Circus Train

(Photo taken by Dean Conner.)

modern day slavery

“We are all called to walk the path before us but let us never, ever forget those whose paths are bloodier. Instead, let us continually remember them to God in prayer and let our prayers transform us from apathy into action.” 

–Zonoma

depression

Depression is consuming and elusive. My day can be moving along at a fine pace and I remember to thank God for the sunshine and the butterflies and the way the specks of dust catch the sunlight and sparkle like little faeries in a wooded glade.  I can lie down at night, safe in the knowledge that I have a good husband, fine sons, and a good life. Then everything falls into nothing and its all I can do to whisper, “Jesus, save me!” before losing myself to the vortex in my soul. These moments come on me with all the violence of a storm and I can't breathe. They pummel me from the inside- roaring to get out, to find some expression, to be free. I cannot describe it better than a struggle for my very existence, clawing and screaming my way back- denying this monster, this enemy, the satisfaction of another moment’s conquest. Yes, living with depression is a struggle that happens from moment to moment. Sometimes I am tempted to believe this lie that I am alone but then Jesus comes. Jesus comes and saves me in the dark. He sets me back on the solid ground of his love and, for another moment, I am safe in his presence once more. 

Somewhere in the world tonight there is a sister who needs to know. You are not alone. You are not broken because you struggle with this melancholy. God loves you and rescues you. The LORD has overcome and the LORD is overcoming. 

-Zonoma

Velvet roses soft in the sunlight.

holiness

Did you know that the word holy was originally used to refer to temple prostitutes? These women and, yes, men were set apart for service to their god and use by any who would petition their god’s divine intervention. Remember this next time you are tempted to withdraw from the world in order to pursue ‘holiness’.  To be holy is not to be apart only but to be set apart in service to our god wholly and completely. It is to be used up to our uttermost by Him while ministering to any who would petition His divine intervention.

Just a thought.

-Zonoma

Whatcha-Got Stew

My children and I have a summer tradition. At the end of the month, when money gets tight, we fix a giant pot of “Whatcha-Got Stew”. The kids go out to the garden and find the last of the carrots or onions or cabbages- whatever they can find in the overgrown, weedy mess of a late season garden and then come running inside to share what they found. It usually isn’t much- a carrot here, half a small red onion that escaped the early harvest there. If we’re lucky, they even find a potato or some self-sown spinach. While they’re outside, I’m digging through the bottom of the freezer looking for a little bit of meat- and I do mean a little! Whatever we find, we throw in the stew pot and then the boys take turns tasting and seasoning while I make noodle bits.  We never fail to have enough for the family on the nights we do this and, even better, it’s never the same. 

If I can take the small offerings of my children and turn them into a tasty, filling meal- how much more can God take our small offerings and turn them into something amazing? This is what it is to be part of his grand story of redemption- to bring God what we have, to say, “Here I am with my little bit. Now, what’s the plan? I’m in.” So next time he asks you do something scary with the little you have, remember Whatcha-Got Stew and take a chance. God takes what we have and fills us –and those around us- up. I don’t know how, He just does.

acorns

Inside a tiny acorn lies a great oak, slumbering until surrounded by the soaking presence of the rains. How my soul is like the tiny acorn! Slumbering and silent, helpless against this world until the Spirit of God surrounds me with His presence and awakens me to the possibilities of life, of growth, of strength! May we always long for the Presence of God, may we always – like the acorns and the oaks- drink in the rain with abandon and learn to plant our roots deep in the soil of the Word of God for without both the deepening and the drinking, there is no growing toward the light of the Son.

-Zonoma