Be Open to Something Greater

 

Sometimes when we set out looking for one thing, God has a far better plan in store for our lives. You might start off searching for something simple — maybe a dress you want to wear for an event — and along the way, you stumble upon something far more valuable, something you thought you had lost.

Life has a way of surprising us like that. Just like Saul, who went out searching for his father’s lost donkeys and ended up being anointed king, God often uses ordinary moments to lead us into extraordinary purpose.

God is always in the business of expansion, elevation, and divine surprises. He gives us far more than we could ever imagine or even think to ask for. But for us to see His hand at work, our hearts have to stay open.

When we allow our hearts to be carried away by fear, disappointment, or the weight of our struggles, we unknowingly close off the flow of blessings. But when we stay open — ready, expectant, and trusting — we make room for God to move in ways that go beyond our understanding.

God is always looking to bless you. He is always working to increase you, to bring beautiful things into your life. But when we fill our minds with the worries of this world, we can miss the new things He’s doing right now.

So today, I just want to encourage you — whoever you are, wherever you are — to open up your heart again. Don’t let the pain of your past or the shame of what you’ve gone through define you. Let God take that pain and turn it into purpose. Let Him turn your mess into a miracle.

Because He can.

And He will.

You just have to be open to it.

I’m praying for you today — and for myself — that we will all open our hearts and see the good that God is doing in this very moment. Let’s embrace it with joy and faith, because greater is coming. God has always had something greater.

As Isaiah 60 reminds us:

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”

The same things you’ve been chasing after are now being drawn to you because of the glory of God on your life.

So today, I invite you to rest in His promises. Receive His peace. Believe that His blessings are on their way.

In Jesus’ name, Amen. 💖

And if you’re ready to go deeper in your faith and joy journey, check out my programs — Refreshed, Shaking Bold Faith, and Joyful Life Blueprint — all designed to help you grow spiritually, find peace, and live a purpose-filled life. You can explore them all at 👉 www.maryamsjoyfullife.com.

✨ Stay blessed, beautiful. God’s got your back.

— Maryam Shumate

The Power of Gratitude: Finding Fulfillment and Peace in God’s Goodness

 

The Power of Gratitude and Fulfillment in God

It is truly a good thing to give thanks to God. Gratitude reminds us of who He is and how faithful He has always been. When we take the time to pause and reflect on God’s goodness, we begin to see how every moment — even the difficult ones — has been covered by His grace.

Making gratitude a daily habit strengthens our hearts in times of weariness. It fills us with hope when life feels uncertain and opens our eyes to see the blessings that are already around us. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what God has already provided. It renews our faith and positions us to receive more of His goodness and favor.

True fulfillment comes when our hearts are both spiritually connected and deeply grounded. It’s that beautiful balance of walking closely with God while appreciating the life He has given us right now. When we are thankful, we begin to see life through the lens of purpose and peace.

Life takes on a whole new meaning when we choose to live surrendered — trusting that God is in control, no matter what season we’re walking through. Gratitude keeps us expectant, hopeful, and anchored in faith.

Today, I pray that you are blessed with fulfillment, peace, and a surplus of divine provision in Jesus’ name. May your heart overflow with gratitude, and may you continue to see God’s goodness in every area of your life.

With love and joy,

Maryam 💛

Www.MaryamsJoyfulLife.com

Take That Step and Trust God

 

🌟 Take That Step and Trust God 🌟

By Maryam | Maryam’s Joyful Life

What’s up wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people? 💖

It’s nighttime, but I’ve been wanting to post this blog for the past few days. Life has been busy — but tonight feels like the perfect moment to sit down, connect with you, and share what’s been on my heart. It’s Friday night, and such a beautiful time to talk about something that’s been lighting up my spirit: starting a new venture and trusting God through the process.

Thank you so much for being here and for checking out Maryam’s Joyful Life. I appreciate you more than you know! 🌸

A Day Filled with Purpose

Today was such an amazing day for me. I got to spend quality time with my family, serve my community through my products and services, and just truly enjoy the blessings of the day. There’s something so fulfilling about pouring into others, creating something meaningful, and making an impact — no matter how small it may seem.

