Category: gratitude

The Fourth Mat

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Today was my fourth time on the mats at One Nation Jiu-Jitsu. Tyler was teaching and it is Q&A day — which meant the room felt open, curious, and full of little moments where someone else’s question unlocked something in me. Six men, myself, and the instructor… but I never once felt out of place.

I was completely present.

When drilling time came, Tyler paired me with Isam and Sterling. Isam is a pinch shorter than me but far stronger and Sterling would be considered a heavyweight. Both were helpful and I felt no discomfort or awkwardness.

To me, jiu-jitsu feels like a sacred dance, where bodies become teachers and breath becomes instruction.

The drill was one I hadn’t seen before: someone lifts one of your legs and controls it. The instinct is to panic or freeze, but the technique teaches calm pressure. You take your hands and squeeze inward toward their elbows, arms, even their shoulders — not to hurt, but to create just enough space to recover your balance. That tiny moment of relief is where the “step” happens. You plant your other foot, rotate, and it’s almost like opening a door and then slamming it shut as you step back and pull free.

A simple movement… but full of metaphor.

Something else caught my eye: head placement matters. Watching the more experienced men drill, it was a good question for me to understand the basic rules of head placement.


If I’m holding someone’s right leg, my head should align under their right armpit. That positioning protects both partners and gives structure to the movement. I noticed the larger partner had drifted his head off to the side, so I asked Tyler about it — and he confirmed the importance of alignment.

Form matters. Intention matters. Structure matters.

I learn best by watching first. If I anchor the instructor’s form in my mind before I try it, my body follows more naturally. That was especially true today.

I drilled with Isam and Sterling and it was wonderful.

There is such kindness in the way God keeps showing me His heart on these mats. Strength that doesn’t overpower. Instruction that disciplines without shaming. Brothers who partner respectfully without hesitation. A space where I get to learn, grow, and be sharpened — and also show up fully as the woman He is forming.

I want to keep marking these days, because each one teaches me something that will find its way back into this book that isn’t done yet — this book God is still writing in real time on the mats, in my heart, and in the lives He keeps intersecting with mine.

One step, one sweep, one turn —
and doors keep opening and closing under His hand.

And one more thing…

When I left the gym and headed home, I called my husband. I needed to get ready for an appointment before going into the shop, and I just wanted to check in with him.

The first thing he said was, “You always sound so happy when you leave that place.” Then he repeated the same sentiment in different words.

His confirmation matters to me.
He is my spouse — my covenant partner, my witness, my encourager. And hearing his voice recognize the joy in mine… it touched something deep.

The Lord keeps affirming this path through so many voices — even the ones closest to home.

As an added bonus, I really dig the rapper, NF, as Tyler shared a video that had over 650k views since last night. The song is called FEAR and it moved me. I think the last rap song that moved me is more than 20 years old from Eminem. 🤣

I just looked and now there are over a million views in less than 24 hours.

God is so good Thank you, Jesus, for a glorious day!

Joyce Chronicles Part II

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Part One can be found by clicking this sentence. Three excellent questions posed at breakfast yesterday consumed me for more than seven plus hours! The first two questions are answered in the link.

Joyce’s third question was, “What is the significance of Shimei’s, 16 children, 16 sons and 6 daughters?”

The reference comes from 1 Chronicles 4:27 (in the genealogies of Simeon’s tribe):

“Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters, but his brothers did not have many children; so their whole clan did not become as numerous as the people of Judah.

To be fair, my husband prays 1 Chron 4:10 every night over us in bed. I have special love and some knowledge of 1 Chronicles. The Prayer of Jabez is powerful and yet very simple. He was named Jabez, which means “pain or sorrow”, as his mother bore him in pain. (verse 9) Rather than living with a name which did not suit his spirit, he prayed for reversal, asking God to turn his pain into blessing.

I digress. It happens. This post is not about Jabez, but Shimei. I sense a connection in the genealogies about redemption.

Shimei (שִׁמְעִי Shim‘i, is from the root שמע – shama, meaning “to hear, to listen, to obey”) was a descendant of Simeon. Simeon’s name also comes from shama.

This family line is literally the “hearing” lineage.

This alone sets the tone. He is the one who listens, or “is heard by God.” Linguistically speaking, the number of his descendants — 16 sons and 6 daughters — is a picture of fruitfulness through hearing and obedience. There is an entire golden thread in the Bible of how listening and yielding through obedience brings the Master’s Multiplication into play.

