Lilies and Sparrows

Tasks of the day run through my mind : feeding our 8 month old breakfast, laundry piling up, errands, bank stuff and now this COVID19 -- as if we needed anymore reason to be health conscious. Compound that by wasted time scrolling through Instagram or Facebook, I easily get caught in my mind and thoughts can spiral out of control. Tasks end up unfinished, frustration builds and here I go on the roller coaster of self again. If I don't catch myself quick enough I can do some damage with my words to others (especially my husband) for not helping me or doing something I want him to do right now. The Bible tells us of a woman, Martha, who was "anxious and troubled" in her thoughts. It showed through her frustration that she took out on others. PraiseGod I'm not alone and there is an antidote! It starts with our thinking. Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister call...

If you’re a new mother like myself you may have been dealing with “baby blues” which is another term for postpartum depression. Scary thoughts, d oubts, worries, self absorption, self denial and a new sense of responsibility are all very real. This wa s totally not MY ideal picture of motherhood but there is something DEEPER happening in this new chapter of life. Depression can take us deeper into self loathing and self focus and there is  only  antidote. It isn’t “You can do it, just try harder!”; motivational self talk. It’s not getting lost in a bowl of ice cream or candy and zoning out before a movie or social media. It isn’t going on a shopping spree. It’s also not obsessing on feelings and blaming God, the world, our husbands a nd our children for where we are in life. No, it is time to sit before the Throne of Grace like God calls us to (Hebrew 4:16). I opened my Bible to Psalm 119 and began reading aloud to myself the ancient but living words (Hebr...