But here’s one thing I’ve noticed about life: when things aren’t going the way you want them to, the best thing you can do is keep taking action toward your goals.

Sitting still and waiting for things to change on their own only makes you feel stuck. But when you take action — even a tiny one — your confidence grows, your faith strengthens, and your focus shifts back to what’s possible.

🙏🏽 Pray, Trust, and Move Forward

I can’t stress this enough: pray, pray, pray, pray, pray.

Whenever you feel low or uncertain, prayer is the fastest way to rise back up. I’ve experienced this so many times — when I turn to God, surrender everything to Him, and trust His plan, peace always follows.

Because truthfully, without God’s help and guidance, we can’t do anything. So pray first, and then take action.

If you just sit and expect things to fall into place without moving, you’ll stay stuck. Every time I’ve had an idea or dream, I’ve had to take that first little step — and that’s when things start happening.

So no matter how small the action is, take it!

🌱 Keep Moving, Even When It’s Hard

When you take action, something shifts inside of you. Your confidence returns, your focus moves away from what’s not working, and you start seeing possibilities again.

Even if you don’t have all the resources right now, that’s okay. Use what you’ve got and pray that God provides the rest — because He always does. God never fails.

If you’re in a season where things feel uncertain, where you’re trying to figure it all out and it’s hard, I want you to know this: God can make a way. You’re reading this for a reason — and I truly believe God is about to open a new door for you.

So tonight, let this be your reminder: take that step.

Take action toward your dream.

Keep your faith strong.

Trust God, even when you can’t see how things will work out.

Say it out loud:

“Lord, I trust You. I may not know how You’ll show up, but I know You will.”

And as you keep trusting, watch how your situation begins to change — because it will.

💖 Stay Connected and Keep Growing

If you’d love to go deeper in faith, confidence, and personal growth, I’d love for you to explore my programs:

✨ Unshakeable Faith

✨ Joyful Life Blueprint

✨ Refreshed

You can learn more at www.maryamsjoyfullife.com.

And if you’re planning a getaway and need someone who’s got your back, check out www.maryamsjoyfullifeluxuryvacation.com. I’ve got amazing travel deals that can make your next trip truly special.

Remember — no matter what’s happening around you, don’t let anyone steal your joy. Keep shining, keep believing, and keep taking steps toward your dream.

You’ve got this — and God’s got you. 💛

🌸 Family Fun, Faith, and Learning: Baking, Planets & Being Refreshed 🌍🫐✨

Hello wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people! 💖

Welcome back to Maryam’s Joyful Life! It’s such a beautiful day today, and I’m so excited to share what we’ve been up to lately. From baking delicious blueberry muffins with Zozo to exploring the planet Jupiter with Levy — there’s so much joy, curiosity, and creativity in our home right now. 💕

And as we learn, create, and laugh together, I also want to share something special that’s close to my heart — my brand-new course, ✨Refreshed✨, designed to help you renew your mind, restore your peace, and realign with your purpose in God. 🌸

Let’s dive in!

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🧁 Bake With Zozo: Homemade Blueberry Muffins Made with Love

In this adorable new episode of Bake With Zoo, our little chef Zozo takes over the kitchen to whip up some delicious blueberry muffins — fluffy, sweet, and made with so much joy (and a little help from Mama 😉).

From cracking eggs to mixing the batter and baking in silicone cups, Zozo shows that baking can be both fun and creative. The laughter, teamwork, and taste test at the end are the icing on the cake (or should we say muffin)! 🫐

🎥 Watch the full video below!

(Embed “Bake With Zoo: Blueberry Muffins” YouTube video here)

“Sometimes the sweetest moments come from the messiest kitchens.” – Maryam 🌸

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🌌 Levy Explores Jupiter: Fun Facts About the Giant Planet

Meanwhile, our scientist-in-training Levy continues his Solar System learning series with an exciting new episode on Jupiter — the biggest planet in our solar system!

