Do you feel forgotten?… (via Cindy Holman’s Blog)

 

Image by PinkMoose via Flickr

 

This blog post is the one that gets looked at more than any of mine – and that’s saying a lot since I have over 500 posts now.

I find that the reason for this is simple: People are lonely. They do a search on google for words like, ‘Lonely’, ‘forgotten’, ‘I feel forgotten’, etc. and my post pops up. It has been curious to see this happen over the last year – from people all over the world who stumble on my blog.

I wish I had all the answers and all the wisdom to provide when posting something like this – but the sad news is that I don’t. But I do know someone who does. His name is Jesus. And when I was going through a sad and dark time – not too long ago – and there didn’t seem to be any answers – or any relief for my sadness – He was there with me all the time. The Bible tells us that He is ‘closer than a brother’ – and that in itself is so comforting to me – because I never had a brother and would have liked having one.  He is ‘like a brother’ – patiently sitting by my side until I was ready to open up the deepest and darkest part of my heart to Him. And He will do the same for you – give you some support and validation for your feeling of isolation – whisper to you in the dark times and be an ever-present help in your storm. I know this first hand – because He did for me.  And ‘like a brother’ – I am safe and confident in His love and affection for me – no agenda – no games – just pure adoring love – ‘like a brother’.

When you have that kind of love and connection – you are never alone.  People may leave you – reject you and walk away – but He never will.  And that’s so important to hang on to – sometimes it is the only thing you have.  A brother who loves you – will never leave you, hurt you – or abandon you.

I am praying that in your really dark days – you will reach out to this friend – who is ‘closer than a brother’ – and know that He really sees you – He really cares – He won’t abandon you – He will wipe away those tears and give you a purpose and a reason to go on.  I am praying that you will not give in to negative self talk – and voices in your head that say, ‘it’s not worth it – no one understands’ – and remember that someone does – and you aren’t alone – He is as close as a whisper of His name.

God Bless

I think that sometimes we can feel left behind – forgotten – cast aside.  Sometimes it is a feeling based in reality – most times it is not.  It is important to know the difference. Sometimes the “blues” are just the “blues”.  I was reminded of a great Karen Carpenter song from the late 60’s called “Rainy Days and Mondays” – where the lyrics say this: Talking to myself and feeling old Nothing is really wrong Feeling like I don’t belong Hanging ar … Read More

via Cindy Holman’s Blog

A Mixture of Blues And Blahs

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I’ve been trying to shake a feeling the last couple of days.  Oh nothing serious.  You know. The feeling that things are overwhelming and daunting.  Nothing really is – it’s just a feeling.

I call it a mixture of the blues and blahs.
The author Jaime Buckingham, knew what this was.  He said his wife had it once a month – he called it her, ‘once a month – nobody loves me’ period.  And I will agree that for us women – it sometimes is chemical – nothing more.  But I know a lot of men that feel this way too – so it has to be something more.  The heart feels broken and sad.

The ‘blues’ – what exactly are they?  Where do they come from?  Why do we feel like this?  Why can’t we just ‘snap out of it’?

I’ve never been one to stay ‘blue’ for very long.  My personality is pretty upbeat most of the time – I’d say I’m even-tempered and not ‘down in the dumps’ too often.  Even ‘grumpy’ very often – although I have my days like everyone else.

Elton John had a great song, “I guess that’s why they call it the blues” – and for some reason I can relate to those lyrics.  They speak about the human condition, relationships, feelings and emotions – the ‘blues’ – and sadness that comes from giving our heart away.

I think it’s healthy to recognize what brings us down.  For me it could be anything, really.  Trying to figure things out – that I know I never can – this can drive me crazy and bring me down.  Or worrying about things that may or may not happen – another thing that can bring me down.  I don’t consider myself a ‘worrier‘ but I can get ‘sad’ or ‘stressed’ when I can’t solve an issue.

Our pastor spoke about: ‘How to deal with worry’ on Sunday.  Great message.  If we don’t get a hold of my own worry (stress – or being uptight) – it will eat me up inside.  I know for me – I need to concentrate on Jesus – and what He’s trying to teach me through the ‘blah’ and ‘blue’ – yes – the sad days.   I hear Him so much better in these kind of days – than in the ‘sunshine’ days of my life.  When I’m ‘blue’ and ‘blah’ – I am still. And I can hear His voice so much better.

For me – it doesn’t work to just ‘busy myself’ with other projects and things.  Or even friendships.  I need to be alone with Jesus and let Him fill me up again.  And it’s nice to know that he will not scold me for not being busy or not getting my work done.  He wants me to spend that time – doing nothing.  Just sitting at His feet.  Taking Him in.  Letting Him penetrate my being.  Not worrying about what others will say.  Just stopping.  And waiting.  And being still.

