"HOPE"
Hope is the light by which
we stitch and snip and make our comforter.
Hope is essential to life. When Jerry's first
heart catheterization was scheduled, the pastor
told me not to worry because it would probably be
nothing. I consciously chose to believe him.
There was nothing we could do to hasten the test
or assure a good outcome. If things were as bad
as I thought, I would need my strength for what
lay ahead. I chose to accept he hope offered.
In the Bible and the God of the Bible,
we find all the hope we need. We find hope more solid
than a friend's assurance that everything will be all right.
We know that we will be healed and restored. The process
begins here and continues in eternity. As we work hand
in hand with God, we gain a greater understanding of
all that He is willing to do to help us.
There are many ways to cultivate
this friendship with God. I love to listen to Christian
music. I enjoy almost every form it takes but
contemporary Christian music seems to be the best
outlet for my emotions. Because most of the lyrics
are directed towards God it contributes to the
awareness that He is indeed by our side every moment
of every day. We can do nothing so dirty, ugly or
evil as to cause Him to abandon us.
Sin is described as separation from God
because it puts blinders on our eyes. When we are deep in sin,
He doesn't move. We just can't find Him in the mess we have created.
When we cry out in earnest, we discover that He is right there.
He never leaves us. He never forsakes us. (Hebrews 12:5)
When I was a child, I discovered embroidery.
I found such peace and satisfaction in working the pretty
thread into a pretty picture. Back then I worked on pillowcases.
Now I embroider anything that doesn't run when I get the needle out.
Later I realized that the peace I felt while embroidering came
from God, but I still didn't understand why.
One day at church I showed some of my work to Bud
and his wife. She had suggested that I go back to embroidery.
I found the same satisfaction and peace. It was an easy way to get
in touch with God and sooth my nerves. When I told them that I didn't
understand why the embroidery was so helpful, Bud told me,
"Beauty draws us to God."
Train your eye to savor beauty wherever it appears.
A purple crocus in the snow, a cheerful dress on a stranger or a bit
of bright blue sky on a winter day all draw us to God. Do what you can to
make your surroundings pretty. Order helps but I can't preach very hard on
keeping a tidy house. You can find pretty prints and figurines in the dollar
stores. Sometimes I've posted National Geographic photos on my wooden doors
with transparent tape. Since I don't like to paint walls, I prefer to use
nails and picture hangers on dry wall. A plastic table cloth is a quick way
to refinish an ugly table or dresser top. Contact paper can transform a
tomato box into something special.
Do all you can to remind yourself that He is
there rooting for you. As you improve inch by inch, He remains here.
He lifts you up and He comforts you when you slide downhill two feet
in the mud. Patiently He cleans you up. Carefully He dresses your wounds.
With infinite tenderness He leads you back up the hill. God never gives up
on you. It is okay to rest. You don't have to be slugging away at improving
yourself. Ask God to order your days and He will tell you when to get up and
work on climbing that hill.
Our most important effort is to hear His voice as
one willing to heed His advice. He will clear up the confusion. He will
light the darkness. When you cannot restore what you have broken, He will
work on it. He never sleeps. He never takes a day off. Because He is infinite,
He can listen to you as if there is no one else in the universe that needs Him.
Things will get better. Just let God shoulder the load.
Linda Brawner 2007
See another sample of "THRIVING WITH
DEPRESSION" below or by clicking the link to:
"Housekeeping"
See comments on the book's back cover.
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