Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. ~Psalm 42:5
Lately, I've been struggling with overwhelming feelings of melancholy mixed with bittersweet nostalgia. These emotions are leaving me drained of the energy I need to keep posting regularly here at Meditations of My Heart. I'm not saying that you won't be hearing from me as the days roll on, but I've decided to only post when the Spirit moves me to do so.
Will I be keeping up with your blogs? Of course! I'm not going anywhere, so to speak. In fact, the tides could turn has early as tomorrow and BOOM! A new blog appears in your email or Blogger reading list. Just don't count on the Tuesday/Friday routine, at least in the near future.
Know that I so appreciate and value all of my readers, and hope you'll be patient with me. The feelings I'm experiencing are taking their toll; I feel strongly that I need to confront them head-on and allow myself the grace to heal.
But before I go, it's time to announce the winner of The 56 giveaway. Drum roll please . . . And the winner is: Pamela Steiner who blogs at Closed Doors, Open Windows! Congratulations, Pamela!!! I will mail the book to you this week, my friend, so be on the lookout!
Love and blessings to all of you, my dear friends and loyal readers!
Amen.
Super blog
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rajani!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I believe I understand what you are saying, Martha. I am praying for you. We often feel like that in life. God is speaking to you right now. Relax and be open to His guidance.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I absolutely believe you are right about this, Victor. God is trying to speak to me, but He needs me to still myself in order to hear Him. "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening."
DeleteLove and blessings!
Yes, you must allow yourself to heal. That lung thing was a serious illness compounded by many factors, but you MUST take time to heal. After my time with COVID I know there is more than just physical involved. Get well Martha. We love you and I will be praying for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your prayers, love and reassurance. Yes, there is so much more to heal besides the physical, of that I now know. This past July marked the one year anniversary of mom's passing, and I know it struck me hard. I simply need to sit back, take stock, and listen to God's voice.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I'll be doing something similar in September. Sometimes you need to do it.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed, Glynn - it's definitely something all of us should do from time to time. Honestly, I'm just exhausted at this point in time.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Dearest Martha Jane,
ReplyDeleteYou are by no means obliged to post every Tuesday + Friday.
It is up to you and depending on how you feel.
Listen to your body and one never knows exactly how certain meds work on a human's mood...
Big hugs,
Mariette
I've often wondered why I kept myself on such a schedule, Mariette; I suppose it was to have an expected routine that would structure my writing better. And yes, my body has gone through a lot this year, and still continues to heal.
DeleteLove and blessings!
💞
DeleteMartha, your bad bout last year has left you with limitations. Adjustments we have to make in our lives can be difficult to accept and emotionally taxing. It is no wonder you have "overwhelming feelings of melancholy mixed with bittersweet nostalgia." I have found not having a set schedule for blogging has lessened stress. Take care of yourself, dear friend. Love and blessings of further healing in your body and in your spirit! May you feel Jesus' arms surrounding you as a shepherd tenderly holds and carries a lamb.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and comforting image you've given us with Jesus holding us tenderly like a little lamb. I'm going to keep that image front and center as go through this day, Trudy. Yes, so many changes this year has brought that have brought on unwanted anxiety and stress. The moment I decided to give myself permission to take a break, I did feel released and unburdened. Why do we put such stress on ourselves?
DeleteLove and blessings
It is always good to take a break, for reflection, for inspiration, for rest. I can tell many people love your blogs Martha, but when it becomes a 'must' instead of a desire of the heart.... it is wise to stop and pause and smell the roses! The Holy Spirit will prompt you when you make room :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Marja - blogging should be a joy not a chore. When it gets to that point, a break is definitely in order. Thanks for understanding!
DeleteLove and blessings!
We will miss you, Martha, but support you 100%! Meanwhile, breathe deep, revel in the glow of late summer, and enjoy God's company in the refuge of his presence (Psalm 32:7)!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nancy! I have a feeling I'll be back here sooner than later, but yes, I definitely need to spend more time with the Lord and allow Him to restore my soul.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, take whatever time you need!! I will keep you in my prayers! I purchased the book 56 on my Kindle and am already well into it. It is very good and is teaching me about the Patriots I really hadn't given a thought to. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!! Wishing you blessings in the days ahead! Love & hugs!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your prayers, Terri; I will definitely keep you in mine! So glad to hear you are enjoying the book, too. You know that I rarely review books here, so you know how much I enjoyed it. Sounds like you're enjoying it, too!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Ms. Martha, as much as I enjoy your posts, I appreciate your kindness, encouragement, and friendship more. Post when you can, pray more often than you think you can, and know that there's a dusty old farmer in TX who continues to pray for you, Mr. Danny, and your sweet family each day. God's blessings ma'am. Sometimes the well needs to rest too. Can't want to see what God is preparing you for.
