From Author Rebecca Grabill

This Joyful Mess

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 9/5/23 Rebecca Grabill 9/5/23

My Secret to a Joyful Home? I Quit Making My Kids Happy

If you’re like I was, your kids use more digital media than you’d like. Maybe they’re into video games, binging episodes of Bluey, mindless scrolling through YouTube. If you’ve ever had the thought, “I sure wish he’d do something that doesn’t involve a screen,” then you a. Have a problem b. Are in the perfect position to solve it!

Rebecca Grabill 7/19/22 Rebecca Grabill 7/19/22

The Most Insane Parenting Decision I Never Thought I’d Actually Make

I couldn’t pay my kids to go outside. They’d drag out of bed, take bowls of cereal to the family room where they’d watch TV followed by hours of begging for “screen time” while I battled our way through the morning’s schoolwork. Months of this, years of it. We fought this battle day after day until we made a dramatic decision and drastic change.

Rebecca Grabill 4/5/21 Rebecca Grabill 4/5/21

19 Ridiculously Easy Ways to Ignite Your Creativity

Here you’ll find my TOP FIVE easy ways to set your creativity ABLAZE. These ideas can be used by anyone—even if you (mistakenly) think you’re not creative. We’re all creative. It’s part of what it means to be human, but we each express our creativity in our own uniquely wonderful ways. Download the full list to find out more!

Rebecca Grabill 1/22/19 Rebecca Grabill 1/22/19

What I Almost Stole From My Kids, and What They Gave Me Instead

How do children learn creativity? Creativity requires courage, and courage requires risk. This lesson is especially vital for children of Apraxia of Speech and their families. Plus discover the inspiration behind the hit retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, Violet and the Woof!

Rebecca Grabill 3/29/16 Rebecca Grabill 3/29/16

Beyond the First Right Answer: Writing Craft and Dewitt Jones

"Anybody can come up with one right answer." The key is to look for the next right answer ...

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...

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!