Thankful to be Loved by an Almighty God

Recently, my daughter commented on an article in the newspaper about a young girl (19) who committed suicide. According to the reporter, a broken relationship had driven her to kill herself. My 18 year old was outraged and baffled.. how could anyone do such a thing.. no boy is worth that etc. While I am immensely grateful to God that my children are strong enough in their faith and values to to have this belief... I had to tell her that not everyone is strong this way.

I had to explain about the darkness of depression, the dark, cloying, weight of self-hatred, that causes diseases like anorexia, bulimia and self-mutilation and the fact that these things are like quicksand, sucking the victim into a black hole. My children know these things exist, but they cannot understand them. They know that in their weakness they must turn to God. A God who loves them and will support and strengthen them.. even when their father and I may fail them. Quite often depressed, suicidal people or 'cutters'  are locked into an isolation and feel they have no one to turn to, that no one could know or understand. They feel that they are unloved and unlovable.

Do you know of anyone caught in the depths of any of these dark places? Share this video with them. Feel free to pass on their names for me to add to my prayer list.  James 5:15 "And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well, the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven".

Love can save, love can heal. Love someone enough to pray for them, reach out to them. Show them the light of Jesus shining in you. You never know what the person next to you is going through. Remember that you are Christ's hands, feet, eyes, mouth on this earth.

And for yourself... do you feel like giving up on something painful or difficult in your life. 

Keep climbing, sister, the Lord loves you so much he took your burden onto himself. He bled out our sins on the cross and He continues to say to you "Come to me all you who labour and are burdened and I will give you rest."  YOU ARE LOVED!!!


131. For the Holy Spirit... teaching, guiding, empowering, prompting, prodding
132. For being led in unexpected places.
133. For being touched and moved by Grace.
134. For Grace that provides strength when I need it.
135. For being blessed by the words of others.
136. For the blessing of knowing I've helped another.
137. For the grace of being a SAHM, despite all the obstacles and difficulties.
138. For loving and kind words of encouragement from my husband.
139. For grace-filled moments of tender reflection.
140. For being able to look at old scars and be grateful to God for healing.
141. For sharing stories and meeting new friends... discovering common ground.
142. For good old-fashioned TLC  ;-)
143. For secrets whispered in my ear.
144. For a daughter who woke up early to babysit her sister so I could go to church.
145. For a daughter who took such great care of her little sister so I could bake.
146. For  the grace I feel when I see God at work in my life.
147. For Grace that turned a meltdown into a heart-to-heart with my teens.
148. For the smell of hot cross buns wafting through the house
149. For the joy and delight on the face of my four year old eating the fruit of my labour.
150. For a husband who can cook.. thank you Lord!

God fills each day with grace. so many gifts in each moment that passes. May you be blessed by God abundantly and may you shine brightly with His Grace for all to see.


Have a happy and holy Easter everyone!