Mental Health Monday

REUNION + WISDOM          

          I survived my St. Paul's College Class of 1973 reunion in Concordia, MO, this past weekend. It was a wonderful opportunity to renew friendships & enjoy reminisces. It was heartening to hear how the Lord has blessed so many of my classmates so that, they in turn, have been a blessing to others.

          Many also shared stories of the challenges they've faced, continue to face. Yet I didn't hear any hint of self-pity. The Lord reminds us that all things work for the good of those who love Him; also that He never allows us to encounter challenges that are beyond our faith's ability to withstand.

          I shared my own challenge. In November, 2014, I took a medical leave of absence from my ministry at Lutheran High Northeast in Norfolk. Basically, I was burned out, which is a layperson's term for clinical depression. I was also suffering from chronic anxiety & OCD.

          In March, 2015, I was informed that it was in both my & LHNE's best interests to discontinue my ministry there. This was a huge blow to me. Yet God was gracious in helping me come to terms with this.

          In the fall of 2015 I began writing devotions for Orphan Grain Train. [Visit ogt.com.]

This was a lifeline for me, & I continue working for this international relief agency whose headquarters are in Norfolk. Besides writing OGT, I help by attending events such as LWML conventions [I'll be in Kearney for the LWML Nebraska District South convention this weekend.] & other special projects. I formally retired from Christian education in March, 2017.

          This past January, while participating in an Executive Wellness program at the Mayo Clinic, I came down with both Influenza A & pneumonia. [The irony has not been lost on me.] A stress test revealed an 80% blockage, & in March I had 3 stents inserted. I "graduated" from cardiac rehab & now do cardiac maintenance workouts 3-5 times per week.

          Medication, therapy, & coping strategies, like writing, help me cope with my mental health issues. Writing has been an outlet for me. Besides writing devotions for OGT & also blog. Daily quiet time with the Lord has also been a great blessing for me. I treasure this time in the early morning, which includes scripture, devotions, meditation & prayer. I regret that I did not find the time for this while spending time as a Lutheran educator.

          Lois is in her last year of teaching 1st grade at Christ Lutheran in Norfolk. She's looking forward to spending more time with our grandkids. We both look forward to more opportunities to travel. This next summer we plan to visit Teddy Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota & Glacier National Park. We're hoping to enjoy an Alaskan cruise to help celebrate our 45th anniversary in 2020.

          My thoughts & prayers are with my classmates, including those who were not able to attend. I look forward to our 50th class reunion in five years!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:  CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD

“For Your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great.”  Psalm 25:11

“Sins are not forgiven because of application to works; they are forgiven when I call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ because I believe that He is the expiation for our sins.”

Expiation: (dictionary.com) “The means by which atonement or reparation is made.” Martin Luther Psalm by Psalm, Concordia Publishing House, 2017.