Numerically speaking, there is another treasure trove because “16” is a double blessing. The Number Eight in Hebrew numerology represents new beginnings, resurrection, covenant renewal (like the 8th day circumcision, the 8 souls on Noah’s Ark). So to me, this is a double blessing which amplifies that theme. Shimei’s line reflects restoration through listening.

Rather poetic, as my sweet Joyce may be the best listener I know, aside from Jesus!

What about the six daughters? The Number 6 represents much if you consider Genesis 1:24-31. Created on the 6th day, 6 represents man in his earthly nature. Looking at Exodus 20:9-10 and the Sabbath, it seems six represents the cycle of human effort and stewardship. There are also six directions to form the cube of creation ; north, south, east, west, up and down.

Spiritually speaking, the 16 sons represent a double blessing of new beginnings of those who hear God and the 6 daughters may represent the completion of that obedience expressed through compassionate nurturing.

Maybe the six daughters represent the human side of fruitfulness — compassion, nurturing, community, and earthly connection.

Either way, placed together, 16 + 6 = 22, and that’s not random. I don’t write that as if fact for all, but it is absolute fact for me. Nothing God does is random. If is precision. Our Master of the Universe is the epitome of precision.

There are precisely 22 letters in the Hebrew aleph-bet, the very building blocks of creation and communication.


If Shimei means to hear, then having 22 children total literally symbolizes “The fullness of God’s language heard and expressed in human life.”

It’s like saying: through listening (shama), the full alphabet of divine expression was birthed.

The text also notes that Shimei’s brothers didn’t multiply; not all who hear will bear fruit.


True hearing brings multiplication in both spirit and legacy. It’s reminiscent of Jesus’ parable: “The one who hears the word and understands it bears fruit — some thirty, sixty, a hundredfold.”

Shimei’s fruit is 22 children and it’s wonderful to imagine how full his branch is connected to the vine. What precious fruit!

Thank you, Jesus.

Not Forrest Gump’s Shrimping

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Today was only my second class at One Nation Jiu-Jitsu. There is much to unpack.

BJJ Technique Focus: Shrimping (Hip Escape)

The shrimp, or hip escape, is one of the first movements every Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu student learns.
From your back, you press one foot into the mat, lift your hips, and slide them sideways while curling onto one shoulder.

The goal is to create space between you and the pressure holding you down. It looks small—but it’s the move that keeps you from being crushed.

I just learned that shrimping is an escape method and scooting can be offensive or defensive option.

Shrimping teaches that survival doesn’t come from strength. It comes from angle, timing, and breath.
You don’t fight pressure head-on; you shift, realign, and make room to breathe.
It’s the language of escape written into the mat.

⸻

📖 Scripture

“You brought me out into a spacious place; You rescued me because You delighted in me.”
— Psalm 18 : 19

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💭 Reflection

When I shrimp, I feel it in my ribs first—breath meets resistance.
Every inch of space feels earned.
And that’s what the Spirit does inside us: He gives us room where the world tries to press us flat.

Sometimes God doesn’t lift the weight immediately.
He teaches us to move under pressure without losing peace, to shift our hips instead of panic, to create a little grace-space before the breakthrough.

The shrimp reminds me that freedom isn’t always dramatic; it’s often quiet, rhythmic, and deliberate.
Each small escape becomes worship in motion—breathing, turning, trusting.

⸻

🕊️ Coach Jesus Says

“When life pins you down, don’t freeze.
Breathe. Turn toward Me.
I’ll show you where the space is.
It’s not running away—it’s moving wisely.”

⸻

✨ Golden Nugget

“He sets my feet in a spacious place.” — Psalm 31 : 8
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” — 2 Corinthians 3 : 17

Shrimping is the gospel in motion—
God teaching us how to make space for grace when the weight of the world presses in.

That’s how it feels today.

Thank you, Jesus. I love you.

Seatbelts and Safety

On By mygodroomIn blessings, gratitude, Leverage, obedience, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I went to my second jiu-jitsu class today. Sadie and Sam were there, as was Mushaffa. It was helpful to hear Mushaffa’s growing process with BJJ. In fact, it was so encouraging, I went ahead and paid through December 15.

My husband fully supports me taking these classes. Added bonus- It was a stellar deal and provided me a tshirt, ONJJ Irreverent compression shirt and shorts.

This was the photo taken yesterday, maybe a minute or two after Mushaffa left.

Today’s class was four women and 11 men. While I observed them all rolling, My favorite lessons came from watching Mushaffa with Sadie and Sam with a male professor.

Truly, every person has a different style which makes sense based on body type. I love there is isn’t a “one size fits all” when it comes to “good jiu-jitsu”. What is “good” is indeed a very individual variable.

