Devotional thought Archives - Page 2 of 3

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

BECOMING AS A CHILD

November 22, 2025November 21, 2025 joymargetts

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

Christian faith, Christian Writer, Devotional thought, Healing

GOD IS IN THE BOAT

October 16, 2025October 13, 2025 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.

She has also written two non-fiction devotionals. 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

August 2, 2025August 29, 2025 joymargetts

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.

‘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

March 28, 2025March 28, 2025 joymargetts

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

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

February 9, 2025March 28, 2025 joymargetts

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.

‘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

christian fiction, Christian Writer, Devotional thought, Kingdom books, Lessons from life, The Word of God

‘ER AR OO?’

November 28, 2024November 24, 2024 joymargetts

A couple of weeks ago we had the joy of going away for a few days with the children and grandchildren. All weekend the son-on-law was quipping about things he was doing, or we were discussing, ending up in my blog. He was right, but this one isn’t about him. I’m not sure if he will be pleased or disappointed about that! His time will come. My family are a source of endless inspiration for my blog it seems.

Photo of a small boy and small girl sitting on the fender of an old railway engine

No Escape

Being with two small people 24 hours a day is great fun but also exhausting. It was tiring enough when we were fit young parents. Now that we are not so fit and not so young, it is doubly exhausting. And there is no escape. We had forgotten that. No room is off limits to inquisitive toddlers – not our bedroom at 7 am in the morning, or the bathroom it seems.

‘Er ar oo?’

‘Nana, ‘er ar oo?’ the little one called from behind the locked bathroom door. ‘I’m here!’ I replied, hastening to finish what I had gone in there to do. There was a pause of quite a few seconds, in which I though she had given up and gone away. In fact she had gone for reinforcements – her brother – and then there was a crash of toy diggers against the door, and the repeated refrain, a little louder this time. ‘Nana, ‘er ar oo?’ .

‘I’m here’, I said, also a little louder, and resigned myself to the fact that I had been discovered in my temporary hiding place. I paused before opening the door – it was necessary, to save everyone embarrassment – and in the moments it took for me to make myself relatively decent, the voice came once more, and even more insistently. ‘NANA, ‘ER AR OO?’

Just behind the door

I love my grandchildren with a fierce intensity. I love that they want to be with me, and that a closed door is no barrier when they decide to find me. We will remember that sweet little question for a long time. It made my heart swell to hear it. I wondered afterwards if she asked the question repeatedly because she couldn’t hear my reply through the locked door. Or was she just making sure that she had my attention – making sure I knew she was there and looking for me? Wanting me to come out and love on her … and play toys.

Where are You God?’

I wonder if there are times when you go to our Heavenly Father, and call out to Him. Repeatedly perhaps. Have you ever felt that there is a locked shut door between you and Him? Or perhaps you have been listening out for His answer and not hearing it? I have experienced that. When life gets tough sometimes we become more aware of God’s presence and peace. But sometimes in those difficult times, it actually feels like He has hidden Himself away. We knock and knock, but He doesn’t seem to be listening.

I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

The Stranger

My latest book, The Stranger, was inspired by a time in my life where I felt I had lost contact with the God who had always been there for me. I couldn’t feel His presence, I couldn’t hear His voice. There seemed to be a barrier between us, and it was awful. Despair came calling and the temptation to abandon all that I have ever believed in was very real. Where are You, God? I called. Why aren’t you stopping this pain? Why have you left me here in this pit? Do You even care?

Just behind the door

I wrote The Stranger because I want to spread hope. The central character, Silas, goes on the same journey as I did all those years ago. God might have seemed silent and distant at the time, but I think now that He was answering my cries and I just couldn’t hear Him. Or wouldn’t hear Him. There was a huge solid wall between us. One that I had built. A seemingly closed door made up of accusation, fear, doubt, disappointment, anger and grief. When I stopped banging and yelling. When I repented for the case I had built against Him, then gently the door began to open. I began to hear Him again. First through the words of loving friends, then through the truth of His Word, and finally in the depths of my being – that still small voice that I long remembered and held dear.

I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matt 28:20

He had never abandoned me. He was just the other side of the door calling out, ‘I’m here, beloved, I’m here’.

