IT’S ALL ABOUT THE LIGHT : How to Find God in Tough Times
Author: Joanna Watson (Foreword by J.John)
Published by: Malcom Down , 29th May 2026
ISBN: 978-1917455572755 (Paperback)
RRP: £10.99/£11.99
THE BLURB (extract)
You know what it’s like: the unexpected phone call, the unwelcome diagnosis, the relationship at breaking point, or finances under strain. Life is full of challenges. When you face tough times, God longs to dispel your darkness. But will you invite him to break in? Will you make wise choices? In It’s All About the Light, Joanna draws on learning from the modern-day miracle stories contained in her first book, Light Through the Cracks, to guide you through six life-changing choices for finding God when we face tough times.
MY REVIEW
Anyone who has lived through hard times, or who has watched a loved one suffer, will find help, comfort and guidance in the pages of this wonderful book.
It’s all about the Light: how to find God in tough times is a meaty, truth-filled, deep-dive into scripture on the subject of inviting God into our places of suffering. God wants to meet us in those times, to be the Light in our darkness. Sometimes He has a miracle for us, or a redemptive ending. Always He has strength, comfort and peace on offer.
Joanna has sub-tiled her book, ‘Six life-changing choices’. This book isn’t a formula for miracles, more an instruction manual to help us navigate our tough times. It contains truths that can bring hope, build faith for the impossible, and provide a blueprint for victorious Kingdom living. Each chapter in the book focuses on one of these six themes– Listen (for God’s voice), Lean in (on others), Let go (of spiritual hindrances), Solidify (be aware of the spiritual battle), Glorify (God, no matter what), Testify (of what God has done). Each point is carefully explained and backed up with stories from the Gospels, beautifully retold in a really relatable way.
Joanna has taken inspiration from the true-life stories recorded in her first book, Light Through the Cracks, and used extracts from these stories to illustrate each point. It is not necessary to read the first book to benefit from the message of this one, but I would recommend it if possible. It is an incredible account of ten true stories, each a completely different situation, where God broke in in incredible ways.
It’s All About the Light is an immensely practical book, with places to pause and reflect, answer probing questions, and respond to the truth with action. It has been designed thoughtfully to be ideal for both individual and group use. I can highly recommend it as a treasure trove of godly wisdom, a place of refuge, and a call to be ready to stand in faith.
It’s All About the Light will be published by Malcolm Down on 29th May, 2026. It is available in both paperback and kindle edition.
Signed copies are available now direct from the author’s website, and after publication where all good books are sold.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joanna Watson is an inspirational Christian author and speaker, with a passion to see ordinary people encountering God in extraordinary ways. In a world filled with darkness, she seeks to share stories and reflections that show how God’s light, hope and miraculous power break in through the cracks.
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
We regularly have our grandchildren over. One day a week we pick them up from school, keep them through dinner time, bath them, and then take them back to be put to bed at home. We love it, however exhausting it can be. They seem to enjoy spending that time at our house, with us, too.
Last week they (aged 5 and 3 years) weren’t playing together very nicely. Both of them, at some point, were less than well behaved. There were tears. In exasperation I asked, ‘Why are you both being so naughty today?’
The reply, from the 5-year-old, was swift.
‘Because we are both tired.’
Inwardly I smiled, as I thought about how quickly children pick up on what adults say about them, or to them. He wasn’t wrong. They were both tired after a day of school. We know that when they are tired, they are less able to regulate their emotions, or their behaviour.
My reply, however, has stayed with me since.
‘Well, Nanna is tired, and she isn’t being naughty!’
When I am tired…
Later, having had time to think about it, I realised that in fact I too can be less than well behaved when I am tired. It is when I am tired that I don’t react well, say things that are unthinking, or just plain unkind. Usually to the ones I love most. When I am tired, I am more likely to look for comfort in things that don’t actually do me any good. I might watch something on the TV, or read something online, that is escapist, but not helpful. When I am tired, I forget how much I have to be grateful for, and focus on the negatives in my life. When I am tired… I make excuses for myself.
I was talking to God about this because I don’t like it. I don’t like letting myself down, or letting Him down, or letting others down, even when I am tired. I am not a perfect person by any means, but I do know the difference between right and wrong, and usually I can make good choices. I also know that He is doing a sanctifying work in me. He is good at pointing out things that need to change in my character and giving me the grace to repent and do better. I want to be the person He is making me to be, even when I am tired!