BJJ Technique Focus: Seatbelt

For things like definitions, it seems wise to use BJJ accepted definitions. To that end, I read several and this is the gist:

The seat belt is the foundation of back control.
One arm threads over the shoulder, the other under the arm. Hands clasp palm-to-palm across the chest as you press heart-to-back. Your head stays tight beside theirs; your chest follows their spine.

It’s called the seat belt because it keeps you connected through chaos.

Nudged to learn if anyone particular in BJJ made it famous and this was the response:

In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), the seat belt control position was popularized by Marcelo Garcia. While the grip itself may have existed in various grappling arts before, Garcia integrated it into a highly effective, modern system of attacks and transitions, making it a standard and essential part of the BJJ arsenal. 

Even if your opponent rolls, twists, or bucks, you stay attached—anchored, calm, and ready.

My life verse is Galatians 6:9: “And let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give up.”

I see how it applies here. #ISWYDT.

Control before victory. Connection before submission.

⸻

📖 Scripture

“I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”
— Philippians 3 : 12

Greek katalambanō = to seize firmly, to grasp with purpose.

⸻

💭 Reflection

When I learned the seat belt, it felt less like domination and more like devotion.
One arm over the shoulder—the arm of authority.
One arm under the heart—the arm of compassion.
Together they hold without harming, guiding without forcing.

That’s how God holds me.
He doesn’t choke me into obedience; He secures me into peace.
If I thrash, I lose connection.
If I breathe, I feel His rhythm.

The seat belt teaches me that staying connected is stronger than any submission.
Control comes through closeness, not power.

⸻

🕊️ Coach Jesus Says

“My grip on you isn’t to choke—it’s to keep you from falling.
I’m behind you in every scramble.
Breathe. Stay connected. I’ll guide you through.”

⸻

✨ Golden Nugget

“Your right hand upholds me.” — Psalm 63 : 8
“No one can snatch them out of My hand.” — John 10 : 28

His hold is holy.
The safest place on the mat—and in life—is under His seat belt of grace.

Jesús, thank you for getting me through the first two classes. Thank you for encouraging my husband to make me rest today. Getting to spend the whole afternoon with you has been beautiful.

First Mat

On By mygodroomIn blessings, gratitude, obedience1 Comment

I went to church this morning without my husband. He wasn’t feeling well, so I told him I would carry him with me in spirit. After church I came home, made us lunch, and told him I was going to attend my very first jiu-jitsu class at One Nation Jiu-Jitsu.

At first he laughed, but later—just before I left—he told me how proud he was of me. Mark knows me well. Praise God.

When I arrived, there were two young students, two others maybe in their late 20s or 30s, and two female instructors, Sam and Sadie. Sadie was wonderful—encouraging, strong, and patient. She’s 38 and told me about “Jiu-Jitsu Grandma Elaine” from Alabama who began training around 62.

I looked her up; what an inspiration!

My training partners, Mushaffa and Lindsay, were amazing. We practiced the closed-guard position, using praying hands to sweep, push to the floor, and transition into a Kimura hold. They helped me every step of the way.

After drills I watched everyone roll and spar. It was fascinating—the flow, the respect, the controlled strength.

At one moment, there were three feet clearly coming from one leg as I watched Sam and Sadie spar. All I could think was about a chord of three strands and Ecclesiastes being brought to life.

I’m sore but so full of gratitude. Thank You, Lord, for the courage to step onto the mat, for new teachers and friends, and for the joy of trying something completely new.

The funniest moment was Sadie telling me Sam had figured I had some type of gymnastics background. I confirmed I could still do cartwheels, as I did for Linda in the Hickory Falls parking lot last night. One of the younger students said she could do a cartwheel, as well. I said, “yes and that’s fantastic …but you are not 57 years old””. She might be 10-11 and said, yes I am 57! 🤣🤣🤣

I went home to rest for a half hour before visiting with my JoJo. What a blessing to listen to good music with good friends and make dinner from cheese, crackers and grapes.

Thank you, Jesus, for every little thing. I love you. I have not written about my girls night out last night—-but it’s blessing has been echoing all day. Thank you for the lovely sisters you have given me. I love you.

Catching My Breath

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Truly, far more accurate to state I am breathing in Jesus and exhaling gratitude.

There is so much I want to say and write and do because the Lord just keeps showing up, showing off, and blowing me away in the best of ways.

For example, yesterday I drove to Spring Hill early in the morning to be at a doctor appointment with my daughter. She didn’t need me there, per se, but she did desire my presence. It was a pure joy to be there for her. Her boyfriend treated us both to lunch after the appointment.

