Discover joy in the hard places

Welcome to the blog of JP Mills where you will find encouragement and belonging through reflective journaling and poetry.

Joyful Ruins

Discovering joy in the hard places

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  • Like the Flow of the River

    Like the Flow of the River

    Like the flow of the river are my feelings Quiet and calm slowly moving At peace Flowing gently over rocks A sudden fall makes water shift to pouring over Making beauty out of a small waterfall then soft and quiet again So quickly it changes There is the sudden sound of rushing water moving swiftly… Continue reading

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  • No Christ in America

    I no longer recognize the face of Jesus among Americans For Jesus fed the hungry healed the sick welcomed the stranger Did not throw a stone Cleared the courts prevented violence American Christians want their guns make church a business throw stones at everyone except those that look exactly like them Deport strangers only care… Continue reading

  • Truest Self

    Truest Self

    I thought there was one me one true self one true expression I’ve been looking for you all my life that perfectly authentic self But now I see they are all me All these parts and sides All these layers all these moments The ugliest parts the most beautiful parts the say the silliest things… Continue reading

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  • Witness To

    I feel the pain and hurt resurfacing buried deep to survive I feel it in my stomach I feel the tension the ache and nervousness It is real It must be felt as a witness to my pain That version of me is deserving of all my attention when she calls for it And she… Continue reading

  • Healing Body

    I do not wake up and notice the goodness of my body. Instead, I measure and judge. And truly, even if I asked myself how I am feeling and the answer is always the “negatives”, I could at least, respond with compassion rather than irritation. I guess I don’t really know what my body “should”… Continue reading

About Me

An obsessive journaler who loves meeting others along their journey and giving them a hand to hold through pieces of writing. I write about the heartbreaks of life and the joys, the ups and downs, and I often learn my greatest lessons and miracles from nature.

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