You Don't Have to Do It All by Yourself

You Don't Have to Do It All by Yourself

What's up, wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people! Welcome back to Maryam's Joyful Life!

Today, I want to share something I've been learning while doing what I do every day—cooking for my family, taking care of my children, working on my businesses, and trying to accomplish my goals.

Sometimes life can feel like a juggling act. One minute I'm making homemade chili for the family, the next I'm helping a travel client with a reservation, feeding the baby, and trying to get my own work done. Being a mom and running businesses isn't always easy!

But somewhere in the middle of all that doing, God has been teaching me something important: I don't have to depend on my own effort for everything to work out.

I'm naturally a go-getter. When I have a goal, I want to work hard and make it happen. But when we become consumed with our goals and results, disappointment can hit hard when things don't go according to plan.

Watch the Video here:

I've learned that sometimes we can become so focused on achieving that we lose our peace—and unfortunately, we can even take our frustration out on people who didn't cause it.

God keeps bringing me back to Matthew 6:33: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

I'm learning to work, but also to surrender. To have goals, but allow God to lead me. To do my part without believing everything depends on me.

I've seen God do amazing things in my life, and some of those blessings came when I stopped striving, surrendered, and allowed His peace to lead me.

Maybe you need that reminder today too: You can work hard without carrying everything. Trust God. Surrender. Stay aligned. And let His peace lead you.

I Want to Encourage You

 

Keep Holding On: Everything Is Working Out

What's up, wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people? 💕

Thank you so much for checking out my blog today. It’s a beautiful day, and I’m so grateful to be here with you.

I have not been as consistent with my blog as I wanted to be, but you know what? I’m glad I’m here today. Sometimes you have to give yourself grace and simply be thankful that you made it back.

And today, I want to talk to somebody who needs a little encouragement.

I want to talk about holding on, believing, and trusting God even when it seems like nothing is working out.

Don't Believe the Lie of Emptiness

Maybe you're in a situation right now where you've been trying your hardest.

You've been praying.

You've been working.

You've been taking action.

You've been doing everything you know to do.

And yet, when you look around, it seems like nothing is changing.

You may be wondering:

"When is this going to turn around?"

"How long am I going to be in this situation?"

"Did I miss something?"

"Is anything actually happening?"

I want you to know something today:

Something is changing.

Don't believe the lie of emptiness.

Sometimes when we can't see anything happening, we assume that nothing is happening.

But just because you can't see the process doesn't mean there isn't a process.

In fact, think about this:

Out of emptiness comes creation.

What looks empty today may be the very space where something new is being created.

What looks like silence may be preparation.

What looks like a delay may be positioning.

What looks like a closed door may be redirecting you toward something you couldn't see yet.

So don't give up simply because you can't see the finished product.

Keep Praying

Whatever you do, don't stop praying.

Keep talking to God.

Keep believing.

Keep asking.

Keep thanking Him.

Keep taking action.

Keep doing your best.

There is something powerful about continuing to move forward while trusting God with the outcome.

And while you're waiting, give thanks.

Thank God even before you see the answer.

Thank Him for what He's already done.

Thank Him for what He's doing behind the scenes.

Thank Him for the things you don't understand yet.

My pastor once said something that really stuck with me:

"As long as you've got a pulse, God's got a plan."

Real talk—I believe that.

And I've seen it happen in my own life.

I've Seen Things Change

There have been many situations in my life where I found myself thinking, "Is this ever going to change?"

I tried to remain hopeful, but sometimes it felt like things weren't changing fast enough.

There were moments when I almost felt like I was always going to be in that situation.

Like maybe this was just how things were going to be.

But you know what?

It changed.

It changed.

And when I look back, I can see God's faithfulness.

God has been so faithful.

There were things I couldn't see coming.

There were answers I didn't know were on the way.

There were changes that eventually happened that I couldn't have planned myself.

And that's why I'm encouraging you today:

Don't make a permanent conclusion based on a temporary situation.

Just because it hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it isn't going to happen.

Ask Someone to Believe With You

And listen, if you need help, ask for help.

If you need someone to pray with you, ask them.

If you need someone to stand in faith with you, ask them.

If you need encouragement, ask for it.

Don't let fear, pride, embarrassment, or shame stop you from reaching out.

Sometimes God will use another person to encourage you when you're too tired to encourage yourself.

And yes, there will be people who say no.

That's okay.

Don't take every "no" as rejection.

Sometimes a "no" is simply part of the process.

Sometimes the people who don't help you are making room for the people who will.

Sometimes the door that closes is helping direct you toward another door.

And sometimes what feels like a setback is actually part of your progress.

So keep going.

It's Not Happening Too Slowly

I know how frustrating it can be when you want something to happen now.

We want the breakthrough today.

We want the answer today.

We want the change today.

We want to see evidence that our prayers are working.

But don't allow the fact that something hasn't happened yet to convince you that it will never happen.

There is a huge difference between:

"It's not happening yet"

and

"It's never going to happen."

