Tag: depression

Choosing Praise

I’ve been struggling with a number of things over the past several weeks. But I have consistently been reminded through Scripture or through loved ones that I need to trust God in the midst of what’s going on – and also that I need to be grateful and continue to praise God. The below poem is my heart’s cry in response to this. I pray that it will be worked out into my life each day as I seek to give my Father the praise that He is due, despite my circumstances.

I will praise you in the morning

When the sun does rise;

Praise You in the evening

Through the darkening skies.

 

I will praise you when I’m joyful

And when I’m feeling low;

Praise you simply because

You tell me to do so.

 

My God, I will praise You

When each need of mine is met;

And Father I will praise You

When the bills tempt me to fret.

 

I will pour our Your praises

When my family’s healthy and strong;

And still I’ll choose to praise You

When sickness lasts too long.

 

Jesus I will praise You

For all You are and all You’ve done,

And I will continue to praise You

Until into Your arms I run. ❤

 

Photo by Michał Gałężewski on Unsplash

Dear Mom

I am blessed to have many supportive people in my life. From my husband to my family to my friends, God has surrounded me with loved ones who are there for me when I need them. One of those supportive people is my Mom, and today I’d like to write her a letter as a tribute to all that she’s done.

Dear Mom,

Where do I begin? You’ve been there from my birth almost thirty-five years ago until now. I know that there is never a day that goes by that you don’t think about me, pray for me, and love me. God has truly blessed me with a Mom who supports and encourages me no matter what!

You put my needs before your own. You are always ready to help in any way that you can. You don’t mind when I call you – and then call you again – for help with cooking a new recipe. When I was undergoing ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy), you drove me to and from my treatments, which started at 5 o’clock in the morning! You give of yourself…and then you give and give again.

You send me cards with sweet messages (and coupons!) in the mail to brighten my day. 🙂 You send me Dunkin’ Donuts gift cards so that I can get out of the house and grab a little treat when I’m feeling low. When I have something that needs to be sewn, you graciously sew it for me. And you and Dad help us update our home! I know that there are many more things that you do for us, but I wanted to list a few that stand out to me.

I’ve been especially blessed that our relationship has been so close. Whether it’s calling or texting each other at the same exact moment, or sharing our prayer requests so we can lift each other up, I’ve always felt that I can talk to you about anything and know that you will listen and provide Biblical advice. I know that I can trust you, and that means a lot.

So for all of these things that I’ve mentioned, and the many more things that I didn’t mention, I’d like to say: Thank you. Thank you for all that you’ve done. And I love you very much.

Your Daughter,

Crystal ❤

 

Photo by Melissa Askew on Unsplash

Thankful Thursday (episode 9)

It’s been quite some time since I’ve shared a “Thankful Thursday.” Good things have been happening, and I’ve kept track of a number of them…but for a while I wasn’t putting as much importance on being grateful as I should.

But I’ve been reminded of its importance, and now I’d like to share my gratitude list. The list spans May, June, July, and some of August. These are things for which I give thanks to God:

  • We made some progress cleaning up our backyard
  • Even though I was feeling low and slept much of the day, we ended the day well by going to Barnes and Noble and then having a steak dinner
  • We are blessed to live in a rather small neighborhood
  • I made it through to the end of the SMARTER project as a Scorer at Measurement Inc.
  • God’s forgiveness
  • I saw a beautiful cardinal at our bird feeder
  • I didn’t have to cook or clean up!
  • We were able to get my car’s oil changed for a decent price
  • I didn’t go back to bed after getting up in the morning
  • Who God is – His kindness, protection, wisdom, grace…
  • Free coffee from the Wawa that opened near us
  • God kept us safe in a bad thunderstorm
  • I was notified that I was approved to have some of my student loans forgiven
  • Mom’s knee surgery went well
  • I had just enough money to pay for the groceries we needed
  • How my cat Misty reaches out for my hand with her paw when I pet her
  • We were able to help good friends move into their new apartment
  • God kept me safe while traveling to doctors’ appointments
  • My Dad had his workers put hardwood floor in our house!
  • My first TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) treatment went well
  • I was able to take care of our friends’ baby and I enjoyed it 😀
  • I’ve made it to my twentieth TMS treatment and I’m feeling somewhat better!

Thanks so much for reading, and feel free to share something that you’re grateful for in the comments! ❤

 

Photo by Wendy Rueter on Unsplash