If you would like to read Silas’ story in The Stranger, you can now buy a copy where all good books are sold, in the UK and the US. Or via my website at www.joymargetts.com.

‘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, christmas, Devotional thought, Jesus, Lessons from life

JOY AND PAIN

November 7, 2024November 6, 2024 joymargetts

At the beginning of last month we had a fabulous family day out. So full of joy! We took the children and the grandchildren and visited a stunning country estate, with lush green lawns, hidden gardens, views of mountains and water, and a house full of fascinating history. The sun shone, the ice-creams were delicious, and we all enjoyed it very much. The day after I struggled to move from my bed.

That is the nature of the chronic condition I live with. I can do some of the things that I want to do, I can push myself to live a ‘normal’ life, I can spend a whole day out with my family and walk far more than I usually do. But there is always payback. This time around the payback lasted for some days, and it was painful – both physically and emotionally.

Photo of a family with three adults and two small children walking down a gravel path between grass and trees

That’s life

I took my frustrations out on God, as I always do. He is big enough to take it! And as always He spoke comfort and wisdom to my soul. He reminded me that life is actually about joy and pain. The two co-exist in tension, and will do until we all enter that place where pain will be no more and our joy inexpressible. Would I have chosen not to go out for that family day if I had known what the after effects would be? No! I would not have missed it for the world. We celebrated one another and created some really special memories that day. The pain was worth it.

Was the pain worth it?

We are fast approaching Christmas (sorry to mention it!). We will be remembering the story of a frightened young girl enduring unimaginable emotional and physical pain as she carried and gave birth to the Son of God. I wonder if Mary thought all the pain worth it? The shunning by her neighbours, the distrust from her betrothed, the looks and snide comments, the exhausting journey to a distant town, the filthy damp stable where she had to give birth. I think she did think it was worth it. For the joy of being chosen to bear the Messiah, the joy of holding her Saviour in her arms, the joy of understanding that this was all so much greater than her momentary suffering.

Jesus

And then of cause there is Jesus,

‘who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,’ Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

None of us can ever fully understand the pain that Jesus endured. Horrendous physical pain of course, but then there was the heart pain of separation, the weight of sin and all it’s consequences, the betrayal, the mocking. But this verse tells us that it was for the joy to come that He endured it all. The joy of knowing me, and you, and millions of others who would find their life in Him. We were the joy He looked forward to as He submitted himself to the cross.

Photo of a stately home with grass and trees in front of it, water and mountains behind and a blue sky above.

There is always joy

Not all pain has a reason that we can see. God knows and He sees the bigger picture. Perhaps our pain will produce something fruitful and eternal? And we have this hope – there might be pain, but there is always joy. Jesus came to turn it all around.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
…. to comfort all who mourn,
To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:1-3 NKJV

‘The Stranger‘, her fourth full length novel is coming soon! Due for publication November 2024

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

Christian blog, Christian faith, Devotional thought

WHEN THE DIGGING GOES DEEP

October 3, 2024October 3, 2024 joymargetts

… and gets messy!

We live in a beautiful spot. From every window at the back of our house we get a panoramic view of the sea. Between our garden and the beach is nothing but a small grassy farmer’s field, very occasionally inhabited by a few sheep or cows. It is protected land, and cannot be built on, for which we are most grateful. One of the reasons for this is that the field covers what was once, many decades ago, the town rubbish tip.

Imagine our surprise when a few weeks back we woke to find a small mechanical digger sitting in the field. We were even more surprised when two men proceeded to erect a tent in the far corner. A few enquires with our neighbours put our minds at ease. The bottle diggers had arrived.

Photo of field being dug over by a mechanical digger, with the sea beyond

The bottle diggers

Now I knew nothing about bottle diggers. Think metal detectorists, but with a fascination with old glass! A few months ago we had noticed torch lights playing across the pitch black night sky, and woke to find a hole to one side of the field. The bottle diggers somehow knew about the status of our field as an old rubbish tip, and, in this case, had illegally trespassed to look for treasure. Apparently there is a network of bottle diggers in this country, and when the diggers with the tent found out about the night time digging, they approached the owner of the land and asked for permission to dig – in the daylight! By turning over the whole field, legally, they would hopefully discourage the less honest diggers from returning.