Drives to work are extended now and extra powerful. This morning, there were a copious amount of cleansing tears which fed into beautiful day. Being able to help Trish, make Dawnn smile and pray for Mr. Andy’s situation with his daughters wedding this weekend were big deals to me.

With the move to one shop, there is just too much hands-on work that has to be done when I’m there to consider bringing my laptop.

But this morning, the Lord brought me back to Lamentations 3:58 again. There are two specific verbs used together precisely once in all of Scripture. They just happen to appear in Lam 3:58 and my husband and I “not-so-coincidentally” are precisely 3.58 years apart in age.

The need to study the other scriptures was too early for the lights, so I just took my Bible to the hallway to leave my husband resting. It was way too early to wake him.

It just hit me all over again how impactful that study was two plus weeks ago. Digging deeper into those verbs and where else they’re used in Scripture really stirred my heart, especially since Psalm 103 is so precious to me.

Today, I am called to acknowledge the depth of His Movement and not the linguistic details.

I want to praise the Master of the Universe for everything. I am compelled to praise in many places, like at TJ Maxx yesterday. Thank you, Jesus, for Miss Mary! Everywhere I go, you send me one of your children.

Yes, she is YOUR CHILD, even at 71!

Thank you, Father God, for getting us through the move safely and for all the good progress made on our remaining shop. As an added little added blessing, I called the sign people today, and although they’re delayed, the gentleman who called me back actually leads a men’s group. My husband’s planning to join them tomorrow night at 7.

Praise God for divine appointments! Thank you, Jesus, for making today spectacular in so many ways. I love you.

Crafty Creekmont

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Saturday morning came very early, but the Lord met me before the sun did. I had prayed the night before that I would wake up before my alarm so I wouldn’t disturb my husband, and He did exactly that. Even though we were worn out from moving the shop on Friday — the kind of tired that sinks into your bones — I woke with enough strength, enough peace, and enough joy to step into the day He had prepared.

I slipped out quietly, left the house at 7:15, and arrived early to the women’s conference at our new church. My first one — ever. There was something tender about that, walking into a space I’d never occupied before, with a group of women I’m only beginning to know, yet already sensing God’s gentle stitching at the seams of new community.

Breakfast was sweet fellowship. I sat with Anatha, Hester, Tina, and Becky — each one warm, kind, and gracious in her own way. We talked, we laughed, and there was that familiar peace that only the Spirit can knit between hearts.

Then Anatha shared her testimony and led us in praise. It was raw and beautiful — the kind of sharing that reminds you God is always working, always redeeming, always inviting us deeper.

We did a little craft together — simple, hands-on worship — and it felt good to slow down long enough to create something with my hands. Miss Pam and Randy laser cut all the pieces for us to do this craft.

Father God, thank you for clearing the rubble. I don’t think it’s any coincidence Hurricane Melissa was creating worldly conflict in Jamaica and elsewhere—-reminding me of how I wrestled with Torah teachings which fail to include your spirit this time last year.

#ISWYDT

Afterward, we shared lunch, and the sweetness of that table lingered long after the dishes were cleared.

I even brought leftovers home for my husband — a small thing, but it felt like carrying home a piece of the day, a little offering from the fellowship I’d been welcomed into.

Creekmont Women’s Conference

It was a truly lovely day — quiet, nourishing, gentle in all the ways I needed. I especially appreciated the deeper Godversation with Tina and Anatha. Both now have my phone number.

Arriving home, I succumbed to a wonderful nap “by my stream”. When I woke, we agreed to go spend the last two hours of Jenn’s Twelve Year Tenure with her at the one shop we still own.

Of all the things we could have given Jenn, we gave her our hearts. My husband will be driving the truck with all her belongings to Wisconsin for Jenn in two weeks. I was nudged to give her the craft I made and she was beyond thrilled.

The day was beautiful and blessed. Thank you, Jesus.

Leviticus

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Rarely feels like a warm embrace to me. This morning, it felt like a lingering embrace worthy of writing about.

I woke hours before dawn and enjoyed my solitude with Him. When I returned to bed, I could not sleep. In recent months, this has not been a big issue. In fact, He meets me by “our stream” and I sleep like a baby.

Not today. Today, the unmistakable nudge came with a resounding message to “put it in order.” While I emptied out cabinets yesterday, there were two which were prepped in trays for easy removal.

Here’s the deal. The folks who bought our cabinets were scheduled to pick them up today. We both expected they would attempt to come before noon. If they came early, my husband would have been pressed to make a place for the trays.