Don't confuse the two.

Your story is still being written.

God can do something in your life so quickly that you will look back and wonder how everything changed so fast.

The thing you've been praying about may not unfold exactly the way you imagined.

It may even happen in a way that is better than what you thought to ask for.

So stay open.

Stay faithful.

Stay prayerful.

Stay hopeful.

Your Celebration Is Coming

Today, I simply want to encourage you:

It is well with you.

It's all working out.

You're doing your best.

Keep going.

Don't give up.

Don't stop.

Don't stop believing.

Don't stop praying.

Don't stop taking action.

Don't stop thanking God.

And don't let a temporary season convince you that your entire future will look like this.

It won't.

You may be closer than you realize.

Your breakthrough may be closer than you think.

Your answer may be closer than you think.

Your celebration may be closer than you think.

It could be this moment.

It could be the next minute.

The next hour.

Sometime today.

Sometime tomorrow.

I don't know exactly when your moment will come, but I know this:

Don't give up before you see what God is about to do.

Keep holding on.

Keep trusting.

Keep believing.

Keep moving.

And when you finally look back, you may realize that the season you thought was empty was actually a season where God was creating something new.

God is faithful.

And if you've got a pulse, God's got a plan. ❤️

So take a deep breath.

Pray again.

Try again.

Believe again.

Get up again.

And keep going.

Your story isn't over.

Sending you so much love today. 💕

And remember...

Don't let anybody steal your joy.

With love,
Maryam
MaryamsJoyfulLife

Remember the Goodness of God

 What’s up, wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people? How are y’all doing today? I hope y’all are having an amazing day today, and I hope nobody steals your joy. Welcome to MaryamsjoyfulLife blog. It’s a beautiful day today, and I’m so excited that you chose to stop by and spend some time with me.

God is so faithful, y’all.

The last three weeks have been filled with celebration, laughter, and gratitude in my home. First, my daughter Zoe turned eight years old. I’m so grateful to God for blessing me with her beautiful life. Then two weeks later, my son Le'Veon turned ten years old. God is so amazing. Every time I think about my children — Le'Veon, Zoe, and my baby Laila — my heart becomes overwhelmed with gratitude.

I remember what God did for me when He blessed me with Le'Veon, then Zoe, and now Laila. I remember the prayers, the hope, the waiting, and the love. God has truly been faithful through every season.

I just want to remember the goodness of God all the days of my life and stay humbled whenever I think about the blessings He has given me. I’m grateful for His mercy, His faithfulness, divine protection, guidance, and good health over my children and my family. God is so good.

You guys, it is so important for us to remember what God has done for us because it is easy to forget. This world is filled with negativity, distractions, fear, and wickedness. The enemy wants us to focus on what is not working instead of remembering everything God has already done.

Sometimes when things are not going the way we want them to, we begin to feel discouraged. We can start feeling like life is unfair simply because we don’t yet have the thing we are currently praying for. But that is exactly how the enemy distracts us — by pulling our focus away from the goodness of God.

Instead of remembering how God brought us through difficult seasons before, we become consumed with what has not happened yet.

But when we intentionally stop and remember the goodness of God, something shifts inside of us.

Gratitude grounds us.

Gratitude humbles us.

Gratitude pulls us back into the present moment.

Every time I sit and think about what God has already done in my life, I notice a change in my spirit and even in my body. I feel warm in my heart. I feel peaceful. I feel present. It keeps me from floating into stress, frustration, comparison, distraction, and negativity. It reminds me that God has always been there for me.

Today’s vlog is really about this:

Gratitude and Remembrance

Remember what God has done for you.

Take yourself back to that moment when God answered that prayer you once cried over. Remember the breakthrough. Remember the healing. Remember the open door. Remember the blessing that you now have and may have become so used to.

Sometimes we become stressed out over the next thing we want while forgetting that we are currently living in prayers God already answered.

That realization alone is enough to humble us.

So let’s not allow our current desires and needs to distract us from what God has already done. Instead, let those desires push us closer to God in gratitude. Sit with the same God who answered before and thank Him again.

Because if God did it in the past, He can do it again.

The God who blessed you before is still faithful today.

The God who carried you before will carry you again.

The God who opened doors before can still open doors now.

So today, remember the goodness of God. Be grateful for the goodness of God. Give thanks knowing that whatever it is you currently need, the same God who did it before will do it again.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

And always remember:

Don’t let anybody steal your joy.

Pay Attention — The Blessings Are Already Around You

 Pay Attention — The Blessings Are Already Around You

It really is a beautiful day, and I’m grateful you’re here with me again. Sometimes life teaches us powerful lessons in the most ordinary moments. Not during a seminar. Not during a deep prayer. Not even during a crisis. Sometimes… it happens in the school drop-off line.

This morning I dropped my kids off at school and started heading back home. I realized I was in the wrong lane — the lane that would take me the long way instead of the direction I needed to go. So I turned on my signal and watched the driver beside me, hoping they would slow down and let me over.