Unearthing treasure

And they knew their stuff. They dug deep, down to several feet, and turned up hundreds, maybe even thousands of bottles of all shapes and sizes. We watched as they examined them, throwing some into sacks, placing others more delicately into crates. Who knew that old bottles could be so valuable? They were happy to chat and share their knowledge – and even gifted us a few of their finds. Including a 70 year old Australian wine bottle that apparently is worth quite a bit in Australia! We won’t be going any time soon… They didn’t show us the most valuable pieces, but did assure us they had more than covered the cost of the digger hire and diesel. They also dug up lots of broken glass and crockery, and made a lot of mess!

Photo of old glass bottles in different colours and shapes

Restoring the surface

One of the conditions of being allowed to dig was that the bottle diggers were to level the field, remove any surface glass, and sow new grass seed when they had finished. As I look out at the field today, it is still very obvious that someone has dug it over, but grass is beginning to appear. In a few months time it will be as if the bottle diggers were never there.

A messy business

Why am I telling you all this? Well God spoke to me very clearly through what I observed. Sometimes in life God wants to do some deep work in us. He wants to bring treasure to the surface, but the process can be messy, and unearth more than things of eternal value. Digging deep into our hearts and souls can also bring a lot of rubbish to the surface. That is not a bad thing. If the deep work exposes both good and bad, then both can be dealt with through His grace at work in us.

Real treasure

I was dwelling on this. Knowing that in this season of my life God has done some deep work, bringing things to the surface that have long been buried. It has not been comfortable, and has even been messy at times. I know we have had to face some rubbish together, but I also believe He has brought some real treasure to the surface.

I wonder if it is visible to anyone else that a deep digging has taken place in my life? And does it matter if it doesn’t? If others look at me and see me as they have always seen me? I know that the ‘bottle digger’, that is the Holy Spirit, has been. In fact He is still here. And if I am the only one who ever appreciates the work He has done in my life then that is OK. The treasure is all His.

Text of Psalm 139: 24-25 in The Passion Translation, on a background photo of a beach in early evening light.

‘The Stranger‘, her fourth full length novel is coming soon! Due for publication November 2024

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

Devotional thought

God’s Embrace

September 11, 2024September 11, 2024 joymargetts

Grandchildren are the best

It is such a privilege to be able to care for my grandchildren. I know we are blessed to have them living close by, and to be a part of their young lives. I don’t take it for granted. It is a real joy to have them in our home, to lavish love on them, to have fun, to even do the mundane things together, and the difficult things. Like nap time. Nap time doesn’t always go smoothly. In fact sometimes it can be a bit of a challenge.

My eighteen month old granddaughter hasn’t been coming to us for long. Her mum didn’t go back to work after having her, so we weren’t needed so early in her young life. Over the last three weeks we have trialed having her for full days with her brother, and it has gone generally well. With our grandson we had ‘cracked’ nap time; we had a little routine of stories, milk and cuddles, and he inevitably settled without much trouble. He now no longer even needs a nap. But his sister does.

Photo of a small child playing in the garden

The first two weeks went actually surprisingly well, but this last week was not so smooth. She objected to everything and there were lots of tears. Now I am generally the one who does the ‘settling to sleep’. I am also the one who does the nappy changes, the meal prep and the telling what to do. Grandad is the fun one who mostly just plays with them! And our granddaughter loves her Grandad and always reaches for him first. So as she is crying because she is tired and yet refusing to sleep, she decides that Nanna just won’t do. Grandad is all she wants.

Close to tears

I admit that in this instance I found that really difficult. Already feeling emotionally fragile because of other things happening in my life, this Nanna found herself close to tears, as her beloved granddaughter rejected her cuddles and chose Grandad instead. It was probably an overreaction – later in the day she played quite happily with me, smiling and laughing. But just in that moment I felt hurt, and that I wasn’t enough for her.

Sharing about this with a dear and very wise friend, she immediately said,

‘You’ve got a blog there. How do you think God feels when we go to other things or people instead of Him?’

She was right, on both counts. Here is the blog!

