Restore

August is not the greatest month for me. It's the month, seven years ago, our son Andrew was diagnosed with brain cancer. Within four months of the diagnosis and after four brain surgeries, our beloved 12 year old son passed from our home to his Heavenly home. 

Last year in July I felt that old feeling of depression and hopelessness coming on, so I fought back with what I called #augustredemption. I won't go into what I did to fight back and keep my spirits up but I thank God for the inspiration He gave me to make my way through and even claim victory as I stood my ground. 

Again this year as August was just around the corner, I felt sadness creeping over me and tears that threatened and spilled too many times a day. There have been a few times in my life that all I could manage in what felt like a fight for my sanity was to pray the 23rd Psalm so that's what I did on a particularly hard day. 

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

In praying this at the end of July, I could not seem to move past, "He restores my soul." So that's where I parked. Over the next few days, I would often pray, "He restores my soul." I prayed for God to restore my mind, will and emotions and to bring me to a place of peace and joy August through December (my toughest months). 

With that in mind, I am fighting back again for happiness, peace and even joy in the month of August. This year I am focusing on overall health: brain health, physical strength, spiritual growth

I am calling my little plan that is not so little "Restore My Soul." Prayer is the underpinning to my plan. I don't know that I've ever spoken publicly about the ongoing anxiety that I deal with. I fight it...almost daily. But I have resources that I utilize in the fight and going to God in prayer is at the top of the list and on the bottom and smack dab in the middle of it. 

So as often as I feel called to it, I'll be sharing a few things here from my "Restore My Soul" plan. 

In the meantime, a good portion of what I'm doing to get myself into a place of soul restoration has to do with nutrition for brain health. I have a Pinterest board by that title (Brain Health) so if you want to check it out, find me there. :)