An explanation but not an excuse…
What He showed me is that being tired is not actually an acceptable excuse for saying or doing things that hurt others or myself. It wasn’t an excuse for my grandchildren. It was an explanation. The two things are different. Being tired might explain why behaviour is not optimal, but it isn’t an excuse. At least it shouldn’t be.
My grandchildren also know the difference between right and wrong. They are perceptive enough to know when their behaviour is not great. Usually, they are good at doing and saying the right things, but they are still young. They still have much to learn about what can be excused, due to tiredness or any other stressors, and what cannot be. We can make allowances for their immaturity.
I am a lot more mature than they. In years anyway! I have had a lifetime of walking with Jesus, and He has done some beautiful work in refining my character over the years. I know what His standards are, as set out in His Word, and I try to live by them, with His help. Yet still I can slip up, particularly when overtired or stressed.
There is still work to be done…
I heard Him whisper to my soul.
Beloved, I know your struggles and your disappointment with yourself. I know how tiredness can affect you, and I understand. I just ask you to be aware of this, of how you can slip back into unhealthy ways, when you are tired. Not to use tiredness as an excuse, but see it for what it is, a weakening of your defences, an opening for the flesh or the enemy to creep in.
I love you, just as you still love your grandchildren, even when they don’t behave as well as you know they can. You can see their bad behaviour and understand the reasons for it. You see them as needing to grow and develop in their awareness of what is and isn’t acceptable. I am not done with you, my child. When tiredness causes you to slip up, that is revealing the areas of your heart where there is still some refining work to be done. Don’t become disheartened, just bring those things to Me and we can work on them together.
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
AWAKENING THE LIGHT : (THE STRONGHOLD OF ENJANAN SERIES, BOOK 1)
Author: Natasha Woodcraft
Published by: Broadplace Publishing , 24th April 2026
ISBN: 978-1915034755
RRP: £12.99
THE BLURB:
In a world that spins around the Eternal Light, Shay’s people are in peril. The mysterious Nahil are seducing the four kingdoms with promises of prosperity, bringing chaos and darkness with them.
Shay has always felt invisible – a dependable son overshadowed by his brilliant siblings. But when Shay’s formidable sister falls victim to the Nahil’s schemes, it’s time for his dormant gifts to awaken, and his faith to be tested.
Will Shay embrace the light, or lose everyone he loves to the shadows?
Awakening the Light is the first book in The Stronghold of Enjanan – A Coming of Age fantasy series for Young Adult readers navigating a world of seductive quick fixes and pressure to conform, ready to discover that grace breaks through even the deepest shadows.
MY REVIEW:
Fantasy is not a genre I would usually choose. But when the author is someone who I know has an amazing imagination, and a gift for storytelling, and whose earlier books have blessed and encouraged me, I thought ‘Awakening the Light’ was worth my attention.
I am also not a teenager – the audience this book is aimed at. But just as I could, as an adult, lose myself in CS Lewis’ Narnia books and find inspiration, revelation and encouragement for my faith within them, so I found the same here.
Light versus Darkness
Natasha Woodcraft has done something extra-ordinary. She has created a fantasy world, different from our own, but so achingly familiar. Within that world she had created forces of good and evil, light and dark. She has created a family of characters who are well drawn and easy to relate to. She has described their growing turmoil as they try to hold on to what is good, and right – governed by the great light (Fa-cel) that sustains the world they live in – in the face of the creeping darkness that is subtlety infiltrating the society around them.
Her story centres on Shay – an ordinary teenage boy who carries a hidden gift – his father, mother, siblings and adopted siblings. Their lives have always been centred on stories of old, the faith of their ancestors and their own awareness of the One who guides them, protects them and provides for them. But when they are called to make a stand, to follow where Fa-cel has asked them to go, to physically fight the forces of darkness, they are forced to count the cost. Being different requires courage, faith and self-sacrifice.
A life-giving message
I know that the author’s intention was to write a fantasy book that was different to much of what fills the shelves for teenage readers today. She wanted to write a page-turning, action filled compelling story with enough adventure to hook you in but also wanted to feature characters that wrestled with real temptations and chose to live for what is right. In writing Awakening the Light, she not only drew on her God-given imagination, but on her own understanding of the challenges life can throw at those who seek to live for God in a fallen world. There are lessons about grace, about self-sacrificial love, about faith under trial, and about believing the truth when everything seems to be conspiring against it. This is a kingdom book, through and through, with a life-giving message.
