Category: God’s Love

I Can See a Light

I’ve been feeling pretty depressed the past several days. Yesterday was especially bad. I went up on one of my medications recently, so that could definitely be affecting me…along with other factors. But I was able to go to my therapist appointment today and talk some things out, which was very helpful.

As I was driving home from my appointment I treated myself to a Snicker-doodle latte at Dunkin Donuts (I had a coupon, of course 😉 !) and one of their new croissants/donuts with a chocolate drizzle. It’s amazing how little things like this can lift your spirits! I think that’s one of the things that has been pulling me down lately: I haven’t been taking the time to do the things that I enjoy. I just haven’t felt like doing them! Well, I pretty much haven’t felt like doing anything. But I’ve learned in the past and need to put back into practice the fact that when I don’t feel like taking care of myself, I need to do it anyway–and the enjoyment will come eventually. 🙂

I’m just so thankful for the support of my family and my close friends…and most importantly, for God. Without them and without God, I really don’t think I would make it. I am just in awe of the fact that the Lord doesn’t let me go–doesn’t give up on me, even when I give up on Him, in a sense. He’s so faithful, and I pray that I never forget this!

If you’re feeling down today, take at least a few minutes to do something that you enjoy–even if you don’t feel like it. It may seem like a chore at first, but I hope that the pleasure would come as you push forward through the mud and the muck. And depression IS a pit of mud and muck. You constantly have to crawl out of it. But thank God that we have Him to not only help us crawl out, but to lift us up on all sides and set us on our feet again. May we always remember the times in the past that He has come to our aide, and trust that He will do the same in our current situation, and for everything that we encounter in the future! ❤

Image Credit: Unknown

He Holds the Future

Lord, I praise You for Your sovereignty over the broad events of my life and over the details. With You, nothing is accidental, nothing is incidental, and no experience is wasted. You hold in Your own power my breath of life and all my destiny. And every trial that You allow to happen is a platform on which You reveal Yourself, showing Your love and power, both to me and to others looking on. Thank You that I can move into the future nondefensively, with hands oustretched to whatever lies ahead, for You hold the future and You will always be with me, even to my old age…and through all eternity.

~ from 31 Days of Praise: Enjoying God Anew, Day 5, by Ruth and Warren Myers

Photo credit: Unknown

A Season of Anticipation

 

I’m somewhat of a country girl. 🙂 I grew up on a long, dead-end street where it took about fifteen minutes to get to the nearest convenience store. But I didn’t mind. It was what I was used to, and I learned to love many things about living in that area.

Today was a little different, as I had to go into the city for a doctor’s appointment. Now there’s nothing wrong with the city–I enjoy visiting once in a while, and there are many benefits for those who live there. But it’s just not my usual surroundings! So I felt quite out of place. A little nervous, a little uneasy…especially while driving.

On my way home from my appointment, I found myself looking for familiar landmarks. Something, ANYTHING, that would make me feel like I was getting close to home. I anticipated the turns I made onto each street, and celebrated when I caught sight of a store or a building that I recognized. I was looking forward to what was to come: reaching my familiar surroundings!

Photo credit: Jamie Trueblood, AP

I’m sure that there must have been great anticipation that led up to the birth of Christ. As different events occurred, people must have gotten more and more excited for what was to come. As all of the prophesies fell into place, a sense of eagerness probably grew to meet this Christ child.

Are you cultivating a sense of anticipation this Christmas season? Are you being mindful of what the season represents, and what it means for those who know Jesus as Savior, and for the rest of the world?

I ask myself this, and I pray that I will savor this special time of remembrance. That I will make time for stillness, for thoughtfulness, for quietness of mind and heart.

That I will make room for the Savior in my everyday moments. I don’t want this time to pass me by.

Will you share in this sense of anticipation with me by remembering Christ’s birth? Will you take time to consider what He ultimately came to do on this earth? Let us be filled will awe and amazement at the wonder of our gracious Father, who sent His only Son to redeem us, so that we can spend eternity in His loving presence.