It’s official.  The Joyful Life Library is now three years old, which is probably why I’ve been thinking about it so much lately.  It’s only been three years, but part of me can’t remember what life was like before it.  The rest of me is in awe of what God has done through it.  The fact that we delivered our first bookcase full of books three years ago and now we facilitate books being delivered to 9 different hospitals across the country and Hawaii is something I find hard to put into words.

When the idea for the Joyful Life Library was forming, a lot of people had suggestions for me.  As much as I appreciated all of their advice, I knew I had to stick to what was in my heart.  That’s not always an easy thing for me to do, so I had to work really hard to listen to just one voice…God’s.  He was the one that put this project on my heart, and I knew He would see it through.

I could have made the Joyful Life Library into a non-profit organization and taken things in an entirely different direction, but that’s not what my heart wanted.  Yes, the Joyful Life Library’s mission is to put books into the hands of PICU patients and their families, but that’s just one piece of the puzzle.  It’s about creating a moment of joy, when life feels anything but joyful.  It’s about spreading compassion in a tangible way through the act of giving AND receiving.  It’s about families helping other families.  Mostly though, it’s about helping people understand that simple acts of kindness can be the greatest acts of all.

That little boy of mine changed my life.  He turned me into a compassionate person and I wanted other people to have that same opportunity.  That’s why, instead of asking corporations for donations, I chose to share my own story.  So maybe you could see yourself in it, and if you were willing, be changed by it.  Maybe that compassion would create a way for you to support the library, or maybe it would create an entirely different way for you to help others.  Both are a blessing and are just another way that my boy’s life is making this broken world more joyful.

Sometimes I still waiver when people make suggestions on how I should handle the project, but then God reminds me that I need not worry.  He’s got it all taken care of.  That’s about the time my favorite friend Katy from Katygirl Designs lets me know that she’s teamed up with another favorite lady of mine, Jess from The Macs, to create the most lovely Christmas card that benefits the Joyful Life Library.  50% of the sales from the Share the Joy card will be donated to the library.  Oh how I love when people use the gifts God’s given them to bless others!  LOVE it!!  I also love chalkboard, arrows and hearts, so I’m pretty smitten with this design they created.  Visit Katygirl Designs.

And as if that isn’t enough, Thursday another favorite friend of mine, Carly, will be accepting a grant on behalf of the the Kapi’olani Joyful Life Library from The Awesome Foundation of Oahu.  Because they believe in what we are doing, just the way we’re doing it.  I wonder what God has worked out for the project these next three years?  The lives He’ll change?  The compassion and joy that will be spread?  I can’t even imagine, but every last part of me is excited to find out.

P.S.  We need to stock the shelves of our newest library location at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO so we’re offering 20% off your entire purchase over at The Joyful Shop.

Use code- BOOKDRIVE20

Coupon valid through Friday, Nov. 9th.