Are we there yet? Yes we are!

The day has finally arrived. I have decided that today is the day that I will publish my poems, prayers and pictures in a pdf on my website. I have put it off for too long – the front cover is done, the editing, proof reading and faffing with it is complete. (But I bet there’s still an error or two lurking in there).

Why today? Two reasons: it is Ascension Day and the week of mental health awareness. So what better day? My work is the story of how Jesus who died, rose again and ascended has worked healing in my life – and that is emotional and psychological healing, not physical. I want to give him the glory for what he has done by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I have just listened to the podcast of Tom Wright speaking about Jesus bringing about the new creation as God promised, through an ancient poet/prophet Isaiah:

”but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 ESV

Tonight when I preach I will be urging my congregation to pray along these lines:

Come Holy Spirit
open our hearts and minds
to receive
power to proclaim
and
willingness to witness
to
God’s Grace
generously given
in
Jesus’ name.
Amen.

I pray that I too will, through my work, proclaim the work of God’s grace freely given to me over the years – that same grace and healing is available for anyone who will ask and open themselves up to receive.

My creative work is my testimony, my witness, of what Jesus has done by the power of the Holy Spirit showing the love of the Father for me. Healing from anxiety and depression was not a quick fix but took years, on and off, prayer by prayer, retreat by retreat, until finally the root was out and the healing complete. I publish it, not to draw attention to myself, but to give Him the glory and in the hope that others will benefit.

My desire is that the work will give hope to those who are in need of healing for depression and anxiety and understanding to those who support them but have not themselves experienced the darkness of depression. I entitled the book Are we there yet? because the road of recovery can often be long and winding (it was for me). I have arrived – I am healed and well recovered, as this poem describes. I wrote it in February 2020 when contemplating publishing this work….. should I or should I not share my pain and my healing with the world?

I considering prayerfully if I really should publish these pictures and poems, and in due course the story behind them. I painted a flower during a painting and prayerful/mindfulness exercise.  The poem following it was written whilst out walking a couple of days later as a final statement and prayer for those who have read the story.

Are we there yet?
Yes, we are!
And have been for a while.

And now I’m rested
refreshed, recuperated enough
and ready
to tell you the story
of why and how
I got to where I am today.

Where am I?
I am well.
I am OK.
Most of the time, that is.
I have my days
of being frazzled round the edges
tired and stressed
but – hey!
there’s no way I’m depressed!
No – I’ve arrived.
I’m here
in the land of being well
thanks to my loving Father God
my brother Jesus
and the work of the Holy Spirit within me.

I hope that my story
will encourage you
to continue on your
journey of recovery,
of taking care of yourself
of lettering yourself be loved
by God
by others
and most importantly
by yourself.

May God bless you
as you’ve read my story
May God bless you
and make his face to shine upon you
and be gracious to you
and give you His Peace.
Amen.

My story presented in poems, prayers and pictures has been merely snapshots and snippets.  If you wish to read the ‘back story’ of what was going on in my life, then you will have to wait until my book is published.  I don’t know when that will be as much depends upon finding a publisher willing to publish it.

The poem written above is the last item in the book and pdf. However, perhaps I should move it to the start…. but NO… no more editing. It is done. Step away from the computer! It will stay at the end of the pdf. I will re-write the introduction to the full book, no doubt. Those of you who pray, please pray that I find the right publisher without having to do to much editing. Each publisher seems to want manuscripts presented in different ways for their consideration, which takes up time I haven’t really got.

The pdf of poems etc can be found here: https://lizjonesblog.home.blog/are-we-there-yet/