In this fun and educational video, Levy shares all sorts of amazing facts:

• Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and can fit 1,300 Earths inside it!

• The planet spins faster than any other — one rotation in 9 hours and 50 minutes.

• Its famous Great Red Spot is a storm larger than Earth that’s been raging for over 300 years!

• Jupiter’s four main moons — Ganymede, Callisto, Io, and Europa — each have fascinating stories, like Ganymede having its own mini magnetic field and Europa possibly hiding oceans beneath its icy crust.

🎥 Watch Levy’s full Jupiter episode below!

(Embed “Levy and Zozo’s Reaction – Planet Jupiter” video here)

Levy’s curiosity reminds us that learning is a lifelong adventure, and exploring God’s creation can be as fun as it is awe-inspiring! 🌠

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💛 A Word from Maryam: It’s Time to Be Refreshed

As I watch my kids explore and create with so much passion, I’m reminded how important it is for all of us to stay refreshed — not just in body, but in spirit and purpose.

Life can get busy, draining, and overwhelming. But when we take time to pause, breathe, and reconnect with God, we find new energy, joy, and clarity.

That’s why I created my latest online course, ✨Refreshed✨, to help women and mothers just like you:
💫 Release stress and emotional heaviness
💫 Rebuild your faith and confidence
💫 Realign your heart with peace and divine purpose

👉 Sign up today at www.maryamsjoyfullife.com to begin your journey to renewal.

If you’ve been praying for clarity, peace, and direction — this is your reminder: God is calling you to be refreshed. 🌸

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🌈 Final Thoughts

From blueberry muffins in the kitchen to the wonders of Jupiter in space, our family is learning to celebrate every little moment — the laughter, the lessons, and the love that fills our home.

I hope today’s post inspires you to slow down, savor the sweetness of life, and open your heart to what God is doing.

Thank you for being part of our joyful journey! 💕
Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channels — Bake With Zoo and Levy & Zozo’s Reactions — and join the Refreshed course to start your own journey of renewal today.

With love and blessings,
Maryam 🌸
Founder, MaryamsJoyfulLife.com

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You Are Stronger Than You Think — Rise Up in God’s Power!

 

Welcome to Maryam’s Joyful Life Blog! 🌸

What’s up wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely friends! It’s such a blessing to have you here today. I’m so glad you stopped by because what I’m about to share with you has the power to change your life for good.

Let me ask you something—who told you that you couldn’t make it? Who lied to you and made you believe that your story was over and failure would define you? Whose words have you allowed to sink into your heart and cause you to spiral downward, agreeing with the lies of the enemy?

Today, I want to remind you of what God says about you. The Word of God declares, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11). That means no matter what your situation looks like, God’s plan for your life is good.

Watch my latest podcast with my daughter! 

The enemy may try to convince you otherwise. Remember, Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; but I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10). You’ve been given power and authority in Christ to resist the devil—and the Bible promises that he will flee from you!

You haven’t lost your authority; you’ve just allowed distractions and challenges to cloud your awareness of it. But it’s time to rise up again, beloved. You are stronger than you think, greater than you’ve ever believed, and the power of God within you is far greater than anything that comes against you.

So today, I want you to praise and pray your way out of that heaviness. Speak the name of Jesus over your mind, your body, and your soul. Lift your hands, lift your heart, and declare freedom over your life.

I decree and declare in the mighty name of Jesus Christ that you and I are free indeed—strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. We walk with boldness, rooted in Christ, standing firm in the truth that Christ in us is the hope of glory!

And finally, my friend—don’t let anyone steal your joy. Protect it. Guard it. Nurture it. Because your joy is your strength, and it’s the evidence that God is still at work in you.

Stay encouraged, stay joyful, and stay rooted in the Word. You are victorious! 💖

— With love,

Maryam

🎓 Ready to grow, heal, and walk in your God-given power?

Check out my life-changing courses at 👉 www.maryamsjoyfullife.com