Depression and marriage

I read this article a few weeks ago and the strap line really hit me. 

"Nothing prepared me for you screaming 'we are going to crash, we are going to crash'"

This was written by the husband of a woman suffering with severe depression. He saw her fall down and start creaming this for no reason at all. I can only imagine how frightening and surreal it must be for someone to see their partner do something so strange and out of character. 

In this particular case the woman got help and their marriage survived this. But for how many others is this not the case. For how many people is the suffering real but silent. Is the heartbreak deep in their soul. How many people suffer this soul destroying situation. I fear too many. 

Is depression real? Yes. 

That's it and instead of making people feeling more isolated by trivialising, ignoring and marginalising those real sufferers we should treat them with respect as they are people too. 

Finding love, shopping for food

Shopping on an empty stomach? Poor choices 

Finding love feeling unloved? Poor choices 

They say the worst time to go into a supermarket is when your feeling hungry. You make impulsive choices about what you buy and spend money you don't have. 

It's been my experience that it's true of love. If you are looking for love and you don't feel love then you will make poor choices. It takes two whole people to make a marriage. If you feel unworthy unloved unlovable you might end up picking someone who will exploit that. When you are loved you make clearer choices. Because your value does not come from outside but within you. 

Christian

Christian means comfort to those in need 

A simple concept that Jesus lived. That we who follow him should embrace. 

Women, the bible and why I believe

I am say in the library reading the book Women in the Bible: Miracke Birthd, Heroic Deeds, Bloodlust and Jealousy. A thought strikes me more than ever. We are all prejudice and when we come to the bible we come with that prejudice. 

As I read this book. I am more convinced that I am created. That there is God. That he loves me and wants what is best for me. One day we will be reunited and live in a world without sin. Why do I believe that because I am reading what the author John Baldock is saying and although it doesn't look favourable for us women. Guess what I don't see God that way at all. 

When I go the bible I see a loving God creating free beings that he wishes to share his love with. So much so that despite the risk he gives them free will. Now that means you don't have to believe that God exists. But for me when I look around this world there is no doubt in my mind it was created. I might not be able to explain everything but I know it was no accident. 

Here is the thing we can argue over theology all day as to which of is understands God the best. But guess what God is real and he wants is to be the best we can be. So you know what I might be right, you might be right, none of us are right but God is real and for me that's all that matters. There I said it. Those are the glasses I go to the bible with God is love, God is real and God loves me. Does that make a difference to how I read the stories. Your absolutely right it does. 

God bless 

Every Parent needs a Holiday

Every parent (especially stay at home ones) need a real holiday. One without the kids. I know there are those reading this who almost choked but I think it's true. No matter how much of your world the children are you need a genuine holiday. I have good reasons for saying this. 

1. Rest. Rest is so important. No matter how much you love the kids you need to put something into yourself in order to give something to others. Even the bible says so. Love others as you love yourself. See you have to love yourself. Get some rest. 

2. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. I don't care how angelic you children are and how much of a sati you are the truth is sometimes you can't see straight if your all consumed. Sometimes that little break gives you perspective. 

3. It can give you the strength to make the next hurdle. Sometimes a well time break gives you the opportunity to facethe  challenges of parenting head on no fear. A breath of fresh air is sometimes needed to give perspective. 

So these are just my three basic reasons that parents need an actual holiday from their children. As I have just experienced this joy clearly I am shouting about it from the rooftop. You see a holiday with kids especially more than one little child can be work on a different soil. While it's a welcome break doesn't make it easy. A holiday alone every now and then doesn't hurt. Cuddles are always great upon return. 

Spirit of fear

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT)

Fear is crippling. I work with a lot of people who are completely crippled by fear. Fear can be our biggest enemy. In the text Paul is encouraging us to have no fear in sharing the love of God. 

Could this be a message written for people today. Now it is so difficult to share your faith. We live in a time where having faith of any description is looked at badly. Not only that it's seen as almost the realm of the stupid. It's not possible for people of real intelligence to have faith. 

In this climate it strikes me that having a spirit of fear is immobilising. What you want is freedom. Freedom to be the person God create you to be. Freedom to share your faith. Freedom to show love to others. 

Can this be applied to other areas of our life? Yes. God does not want us to be halfhearted in life he wants to put our talents and gifts to use not to have fear an hide them. 

Be confident. Stand strong. Be brave. God is with you. 

Because of Love they know who you serve

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:34, 35 NLT)

I have read this text before. It's not the first time. However today I really thought about it. Do people know that you love God because of how loving you are? 

I was giving the example the other day of those Christians who are just lovely. You know those ones who are so sweet that really you can't help but notice they must be a Christian. By contrast I was saying I was praying for that quality. I am loud and opinionated and challenging. I think I am loving but do others notice this? Reading the text has further challenged this thought. 

I wonder what people see when they look at me? Do they see a loving God who saves or do they see something else in me. I hope daily that I reflect the love if God. But even as a mother I know how challenging this is to pull off all the time. Children can push you on this. 

Maybe what I am saying is that I am trying to be a reflection of the God I serve. I hope I am not failing because God is better than anything I can do. But he says let's be loving and I think that seems achievable.