Thanksgiving will be here three weeks! I look forward to the day filled traditions, good food, and family. I have some special memories of childhood days gathered with all the relatives . Back in the day, we all dressed up in our “good” clothes for these family get-togethers. This was a special occasion, after all!
When I’m visiting with my mom I love looking at the old albums containing photos from those gatherings. I look deep into the pictures at the tables, the decor, the apron my grandma had on. I sometimes wish I could jump back to that time to hear the chatter, the cousins playing, the parade playing on the television and the men talking about football or their latest hunting trip.
Did you know that “dreary day funk” is really a thing people deal with? “Funk” is a state of depression. It can be very mild, with just a feeling of the blah’s. It can feel like a gray day has settled in your heart.
I am a lover of warm, sunny days, so gray days can often feel dreary to me. However, I have a list of ten things that really do bring the sunshine in and lift dreariness!
Bible Reading – Shortly after rising, I love to get my coffee, a comfy chair and a lovely view, and start the day with my open Bible and my journal! It gives me something to meditate on all day long! I’m always on the lookout for the wonderful character traits of my awesome God! That’s what I’m meditating on each day!
Light – I let in as much natural light as the temperatures allow. Curtains open, blinds up and when it warms a bit, the front door is swung open! I also have lamps on throughout the house to brighten up dark corners.
3. Plants – Flowers and plants also help to brighten my heart. Sometimes I cut greens from my yard. Sometimes I pick up flowers at the grocery store. I also still love my Wick plants! They are thriving beautifully!
4. Candles – I usually ALWAYS have a candle burning. When you find great deals on candles, stock up! This three-wick candle smells amazing and cost me $6. It adds light, aroma and warmth to the room!
5. Media. We have an Alexa in three rooms of our home. I have it playing my “Favorites” and I love the variety I hear! I also listen to several podcasts each day. At lunchtime my husband and I also usually always watch Andy Griffith. You just can’t be gloomy when you watch Barney’s antics!
6. Hobbies – It’s no secret that I love to bake. I’ll bake for company coming, or for a friend in need, a neighbor, or even put things in the freezer for later use. I never regret having something baked and stored away! I also work on my watercolor painting hobby, sewing, or scrapbooking. It’s fun to get creative!
7. Productivity – Getting up and getting things done is helpful in improving my outlook. If I get supper in the crockpot early in the day, pop in a load of laundry, work on a podcast or write a card to stick in the mail, I get energized! It’s great to get things accomplished and even work ahead!
8. Exercise – Even on the cool mornings this week, it’s been sunny and is perfect for a walk! I love to bundle up, walk and talk to the Lord. It feels good to exercise, talk to the Lord, and get some fresh air!
9. Fellowship – Our small groups meet weekly and that fellowship is always such a blessing! Sometimes I bake up pies or cookies, or pop popcorn for our time together. The fellowship with others is so important in encouraging your heart! This is one reason why the Lord wants us to meet together as a Church Body. We need the fellowship and the encouragement, the worship, the corporate prayer and the building up of one another!
10. Ministry to others – It’s easy to get so focused on our own dreariness that we fail to see that others outside our home might need some encouragement, too. Ask the Lord to show you who needs you to reach out to them, and then recognize what their needs might be. As Proverbs 11:25 says, Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
Friends, God cares about your burdens. He created you and He created the seasons. Talk to Him if you’re feeling down. Ask Him to help you have a right perspective about your season, your surroundings and your sadness.
I hope you’ll add one or more of these ten suggestions and watch your heart be encouraged…even in winter!
What do you do to encourage your heart in a funk?Share it in the comments.
I’m gearing up for a Ladies’ retreat next weekend, studying, reviewing and praying much, but in-between I’ve enjoyed being home to cook our meals. Since we were at our home church yesterday, I planned on having dinner here, rather than going out. To me, there’s nothing better than having a Sunday dinner nearly ready to enjoy after the morning church service. It helps to make the afternoon slower, and the fellowship with friends even sweeter.
Yesterday I had the blessing of hosting a young man who is coming from The Wilds to serve in our church. Dale and I loved getting to know him this summer when we were serving there, and now having him here in our church is a special blessing. His appreciation for a home cooked meal makes cooking a joy! We also invited another couple from our church to join us. I loved having all of them in our home and especially around our dining room table.
Those amber glasses were given to me by my mom and I love using them in the fall.
Remember when you were little and your mom made you take a nap or at least have “rest time?” As adults, it’s so easy to push and push and push without stopping to take a breath and simply rest. I admit that I am constantly on the go, trying to finish my “to-do” list before the day is over. That’s when my sweet, loving husband will come to me and “make me take a nap” or at least slow down and get off my feet to “chill” as he calls it. I’m thankful.
This Monday I was tired from a busy weekend of ministry. With Dale’s encouragement, I did accomplish some things, but I made time to intentionally slow down. It was rainy and dark – a perfect day to stay home and enjoy the pleasure of a day of rest. I posted a few of these pics on Instagram, but this is how I spent my day –
What difference would come to your situation if you stood face to face with Christ and talked with Him about it? Hagar was a woman who was desperate and alone, and decided that the best thing to do was to leave – to flee! She ran away from Sarai and Abram into the wilderness. This is where He often finds many of us – alone and in the wilderness. But rest assured, He will find you. He knows all about our past as well as our future.
How many of us are running away and have “run into God”? (Nahum 1:7) We run from:
Unfair treatment or words
Hardships
Difficult marriage – Sometimes just in our spirits, but we’re “absent”
RefreshHer 