Depression, Addiction, Brokenness, Loneliness... And yet.

It has been brought to my attention repeatedly over the last few weeks that so many people are suffering seemingly unbearable circumstances. I say 'seemingly' because our hardships and heartaches rise up and threaten to choke us. The weight of our battles press us down until we have no strength. We buckle under the oppression. Ruined finances. Persisting unemployment. Desperate loneliness. Severe depression. Broken relationships. Unshakable addictions.

In the midst of it, something nags at me. I have to think, "And yet..."

I've fallen prey to many of these disasters, and most of them just in the last 36 months. Depression that threatens my life. Finances that look so impossible we'll never know freedom again. Months of unemployment that I thought I'd never experience. Loneliness that takes my breath away. Disappointment on a mammoth scale.

And yet...

There is a light if I look for it. There is hope if I can silence the confusing babble of the destroyer. If I can just utter the words that take me back to my Savior, 'and yet' has significant meaning.

It means that there are those who refuse to buckle. As many of the Chilean miners did upon their rescue from the underground this week, there are people who raise fists high in the air and proclaim victory. Perhaps more than anyone, these people know the truth of Psalm 30:3. "O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit."

These strong souls encourage me, bless me with their determination to defeat the enemy. They tell me not to buckle. They remind me that I'm not alone and God knows each breath I take. He knows the ones taken from me, too. He is good and faithful and full of mercy. Whatever happens in this life, He is worthy to be praised.

Have you praised Him in spite of your circumstances lately? Tell us about it. What defeats the enemy more than a group of Jesus lovers uniting and shouting their praises?

And when another disaster seems imminent, remember: "For You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord shall enlighten my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop; by my God I can leap over a wall" (2 Samuel 22:30). Let's start leaping, dear readers.

Lord, I love you. How much more is my love because you hear my voice and my supplications. Because you incline your ear to me, I will call upon you as long as I live. Even when death surrounds me and the enemy seems to close in, when trouble and sorrow call my name, I will call upon the name of my God. Deliver my soul, Lord! For you are gracious and righteous and merciful. Amen.

(A prayer from Psalm 116:1-5)

Many blessings to you,
Shelley

Facing the Giant of Drug Addiction

I have been reading a book about the "giants" we face in our lives.  This is not a new topic for me but every once in a while I revisit it wondering if I have allowed new giants to take up residence in my heart, mind, and life.  My main giant is my health; will I breathe today or not.  Some giants we learn to live with for many years; this one has been with me my entire life, I don't know a day without it.  There are other giants we carry around on our backs and become so used to the weight that we don't remember it as a burden until we practically sink under it.

I know some wonderful people who manage under the weight of a huge heart-rending giant each and every day as they work, support their families, and attempt to enjoy their lives.  These families are dealing with adult children who abuse drugs and can no longer function at a normal level to care for themselves or their children.  I am surprised at the numbers of adults that abuse drugs and wonder what in the world caused that "child" to choose such a path.  Only they and God know for sure.  My heart is burdened for families that have someone they love changed by drugs, so the prayer below is offered to the Father on their behalf.  If you are one of these folks, please know that you are not alone and that God cares about you and your child.  If you are one of the abusers, please know that others love you and long for you to be whole and that God holds the answers you are seeking. 

Father -
Thank you that you give us each other to help carry the burdens of life.  I pray today for those who are dealing with adult children who have lost their way by choosing a life of drug abuse.  Our hearts break for them as they struggle each day to feed an addiction that they cannot control; to live a life they can no longer choose. 
I pray that you will give their parents wisdom to act and love beyond all human reason.  I pray that you will empower parents to do the hard things to protect themselves and others from the many facets of an abusers life that can elicit dangerous situations.  
I pray that you would give all of us who support these parents wisdom to know how to help them as they grieve for their children, raise their grandchildren, and dare to hope their children can become free.  We dare to pray for freedom from the life of addiction.
In the Son's name we offer these prayers to you. 
Amen.

What's so important about prayer?

Sunday night. I sat on my queen bed, loathing the thought of sleeping in it alone, holding my five-month pregnant belly and fighting the lump that lodged itself in my throat. My husband quietly packed his bags.

“Can’t you quit?”

“You know that better than I do. We need the money.”

I cleared my throat, trying to find that eternal spring of hope. “You’ll find something else. They’re not paying enough for this.”

“There’s nothing else in this economy.” He placed his hand against my cheek and rubbed. “You’ll be staying home when the baby comes, and we need this job.”

“I need you, and so does this baby.” My face crumpled and I gave in to the tears. They rolled hot and fast down my face. My emotion made it harder on him, but I couldn’t stop.

He frowned and gathered me in for a hug. “I don’t want to do this. Don’t you know that?”

I nodded, but my sobs wouldn’t allow me to speak. Desperation filled my being.

And I began to pray.

Prayer is the most important and most powerful weapon in our arsenal against the enemy. As Ephesians 6 says, we do not fight against flesh and blood – or in my case, against employers and the economy – but against the powers and principalities of darkness. We are instructed to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17), to pray in the Spirit (Eph. 6:18), and to continue steadfastly in prayer (Rom. 12:12).

The desperate words I poured out to God that night continued for three years. They continue today. My husband did find another job – by the grace of God and no effort of his own – but we lived through two childbirths, two job losses, and the most frightening financial times of my life while God listened to my cries and comforted me. He drew me near and encouraged me as my friends and family supported me in prayer.

The Bible mentions prayer or some form of it nearly 600 times. What’s so important about it? Prayer is our lifeline to the eternal. Prayer keeps us connected to our Creator. Prayer changes lives, situations, and people.

It is my partner’s vision to teach us to pray. We offer unique, hand-crafted prayer beads with prayer guides to aid in teaching. These beads and prayers are absolutely Christian and point to the power of the triune God as our source.

It is my vision to illustrate the all-encompassing love of Jesus Christ that opened the door so we can pray, with boldness and confidence before the Throne of the Almighty. We are given a tremendous opportunity to approach the Creator of the universe and talk as though we would to our best friend. He longs to hear from us. So, let’s get talking. What are you saying to God? What does He say to you?

Let this be a place to share your prayers, but just as importantly, to share answers to your prayers. Let this be a place to support our brothers and sisters in Christ as we live through some of the most difficult times we will ever face. Let this be a place to learn about true love, true freedom, and true communion with our God.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7

We look forward to hearing from you!

Praying God’s richest blessings on you,
Shelley