they chose to go into exile willingly and not resist – then He would protect them. Those who did not heed the warnings and stayed, would suffer and die.[1]

A LETTER FROM GOD’S HEART

It seems that many did indeed chose to go willingly into exile – this would have included Daniel, Ezekiel, and many other God-fearing men and women. So in chapter 29 God tells Jeremiah to write the exiles a letter – from His heart. Settle in Babylon, He tells them, build homes, plant crops, grow your families – I want you to prosper. Bless the land you live in, seek it’s peace, because then you will be at peace. Don’t listen to those who say your exile won’t last long – I have my plans and they are for 70 years of exile.

Jeremiah 29: 11 was a promise to those who had lost everything. Refugees, they were dragged away, leaving their homes, jobs, friends and maybe even family. Everything familiar had been ripped away, the old gone. These are grieving, hurting people. But God tells them  – I haven’t forgotten you, or any of the promises I have made. You are still in my thoughts. You still have a destiny, a future full of hope in Me. I have not and will not abandon you.

Image of a water-colour painting of flowers in a field in shades of blue and green, with the text of Jeremiah 29:11 super imposed on it.

GOD IS THINKING OF US

He goes in in verses 11-14 to remind them that He will always be available to them. They will pray and He will hear, they will seek Him and find Him. In The Passion Translation, v14 has these words ‘I will not disappoint you’ and ‘all that you have lost, I will restore.’

God’s very personal letter of comfort and hope, from His heart to the people He loved, speaks just as loudly to us today. We may feel a little lost in that area between the old and the new, but He is with us, constantly available. He sees our grief, He knows the hard season we are in, but His heart for us is to prosper us and give us an amazing future in Him. We have a destiny, a new thing to walk in, and in His timing, He will take our hands and lead us into it, restoring all that we have lost.

Spring will always follow winter.

Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022, and her third novel, ‘The Bride‘, published on 20th October 2023. Her first non-fiction book, an Advent Devotional, ‘Christ Illuminated‘ was published in September 2023.

‘The Stranger‘, her fourth full length novel was published 22 November 2024 by Broad Place Publishing.

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

[1] Jeremiah 22:8-10

Blog Tour, Book Review, Books, Christian publishing, Jesus, Kingdom books, The Word of God

BOOK REVIEW: Finding Jesus in the Wilderness, by Rachel Yarworth

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It is my absolute privilege to be able to kick off the Blog Tour for this incredible book!

Finding Jesus in the Wilderness: 40 reflections for dry and difficult times

Author: Rachel Yarworth ISBN: 978-1739257743 RRP £10.99

Image of the front cover of Finding Jesus in the wilderness

THE BLURB

Wilderness seasons come to us all: those spiritually dry and difficult times when God feels far away and the temptation to quit is everywhere. But it’s not all bad. There are treasures hidden among the difficulties that God has brought you here to find.
This book offers companionship to those who find themselves in a wilderness season – a hand to hold and a voice to encourage you to keep going. There is hope here after all. Also suitable as a Lenten devotional, where reading a reflection every day will help you to identify with Jesus’ own journey through the wilderness.

MY REVIEW

One of the really thrilling things about being in a community with like-minded Christian writers is that you get to be involved with seeing some incredible books be produced and released into the world. I was so  privileged to be able to read an early version of this book when it was still in manuscript form, and it blew me away. I was so excited by it, that I wanted to endorse it, which I did, and recommend it to everyone and anyone.

Have you ever been in a spiritual wilderness season? Perhaps you are in one now? Have you ever wondered why you are there? Or where God is in all of it? Or if you will ever come out the other side?

I think most of us can associate with those thoughts and questions. Loss, long term illness, broken relationships; there are a myriad reasons why we can find ourselves struggling to connect with God. Seasons where we feel lonely, misunderstood, weary and dry.

Written from the Wilderness

Image of the author, Rachel Yarworth

This special book was written from the wilderness place; Rachel knows all about it. This isn’t an ‘I got through the other side and now I can see everything clearly’ book, it is real and raw about how it feels to be in that season. Yet it also brims over with hope.

