Tag: Christianity

Thankful Thursday (episode 6)

Two weeks have passed since I shared a gratitude list. Last week I was feeling depressed and unmotivated, and I actually forgot to write my post on Thursday. Instead of creating a post the following day, I decided to just wait another week and share two gratitude lists in one. 🙂

I’m still feeling low, but the Lord is giving me the energy to write. So here is my list of things that I am grateful for from the past two weeks!

  • My husband’s willingness to sit in traffic everyday while driving to and from work
  • A pretty sliver of a moon in the evening
  • The Hubby and I were able to visit a new park
  • We were able to get almost free meals at Chick-fil-A
  • I had the chance to talk to my Mom on the phone for longer than normal
  • A yummy desert of chocolate chip cookies and milk
  • My Mom sent me a Dunkin’ Donuts gift card
  • A nice dinner with friends and a good handbell practice
  • Comfortable, breezy weather
  • Sweet and Salty Cold Brew iced coffee from Dunkin’
  • Takeout for dinner! We had tasty subs and french fries
  • My doctor’s appointments went okay
  • A delicious dinner of hamburgers on the grill
  • God’s forgiveness
  • My headache wasn’t as bad as it normally is (I’ve been having them every day for about two weeks)
  • Roy was understanding when I got really anxious…he encouraged me to rest or read a book to help me feel better
  • The rain to water the earth
  • Laughter…it helps to relieve stress. I need to laugh more!
  • Being able to sleep in
  • We went to Barnes and Noble and got drinks and pastries
  • I felt quite depressed in the morning, but by evening I was feeling better
  • God’s unchanging love
  • I had enough money to buy groceries
  • We saw a very pretty piece of a rainbow in the sky
  • I was able to hold our friend’s baby at handbell practice
  • My family and I had a great time visiting the Philadelphia Museum of Art

There you have it! I hope this has been an encouragement to you. If you have something that you’re grateful for that you’d like to share, please feel free to leave it in a comment. Blessings to you! ❤

Photo Credit: Beat Schuler

A Dry Spell

I’ve been having a bit of a dry spell with regards to writing recently. I’m not exactly sure why, although I have been struggling more than normal with my depression and anxiety the past week or so. I knew that writing would help me – help me to work through my difficulties, help me to be grateful – but I just couldn’t bring myself to start a post.

Actually, I should clarify that. I did begin several posts, but I couldn’t finish them. Either because of time constraints, lack of energy, or my perfectionism…I ended up not hitting that “publish” button.

And right now, as I sit here in front of my computer, I feel stuck. Stuck regarding writing…I want to write, but I just don’t know what to write about. And stuck regarding how I’m feeling…I feel like I’m in a deep, dark, and muddy pit. Have you ever felt this way?

I talked to my Mom about it, and she said that this can happen to a lot of writers. Your inspiration dries up for a bit. But it’s a process…and I should be able to learn and even grow through it. I just wish I could skip to the learning and growing part!

But I know she’s right. God has me where He wants me at this point in time. And I need to trust Him – trust His heart of love. And trust that He has a purpose in this. I need to get back to taking those baby steps, and to focusing on things to be grateful for. And my Father will carry me through.

I just wanted to say thank you to my readers – I really appreciate you, and I hope you are doing well. Thanks for reading even when I don’t have much to share. You give me a reason to keep trying! ❤

“Writing about a writer’s block is better than not writing at all.”
― Charles Bukowski, The Last Night of the Earth Poems

Photo Credit: Joshua Sortino

Hills and Valleys

In this thing called life, there will be hills.

Times when things are going well –

Times when you feel like you’re on top of the world.

In this thing called life, there will also be valleys.

Times when you just can’t handle any more bad news.

Times when you feel like you’re digging your way

Out of a deep, dark, and muddy pit.

The introduction of these hills and valleys

Into our lives cannot be altered –

But what can be changed is our perspective.

How will we respond to the hills and valleys of life?

I pray that we will respond with grace…

Both the giving of grace and the receiving of it.

I pray that we will respond with gratitude,

Focusing on the many blessings in our lives.

I pray that we will respond with peace…

A peace that can only be found in the Prince of Peace.

So as we continue on our journeys,

Let us respond with grace, gratitude, and peace

To the hills and the valleys of life.

*Note: I got the idea for this poem from the song “Hills and Valleys,” by Tauren Wells. You can listen to the song here. 🙂

Photo Credit: Shontz Photography