‘I want to equip young people — and older ones — with a modern allegory that makes them long to be present with Jesus, the Light of the World.’Natasha Woodcraft
Awakening the Light has a dramatic and satisfying ending – but it also leaves much unresolved. That is because it is the first in a series: The Stronghold of Enjanen. I for one cannot wait for the next book – I am invested in the characters and their individual stories. I am sure that the final resolution, when it comes, will be complete and glorious.
Awakening the Light is released today and available to purchase from the publisher or via Amazon.
THE AUTHOR
Natasha Woodcraft lives in a slightly crumbling farmhouse in Lincolnshire, England, with her husband, two teenage sons, two younger sons and a menagerie of animals including goats, chickens, quail and the usual suspects – a dog and two cats. Natasha passionately believes that stories have power to communicate deep truth and transform lives. She researches ancient worlds and dreams up fantasy ones, writing into the places time forgot and the places no one has imagined yet. Her published novels explore God’s redemptive purposes for ordinary, messy people just like her.
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
My eldest grandson comes to play at Nanna’s house with his younger sister at least once a week. They love coming. They love the toys, the snacks, our garden, and our company. This last week they came as usual, but things were a bit different. Having injured my back and being still in recovery mode, I was not as active as I usually am. I couldn’t get down on the floor to play or join in kicking the ball in the garden. I was cautious and careful and less present. Our boy must have picked up on this. As the time came for last cuddles before we took them home, he came bounding over, and as he usually does, proceeded to try and climb up onto my lap. That was too much for my poor aching body, and I gently repositioned him to sit beside me on the sofa instead.
‘Oh Nana,’ he said with exasperation. ‘Why do you have to be so old?’
Frustration
Now I could have taken offense. I am in fact the youngest of all four of his grandparents – by some way! But in that moment, I did actually feel old. The pain in my back and legs has left me hobbling and exhausted, acting older. He wasn’t wrong.
I could have been angry at his disrespect. I dare say if his parents had been there a rebuke would have followed. But instead, I smiled, laughing to myself. He wasn’t being rude; he was just as frustrated as I was that we couldn’t have our usual cuddle and voiced it in a way that made sense to him.
I don’t think he was expecting me to answer either.
As I drew him closer and tucked a cosy blanket around him, he leaned into me as we watched a favourite video together. I knew he wasn’t really upset with me, just with the circumstances. He still loved me and knew that I loved him.
Asking God ‘why?’
As I have been mulling over this little incident, God has been speaking.
How many times have I asked God ‘why?’. How many times have accusations against Him popped into my mind? When things happen that I don’t like, or don’t understand. When He doesn’t seem to be answering my prayers, or responding in the way I want Him to? Even in the last few weeks where the back pain has limited what I can do, made me feel really low, gone on longer than I hoped. When people have been praying for my healing, and it hasn’t seemed to have made any difference. There have been times when the temptation to blurt out my exasperation at God has found voice.
Psalm 22
I love the Psalms, because the Psalmist is so human. So many times we hear him ask questions of God and be honest about his feelings. This last week I read Psalm 22 again. It is well known to be the Psalm that foretells much of Christ’s suffering on the cross. Jesus quoted from it as He hung in agony,
My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning?
The Psalm talks of intense human pain, but it is not all negative. In fact, the verses describing suffering are interspersed with ‘buts’ as the Psalmist reminds us, and himself, of the character and faithfulness of God.
But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in You;
But You are He who took Me out of the womb;
From My mother’s womb You have been My God.
And it ends with a celebration of answered prayer,
For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Nor has He hidden His face from Him; But when He cried to Him, He heard.
God can handle it
Now I would not dare to compare my back pain to the suffering that Christ endured, but I do take comfort from His Word. I have endured tougher times than this before and I have questioned God. But my testimony has been that He is faithful, He does answer prayer, He does deliver and heal, He can be trusted.
So, if in a moment of exasperation, I want to cry out ‘Why, God?’, it is OK. God can handle it. He won’t take offense. He might gently chide me but not in anger. He won’t punish me by pulling away. Instead, He pulls me closer and holds me tighter. He whispers words of understanding and love. He reminds me of His goodness, His faithfulness, the hope I have in His promises. He asks me again to trust Him, and I find my peace restored when I make the choice to do so. When I put down having to know the reasons why, and just lean into His love.
