New Page on Susanna's Apron Tells the Ancient Story

Check out the new page on Susanna's Apron, "The Ancient Story." It's a brief summary of the Gospel message. Be sure to play the music video at the end, a lovely rendition of a beautiful hymn we sang in church last week.
May God bless you with a joyous and peaceful holiday season!

Call a Friend

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. – Proverbs 12:25

The holidays can be magical and wonderful. While it's refreshing to break out of the routine, visit family, and reflect on the passing year, the season's heightened stress can also highlight areas of life we struggle with. This can drain a mom's emotional tank pretty quickly!

Today my depressing thoughts kicked and shoved me around in grand style. I feared the future; I regretted the past; I considered a thousand miserable perplexities; I engaged in a power struggle with my teenage son, which made me not only a depressed mom, but a control freak to boot! I felt unworthy and inadequate. I gushed tears on the way to the grocery store, smiled down every aisle, and drove away, a watery, sniffling basket case.

On the way home, I considered taking the kids to a movie. Maybe it would act like a “reset” button for our day. Then I remembered that, if I delayed resolving the mess between my ears, I would not fall asleep until well into the night. Already tired, I decided to prioritize getting some help. It’s much easier to reach out to a friend during daylight hours than at 2:00 a.m.!

Somehow, voicing our “stuff” to a trusted friend reduces it to a manageable size. We don’t feel so weird and different; when we share, we discover that we’re not alone. Our struggles are normal.

A friend can speak truth into our solitary, distorted reality. The dear friend I contacted vanquished my black cloud with just a few encouraging words. If I’d told myself what she said a hundred times, it would not have helped me a bit. I needed someone else to say it for me. Somehow, my friend’s input was the key to my peace.

If you struggle during the holidays, I encourage you to reach out, trusting God to lead you. Be aware that we are often the least willing to reach out when we need help the most. Send the email, open the door, take the step, pick up the phone – and let your friend pick you up. No one needs to struggle alone.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! (If you’re not American, have a wonderful day!)