Finding Hope and Encouragement Through a Joy Book
by Angie Petrie
As a counsellor, I have the privilege of walking alongside people as they seek light in dark places, hope in weariness, and meaning in every day. One of the most powerful tools I’ve discovered on this journey—both personally and with clients—is the use of creativity to unearth small treasures that can restore joy and bring comfort, especially during challenging times.
Let me share a simple story from my own creative experiments. I had a collection of used salt crystals, remnants from a session of sprinkling them onto wet watercolour paintings for a local fair. Instead of discarding them, curiosity nudged me to see what would happen if I placed them on a damp scrap of paper. After a brief spray and a few tentative drops of colour, I left the paper to dry on my windowsill, almost forgetting it was there. Days later, brushing off the salt, I discovered the most beautiful patterns left behind—something delightful born from what most would call ‘rubbish’. It was a vivid reminder that beauty and renewal can emerge from the most unexpected places.
In that moment, a cherished saying echoed in my heart: “He restores all things to those who love and serve the Lord.” This phrase reminded me of the gentle, ongoing restoration that comes not only from faith, but from noticing and gathering joy in small things. My heart overflowed, and I reached for my “joy book”—a small, bound collection not quite a journal, but a treasure trove for snippets of delight. Here, I tuck away tiny paintings, feathers, gift tags, people’s precious words gifted to me, blessings, meaningful verses, and any oddments that evoke hope and happiness.
Throughout my practice, I’ve seen how these small creative acts act as anchors—reminding us of the beauty around us, even in the midst of struggles. The biblical verses I return to often echo this restorative power:
These promises speak of healing, hope, and the reassurance that, even when things seem lost or broken, renewal is possible.
If you’re new to the idea of a joy book, start simply. Keep it by your bedside or somewhere you will see it daily. Add to it when you stumble upon something that makes you smile or gives you a moment to pause. Let it become a sanctuary of encouragement, a reminder that treasures can be found everywhere, from salt crystals paintings from a window ledge to verses, drawings, or the wise words of a friend. It is in these small, creative moments that light breaks through, and joy is restored.
So, give it a go. Gather your treasures, however small or peculiar, and watch as your own joy book or maybe yours is a beacon of hope, or delight for the journey. You might just find, as I have, that a little moment every now and again restores some faith of hope, joy, delight or love. You deserve it and maybe it’s a blessing you could pass on to your family, making one with a child is precious, especially when they tell you the beautiful saying they will write in their from you.