If you've been following our family this summer, you know it's been hard. We've all struggled with depression, mostly on a daily basis. It seems like just when things start to look up, something spirals back down again. The opposite can be true as well though, it just takes a bit of work. Everyone in my family is finding ways of coping with boredom, disappointment, depression, and anxiety. For me, sometimes it's just being goofy that helps.
Last week I found myself in a grocery store parking lot, offering to take a motor scooter cart back to the store for an elderly lady who was trying to get into her car. It was only after I had offered this gesture that she kindly informed me that you can't just push the darn thing... in order for the cart to move you have to actually sit down and drive it. After a considerable pause and trying to casually half-ride, half-push the cart into the grocery store, I finally took the plunge and parked my perfectly stable and healthy 20-year-old tushie into that handicap scooter and drove that swagger-wagon right in through the front doors of the Food Lion.
It was very amusing.
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| I was closely followed by two hipster guys who seemed to view my recreational vehicle as not quite mainstream enough |
Another coping method I've been trying to motivate myself to participate in is the act of exercise. Specifically, running. In all honesty folks, it doesn't happen often. And, when it does, it's not very long and not very enjoyable. But it does provide a rather delightful mood-boost, which I guess is why anybody ever runs at all. Basically my thought process from pre-run to post-fun goes as follows:
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| pre-workout |
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| mid-workout |
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| post-workout |
And of course working out makes you want to look good. Whenever I feel like I need a little polish or some beautifying de-stressing, I go to Maris. Not only is she an extremely talented writer, she is also a gifted druid.
Just kidding. But seriously, she does know how to concoct all sorts of natural and homeopathic health and beauty remedies. One must merely peep around the corner of her
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| slight exaggeration. in fact... she may or may not have ever actually said any of these things. |
Occasionally I get the grumps and need to express frustration and aggression as well. Silly pastimes and healthy habits are all good and well, but sometimes the anxiety and exhaustive emotion of recent goings-on has a tendency to build up. Sometimes I choose to relieve these tensions on people, a habit I'm trying to break. However, when I'm not raining down fury on unfortunate loved ones, I sometimes tend to release mild profanities in my head. Most of these never see the light of day, but a few of them include, but are not limited to:
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| yes I know... shocking malediction indeed. |
At the end of the day, however, there is no amount of driving scooters or working out or herbal baths or inventive vocabulary that fixes the problem. I am continuously reminded that throughout this entire summer, and indeed, for all of my life, prayer is the only thing that keeps me going. Having a relationship with Christ, the Great Healer and Shepherd, is the only way to make it though the trials of every day. And so recently, and much later than everyone else in my family, I try to approach the day with the knowledge that God has a great plan for us, and that it all will work together for our good and His glory. And sometimes, that means starting each day off with a cup of tea and the knowledge that you have absolutely no control over your life.
Surprisingly, that's a pretty good way to start the day. I know it's been said many times already, but thanks to all of you who have been lifting us up in prayer daily. Know that your prayers have been heard, and that through good and bad, you've made it better through the love of Christ.
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