Author Spotlight: Jaquelyn Patterson-Schaefer
We are pleased to introduce Jaquelyn Patterson-Schaefer. Jaquelyn recently published Joyous Faith: A Bible Devotional which is available through the Word Alive Press Bookstore, and everywhere fine Christian books are sold. We asked Jaquelyn to share a little bit about her writing and new book. But first, a little bit about her.
About
Jaquelyn Patterson-Schaefer is a busy mom, navigating the ups and downs of daily life with a heart full of faith, joy, and curiosity. Over the years, she’s been blessed by many wonderful people who have guided, encouraged, and supported her on her faith journey. She’s also an avid volunteer coach with the Special Olympics and a proud dog mom.
She grew up in Collingwood, Ontario. Her faith remains a steady source of strength, grounding, and joy. Her hope is that as you walk through this exploration of the Bible with her, you’ll find encouragement for your own journey, a deeper sense of connection, and maybe even a renewed spark of joy along the way.
Q&A
Q: What inspired you to write Joyous Faith, and how does your personal faith journey shape the reflections and activities you share?
A: I’ve always dabbled with writing. For this book, I was struggling to find a devotional that followed the calendar year, meaning that it hits closer to the heart when reading about Palm Sunday on Palm Sunday. I wanted a book that had Bible readings that would be applicable to each specific day, but having a happy twist.
I started out slow, sketching out my thoughts, then moving through the whole calendar year. Next thing I knew, I was writing a book!
As for my faith journey, my faith brings me a lot of joy. I help run my church’s events, so pairing up the readings with activities came naturally. I wanted to show readers how faith can bring joy to those around us.
Q: Your devotionals feel like warm letters from a friend. Dow do you make your writing feel so personal and encouraging, especially across different age groups?
A: I write from the heart. I enjoy connecting with people and the book reveals how I live my life. Whether making cookies for neighbours or offering little random acts of kindness, it all brings me joy.
Q: What advice do you have for someone who feels unsure or overwhelmed about starting a devotional or reading the Bible?
A: Pick up your pen. What’s the worst that could happen? You could draw closer to God and strengthen your own faith. Sounds like a good deal to me!
Q: What do you hope readers will carry with them after completing your devotional?
A: It might sound kind of corny, but I honestly hope that readers find another way to enrich the community around them. The grass is greener where you water it—and our relationship with God, our family, and our friends… well, it’s worth taking some extra time to make those relationships grow.
Q: In your writing, you often connect scripture with daily life. How do you come up with the creative activity suggestions that follow each reflection?
A: I have ADHD, so creative ideas are always bouncing around my mind like popcorn. Reading scripture and then praying to God helps settle my mind. But I love fostering my connection with our heavenly Father. I am thankful that He made me this way. Offering little acts of kindness inspired by the Bible readings just makes sense in my head. They go together like peanut butter and jam.
Connecting Points
Find and follow Jaquelyn:
Facebook: @ajoyousfaith
Order her book in softcover or hardcover here: Joyous Faith.