ReplyDeleteYes, J. D., we all need to rest from time to time in order to recharge and renew ourselves. Even Jesus needed to get away from the crowds in order to better commune with His Father. I pray those are God's plans for me at this time.
DeleteJust read your latest post, my friend - beautiful! Know that you and Ms. Diane are in my prayers, too.
Love and blessings!
Praying Martha. I don't know how you keep to that routine... and totally understand how you're changing.
ReplyDeleteThat's the way I blog as lead of God on craft and Christian blog too. Its all one moment at a time.
Remember too greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.. so keep looking up and not at the mud underneath. I'm struggling at mo so totally understand what you're saying. Its life. One moment at a time. As James put it.
Prayer hugs. Shaz in Oz. X
{Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}
One moment at a time . . . That's definitely the way to go, Shaz. I will continue to look up, focusing on God's promises and not the muck and mire around my feet. He will lift me up, of that I'm certain.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Olá Martha
ReplyDeleteQue Deus te fortaleça sempre, as vezes enfrentamos momentos difíceis, mas o Senhor cuida de nós. Obrigada pela força no meu blog, gostei muito, um forte abraço.
Thanks so much, Lucinalva! I'm allowing the Lord to surround me with His comfort.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh Martha!!! I am so overwhelmed to have won the book, and it arrived in the mail today, which was the first I knew that I had won it! I totally missed this post the other day! Please forgive me. It's been a very busy week! But now, I am concerned about you and I want you to know that I am praying for you. May the Lord lift you up and give you peace and joy in your heart. Please know that you are loved by so many, and especially by God Himself! (((hugs))). Thank you again for the book. John and I are both looking forward to reading it together!! I am still so surprised to have won it and didn't even know it! LOL. God bless you dear friend.
ReplyDeleteI'm so very, very glad that you won the book, Pamela, and that both John and you are looking forward to reading it. You won't be disappointed!
DeleteYes, I know your schedule lately has been more than busy, so no apology necessary. Thanks so much for your prayers!
Love and blessings!
Sweet Martha, you need to do what is best for you at this time in your life. I'll be looking forward to posts as they come. And continue to pray for your healing and getting your energy back. God bless dear friend.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your prayers, Karen! I already feel my energy and drive returning, and may be back at blogging sooner than I expected to be. I so appreciate everyone's understanding of the seasons in which we can unexpectedly find ourselves in.
DeleteWatched Mike interview his Mom today - what a treat that was! She is a gem!
Love and blessings!
It's always wise to follow the leading of the Spirit. Good for you, Martha!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa! My spirits are lifting, and I should be back to blogging much sooner than I'd anticipated. God is good!
DeleteMelancholy / nostalgia exactly where I found myself this summer. There must be something in the air. I should feel like something you want to do--not something you have to do!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Boy, I so hear you, Lulu! I think the oppressive heat and humidity this summer has contributed to my malaise. I know you stand with me in looking forward to the fall!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Get well, Martha.
ReplyDeleteYou will be missed but we're supporting you 100%.
Hug, prayers and blessings 🙏❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thanks so much, Veronica, for your hugs, prayers and blessings! I'm sure I'll be back here much sooner than I first anticipated, as my spirits are lifting.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I love that you're taking the pressure off to write specific days. Praying for a freeness and a lightness to your days. Write when you want, what you want ... or not at all. The pressure's off!
ReplyDeletexo
Linda, this has been one of the best decision I've made with regard to my emotional health. I will be back soon, but will definitely keep blogging to once a week. The time off has restored my sanity!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Congratulations to Pamela! Woo Hoo! You have to take a break, I know this well. I am just very disorganized. So much to do, so little time to get it all done. Now I take it in small bites. Your writing encourages many but I understand the need to step back. You went through such a huge ordeal with your health. Go easy on yourself. God understands it all. When you come back I hope you will continue to pray for our daughter Noelle and her husband Roger dealing with his cancer. Also my niece Carrie and her husband John, dealing with the unknown, until they can not think of any more lies to cover up their lies so they told her he has West Nile. Anyway it is all so awful. I am glad God is in charge and not people in this world. God Bless you.
ReplyDeleteYes, Anne, I'm happy for Pamela, too! I will pray for Noelle and her husband, Roger, as they face the complications of worry and concern over cancer. May God heal and restore! Not sure I understand the issues that Carrie and John are facing; on the surface, it sounds deceptive. Just hoping the Lord will lead them to His truth.
DeleteThanks for your prayers, and yes, I'm growing stronger and more assured every day with God's help.
Love and blessings!
Please take a good rest. You will find a new world. We are always with you.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Crane!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Boa tarde e um ótimo sábado com muita paz e saúde. Todas as coisas cooperam para aqueles que amam a Deus. Que o Espírito Santo de Deus esteja sempre a sua vida.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, they certainly do, Luiz!
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!