We all have a unique story, but too often we end up shackling ourselves to the same burden of guilt, falling into the same dark hole, and diminishing the joyous light and life that God has gifted to all of us through Christ. Of course, being a Christian doesn’t save us from experiencing troubles, but in following Christ, we are connected to the source of perfect peace, grace, love, hope, and yes—joy. And we don’t have to wait for these gifts; Jesus wants us to experience these marks of an abundant life now.

Thoughtful and at times humorous, Restoring The Joy is an encouraging, insightful collection of personal stories from author Christine Vogelsang’s life as a pastor’s wife, mother, teacher, musician, writer, and speaker. She knows from experience how easy it is to burden yourself with guilt about all the things you’re not doing and to forget that the Christian life isn’t about being right but about accepting forgiveness from an always gracious and loving God.

Each story reminds us that while as Christians we are followers of God, it is actually God who is pursuing us, calling us, and writing a better story for us than we could ever imagine.