oh, ed, you are so sweet, how easy it is to have mercy on you! thanks for starting this!

i have been going through a hard patch. i struggle with depression and all its many offspring (fatigue, paranoia, extreme despair-- a fun group!). i work hard, and i get tired. i depend upon God to see me through. i am thankful for this space to feel safe enough to admit that.

something changed yesterday. maybe because it was friday and i knew i had the weekend to rest. maybe all those tearful prayers were reaping their harvest of joy. maybe it was the new moon. whatever it was, i felt something lift and lighten. i am still tired, and it is still a daily struggle, but knowing that God is beside me each and every step of the way--knowing that i am not alone--makes it easier, makes it do-able. because i know that i am loved. it is still hard, but i am loved. even when i cannot love myself. or feel worthy of love.

Rose, had I been here yesterday, and not a day late and a dollar short, I would have no better than a {{{hug}} and a listening ear to lend you.

Better, as you say, "something changed yesterday". I say Jesus is a change Agent.

Although we were not there for you yesterday, God did not leave you to falter. He lifted you up from the miry pit.

I have my days too, so you are not alone. You are loved and grace is all about undeserved merit. I stagger at my unloveliness at times, but thank God He is bigger than my inferiority complex.

Hope today looks Son shiny and bright.

At Dawn's Early Light. Seems I only think well in the early AM hours of the day.

So that you may become familiar with me as I desire to know you better, I will use this time to tell you about what runs through my head.

God has a sense of humor and you better believe it. I was distraught yesterday, My youngest dog has bone cancer. I said when I had to add the recommended opiates to his daily routine I would put him down. He has so much life left in him, that I humbly eat those words. Yesterday he began supplementing his pain killer with a narcotic. In just two dosages I see the relief it gave him (Moses) and he now is able to place his paw on the floor. I now understand that an opiate does not rob one of quality of life as I thought, but just lends aid in "eating the pain away."

Oh yeah, why does God have a sense of humor? Because I received His message to lighten up. As I gave Moses' dosage this morning, on the prescription bottle it says, "Do not take this drug if you become pregnant". As a neutered boy this was to absurd for me not to note.

May you all see the ways God attempts to speak, "Love and laugh." That is the cure for gloominess. Have a blessed day and be a blessing to others.

Rose I am sorry you are tired and depressed and so on. We all go through this thing especially in the winter months you can't get any sun hardly well at least here in Ohio. We got hit with snow over and over this year. I have been in the house more than out. But it gave me time to regroup for when I do get out I am going to be trying to give the word to everyone I meet. I am a good listener and I love the Lord he is my life forever I can't even remember when I didn't have him in my life. My favorite verse is Psalms 46:10 Be Still and Know That I Am God. I go through each day in silence and prayers and that helps me to focus on what God needs me to do. I love you Rose if you need a friend I will be here for you and help you by prayer, talking, or just being still with the Lord. Have a blessed day I will be praying for you!

Hugs!!!!

Hello Rose,

I am so glad to hear that the Lord lifted your head and heart. I pray that this Lord's day will be one where you sense His presence very strongly and are comforted even more.

You are definitely not alone in the struggle with depression. I know I have been in that place - YUK. so difficult.

King David, the man after God's own heart, struggled with it as well. I thought of Psalm 42 when i read your comment. "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." (Ps. 42:5)

Blessings on you today!

Cinder

Hello Editor I see know name sorry. I am glad to join the group I am a good praying person. And I love the Lord and people very much. I am sorry for your dog being sick. It is so sad to watch them being so helpless. I went through it with my dog I had he was 16 when he passed from old age. He was a very good dog never gave us any problems he was our protector more than once. He was like family to me I love all my animals like they are human. I will be praying for you in your time of grief with your dog. If you need to talk to someone I am always here to talk, pray, and just be a friend to you. Bless you my friend.

Love in Christ,

Margo

Hugs!!!!

I'm really glad you started this discussion!!

It's Sunday morning and in a bit I will be going to my church. Today I will be standing before the church and making a plea for my brothers and sisters to join me in the Walk for Life that our local Pregnancy Aid Center is having in about three weeks. I volunteer one day a week there, counseling young women, trying to get them to choose life for their babies and LIFE in Jesus for themselves. We are about saving lives eternally.

This is my quandry however. It seems that every single week there is a some plea or another for us to give at our church. This week is already big because we have a team going to china next week and they are needing money. (We are a small church of under 200 people) Last week it was revivial. The week before that a large foreign missions collection. Next week another type of missions collection. the week after that a special 'debt retirement' offering.

My husband and I are self employed artists. We definitely do not have a regular paycheck and feel really badly when we have nothing to give. We give of our time and we donate stuff to sell (like our art) but that doesn't feel very helpful.

And now i am going to stand up and ask for more money.

what do you guys think about that?