He speaks to me in my writing as well.  It is like He just takes over and the words just flow.  The words that are helpful and give great insight to others – but mostly – they are for me alone.  Healing words of life and joy.

And I know – that in time – my ‘blues’ and ‘blahs’ will finally go away.  But not right away – not until He is done speaking to me – gently correcting me.  Making sure that my heart isn’t so sad that I will do and say the wrong things – or react out of pain and heartache – or even….revenge. Making sure that in my ‘blues’ I don’t start pointing my finger at someone else and blaming.  He works with my heart and motives and deals with me alone.  As long as it takes…And because I am stubborn and still want things and situations – my own way – it takes time.  I’m getting a little better.  But I still have a long way to go.

How about you?  What are your ‘blues’ and ‘blahs’ today?  Maybe – God is trying to speak to you through this.  Stop and listen.  He is there waiting in the silence and sadness.

God Bless

There’s An Elephant In The Room

Image by Medusa's Lover via Flickr

There’s an elephant in the room.   No one talks about it.  No one dares.

We avoid

We run and hide

We joke

We tell stories

We change the subject

and still….

There’s an elephant in the room

This poor ignored elephant – one that used to be rather small – but because everybody refuses to acknowledge her presence –  she has become  rather LARGE!  You see – she has an inferiority complex. A Big one.  And she drowns her sorrow and disappointment in eating anything she can get her hands on.  And because people would rather walk around her – even tiptoe lightly – she has to try to stay invisible in the center of the room – and not trip anybody up.  Oh she has tried to get everyone’s attention at times.   She even tries different colors to wear so she’ll stick out more and be noticed.  I’ve even seen her painting her toe nails red – and then waving her hands and feet wildly in the air – but to no avail.  She even waved and winked at me one time too – I’m sure of it.  I just shook my head and smiled.  I mean – really – what else could I do?  She’s an elephant.

Poor, poor elephant.

I’m waiting for the day – when someone can’t take it anymore and jumps up and says, “Hey!!!  There’s a LARGE elephant in here!  Do you see her?”  But until that day….

We avoid

We run and hide

We tell jokes

We tell stories

and….

We change the subject.

No one likes an elephant – especially a LARGE one with brightly colored clothes and painted red toenails, Right?  This elephant could change everything forever.  And no one will speak up.  No one will take the risk. Better to ignore and pretend….

There’s an elephant in the room

What’s Your Color?

My husband was the minister at a memorial service this morning – for a dear “saint” of God – who, in her own writing of her testimony – told how she had a life  of struggle and circumstance – and was NO saint.  Just a grateful recipient of God’s favor, grace and mercy.  Sound familiar?  Yes – it does for me too.

Greg then mentioned how each person on her life journey had impacted her life – and was like a “color”.  Each person we meet through life – touches us and adds “color” to our lives – and when they are gone – that “color” is gone.

I have thought about this off and on throughout the last several months – people in our lives that represent “color” to us.  Each one a different shade – giving us something we would not have without them.

As a musician I often use “color” examples to my students.  I like them to know what it means to use the “tone” in their voice to match a certain color.  Sometimes the student sings too “bright” or “yellow” and I need to use a dark color such as “deep red” or “deep purple” to get them to change the tone in their voice.  This works well with students – because everyone can understand what a color represents – and then try to mimic that sound with their singing voice.

I am “dark pink” – not bright and sunny like “yellow” – not too dark like a “deep red” or “deep purple” – I am positive – but sensitive and at times complicated.

I have some friends that are “yellow” – very up and positive ALL THE TIME.  I also have some friends that are very “deep red” or “deep purple” they are dark and mysterious, complicated and in their own right – fascinating and ever changing.  And I have friends in the middle with various shades of green and blue.

My husband is “blue” – easy going – uncomplicated – predictable and cautious.  He is simply the best and kindest of men – with a heart of gold.

My son is “dark green” – he’s a little like me – deep and sensitive – but also like his father – easy going and laid down.

My daughter is “fire engine RED”  She’s a black and white – no nonsense girl – who wears her emotions and feelings out in the open – there’s no hiding with her – she’s unpretentious and authentic – irreverent and wonderful.  You never have to wonder where you stand with Ashlee – if she doesn’t tell you – her look will knock you over.

My sweet son-in-law is “blue” like my husband – easy going, uncomplicated – with a good kind lovable heart.

What’s your color?  Is there anyone missing from your color palette today?  We all need each other – for that perfect balanced rainbow of color in our lives.

Have an awesome weekend!

God Bless