Category: Life

Friday Night Ramblings

Well, it’s Friday. Another week gone by. Another amalgamation of victories and triumphs mixed with shortcomings and defeats. Another accumulation of experiences to learn from.

The weeks seem to be flying by so quickly. I really don’t know what happened to the summer. It was here for a moment, and then it was gone. And now Autumn is almost upon us. I can’t help but ask myself: am I growing? am I progressing? am I improving? am I taking those baby steps that I so long to take?

And the answer? I really don’t know.

I need to take some time to think and to ponder and to look back on these past few months. I feel like everything is just mashed together – all the up’s and the down’s, all the good’s and the bad’s. It’s so easy to just keep steamrolling forward, and to leave the past in my wake without a second thought. But I don’t want to do that.

So what has happened over the past couple of months? For one, I’ve been struggling a lot with sleep. It has been extremely elusive. I lay in bed for hours at night, my body exhausted and attempting to rest but my mind still awake and somewhat cognizant. I really, REALLY wish I had an “off” switch for my brain. I do the best I can to prepare myself for slumber, but most of the time my efforts are in vain. And it doesn’t help that the medicine that used to help me drift off into dreamland is one that is not safe to take while attempting to get pregnant.

So about trying to get pregnant…it’s tough. The Hubby and I have been trying for about six months so far without being successful. We are now seeing a fertility specialist who will hopefully increase our chances of conceiving. But it’s a difficult process. Lots of blood-work and ultrasounds. Lots of terminology that baffles me. Lots of information to process. But we’re praying that if it is what God wants, He will enable us to have a child. He knows what is best – and we’re trying to rest in that knowledge as time progresses.

I don’t mean for this post to have a sullen undertone. God has been good. Roy and I were blessed to share some fun times this summer. We were able to visit the beach and boardwalk numerous times, to spend time with family and friends, to explore a new destination called Grounds for Sculpture, and to experience some really special moments. I need to be and want to be and am trying to be grateful. He has done so much for us!

I guess I just feel weighed down. Tired. Somewhat discouraged. The Hubby and I have several decisions that we need to make, and they are big ones. The future seems scary and overwhelming right now. But I know…I just KNOW that God has already walked the path that He is leading us on, and that we need only to trust and to follow. To seek His wisdom and to be obedient. It’s a difficult process, but it’s one that will mold us and shape us into the people that He wants us to be. And it will open doors for the types of ministries that He would have us to be involved in.

I really want to make an impact. To help people who are hurting. To use the gifts that God has given me to be a blessing. But I don’t quite know how to do that! I would ask you, if you have a moment, to pray for me. That God would ignite the passions that He has instilled in me and show me – very specifically – how to use them. Pray for my husband, also. He works so hard, and I know he is tired and disheartened. He also wants to make a difference, but is lacking the time and the means to do so.

Anyway, that’s probably enough rambling for one blog post. 🙂 Thank you so much for reading and for caring. I want to leave you (and myself) feeling encouraged, so I will end with this promise from God:

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
~ Isaiah 41:10

God’s got us! And He will never let us go. So take that next baby step with hope and confidence and joy. You may not know what you will encounter, but He does. And as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, He has both the desire and the ability to work in such a way that will bring growth for us and glory for His name. ❤

 

Photo taken by Crystal Knauss at Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton Township, NJ

Baby Steps Forward

I’ve been having a dry spell with my writing. I very much want to “put pen to paper” and script something that is inspiring – but the words don’t seem to want to come.

Have you ever felt this way?

You have so many thoughts bottled up inside, and yet you can’t translate them into words and sentences and paragraphs. You sit in front of the computer waiting for the inspiration to come…but you’re left listless and despairing. You try to search for ideas on the internet, but none of them quite hits home in regards to how you’re feeling at the moment.

That’s where I am. So I’m trying to push through this writer’s block…and hopefully into a better state of mind.

I’m still struggling a lot with depression and anxiety. I lack energy and motivation, obsess about little things, and get overwhelmed easily. But I must say that God has been helping me. He has surrounded me with family and friends who are there to help. He has continued to teach me the importance of being grateful. And He has encouraged me with His Word and His presence.

So I guess He’s been enabling me to take baby steps forward!

And with this New Year ahead – along with so many unknowns – I can trust that He won’t leave me helpless. I have a God who loves me deeply and who longs to see me flourish under His care.

 

Photo by Tamara Menzi on Unsplash

25 Things That Make Me Smile

Almost a month has passed since I last posted. It’s not that I haven’t wanted to – it’s either that I didn’t have an idea for what to write about or I didn’t have the energy to put “fingertips to keyboard.” The depression and anxiety have been relentless, but God has gotten me through day by day. In an effort to focus on something more positive, I’d like to share with you – in no particular order – 25 Things That Make Me Smile. 😀

  1. My Hubby. He’s a wonderful friend and a good “Daddy” to our pets.
  2. Dunkin Donuts Cold Brew coffee. With cream and *regular* sugar (not the liquid stuff).
  3. Sleeping in! I love being able to wake up slowly and get my bearings before beginning the day.
  4. Sliding into bed at night with the cool sheets enveloping me. I love letting out that sigh and snuggling deeper into the covers.
  5. Sunrises. They are so quiet, and still, and beautiful…and they help you look forward to the rest of the day.
  6. Daisy. Our little pup. She is energetic and vocal, and she brings joy to our lives.
  7. Misty. Our food-loving cat. She enjoys snuggling up in her “cat condo,” sleeping, and – of course – food!
  8. Soup. Specifically a creamy, comforting soup, and accompanied by a crusty bread.
  9. A good hair day. It makes you feel like you can conquer the world!
  10. The appropriate usage of a descriptive adjective in a sentence.
  11. A hot cup of tea between shivering hands.
  12. Warm, fuzzy socks on ice cold feet.
  13. My God. He is always there for me…and I wouldn’t be able to “do life” without Him.
  14. Our little succulent plant that sits in our window and brings cheer to our home.
  15. My family. I have been blessed with a supportive family on both sides, and I am so glad to have each one of them in my life.
  16. Baby giggles. Enough said.
  17. Long, hot showers.
  18. My friends. God has also given me awesome friends – friends who are gracious, understanding, and there when I need them.
  19. An engaging book. I love getting lost inside its pages!
  20. The Bible. I’m thankful for its truth and it’s relevancy to our lives.
  21. Trips to Target to grab a Starbucks and visit with my Hubby on his work break.
  22. Re-watching NCIS for the umpteenth time.
  23. When I don’t have to cook or clean up after a meal.
  24. Getting a card in the mail that really encourages me.
  25. The Lord’s provision. Somehow He has gotten us through this far, and I’m very grateful for His generosity.

Thanks so much for reading! I hope to continue this list at a later time. Now what I want to know is, what is something that makes you smile?

 

Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash