SPEAKING JOYFULLY
Is that a Shepherd and Protector I See?
©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. What looked like a white marble lion sculpture atop our neighbor’s semi-circle firepit was actually their new half and half – Anatolian Shepherd and Pyrenees dog. On the highest surface in the...
Seeing the Face of Jesus
©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com “It would take a miracle,” the ER doctor said. Earlier, when I arrived at my brother’s apartment, flashing lights from a firetruck, EMT vans, and a police car added to the surrealness and the shock. “They’ve been working on him for...
The Woman in Front of Me
©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com People know what they’re here for – and they’re excited about it. Clapping. Cheering. Chanting. Trumpets and other instruments blast out songs that spark energy and uplift the spirit. In the student section, chants and hand motions...
What Can You Count On This Year?
©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com What do you expect this year to bring? What can you count on? We may set goals, establish resolutions, pick words of the year, and dive into new activities to try to make life better. Expectations may be that if we do X, Y might...
Price Savings that Shock
©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com HALF-PRICE read the small sign above one rack in the classy women’s boutique. I couldn't believe it. My heart practically leapt in glee when I spotted a stunning dress for $333. I could already imagine wearing it. The price would...
Travel Frustrations
©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com I was soaring on a spiritual high after hearing the inspiring words of Christian speakers and writers, spending time in community prayer, and enjoying good times and connection at an incredible conference. Then… Stuck on the runway....
Closet View
©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com Have you ever gone through your closet and discovered something amazing you forgot you had? This past weekend, I reorganized some drawers and hanging items in my closet that had become disarrayed between my packing and traveling....
Is the Gift Card Still Valid?
©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com The pain jabbing in my leg muscle and hip kept waking me up at night. When I walked, the pain radiated. Trying not to limp proved difficult in my own strength, despite my best efforts to try to focus one foot in front of the other....
Shadows or Substance in the Light?
©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com “No, that doesn’t look good.” “Move this way.” “It’s better when you’re facing the light.” Friends – longtime and new - kept shifting and moving trying to secure good photos with each other in a conference facility better lit for...
Cleaning Up the Stain
©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com The stain was there, and nothing seemed close enough or strong enough to fix it. When I spotted that swath of blue paint covering the top of my foot, I knew I had done something wrong. But let’s back up a little. For the first time...