This may be the first day, in what seems like forever (time is uneding in the dark and reality skewed), that I have actually smiled and meant it. Today, December 22, 2016, I smiled!

Depression hits me out of nowhere sometimes and it seems that no matter what I do, I can't shake it, so through the motions, I go.

Today, those motions felt more powerful, today those motions weren't so difficult...today, I smiled and I meant it.

Yesterday, while out on a lunch date with my sweetheart, I received a phone call from a friend who does not often call on the phone. I felt I needed to take it even though I was enjoying some rare time with my busy husband. I answered the call to hear her say that she was just thinking about me and wanted to call.

I took the opportunity to share a prayer request, later followed by a text message telling her I had been struggling and her phone call came at the perfect time. 

As is the case, most times, I find that once I speak the darkness into the light and share with others who will lift me up in prayer, the power it has over me is broken. As I shared, I could already feel the weight lifting. Depression wants to isolate me and too often, I let it.

Yes, going through the motions helped, but ultimately, for me, speaking it out loud to others who come in agreement before for the Lord in the name of Jesus breaks every chain that is bound in me.

Thank you Lord.

Can I encourage you, during this season of Joy, that often times feels anything but, do not be tempted to isolate yourself, but allow others to stand alongside you in prayer. You may find that it eases the load and may allow you to see the light and promise to come.

Joyful Christmas and I love you in the Lord, Mia

Growing up we would begin our meals by saying a Common Table Prayer, "Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest and let Thy gifts to us be blest. Amen"

Then, on many occasions our family would return thanks after we ate, praying Psalm 107:1 "O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good, for His mercy endures Forever. Amen."

I love the tradition of asking for His blessings before we eat and then thanking Him after we have been satisfied.

I invite you this Thanksgiving to join with us as we give thanks and as we return thanks to a God who is Faithful.

Great is His faithfulness!
I love you in the Love, Mia

Today as I reflect on the life of St. Patrick, this is what hits me most as I have been struggling and battling depression over the past few days.

Patrick was a young man who was taken into captivity and enslaved for six years in Ireland. It was during that time, when he had nothing else, that he turned his life over to Christ. It was was in the darkness that he saw light, hope and saving grace. It was then when he realized that he had nothing else but Christ and Christ was enough.

So if you are celebrating this day well, Have fun! Enjoy the corned beef and cabbage! But if you, like me find your self in a bit of a stooper, take heart.....Christ is enough, His grace is enough, He is the comfort and comforts us in our affliction, He draws near to us as we draw near to Him.

So, as I and many others get caught up in the green (which I heard wasn't even his color), let's take heart and get caught up in the example that Patrick was and what God can do in the midst of our captivity, in the midst of our struggles, in the storm of our pain. God is faithful. His word is true.

Look up! He's got this!
I love you in the Lord, Mia