joy

Christmas 2019

| JoyfulArtist

“Mummy, do you know some people call Christmas-Xmas? That is just like taking Christ out of Christmas. I don’t like it.” These were the words spoken by the Ginger Kitten a few days before he finished school.

I was so pleased to hear him speak these words at such a young age. He realises the importance of the word and what it means to us believers at this time of year.

It can be a huge trigger for many, especially those who suffer from depression like myself or who have other physical/mental illnesses. I was determined this year not to dip as low as I had last year.

I am a facilitator for WRAP which is a recovery program. Wellness Recovery Action Plan. It is something I’ve done for around five years now and which I’m quite passionate about as anyone I’ve spoken to on the subject will know.

WRAP allows an individual to plan for situations which may trigger off a period in which they are unwell. Christmas as I said can be such a trigger.

So how did I plan? I wrote lists – lists of who was going to receive a present and what it was. I made a lot of presents this year, and that in itself helped me in a therapeutic way. I looked at who was coming to dinner and when which also helped with shopping. I rested. I took time out instead of running around like a headless chicken. I breathed – I downloaded an app to help me breathe and sleep and…I spent time with those I love.

All of this planning helped a lot but so did the love and support of those close to me. I belong to a small family but we are close and always there for one another.

This Christmas I was privileged to spend many happy times with another family. Not everyone shares these experiences. However, at this time of year we remember how Jesus left His Father and was born into a family here on earth. Family is important to God. He never intended us to live alone. He created the family unit to provide love and support and to make each day easier as we help each other practically too. I am also a member of God’s family. I am a daughter of the King and there are so many brothers and sisters in Christ for whom I am truly grateful who added to the joy I experienced this season.

There was a lot of fun this Christmas. Fun being off work, fun trying new things, fun seeing my boys open their presents, fun with family, fun going out for the day and fun making memories together.

Celebrating my faith, spending time with loved ones all have given me hope for the year ahead. But as 1 Corinthians 13:13 says:

“And now abide faith, hope and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

Love has been evident to me this Christmas. God loved me so much that He let His only Son come to earth and be born in a lowly stable. Jesus left Heaven knowing one day He would die on a cross for my sins. So as I go through 2020 I want love to be more evident in my life as I live each day for Him and His glory.

Thanks for reading

HARSH WORDS

| JoyfulArtist

I’m not at home this weekend which is a rarity. No visit to the beach but a weekend away with a group of my church family. A weekend of fun, food, fellowship and emerging ourselves in God’s precious Word.

…Harsh Words!

Words… are made up of letters which are put into sentences – that’s at the most basic level. That’s what I explain to the little people I teach when they are learning to write.

…Harsh Words!

Words…are a form of communication which can be written, read, spoken aloud or even sung. They are more than just squiggles on a page or other surface. They hold meaning. We use them to express our feelings, emotions, opinions and so much more.

…Harsh Words!

Words…can be used for good or bad; creation or destruction; encouragement or criticism; love or hatred; enlightenment or ignorance. The list is endless.

…Harsh Words!

On this weekend we have had 3 sessions so far. However it is 2 words from the first that have been spinning around in my head – HARSH WORDS. As you know by now, the past few years have been a difficult journey. As one of our speakers reminded us, on our walk of faith we will experience difficult journeys that will have, yes, will have valley and mountain top experiences as well as smooth and rough roads. All of this I can testify to.

One thing we experience on a difficult journey are – Harsh Words! Proverbs 18:21 says: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat it’s fruit.”

This verse in the book of Proverbs reminds us that our words have an impact on other people. This is something I have mentioned before. Our words are a serious matter. Everyone knows the childhood rhyme – “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” – I think everyone also knows that the second part of the rhyme is a complete lie. Names/words will hurt no matter how strong or resilient we are.

I always believed I was a strong person. I always believed I was a strong person. Emotional, but strong. I thought I could listen to what people said and if it wasn’t pleasant, I could just let it go over my head. How wrong I was. You see, I didn’t take into account that I would have to listen continually to negative words Day in day out, week in week out, year in year out until I was broken in spirit and completely overwhelmed by despair. Neither did I anticipate it coming from someone I loved.

It wasn’t until a short while after the Squid’s 4th Birthday when there was a family illness and I experienced another depressive episode that the light bulb went on inside my head. Something had worn me down. Something had worked its way inside my head until I had no self worth or confidence – HARSH words over and over. So how do we overcome them? How do we ignore or avoid them? Ultimately it cost me my marriage. Where was the love when negativity choked my joie de vivre?

This verse I pray when I hear harsh words. Isaiah 54:17

“No weapon that is formed against me shall prosper; and every tongue that shall against me in judgement thou shalt condemn….”

I also pray these words over the Squid and Ginger Kitten because they still hear those Harsh Words on a regular basis. The impact it has I try to counteract when they are with me but I leave it in God’s hands because He is greater than he who is in the world.

So remember, think before you speak as your words have an impact and God’s Word has a mighty impact on us all.

Thank you for reading.