It is the post that lead to a friendship.
But it is more than just simply important to me. At this time of year there are loads of people going through depression for many reasons. This post helps those who know God to get through it in a better frame of spirit.
There are loads of reasons people get depressed during the holidays. I can’t speak to all of them. But I can talk about this. December of 2007 I was in a very bad place emotionally. Martin and had been through lots of treatment for infertility issues, including two rounds of IVF. All our efforts had failed. We had come to the end of our rope. I was basically okay with it…at first.
then came Christmas.
and oh boy. all the symbolism, all the services, all the kids programs, all the holiday photos and posters, and commercials.
I felt like I was in a flood. Being overwhelmed by the Virgin Mary and her Baby Boy.
It was so hard to take. I sat in the balcony and cried through the children’s service. I ended up staying home that night and not even doing the Christmas play at church that I was supposed to be in. I knew I should have gone and fulfilled my commitment, but I just couldn’t bring myself to be around kids at that point. I saw them not as little people, but as walking symbols of my pain. It was a very unhealthy outlook, but I was caught up in the middle of it and couldn’t see that right then.
It hurt too much. I was so sad and jealous and angry. I wanted to scream out my anguish to God. WHY was I not a mommy yet?
Then Trish pointed me to this post. Everything changed. Something about this post just turned over my apple cart. Put the focus back where it was supposed to be in the first place.
Read it. No matter what your reason for depression, or if you are simply disgruntled this season, it will change how you look at your current circumstances. I re-read it every year. And find new reasons to revel in the message.
Enjoy.
stream of continuousness 