Scroll down for something new I hope you'll join me in!

But first, I’ve been thinking a lot about joy lately.

For a long time, I believed joy was something I had to manufacture — intentionally, and especially in the midst of trials. And when I couldn’t make it happen, I would berate myself.

But over and over, Scripture invites us to start somewhere else. Joy is not something we force. It is often the natural outcome of something deeper.

In Landscapes of the Soul (can't recommend this book about attachment enough btw), Cyd Holsclaw writes:

Whoa.

If that's true, then of course I have a hard time accessing joy when I isolate because I’m feeling low. The very instinct to withdraw disconnects me from one of the things I need most.

Most definitions of joy describe it as a deep, abiding sense of happiness, well-being, contentment, purpose, or hope — an inner gladness that can remain even during suffering or difficulty.

Yep, that’s how I would have described it too.

But that leaves out a key ingredient:

Joy is relational.

The world may have missed it. I missed it for a long time.

But Jesus taught it. And neuroscience supports it.

In John 15, Jesus tells us (11 times!) to “remain” in Him and in His love. And then He says:

“I have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and complete and overflowing." John 15:11 (AMP)

Jesus doesn't start with joy...He starts with attachment.

He doesn’t say, “Try harder. Get yourself together. Be a little more positive.”

He says:

Stay connected to Me.

Live in My love.

Let yourself be held there.

And from that place, joy begins to grow.

Neuroscience now shows us that meaningful social connection prompts our brains to release chemicals that reduce stress, strengthen trust, and create feelings of pleasure and well-being.

We were designed for joy — and we were designed for connection.

From the very beginning of life, joy develops in relationship. A baby begins to know joy through the face, voice, warmth, and delight of another person — through the nervous system of someone who communicates: “I’m glad to be with you.”

That delight helps a child learn they're safe, known, and wanted.

And it's reciprocal. Doesn’t something bubble up in us when we look into a baby’s eyes and see that little face light up?

Joy is a relational, embodied experience of connection, safety, meaning, and delight. It involves our brains, our bodies, our relationships, and our spirits.

Joy grows in connection.

Connection with God.

With ourselves.

And with safe, honest, life-giving people.

I need more of that in my life.

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Something New!

This is part of why I created the Beautiful Gate Collective: a free community for women on the journey.

Healing and growth were never meant to happen in isolation. And deep joy cannot flourish in isolation either.

We all need places where we can remember what's True - about God and about ourselves.

Places where we can be honest, encouraged, and accepted.

Where we can practice acting with courage and grow in confidence.

The community is still unfolding, but my hope is that it becomes a space where we learn to walk toward healing, wholeness, and joy together.

Whether you're a practitioner who journeys with others or someone continuing your own journey toward healing, I'd love for you to be a part of it.

The *Beautiful Gate Collective is free during this initial building phase, and your voice and input would be invaluable.

With you in JOY on the journey,

Maggie