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
As regular readers will have gathered my grandchildren are an endless source of inspiration when it comes to this blog! So often God speaks to me through them, and usually it is a really timely word. Today is no different.
A spirit of independence
Our eldest grandson is almost 5. He is at school full time and growing up quick. One of the signs that he is growing up is that he is definitely developing a very strong will. A spirit of independence is emerging – a demand to have things his way. Sometimes what he asks for is reasonable and we can accommodate his wishes. Other times his demands are far less reasonable, and even non-sensical to our adult understanding. We can’t magic up a replacement when he refuses to wear the jumper his mum has packed into his bag. It may not be the jumper he wants to wear – but until we take him home, it is what he must wear. Or get cold.
His frustration sometimes shows itself outwardly. There are loud tears and even a bit of thrashing about. He can’t, or won’t, hear what we are saying when we try to explain why he can’t have exactly what he wants when he wants it. Does it mean that we don’t love him? Of course not. Does it mean that we don’t want him to be happy? No. It just means that he has to accept that not everything is going to go his way.
Things don’t always go the way we want
Life is like that. As we grow older, more and more we have to accept that things don’t always go the way we want them too. We have our own desires, our free will, our independence, our ability to make choices for ourselves. But still we don’t always get what we think we want, even when those are good things.
We have a Father in heaven who loves us intimately, and cares deeply for us. He loves to bless us and give us good things. He also created us with free will, the ability to make independent choices and decisions. Sometimes we get it wrong. We take the wrong path or ask for the wrong things. Sometimes difficult things happen to us, or we have to experience going without the things that we think will make us content.
There are times when I have cried loudly, thrashed about a bit, railed at God. Usually, it is when I just don’t understand. Like my grandson, my understanding is limited. I struggle to see why I must endure unpleasant things. Why suffering must come to me or those I love. I know God knows why, that He sees the bigger picture, that His ways are higher than mine. And I have had to learn to trust Him, even when there are no answers.
Tantrums only hurt me
I have just navigated a season of loss with God. It has been tough, and healing is still in progress. During this time, I haven’t screamed and cried much at God, even when it really hurt. Through previous life experience I have learnt that reacting that way doesn’t actually do me any good. Just as my grandson’s tantrums only really hurt him. I am the one who suffers more if I don’t deal well with disappointment. If I do have a moment of anger or frustration, I know that God will be patient with me. He looks on in love and waits for me to work it out. If I sit in the negativity, I sacrifice the peace He is offering me. My self-pity steals my joy and can lead to hopelessness and despair.
Trusting God to know what is best
Our loving Father in heaven knows that we can’t always have all that we want. He knows that we are going to have to endure hard things, have our independence curtailed. He knows and He cares. I love my grandson, and I want him to give him everything that he asks for. I also know that it wouldn’t be healthy for him if I did. Isn’t it good that we can trust a perfect Father to know what is for our best and what is not?
After the storm has passed there is a quiet resolution. A cuddle and a few soft words and everything is settled. Our boy knows that us loving him doesn’t mean that we will always give in to him. He remembers all the love (and the things) that we have lavished him with already. He loves us and still wants to be with us.
I don’t want to be independent
I would love life to always be pain-free. Just this week we have had some more sad news. Grief has resurfaced, and the questions threaten. I have decided not to scream and rant at God, I need His peace too much. I need His loving presence close by to help me, and those I love, navigate this storm. I need to hear His soft words of comfort. He knows that I don’t like it, that I wish it could have been different. But I don’t want to be independent at the moment. I want to be fully dependent on Him, and that means using my independence, my free-will to choose to trust Him with it all.
Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.
Psalm 62:8
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
Our grandchildren are amazing, and being able to spend time caring for them is a real honour. My littlest grandchild is only 8 months old and only very recently has his mum started leaving him with us. He is an easy-going little chap, and we are loving getting to know him and his foibles. He is eating solids now, and loves his food – often, if tears threaten, giving him something to ‘gum’ on will rapidly divert him. He does nap too – especially in the pram. He can be quite content with us for an hour or two, especially if his big sister and brother are around. But when mummy walks back into the room, everything changes. He sees her and his little face crumples. He wants to be held by her and nothing and no -one else will do.
Like a weaned child
I was meditating on this. While we could care for our grandson’s needs, bring him a measure of comfort, keep him entertained, we could never replace the love and trust that exists between him and his mother. The one who he has looked to, to meet his needs for all of his short life. The one who nurtured him in her womb and has carried and protected him since.