At first, I didn’t think they were going to let me in.

So my reaction?

Speed up.

I figured I needed to hurry, get ahead, and cut in before I missed my chance.

But then something caught my attention.

While I was watching them… they were watching me.

I suddenly noticed they were trying to come into my lane — the exact lane I was trying to leave. I wanted to be where they were, and they wanted to be where I was.

I paused.

I looked again — and sure enough, their turn signal was on, pointing toward my lane.

The moment I actually noticed, everything became simple. I slowed down, moved over safely, and at the same time they moved into my old lane. No rushing. No frustration. No near-miss. Just clarity.

And that’s when the lesson hit me.

The Real Problem Wasn’t the Lane

The problem wasn’t traffic.

The problem wasn’t timing.

The problem was attention.

I was so focused on what I needed that I wasn’t paying attention to what was happening around me.

How many times do we do this in life?

We rush.

We stress.

We force doors.

We exhaust ourselves trying to make something happen.

Meanwhile… the answer is already there.

We just aren’t noticing.

What We Miss When We Don’t Pay Attention

Think about it.

How many blessings have we missed simply because we weren’t paying attention?

How much pain could we avoid if we slowed down long enough to notice the signs?

How many resources have we wasted because we acted too fast instead of observing first?

How many heartbreaks could have been prevented if we paid attention to behavior instead of words?

There’s a reason scripture says obedience is better than sacrifice. Many times obedience simply means awareness — noticing the signals, the nudges, the patterns, the warnings, and even the opportunities.

Sometimes the delay in our lives isn’t denial.

It’s distraction.

We are trying to force our way into a place God is gently guiding us into… but we’re moving too fast to see the direction.

Awareness Changes Everything

The moment I stopped, looked, and became aware, the situation solved itself. I didn’t have to fight for position. I didn’t have to rush. I didn’t have to panic.

All I had to do was notice.

Life works like that more often than we realize.

When we become aware:

we make wiser decisions

we avoid unnecessary conflict

we protect our peace

we recognize opportunities

and we move at the right time

Sometimes your blessing is not blocked.

It’s waiting on your attention.

So today, I want to gently remind you:

Pay attention to your environment.

Pay attention to people’s actions.

Pay attention to your intuition.

Pay attention to your own feelings and patterns.

Because when you don’t notice, you can delay what was actually already available to you.

Slow down just enough to see clearly.

And above all — protect your peace and your happiness.

Don’t let anyone steal your joy… not even you.

If you’re looking for guidance and support on your journey, I’d love to walk alongside you. Visit www.maryamsjoyfullife.com and sign up for coaching. It would be an honor to help you grow, gain clarity, and move forward with confidence.

A Week Full of Joy, Celebration, and Gratitude

Hello everybody,

Thank you so much for stopping by to read my post today! I’m writing this with a heart overflowing with happiness and deep gratitude. This past week has been nothing short of amazing for our family, and I just couldn’t wait to share it with you all.

Yesterday, my sweet babies, Le’Veon and Zoe, had their school awards ceremony—and oh, what a moment it was! Watching them walk across that stage was a reminder of how hard they’ve worked and how far they’ve come.

Although Le’Veon just missed the AB Honor Roll, he ended the school year strong and with his head held high. He received three incredible awards recognizing his hard work, persistence, and more. I couldn’t be prouder of his growth and determination!

And then there’s Zoe—what a superstar! She absolutely crushed it this year, earning straight A’s, winning the Spelling Bee, and receiving the Principal’s Award for Academic Achievement. And as if that wasn’t enough, she was also inducted into the prestigious 100 Book Club for reading over 200 books and taking over 200 quizzes, excelling in flying colors. Zoe’s dedication to learning has truly been awe-inspiring!

To celebrate their accomplishments, my Sweetman and I wanted to do something special and memorable. So, we booked a relaxing staycation at the Element Hotel by Westin in Buckhead, Atlanta. It’s a beautiful and modern hotel that’s just a mile away from our dinner spot—and yes, I’m talking about none other than the fabulous Fogo De Chão, the Brazilian steakhouse we love!

We’ve been to Fogo De Chão before (it was our New Year’s Day dinner spot back in January), but this visit was even better. The food was absolutely delicious, and the atmosphere was warm and family-friendly—perfect for our celebration. Our server was beyond amazing—so thoughtful and kind. She surprised the kids with complimentary desserts in honor of their outstanding achievements, which truly made the evening even more special.

 

 

Despite a little rush hour traffic, the commute from the hotel to the restaurant was smooth, and the whole night felt like a dream.

For those of you reading this and maybe feeling like nothing exciting has been happening in your life lately, I just want to say this from the bottom of my heart: Give thanks for where you are right now. Even in the quiet seasons, there is purpose and beauty. Keep trusting God. Your time to celebrate is coming, and I’m praying that God blesses you with something wonderful very soon.

Until then, stay joyful, stay hopeful, and keep showing up.

With love and light,

Maryam