The Season to Break Depression

Winter and Fall are known to be the more depressing seasons of the year, its dark dreary, cold and gray and it also brings holidays for some people who don't have family or friends to celebrate with. Now its starting to get sunny, flowers are sprouting, and you can see the animals out and running. Sitting out on my patio watching my beagle pup of a baby run around chasing sticks and looking at the wonderment that is known as God's creation I can't help but sit here and feel blessed and at the same time heart broken for those who don't get to see the view I see or who have gone down a slippery slope of an obis where the only thing they see is darkness.

We often times don't realize the amount of impact we have on ourselves, and the multitude of an impact that can bring to our marriage. When my husband and I first got married it was sunny and gorgeous the pool was still fun to swim in as it was still hot outside, but as the cool months came so did a wave of depression and anxiety that I thought was never going to leave or end. I thought of my nephew and how when I was home before we were married would come and we would have cuddle movie days in, in footie pajamas and homemade yummy treats coloring or painting. Now married, I was left with an empty apartment dark and gray, and just the company of a sweet little pup... but still no companion, no adventure of building forts, no child to bring me laughter. From my homesickness and adjustment to marriage I started to feel bad for myself, I wallowed, I wanted someone, anyone to reach out and socialize with me. My husband did wonderful he was always looking for ways to take me out but it didn't fill my socializing void or obis.

Finally the sun came out, the flowers sprouted and the kids were our riding bikes, playing basketball you can hear the clanging of the basketball hit the pavement even now as I type, it's a wonderful thing the sounds of summer around the corner and spring here for the moment.  Who would have thought that the sun would have such a great deal in our way of life and our way to get through the hard times. In that same token how could we not realize how big of a deal the sun plays to our every day life. The warmth it gives, the brightness that makes you feel like the best is yet to come on the horizon. In that same way, that's how God can make you feel, when you are close to God you feel that warmth, that celebration of love and renewing, a new start, when your distant from God, when your not pursuing God you can feel that winter upon your soul, the emptiness the void that seems to be so large and growing, and yet everywhere you go its just not quite what you are needing.

This Easter season that is approaching us next week take the time to really hone in on God and understand the Son that He offers to you, the renewing that He wants you to receive, the fresh air the ability to breathe and start new. If you haven't already consider accepting Him into your life, make the change that could save you.

It's the Morning!

A few posts back I had made the mention of Joy coming with the morning, and how I was wondering where that morning had gone. I am happy to say it's that morning. My husband and I have gone through many obstacles it seems as though for us 2016 started out as one of the roughest years for us, however it also started as one of the most trying and bonding times. While it would have been lovely to continue as newlyweds with our "heads in the clouds" I am appreciative that we had the hurtles to jump, and the race to run together. Today my husband and I turned a page in our journey, today we opened the curtains let the sun shine in and face the day with a smile and heart dependent on God and what His will for us is.

I try not to judge anyone and I try not to judge those with differing beliefs but sitting here in amazement at the things God pulled us through some moments even having to carry the both of us through, I wonder how people who don't believe in a God survives, I wonder how a marriage flourishes to the full capacity that it can be. Then I face the reality, a lot of marriages don't survive, a lot of marriages never reach that flourishing potential, a lot of marriages end in divorce, broken homes, unhealthy vices, and hurt feelings. I am not saying my husband and I are perfect, we are imperfectly perfect through God. What I am saying as a newlywed to those married forever and ever or those married just a short time or those thinking about marriage is, you need your faith, you need to have that sustaining power of knowing the hard times are coming or the hard times are here and their going to be gone eventually. Just like someone would take shelter in a basement during a tornado, we must take shelter in our marriage and in our relationships in God.

With this morning, and with the joy that God has restored to us, my husband and I this past weekend took the necessary precautions to safe guard our spiritual well being, and also our marriage's well being, along with our ministry's well being. We supported a local christian book store (we highly recommend doing so, even though the internet may have more to offer its still important to support local businesses) and stocked up on books to last us these next few weeks educating ourselves on our weaknesses, our strengths, and our goals as a married couple and as people individually and together in ministry.

Whether you have gone to college or not, always educate yourself, no one can take the knowledge your receiving away from you, they can take books, tv, internet even but they can't take away your knowledge.

**My point is this, we have joy again and we are sustained in Christ. We pray for those who read this blog, that you find yourself sustained in Christ as well.