It made me think of that verse in the psalms,
‘Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me.’ Psalm 131:2 NKJV
The picture is of a small child who has been well cared for. Fed and provided for by one who loves them unconditionally. In the context, the Psalmist is talking about trusting God and not being worried about things too troubling or profound for us.
Finding comfort
I hope it is OK to imagine myself as a child being held by God. Sitting in the lap of a Heavenly Father who loves me and knows me better than anyone else does. Knowing that when I am with Him, I am safe, protected and all my needs are met.
When we are going through difficult times, we look for comfort. During a recent bout of illness, I found comfort in watching Netflix, snuggled under a blanket on my sofa! We can find comfort in food, in hobbies, in nature. Sometimes we reach out to a loved one, or friend, and they prove to be kind and loving, wise and comforting. God has surrounded us with things that bless us, good things many of them.
The One who comforts best
I have come to lean, through all the tough things that I have gone through, that however good those comforting things or people are, there comes a point when only one place of comfort will do. There will come a moment where I will be driven back to the greatest place of comfort and security. I go back to God, back to my Father, and I lean into His embrace and I listen for His words of reassurance. I know I can trust Him fully to know just the right things to say and do to bring me back to a place of peace and contentment. To comfort and quieten my soul.
I wonder is His the face you long to see above all others? His the embrace you want to lose yourself in? His the voice that will quieten all your cries? I hope that you have found Him to be the God of all comfort. He has loved you and known you since before you were born. He has lavished you with good things, fed you and protected you. He is the place of safety, and will prove Himself faithful.
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
My granddaughter is almost 3. She is a chatty little soul, and prone to burst out into song at any given moment, and we think she is amazing! We love how she has her own special way of putting things into words. While staying away in a holiday cottage with her family recently, she very seriously told a complete stranger that they were living in a new house now, because they couldn’t find their old one.
These stairs are heavy
One day last week we picked her up from nursery and took her home to her mum and dad. They live in a flat up a set of quite steep stairs. As I followed my granddaughter up the stairs, her little legs seemed to be struggling with the climb.
‘These stairs are heavy!’ she muttered to herself.
Feeling the ache in my own tired bones, I could not help but agree with her. The stairs were indeed ‘heavy’.
Now I know that the description of the stairs was not grammatically correct, but it absolutely encapsulated what we were both feeling at that moment (I think it is a phrase that I am going to remember and use often!).
You know, God
It got me thinking about how we are with God. There are many times when we can’t accurately put things into words. When speaking to God doesn’t come out in neat, grammatical sentences. When it is hard to explain what we are feeling.
I have definitely known this struggle in the season I have been walking through recently, and still do to be honest. I try and tell God what I want Him to understand, but more often than not I fall back on, ‘You know, God.’
The amazingly comforting thing is that He does know. The One who knows us intimately, who knows our thoughts, who knows the words we are going to say before we even do (Psalm 139). He knows. Even when we can’t find the words, He still wants us to cry out to Him. Because that is what relationship with Him means. We speak to Him, and He speaks to us. We cry out, He hears and responds.
Calling upon the Lord
David knew the truth of this. I am sure in all that he went through; hiding in caves and mountains, constantly fearing for his life, having his friends and own sons conspiring against him. In all that he endured, He knew that God would hear Him when he cried out. He knew God as his place of refuge, his defender, his provider.
In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry came before Him, even to His ears. Psalm 18: 6
He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. Psalm 18:16
For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect. Psalm 18:31-32
God, this is heavy
Jesus talked about us having a childlike faith (Matt 18:3). I wonder if part of that is being comfortable with not knowing the right words to pray. To be willing to just express ourselves in a way that might not make sense to anyone else, but that will make complete sense to the Father who loves us tenderly and knows us completely.
‘These stairs are heavy. This, that I am dealing with today, God, this is heavy.’
‘I know my beloved, but I am right here with you. Behind you, beside you, all around you. And we will do this climb together.’
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
This blog is a little bit different for me. Usually you get my thoughts, things God has revealed to me, or a book review. But today I am going to extend an invitation to you. An invitation to engage in a year long walk with Jesus, through the gospels, one day at a time. I started ‘Walking with Jesus’ myself at the start of this year. Already it has blessed me, encouraged me, and drawn me closer to Jesus.
