A Word about Joy — Episode 69: Noise Is Required

Welcome to SoulWork Sanctuary, a weekly place to pause with God.

We conclude the series A Word about Joy—reflections shaped by what my little cousin Cameron has taught me about joy, the word God gave me for this year.

In this episode, we reflect on joy as noise. Through story, prayer, breath, and silence, we consider how joy often sounds like freedom—unpolished, expressive, and unconcerned with perfection. Sometimes, that noise is exactly what worship looks like, echoing Psalm 100.

This episode includes:

1. An opening prayer
2. Guided breathwork focused on sound and expression
3. A reflection on joy, freedom, and worship
4. SoulWork prompts for personal reflection
5. A gentle SoulWork practice for the week ahead
6. A closing blessing

SoulWork Prompts

1. Where in your life could you use a little more joyful noise?
2. What tends to quiet your voice or keep you from worshipping freely?
3. Think of a time when you offered your voice—imperfect and unfiltered. What did that moment feel like?
4. What might joy sound like if you stopped worrying about how it was received?

SoulWork Practice for the Week

This week, make a joyful noise—on purpose.

1. Sing along to a song.
2. Hum while you work.
3. Laugh out loud.
4. Pray aloud when you’re alone.
5. Notice how your body responds.
6. Write one sentence about what joy sounded like for you.

Thank you for pausing here.

May joy be heard in the freedom you allow yourself.

If this episode met you in a meaningful way, you’re welcome to receive Notes from the Sanctuary—quiet reflections, writing prompts, and occasional updates shared as an extension of this space.

If you’d like to help sustain this work, you’re welcome to support it here.

Disclaimer: The content shared on the SoulWork Sanctuary podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only. While I am an ordained minister and trained spiritual director, I am not a licensed therapist or medical professional. This podcast does not provide medical or mental health advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional care. Please seek...

Welcome to SoulWork Sanctuary, a weekly place to pause with God.

We continue the series A Word about Joy—seven reflections shaped by what my little cousin Cameron has taught me about joy, the word God gave me for this year.

In this episode, we reflect on joy as rest. Through story, prayer, breath, and silence, we consider how joy sometimes comes not from doing more, but from listening to our limits and allowing ourselves to stop when rest is needed.

This episode includes:

1. An opening prayer
2. Guided breathwork focused on rest and release
3. A reflection on joy, fatigue, and faithful stopping
4. SoulWork prompts for personal reflection
5. A gentle SoulWork practice for the week ahead
6. A closing blessing

SoulWork Prompts

1. Where in your life have you pushed past the joy that might be found in rest?
2. What might become possible if you practiced joy as rest more often?
3. How does joy shift when it’s not about what you do, but about what you stop doing?
4. What signals does your body give when it’s time to rest—and how do you usually respond?

SoulWork Practice for the Week

1. This week, choose a time and a place to rest.
2. If possible, take a 30-minute nap—or step away from something that has you blocked or overwhelmed for 30 minutes.
3. Afterward, write one line about how that rest felt and what it revealed about joy.

Thank you for pausing here.

May joy meet you in the rest you allow yourself.

If this episode met you in a meaningful way, you’re welcome to receive Notes from the Sanctuary—quiet reflections, writing prompts, and occasional updates shared as an extension of this space.

If you’d like to help sustain this work, you’re welcome to support it here.

Disclaimer: The content shared on the SoulWork Sanctuary podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only. While I am an ordained minister and trained spiritual director, I am not a licensed therapist or medical professional. This podcast does not provide medical or mental health advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional care. Please seek support from a qualified provider if needed.

A Word about Joy — Episode 67: Joy as Attention to Details

Welcome to SoulWork Sanctuary, a weekly place to pause with God.

We continue our series, A Word about Joy—seven reflections shaped by what my little cousin Cameron has taught me about joy, the word God gave me for this year.

In this episode, we reflect on joy as attention to details. Through story, prayer, breath, and silence, we consider how joy often emerges when we slow down enough to notice the small gifts of creation—the life that breathes alongside us and the details we so often overlook.

This episode includes:

1. An opening prayer
2. Guided breathwork focused on attention and presence
3. A reflection on joy, creation, and noticing
4. SoulWork prompts for personal reflection
5. A gentle SoulWork practice for the week ahead
6. A closing blessing

SoulWork Prompts

1. Think of a small detail in the fabric of your life that you often take for granted, but that has been—or could be—a source of joy.
2. Imagine the moment God created the universe or the natural world. What joy do you sense in that act of creation?
3. Imagine the moment God created humanity. What kind of joy might God have felt then?
4. How does the connection between attention to details and joy resonate with you today?

SoulWork Practice for the Week

1. Choose one thing God has created this week—if possible, something from nature.
2. Pay attention to the details: color, shape, size, texture, scent.
3. Notice what shifts.
4. Write one sentence about where joy surprised you.
5. Thank you for pausing here.
6. May joy meet you in the details you might otherwise miss.

If this episode met you in a meaningful way, you’re welcome to receive Notes from the Sanctuary—quiet reflections, writing prompts, and occasional updates shared as an extension of this space.

If you’d like to help sustain this work, you’re welcome to support it here.

Disclaimer: The content shared on the SoulWork Sanctuary podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only. While I am an ordained minister and trained spiritual director, I am not a licensed therapist or medical professional. This podcast does not provide...