We are the dry and thirsty sand
Upon this dry and thirsty land
But you speak life into the flesh
Breathing air into the dead.
~Jonathan Thulin - Dead Come to Life (feat. Charmaine)
______________________________________________________
I
was hanging on by a thread as New Year's rolled in. We celebrated as a
family, but I wasn't fully here. Physically, sure, but emotionally and
mentally, I was checking out. In the months to follow, Jesus was the
only thing connecting me to my husband, my children, my house, my
family. He held them as He clung to me. He didn't have to. I'm not even
sure I asked Him to. But because of a promise He made all those years
ago, His hand gripped me. He never let go.
Winter was long and
life is hard. Little ones changing so quickly, I cannot keep up. All
this time and certain realizations chipped away at my heart; no more
babies, getting older, so much work to be done, death, sickness. A heart
that was already fragile. Truth knocked me out one day. I was broken.
So much in a such a short time. Heart, soul, mind and body just would
not align. An ugly mess. I read about those dry bones in the book of
Ezekiel. Me! I was those dry bones, life-less. Guilt only added to the
weight. There was so much to be thankful for. So much to praise and
dance about. Yet, I simply could not.
Still, Jesus clung. He
continued to spread His arms and never once wavered. Never flinching,
not even a quiver. His love radiates. His love lifts and brings life.
His love protects and sustains.
ONLY GOD CAN DO THIS.
"He washed away our filth at our salvation. He restores us with each new day. And He will make everything new for His glory."
...So what's different these days? What has these "dry bones" dancing again?
Prayer.
Honestly, this was a big one for me. Personally, I struggle with
keeping up when mommahood brings me down. When our prayer life is
lacking, we will find that all life loses it's luster. Trials, chaos, or
the simple hardness of life will pull us down quicker than we realize
when we let go of God, even just a little.
I really believe that
when we go through the valleys of life, we have a great opportunity to
rise out with a renewed and firmer faith. With each passing victory, God
allows me to see Him in new light. I
learn how to believe Him and trust Him
more. And to be example of that faith to my family.
Reaching out. We
were not created to live this life without friends. We need
girlfriends; friends in Christ. And once I started reaching out again
to friends and a few of those in my church family, my heart really began
to lift. When you find women who lift and encourage you, hang on to
them! There is nothing like sharing with another momma/women whose life
has some valleys similar to yours. Knowing that you are not alone in
this journey is extremely uplifting.
"We cannot and should not try to live
and grow in the Gospel alone."
Essential Oils.
In the past month, I have been using Young Living Essential Oils; Joy,
Stress Away, Peace & Calming and Valor. Every day, several times a
day. I have never used antidepressants or anxiety medications. But it
was either try that or the essential oils. I chose the latter and so
glad I did. My family now uses them too. I believe in them and support
the company. They are not a cure, but provide relief for just about
everything. Yes! There really is an oil for that!
[A year ago, I
attended an informational meeting about essential oils. I was super
skeptical. I thought, this is just some crazy scheme to take my money.
After all the testimonies, (some
seeming unreal) many from close friends and actually
needing to do
something, and finally persuading my husband, we invested. And, I have not been disappointed. Not one bit.]
A getaway.
Springtime lifted everyone's mood. Fresh air, sunshine and exercise
really do lift the spirits. My family recently spent two weeks at the
ocean, our favorite place. Being separated from our daily work and life
made an enormous difference for all of us. For me especially. I was able
to gain a new perspective, to refresh my thinking (or turn it off!).
This has helped me tremendously. I wish this was something ALL families
could do each year or even a few times a year. It is such a blessing to
get away
as a family. To laugh, to be free from schedules and
the "daily grind" as some call it. To have fun and eat and play and
breathe fresh air,
together.
Coming home. God has been faithful. He does everything He promises. Do you know His promises? Do you know His Word? Because you simply
cannot realize how true He is or witness His Work if you don't know what it is He has said or promised.
"The only One who can truly satisfy the human heart is the One who made it."
It's
only by grace that we can do this life really well. I am a mom. I am
raising three little people. Little people who will grow into men. A big
part of who they become is up to my husband and I. That realization
alone is enough to depress a person. Add life (and death) to that and a
person can sink into a deep dark hole of desperation. It's no wonder
that we fall into pits of despair from time to time. I cannot imagine
what it's like for those who do that without the anchor of Christ.
But there is always hope.
And when you know Him, there is always a big ol' dose of grace, mercy and joy to go along with it.
MY FLESH AND MY HEART MAY FAIL BUT GOD (!) IS THE STRENGTH OF MY HEART AND MY PORTION FOREVER.