My friend Rachel Yarworth, who is a writer, writing coach and lover of Jesus, has done something unique, and brave, and made it available for everyone, you included. I am going to leave it to Rachel to explain more:
Rachel, can you tell us what ‘Walking with Jesus’ actually is?
‘Walking with Jesus’ is a project based on Substack, where we follow a Bible-reading plan that goes through the four Gospels over the course of a year, taking time to hear God speaking to us through His Word, and getting to know Jesus better through what He said and did. Unlike many Bible-reading plans, a key element is the community chat room where all are invited to share what God has said, for mutual encouragement and growth.
Who is it for?
Really, it’s for anyone, from people who are just interested in getting to know Jesus, to people who have been Christians for many years, and are maybe looking to get back to the beautiful basics of faith as Jesus taught.
Why Substack and not a devotional book?
I did initially consider making it into a book, as that is what I am used to, but a wise and lovely publisher friend prayed into it and introduced me to Substack, saying she felt it would be a better fit – not least because putting the year’s readings in one book would make it very large and the printing costs too expensive for people to easily buy copies. As soon as I looked at Substack I felt God was saying this was His plan, that we could make freely available to everyone (though He did also lead me to the paid option, which challenged me, but I trust Him so obeyed). It also fulfilled the call I felt to make it interactive, and community based. Books are quite a distant, one-way relationship between the author and their reader, but I wanted something more open for discussion, where I can be available to help if readers have questions, and we can journey together. The busy community chat has already become my favourite part of this project, and I hope it keeps growing.
Where did the idea or inspiration for ‘Walking with Jesus’ come from?
Toward the end of 2024 I had been through several years in a kind of wilderness where many of the things I thought I knew about faith had been stripped away, including any confidence I once had in being able to receive God’s leading. I was overwhelmed by the amount of ‘noise’ (opinions, teachings, prophetic-sounding words etc) coming from Christian circles, that exacerbated the confusion of the season I had just been through. So although I knew God was with me still, I felt in need of a kind of spiritual detox, rebuilding my faith on the only reliable foundation of Jesus Christ: Who He is and what He said – hence the pull to the Gospels. At the same time I felt my attention drawn to the practice called “Lectio Divina” – a gentle way of reading the Bible slowly while listening to God’s voice speaking personally through it. I felt those two things formed an invitation from God to build deeper relationship with Him through 2025.
‘Walking with Jesus’ seems to have two focusses – the slow meditative exploration of scripture, and personally listening for God’s voice. Can you explain what ‘Lectio Divina’ is?
I can’t claim to be an expert, but when it kept crossing my path to the point where I felt God was prompting me to look at it, I did some reading around, and learned that it is an ancient practice that translates as “Divine Reading”. It’s less about academic Bible-study – how much we can learn – and more about building relationship with God through slow, meditative and prayerful reading of small passages of Scripture. Listening to God speaking to us personally through His Word. It usually involves several steps of quieting ourselves, and consciously coming to God’s presence; reading the given passage slowly, often more than once; reflecting on what we have read, and praying into anything that challenges us from it.
How do we learn to hear God’s voice for ourselves?
We need to remember that God does not speak audibly through our ears, but internally, Spirit to spirit. It can take repeated practice to learn to distinguish His voice from all the other ‘voices’ inside us (eg the voices of our upbringing – good and bad, of the culture around us, of temptation, of those closest to us), and sometimes people give up because they don’t “hear” anything. But often it’s a case of practicing and not giving up. Initially we might receive only vague impressions or single words that seem to stand out, but the longer we practice ‘listening’ and writing down whatever we think might be from God to test it later, the more familiar we become with recognising His voice.
What are your hopes for ‘Walking with Jesus’?
I really hope that it helps every subscriber to get to know God better – that they grow in confidence in hearing His voice, and find the beauty of a personal relationship with Him that goes deeper than they had experienced before.
How do people find ‘Walking with Jesus’ and subscribe?
There are two subscription options – the free one gives access to the reading plan with weekly (every Saturday) encouraging posts and links to the community chat room. The paid version (£3.50pcm) offers the same, but the posts are every day (except Sundays). Subscriber links as well as more information here.
(or use the QR code…)
What comes next, when this year finishes?
In terms of ‘Walking with Jesus’, I’m trying not to look beyond 2026 right now, as I want to be fully present for the community of subscribers. I’ve told God I’m open to repeating the same plan with a new group in 2027, or doing further readings with the same people, or whatever He asks – He just hasn’t said yet, and I’m fine with that. In terms of wider writing, I do have a fiction book in progress that I am hoping will come out later this year, and I have several freelance writing/ editing jobs already scheduled for the start of this year.
