Single Mom Sabbath: For When Depression Sets In

It's here. It set in today wanting to stay. The depression. After a tenacious weekend of extended family crisis, my dad flipping his car last night, and running out of progesterone cream....I am a mess. It would be a day that I could have stayed in bed all day feeling sorry for myself.

But someone has to get up and go to work around here and I am the only adult. I guess that means me. So I literally "put on" Christ because it was the only way I was getting there.

Then I remembered how to get out of my hard place. Practice thanksgiving. Another reminder came from a friend many years ago when I thought I couldn't do another day because the grief of losing my love was so debilitating. She gently but firmly reminded me to go do something for someone else. It was a guaranteed way to get out of my self centered state. And it worked. It works every time because it's how we are created...to love and serve others.

So today I got to love and serve my missionary friends from Uganda Simon and Aggie Paech. 

We hosted the first Aggie's Arts trunk show at the store today. It was an opportunity for the community to stop in and meet and greet Aggie, learn more from Simon and she about the various ministry opportunities they work with in Kampala and Kisoro. There were some new beads handcrafted by the ladies in Banda as well for purchase. They are here for seven weeks to raise awareness of their mission in Uganda and prayerfully interact with others who may share the vision of missions and come on board as a supporter.

I got to serve my friends the special of the day: pinto beans and cornbread. And I got to hear Aggie's heart. While asking about there recent trip to Kisoro, she shared what was the most meaningful experience. This trip afforded a new venture. Animals were purchased for 10 families in order for them to begin a business creating a sustainable income to help these families in poverty. You can check out the new ministry opportunity at www.kisorokids.org

Aggie's words were, "this woman was SO SO grateful. She thanked me over and over the entire time we were there." Thanksgiving produces joy. The woman will mate the goat and sell the babies allowing her a first time income!

Caregivers of the Kisoro Kids happy about the animal and potato project!

Here are the first 10 families to receive animals! This is something that has been way out of their reach. Through raising animals they will be able to meet many more of their needs, including paying school fees for their children

And the most wonderful thing happened when I decided to love and serve rather than feel sorry for myself.

My friends came through. 

All the ones who said they would come to meet Aggie actually did! And many brought their children to meet the missionaries.

And there were even new people who drove from over an hour just to be a part of our venture today! Thank you to each and every person who showed up today. God used you to spread some joy in my heart. I am grateful! And I am joyful.

May we "rest" from moments of depression today by practicing gratitude and by loving and serving those God places in our path.

I would love to hear how He's working that out in your life.

Love, Pam