Community

I wish I was an expert on anxiety because I spent years studying it due to it's interesting nature - not because I struggle with it daily. I started this blog to get my thoughts out, keep family updated and have a place to talk about what no one wants to talk about, the struggles in life. I have been encouraged by so many people who ask me how I am doing, pray for me, send me cards, shoot me emails, etc. Community helps. The more people that know, the less you are in hiding and the more free you can be. Thank you for reading my thoughts, hopes, dreams and fears.

Other people walking the same road......

"I read one of your blogs about your anxiety issues. I feel like I have some issues with stuff like that. For now, I'm not taking anything which seems to be the best. Taking pills seems to freak me out and make me go kind of crazy. Anyways, the point is.. sometimes I feel lost and freaked out by the world and worried that I am going to scare my wonderful fiance off. Thank you for sharing your stories. It makes me feel like I'm not so alone."

"I know I haven't said anything (or better yet commented) but from the bottom of my heart your blogs have been a blessing to me. For the last 5 years I have struggled with horrible, debilitating anxiety. With a lot of prayer and work it gets better every day. At times breathing was hard and unwanted. Your words of truth and honesty are refreshing."

Share your struggles. Let others help you. Be helpful to others. 

~Erin
 

Broken Vase

                A beautiful vase sat at the on top of a bookshelf. Although it had a handful of chips in the porcelain and a few thin cracks it was in excellent condition. Over the years as the vase sat on the shelf, the door would slam, the dog would run into the bookshelf or the overzealous duster would knock it down. Sometimes it was caught before it fell, other times it would land heavy on the floor below. Each time the vase toppled it grew weaker and weaker as the caretaker never took the time to make the necessary repairs or changes.  After years of being overlooked a small earthquake struck causing the vase to smash to the floor in hundreds of pieces.

                Just like the story above, my sense of self was the vase. If the vase had been properly cared for it would have not been able to stop the earthquake, but it would have been strong enough to withstand the fall. This is a hard lesson and one I am currently learning. Last year an “earthquake” hit my life and my sense of self smashed into hundreds of pieces leaving me to try and pick up each piece and put me back together. My mistake was in thinking that I am the only one that can fix the vase. I’ve tried and I only can repair it to a certain point. It has taken me awhile to realize I need to hand over the pieces and allow the Creator of the vase (not the caretaker) to repair it. I still struggle with letting go of all of the pieces, but know that the vase will never be complete until I do.

                My vase is still broken, but is slowly being repaired. Repairing takes time, energy and knowledge, all of which I must seek Christ for. Whatever your earthquake be in life be reminded to care for your vase and seek the Creator for proper instructions.

              May you be able to withstand the fall in life’s quakes.