Every chapter is full of truth and treasure, based soundly on the written word of God, and also incorporating some personal Holy Spirit inspired words of encouragement. Written as a 40- day devotional, each day tackles a different aspect of the wilderness experience. Rachel has chosen to alternate these so that alongside every perceived difficulty there is a chapter of hope. So although the wilderness might be a place of desperation, loneliness and fear, is can also be a place of romance, connection and preparation.

Get yourself a copy!

I love this book! Can you tell? It is perfect for Lent, but equally as good at any other time. I am currently reading through it a second time and it is helping me immensely. God is speaking deep words of encouragement to my soul as I face my own challenging season.

I cannot recommend Finding Jesus in the Wilderness highly enough. Go get yourself a copy – buy two and give one away! I truly believe this is going to be a life-changing book for many.

Finding Jesus in the Wilderness is available direct from Rachel at www.rachelyarworthwriter.uk, through Amazon in paperback and eBook form, and wherever good Christian books are sold.

If you want to go even deeper with this book, Rachel has also produced a helpful companion Prayer Journal, also available via her website.

Image of front cover of Finding Jesus in the Wilderness Prayer Journal.

Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022, and her third novel, ‘The Bride‘, published on 20th October 2023. Her first non-fiction book, an Advent Devotional, ‘Christ Illuminated‘ was published in September 2023.

‘The Stranger‘, her fourth full length novel was published 22 November 2024 by Broad Place Publishing.

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here

Christian faith, Christian Writer, Seasons of life

HIS HARNESS OF LOVE

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I haven’t written much lately; I haven’t felt able to, for many reasons. I definitely wasn’t intending to write anything today, New Year’s Day 2025, but God had other ideas.

The promise

This time last year I wrote a blog about the promise God had given me for 2024. How it was going to be an extra-ordinary year that I would look back on with wonder.

It has been an incredible year. Most notably with the launch of Kingdom Story Writers and the way that has flourished, not to mention the publication of novel #4, The Stranger, an accompanying short story, The Widow, and a certain award nomination.

However the promise last year also spoke of uncertain times, stony paths, but of a hand that was there to hold mine and keep me safe from the crashing waves.

The One who is faithful

2024 has been tough, particularly the latter part of the year. There are things that we have had to face that have shaken our foundations, threatened to trip us up in our faith walk, caused deep grief and pain.

He who promises is faithful. He has held my hand, as I have gripped tightly to His.

The need to hear His voice

As I came before Him today and reviewed last year with Him, I could see so many instances of His goodness, His faithfulness and His provision. I am so thankful! But I also needed to hear from Him again, as we face what could be a really difficult year.

He didn’t let me down. This is what He whispered to my soul as I gazed out at a rough, wave crashing sea and heard the wind whistle outside my window.

The wind will blow but your house will stand. The waves will crash but not overwhelm. In all things you will see my hand and hear my voice. Your foundations are stronger than you think. Your faith holds fast even when it feels like it is slipping through your hands. I have you, beloved. The rope might be rough and wet and slippery, and you may feel like your grip is weak, but look down. My rope harness holds you and I will not let you fall. Let me hold you, beloved. Trust my ability to hold you, over your ability to hold on to me. Let me be the strong one.

As I heard those words I had a really clear picture of me hanging off a cliff in a storm, with my hands around an old hemp rope, thinking that I had to hold on to save myself from falling, and yet feeling my grip gradually slipping. Even as my hands failed to hold onto the rope, I did not fall. I was tied tightly into a harness that easily took my weight, and on the cliff top above me stood the One whose grip will never fail.

My Hiding Place

I turned, comforted, to the scriptures and read Psalm 32.

This is the promise from v 6-7

For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You
In a time when You may be found;
Surely in a flood of great waters
They shall not come near him.
You are my hiding place;
You shall preserve me from trouble;
You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

I’ll take that for 2025.

Perhaps you can take it too.

Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022, and her third novel, ‘The Bride‘, published on 20th October 2023. Her first non-fiction book, an Advent Devotional, ‘Christ Illuminated‘ was published in September 2023.

‘The Stranger‘, her fourth full length novel was published 22 November 2024 by Broad Place Publishing.

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here