God’s Embrace

I took time to meditate on what she said, and it challenged me deeply. Even in my current season, when I have sometimes felt overwhelmed, upset and confused, where have I gone to for comfort? Food? Social Media? TV? I know my weaknesses!

It is not that those things are necessarily bad in and of themselves, but there is One who loves me passionately, who has all the comfort I need. Who is standing there with His arms wide open waiting for me to come into His embrace. Instead I go elsewhere, until finally I realise that the arms I have rejected are the ones I need the most. How often have I hurt God by choosing not to accept His embrace? How many times must I learn that those other things are just distractions, and that His voice, His Word, He Himself are my real places of refuge.

Now I am not God, and my husband is not comfort food! But, yet again, God has spoken to me about my relationship with Him through the antics of my grandchildren. It is incredible how they are teaching me. How I see in our time spent together powerful representations of how my heavenly father wants me to be with Him. Childlike, trusting, accepting of His loving embrace.

‘The Stranger‘, her fourth full length novel is coming soon! Due for publication November 2024

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

Christian blog, Christian faith, Christian Writer, Devotional thought, Jesus

LET GOD GUARD THE GATEPOSTS

August 24, 2024August 23, 2024 joymargetts

God often uses my experiences with my grandchildren to speak to me, but today it is dogs that have inspired me to write. I am a dog lover, and a bit of a softie, so when asked to dog-sit for friends, I agreed. There was a little trepidation as we already have a small dog, a little Jack Russell cross, who is sweet, but can also be terrier feisty at times.

Our dog is used to living with other dogs – the home she came from has a multitude – but this was going to be the first time in her short life (she is 15 months old) that she has shared our home with another dog. We made the introductions a few weeks ago and all seemed to go well. It has in fact been a relatively smooth transition for both of them since the visitor moved in yesterday. There have been no problems with feeding, sleeping, or behaviour – generally.

Dogs on Guard

This morning I was chuckling watching them. They are both exhausted from much racing around the house and garden, but for a time neither of them would lie down and relax completely. It was almost as if they weren’t sure who was supposed to be ‘on guard’, and who should be the one barking at random potential threats. They have taken it in turns to sit in the window and bark or growl, inevitably setting each other off. I found myself just wishing they would both just give in – lie down and give me some peace! They don’t need to guard the house because I am here. There is no threat.

Image shows two small black and white dogs sitting looking out at a garden.

Potential Threats

As I was thinking about this, I felt God speak into my heart. There are a lot of uncertainties in my life at the moment. Potential threats, worries about what might be. Those uncertainties are affecting several areas of my life, and they aren’t small things. I guess many of us have them. I know of many friends who feel the same struggles – walking the path of the unknown. It is tempting to be ‘on guard’ in those seasons. To take too much time to think, and worry, and try to prepare, when we don’t even know what we are preparing for!

Will You Just Rest?

This is what I heard God whisper to me today, as I watched those two little dogs taking turns in ‘guarding’ the house.

Will you just rest, child? You don’t have to keep looking for trouble! You don’t have to be on guard. You don’t have to worry about what will be, about what might happen. There is grace enough. I Am here. The pack leader is here. I can protect you, I can keep you safe, I will provide. You can leave the worry to Me.

Learn from those pups. You provide all that they need, and they look to you. They do not need to protect and guard the house, because you are there, you can see and understand more than they do – what is a threat and what really isn’t! So it is with Me. Let Me take the load, let Me be all you need, let Me carry you, let Me be the guard at your gateposts. Put your trust in Me, I am your place of rest.

Lie Down and Rest

As I write this I now have two small dogs asleep on my feet. They have given up. I am not sure for how long, but I am enjoying the peace. I wonder if sometimes God looks down and wishes we would just give up being what we don’t need to be! That we would just lie down and rest.

I also read Psalm 103 today. What a glorious declaration of what God has done for us, and will continue to do for us! He has blessed us without limit already and He will continue to bless us. To hold us, provide for us, and do what we can’t do. He knows us intimately, He knows what is coming, and how to get us through it. He is all that I need, He has all that I need. Help Me Lord to leave the guarding to You, to lie down and take my rest in You.

Image shows a woodland clearing with the words of Psalm 103 imposed on it.

‘The Stranger‘, her fourth full length novel is coming soon! Due for publication November 2024

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