Hi, I’m Rebecca. I write books and I write here at This Joyful Mess to inspire everyone to find JOY in the everyday messes of life. Here you’ll find inspiration, educational resources, and so much more. Please explore and connect. I’d love to hear from you!

Rebecca Grabill 9/28/24 Rebecca Grabill 9/28/24

How do I get out of Reaction Mode?

I had dreams for my family life, for the kids education, for my own recreation time (which currently clocked in at daily total of zero minutes, zero seconds). I longed to do things like knit, read books with real pages, write for the joy of it. Instead, I was living life of reacting—not to God’s direction—but to people’s momentary expectations, urgent tasks all shoving and bickering to be FIRST on my list. I was desperate to get back to the most important focus of every day...

Rebecca Grabill 3/22/16 Rebecca Grabill 3/22/16

Anger and Inspiration: Writing in Times of Turmoil

Then, about two weeks into the insanity, it hit me. I was angry. Furious. The injustice of the situation, the lies that proliferated...

Rebecca Grabill 9/20/12 Rebecca Grabill 9/20/12

The Many Questions of Fish: Take Two

"Mom, hey Mama? Is it possible to make a giant robotic stuffed animal to help old people but then the makers make it turn EVIL?"

Rebecca Grabill 7/26/12 Rebecca Grabill 7/26/12

The Many Questions of Fish

Little Fish is in a delightful phase I don't remember St. Nick going through at age 8ish. He asks questions.

Rebecca Grabill 4/16/11 Rebecca Grabill 4/16/11

RUMInations

Thirteenth century ecstatic poet, Jelaluddin Rumi, has been part of my daily literary meal of late. Sandwiched in time between St. Francis of Assisi and Meister Eckhart, Rumi's mysticism is stunningly present, green and alive. Qualities I strive to live: presence, awareness of all that lives around me.

For example, today...

Resources to Spark Joy!