Through the Valley

Today I'm sharing two more windows into my past on the Hannah's Hope book blog (my struggle with depression) and on Held (God's grace to carry me through that dark valley).


If you or someone you love if caught in a similar struggle, these resources might help.

Suicide Prevention:

U.S. Suicide Prevention Hotline - 1-800-SUICIDE

International Suicide Prevention Listings - http://www.befrienders.org


General Depression Resources:

My Story, as posted here at Harvesting Hope last year.

Depression is Not a Sin (Focus on the Family)

Just Breathe (in)Courage

Common Cold of Emotional Illnesses

Women and Depression

Mental Health


Depression After Pregnancy Loss:

Is Miscarriage Supposed to be This Hard? (Focus on the Family)

Out of the Valley Post-Partum (Including Post-Miscarriage) Hope

It's Not Over

So it's the day after Easter. All the excitement is over and it's back to the same-old-life, right?
Nope, this is just the beginning!!! And a simple napkin explains why...

When Simon Peter ran he to tomb, he noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying to the side.

Is that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes!

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition...

Find out more at Why Did Jesus Fold the Napkin??? This story gave me chills (the good kind) and reminded me again of the amazing details that God never overlooks.

Same-Sex Struggles

I was just blessed to listen to a wonderful testimony of hope and healing from a Christian woman who allowed God to restore His purpose for sexual wholeness after 20 years in lesbian relationships. I think of how much I love my husband and how devastating it would be to me if God called me to walk away from the man shared my life with for the past 20 years. I know He wouldn't but ask this of me, but hearing this woman's story gave me a new compassion for people who seek to obey the Lord's commands for sexual purity and marriage, yet feel devotion to long-held relationships that fall outside of God's will. Listen to a Journey Out of Sexual Brokenness here.

Raindrop Blessings, Healing Tears

Laura Story has a story to tell, all right! Her new song, called Blessings, will be hitting the airwaves in April. Find out more about the song and Laura's story of discovering sometimes "God's blessings come through raindrops and healing comes through tears" at read the words here.

PPD Revisited

We've talked about Post-Partum Depression here before. Today I was thrilled to run across an article by Dr. Heather Rupe, D.O., entitled Postpartum Depression: Not Just a Matter of ‘Bucking Up’ and Praying Harder. I found this overview to be basic, informative, straightforward and helpful, so wanted to point it out for anyone else who might be wondering about symptoms of PPD.

Inspired Women Radio

Today I was blessed by the chance to chat with Diane Cunningham, founder of the National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs on her Inspired Women Radio program. We spent half an hour talking about how God can use us, no matter our circumstances. Grab your favorite drink and join us to be encouraged. :)

Desert Seasons

Have you ever endured a really long "dry spell" in your relationship with God? It's hard to harvest much in a desert isn't it?

I once heard a sermon on "desert seasons" about the 40 years of wilderness wandering for the Jews, David's time of hiding out in the desert to escape King Saul's death threats during nearly 20 years of waiting for the fulfillment of his anointing as king, even Jesus' 40 days of fasting and temptation after He was baptized by John and spoken as God's "beloved Son" straight from heaven at the beginning of His earthly ministry. It is hard to go through spiritual deserts where the pursuit of fellowship with Him seems so dry and fruitless and pointless!

If it's any encouragement, you are not alone in these feelings. In fact I think it is a pretty common experience for maturing Christians where God allows us to "outgrow" that initial passion and have to lean on Him more "blindly" in faith at times. Praying that He will give you the courage to keep "going through the motions" as an act of obedience, even when your heart doesn't feel like you are connecting, and that He will bring you through this "desert" (or "deserted" feeling?) time with renewed hope and purpose for the next season of your journey with Him.

Following God Through the Trials is a beautiful article I read this morning, further reflecting on these desert seasons. I pray it will bless you as it has me. Then go on to Storms in the Desert and be reminded that the Living Water will never leave you or forsake you, even when you don't "feel" Him near. {{{hug}}}