Rachel, for those who don’t know you, can you tell us a bit more about yourself?
I live with my husband and three sons in North Worcestershire. When not home educating my youngest son through GCSEs, or helping others with their writing, I write books, blogs, and anything that will help people get to know God better. My first book – a memoir – Friend of God: The miraculous life of an ordinary person was published in 2022, and aims to gently encourage anyone to a closer relationship with Jesus, whatever their starting point. My most recent book – a devotional – Finding Jesus in the Wilderness (published 2024) was written during my own wilderness years, with the aim of helping readers navigate their own wilderness seasons and discover the treasure that God has hidden for them there. It was shortlisted for ACW’s Book of the Year in 2025, which was a huge honour. Rachel’s website (including bookshop) can be found at rachelyarworthwriter.uk
Thank you Rachel!
Join me and a growing community of others by subscribing to ‘Walking with Jesus’ now!
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
My granddaughter is 2 and a half years old. She is growing up quickly and is developing her own little character. Sweet, gentle, caring, curious, and feisty at times. She is a delight to spend time with, a real joy – and I don’t think I am biased! She is so grown up that she has recently started to come to Nana’s house on her own, without her big brother who is now at school every day.
Play with me
What that does mean is that when she comes, everything else I was hoping to do that day will have to be put aside. ‘Play with me’ she will demand, and boldly walk away to where the toys are, expecting me to follow. It doesn’t enter her head that I might refuse to play with her. Of course I won’t! She knows that. I want to enjoy her company and if that means getting down to her level I will.
Lowering myself
And it might mean literally getting down to her level. Lowering my aging stiff body onto the carpeted floor, laying down and propping myself on an elbow, or sitting with my legs bent awkwardly beneath me. Getting low enough to engage with the lego, or the jigsaw, or the play cars, or the plastic food. I have to lower my expectations too, put aside my level of maturity and understanding, to be present with her in her imaginative games.
What use would it be to suggest a 1000-piece jigsaw, when she can only manage a 24 piece? What nonsense to suggest a complicated board game, when she can only just about play animal dominos? Those might be the things that I would prefer to do, but they are too adult for her. Becoming as a child means just that. I have to put aside my adult experience, knowledge and understanding, lower myself to be able to play her games and enjoy her company. I can teach her things as we play, but only things that are appropriate for her level of understanding.
Jesus blesses the children
I was thinking about this as I read Luke 18 : 15-17 recently. It is the passage where mothers bring their children to Jesus to be blessed and are turned away by the disciples. But Jesus won’t have it – He wants the children to come to Him. He wants to bless them and be in their company. We don’t know what He said, whether He laughed with them, played with them even. In Mark’s gospel we are told He took them in His arms and held them. (Mark 10:13-16) What a beautiful picture that is! I am sure He lowered Himself to their level somehow.
But it is what He said that resonated with me,
‘Let the little children come to Me and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.’ Luke 18:16 -17 NKJV
In Matthew’s account He adds this,
‘Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’ Matt 18:4 NKJV
Becoming as a child
When I think about how I have to adjust myself in order to get down to my granddaughter’s level, what Jesus said about being a part of His kingdom makes a lot of sense to me. He doesn’t want me to be childish, that is not what ‘becoming as a child’ means. He just wants me to follow His example. He who lowered Himself from heaven’s splendour to walk our sorry world. He who was willing to come down to our level, so that He could be in our company – for eternity.
Nothing compared to Him
When it comes to His kingdom, all that I think I know, however learned I am, is nothing compared to what He knows and wants to reveal to me. He wants to spend time with me, show me more of the things that are important for me to understand. That requires me to be willing to humble myself, to lower myself, to not rely on, or be proud of my own abilities and knowledge. To even put aside all the things I think I can do for Him. He wants me to have a child- like trust, that He knows better than I do, and that I am safe with Him. He might even want to change the way I think, alter the things I thought I knew. He has much to teach me.
Do I want to be ‘great in the kingdom of heaven’? I am not sure I even know what that looks like. But I do want to be pleasing to the King. I do want to spend quality time in His company. I do want to learn His ways above my own. If that means becoming as a child for that to happen, that seems a small price to pay.
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
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.
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.
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
