Sunday, December 7, 2025

Spiritual Practices for Writers: The Practice of Joy

From Edie: Discover how the spiritual practice of joy begins with seeking shelter in God. This reflection for writers explores the Christmas story, the theme of divine refuge, and how resting in God’s presence renews creativity, clarity, and purpose. A gentle invitation for writers to create from a place of joy and holy shelter.


Spiritual Practices for Writers: The Practice of Joy
by Audrey Frank @AudreyCFrank

But may all who take shelter in you be happy. May they continually shout for joy. Shelter them so that those who are loyal to you may rejoice. Certainly you reward the godly, LORD. Like a shield you protect them in your good favor (Psalm 5:11-12).

From the start, the story of Christmas is a story of sheltering. God sought a shelter for His Son, and found it in the pure heart and womb of the virgin girl named Mary. Mary and her holy child needed shelter from the cultural consequences of shame, and Joseph chose not to withdraw his name and his promise, marrying her instead of quietly divorcing her. On the night of His birth, Jesus and His faithful parents needed shelter, and a compassionate heart defied societal edicts by offering a stable. Some tree, somewhere, was cut down, hewed into a manger, and became the holy shelter of the newborn Messiah. Joy to the world!

God is a shelter. The metaphors abound throughout the Bible. He is a cleft in the rock, under His wings we abide, He longs to gather us like a hen gathers her chicks. His hand holds us fast, He hems us in behind and before. He is a mountain to which we lift our eyes for help. Joy to the world!

I find my best writing is from the Shelter. In that quiet space, the din of the world grows dim. In that strong place, He protects my mind, and the words flow with clarity. In that ready refuge, I hear His gentle whisper confiding in me the words He wants others to know about His great heart toward them. Joy to the world!

The practice of joy is a practice of being sheltered.

Out of shelter, the Joy of humankind came to earth to redeem us all.

Joy to the world!

Lord, I take shelter in You, and I am happy. Make your Joy known to the world through me. Amen.

TWEETABLE


Audrey Frank is an author, speaker, and storyteller. The stories she shares are brave and true. They give voice to those whose words are silenced by shame, the hard things in life that don’t make sense, and the losses that leave us wondering if we will survive. Audrey and her family have spent over twenty years living and working among different cultures and world views, and she has found that God’s story of redemption spans every geography and culture. He is the God of Instead, giving honor instead of shame, gladness instead of mourning, hope instead of despair. Although she has three different degrees in communication and intercultural studies, Audrey’s greatest credential is that she is known and loved by the One who made her.

Audrey is the author of Covered Glory: The Face of Honor and Shame in the Muslim World (Harvest House Publishers), an outpouring of Audrey’s heart to introduce others to the God of Instead. Shame is not unique to the developing world, the plight of the women behind veils, young girls trafficked across borders; shame is lurking in hearts everywhere. Through powerful stories from women around the world, Covered Glory illuminates the power of the Gospel to remove shame, giving honor instead. Available at favorite booksellers: BARNES & NOBLE, BOOKS A MILLION, AMAZON.
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2 comments:

  1. Terry WhalinDecember 7, 2025 at 8:44 AM

    Audrey,

    Your series of articles this year has been incredible and what an amazing conclusion on the spiritual practice of joy! May each of us capture more joy into our daily life with this encouragement. Thank you,

    Terry author of Book Proposals That $ell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success (Revised Edition) [Follow the Link for a FREE copy]

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  2. Debby Zigenis-LoweryDecember 7, 2025 at 10:23 AM

    Dear Audrey, this is so wonderful.
    I have often sought shelter beneath our Lord's wings when I am troubled, but it had never occurred to me to curl up there with my laptop, paper, and pencil and create from such a beautiful place.
    Thank You for your wonderful words!
    May God bless you this Advent, Christmas, and in the coming new year!

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