Archives For depression

Get Off Your Butt and Serve.

Chris —  March 1, 2009

It’s really that easy.

It may not fix all of your problems, but it’s a big step.

On Saturday I went with some friends to an underpass where we served up chili mac and fresh fruit to San Antonio’s homeless.  My friend Daniel plugged in his guitar and we rocked out a bunch of old hymns and praise songs.  The wind was blowing, making a 60 degree morning feel like 40.

The only person to sit by us was a withered Hispanic woman in her 40s or 50s.  She only had about three teeth, but she had a great smile. She sang along, best she knew how, but soon gave that up to sing and dance.  I have no doubt she was praising God.

All the cliches came true.  Watching her dance made the problems of the last few months of my life look so small.  Here I was, “leading worship,” but she was teaching me how to give myself over to God.

I really considered sleeping in yesterday. But it seems the best thing I could do, the only thing that could help with my problems was to get off my butt and serve.

Hard Times

Chris —  February 16, 2009

Right now, I’m going through what could be called “hard times.”  According to the news, we all are.  

It’s hard because it shows how little I really trust God.  I say I believe in God.  I read my Bible, and claim to believe it’s promises.  The reality of my situation can be scary, and promises “to prosper you” and to clothe you like “the lilies,” even the promise to “bear your yolk” are hard to take seriously.

It’s hard because I want to fix it.   I’m a type-A, take charge kind of guy.  While there is a lot to be said for that, it can only get you so far.  Waiting on the Lord is hard for anybody, but especially those of us who are used to fixing things.

It’s hard because there are no words.  Sincere people try to comfort you when your scared, but,  it often comes across like platitudes from people who have never really faced hard times.

It’s hard because you put off all other hopes  and dreams to deal with reality.  The book I was going to write, the relationship I was going to pursue, the race I was going to train for; all of that seems like it has to be put off.  

How do you deal with hard times?