“In the beginning, O God, your Spirit swept over the chaotic deep like a wild wind and creation was born. In the turbulence of my own life and the unsettled waters of the world today let there be new birthings of your Spirit. In the currents of my own heart and the upheavals of the […]
Words from a friend Read More »
Confession: You already know this about me–sometimes I write about caterpillars when I can’t write about cataclysm. My grandfather is dying today (my only grandpa, pillar around which my earliest memories twine), and my sister is in the ER for the third time in a week (my only sister, oh my sister). I hold this
Change comes slowly, and is shy of being quantified. It took a lot of time, a lot of living, just to heal. My depression is seasonal, but it was getting worse. I wasn’t getting back my zest for life in between. In the summer times I didn’t ponder taking my life, but I would always
There and back again Read More »
I am in the middle of a story about my experience with seasonal depression. Begin at the beginning right here. ***** Heading into winter 2010-2011, I tried hard to keep things upbeat. I meant to use my lamp. I really did. But I didn’t start until I crashed into a black weekend—Thanksgiving. I tried fitting
I am in the middle of a story about my experience with seasonal depression. Begin at the beginning right here. ***** Spring came, and I felt fine. Life moved on. Life was good. But I encountered some really low times, and they got worse. Seemed like each January I bottomed out, though there was always
I am in the middle of a story about my experience with seasonal depression. Begin at the beginning right here. ***** Nine years ago, I looked out my window and thought, I had no idea there was so much gray in the world. Born and raised on the northern edge of Minnesota, I was the
Before I tell any part of this story, I’d like to say a small word to those of you readers who will feel uncomfortable with the topic—those of you who see depression as sin, a problem that could only be spiritual in nature. Depression can be sin. There are numerous Biblical examples of people who
A whiplash across the room Read More »
Confession: Um. I have a propensity toward seasonal depression. The fancy word for it is SAD—Seasonal Affective Disorder—an elaborate way of saying I have trouble handling winter. My body and mind react to the lack of sunlight in the winter months, resulting in varying levels of despondency. I hate this bent in myself. I want
Rural legend #1: Pastor’s wives are perfect. Rural legend #2: Christian moms don’t yell. ***** Rural legend #3: God is silent. God is not silent. God is so full of words that when He tried to cram them all into a book, He had to use fine print and thin pages. His words are there.