The nudge was to demonstrate sacrificial love for my husband. When He says “Go”, I go. It’s really that simple.

So I drove to the shop—my second home the past seven years- and began to see it differently.  What felt like chaos yesterday started to feel like a kind of sacred re-arranging.

Maybe I saw myself in the cabinets. Poured in. Poured out. Ready to be filled again.

Funny enough, my son texted quickly after I left the house and Mark called me at the shop when I failed to hear my phone. It was rather sweet on both counts.

I returned home and took my coffee upstairs. Mark flipped my Bible open to Leviticus 26 and 27.  It was confirmation upon confirmation.

Those chapters speak about what happens when life falls out of rhythm and how the Lord patiently draws His people back into alignment.  The disorder we feel right now isn’t failure; it’s invitation.  He is giving us the chance to bring our work, our possessions, and our hearts back under His covering.

It’s important to recognize what’s ending (26:27–45) — no fear with the closure; it’s covenant renewal. It is about redeeming what’s worth carrying forward (27:9–25) — set apart what’s still holy. Release what belongs to Him (27:26–34) — and to let go with open hands and willing hearts.

Everything we have belongs to God. Praise God, my husband and I both know this truth to the depths of our souls.

Our employee is leaving, and soon it will just be the two of us again—leaner, quieter, maybe simpler.  But as Leviticus ends, it isn’t about loss; it’s about dedication.  God calls His people to take stock, to redeem what is still holy, and to return everything to Him in order.  That’s what these days feel like: not dismantling, but consecrating.

It was easy to choose to obey that gentle command: put it in order.

To bless what has been, to release what’s complete, and to prepare the ground for what’s next.

After sharing this Godversation with Mark, I offered him breakfast, as we haven’t gotten fully back to our intermittent fasting. His eyes told me yes before his mouth spoke a word.

I went downstairs and made grilled breakfast sandwiches and fried potatoes for my husband and son. When Mark left to open the store, I was quite joyful baking dog biscuits, prepping Mexican street corn for our Bible Study dinner and preserving a plethora of tomatoes in a bruschetta mixture.

How blessed am I ? Immeasurably more than any person deserves.

Thank you, Jesus.

Noah’s Ark

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It has been raining all day. I have been unable to sleep, despite perfect conditions.

I think I just needed some Quality Jesus Time.

The Bible gives such specific instructions for how to build the Ark — 300 cubits long, 50 wide, and 30 high. Those same proportions are used in modern shipbuilding today, a perfect ratio for stability in rough waters. I recall learning that factoid from my husband before our first cruise more than a decade ago.

Noah was not a shipbuilder or a naval engineer. The only way he could have known is if God told him — and He did.

That realization still gives me chills. It’s a reminder that the Word of God is not symbolic guesswork or ancient myth — it’s precision. It’s revelation. God whispered into human hands the wisdom to build something that could withstand the storm.

Sometimes I wrestle with whether certain kinds of knowledge are “good” or “godly.” But then I remember — godly knowledge always points me back to awe, back to Him. It humbles me. It makes me look at the world and say, “Only God.”

I see what You did there! #ISWYDT

When I see that the same ratio used for Noah’s Ark is still guiding shipbuilders today, I can’t help but worship. The God who gave Noah blueprints for salvation is the same God who steadies me when waters rise.

“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
to search out a matter is the glory of kings.” — Proverbs 25:2

Thank you, Jesus!

My Ezer

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I woke up this morning thinking about Ezer—that beautiful Hebrew word often translated as “helper.” Most people think of Ezer as “wife,” but that’s only how it’s used twice in Genesis.

Every other time, Ezer refers to the Lord Himself—coming in for battle, coming to rescue, coming to stand beside.

And right now, it feels like I’ve been in a battle. Closing this door, moving on—it’s a lot of work.

The art we commissioned seven years ago came off the walls and more furniture was moved. Plus, the cabinets are emptied or ready to be emptied tomorrow. God blessed me with a husband who understands how to get things done and he made two trips today.

Today, some human emotion took its toll, and I cried. God has done so very much in our Smyrna store. The tears were from gratitude more than anything else. Through the tears, I kept praising God. I kept singing, “I love You, Lord, for all You’ve done, for what You’re doing, and for what’s to come.”

I’ve been singing that through tears for a long time now, and it still breaks something open in me every time. I know this is part of the grieving process. I know we’re doing the right thing by closing this chapter, and I don’t have any bad feelings—just the deep ache of letting go.

But each time the tears came, I took them straight to Jesus. And every single time, that’s what stopped them. Praise the Lord.

Thank you, Jesus.