Just Go Back to Bed Until It Wears Off, Crazy Lady
I started getting emails at the beginning of the week from people commenting about an article that I had written a few years back. I was sort of at a loss until somebody mentioned that Crosswalk.com had sent it out. So that was sort of fun – especially since they were all ‘nice’ emails. I am hesitant to mention the article because when it originally came out, it was (legitimately) misunderstood by a few people who felt it had a judgmental tone (some from very dear friends whom I love tremendously and I felt awful for making them feel badly). Anyhow, the crux of the article was dealing with depression and anxiety and what had helped me during a particularly hard time in my life — and it was ironic that Crosswalk.com decided to send this article out NOW, because I had completely turned into a Mad Cow only the week earlier. I don’t know about you, but I have had days that seriously frighten me. My husband has code phraseology during these times and asks “if he should go camping”. Anyhow, like I said, it hasn’t been very long since I’ve had one of those Special Sweetheart weeks and it is always a downer coming face to face with the fact that as much as we love God and long to be steady and reliable… we are human and can be very weak. Although I must admit I also appreciate those awful times because I need that stark realization of how much I cannot do things on my own and how desperately I need the grace, love and mercy of a Saviour. Yep, He even came to save crazy Mad Cows. Incredible, isn’t it? How good and unbelievably patient He is. I love my friend, Angie, because she is so honest and so totally real. Yesterday I was at her house and asked how she was doing. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that she had also been having a Mad Cow day. I don’t know why, but it is strangely comforting to find others from the same herd. We were both able to laugh and thank God for friends who will encourage us. We also talked about how in the midst of it all, it is really hard to remember: A) Not to take yourself seriously when you’re obviously not you B) Not to say or do things until the Mad Cow Frenzy lifts C) And it is hard to remember that you ever have actually had ‘normal’ days when you’re frothing at the mouth All of this to say…. I hope you are not having a horrible day / week / month / year; I can testify that God is faithful and trustworthy (even when we are not). Immerse yourself in His Word during these times. Stay away from outside influences that would tempt you to have a worldly perspective (movies, music, television, radio talk shows, etc). And if you are not a Mad Cow today, praise God for His mercy and take this opportunity to benefit His Kingdom. Encourage a friend, instruct your children, love your husband fully and don’t take ‘normal’ for granted. The controversial article can be found here: part one and part two |
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May 16th, 2007 - Posted in Uncategorized | | 0 Comments No Responses to ' Just Go Back to Bed Until It Wears Off, Crazy Lady 'Leave a reply |
on May 16th, 2007 at 11:00 am
The Mad Cow Test
Jen I LOVE how real you are, and the fact that you are normal like the rest of us and have your "mad cow" days. I love that term, and hope you don't mind if I start using it. Unfortunately I have had a mad cow six months, so you are doin just fine if you have only had a mad cow week (lol) 😉 Grace my sister . . remember God's grace and apply it to yourself and quit being so hard on yourself ((HUGS)).
What I think is really beneficial about "mad cow" days is that it is an excellent tool to find out who your "real" friends are. The real ones stay even when it is tough, whereas the superficial ones zoom off and shun ya. It's good to get rid of those buggers right off than have them around for years and years and then see the real them as they high-tail it away.
Boy oh boy . . . the life lessons we all are learning this year. I hope you know you have a friend here in Minnesota. I'm sticken around whether you like it or not so THERE! (Kelly sticks tongue out and makes razzleberry sound) LOL
<>< Kelly
on May 16th, 2007 at 11:54 am
Hi fellow Mad Cow:)
I appreciate your post and your honesty! Thanks for being you and for sharing your heart! Your last three or four posts have challenged, encouraged, convicted and generally just BLESSED my socks off (not that I ever really wear them that often:) 🙂 Thanks for letting God use you in such a way as to bless sooo many, like myself!
Lots of love from a fellow Mad Cow:)
P.S. That article about the grocery store and dreaming of the What if's ( a few posts back) is just what this girl needed today! Thank you and Praise the Lord!!:):):)
on May 16th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
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That's funny. I call mine Taz mode. You know, the Tazmanian Devil from Looney Toons. I wrote a post all about what me and Taz have in common. More than I'd like to admit. You are not alone.
on May 16th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
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You…dear lady are blessed and brilliant!!! The article was phenomenal!!!!
Also, that's a "scary" picture at the top of your article… I'm sorry if people think that's you…you are *such* a natural looking beautiful person…she's…well…pale.
Love,
Your Friend Shay
on May 16th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
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Oh, me too! I never used to have PMS (Mad Cow Disease), but when I hit 40 it began to get really bad. I've done a lot of reading about peri-menopause and am convinced it's very much related. Read stuff by Dr. John Lee for natural alternatives to help you (and dear husband) through a difficult time. Blessings! Karen
on May 16th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
Great!
Now I know that what I (and my entire family) experienced yesterday was actually "Mad Cow." I know my husband will be so relieved when I tell him. 😉
on May 16th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
COW disease
I have 3 sisters and when we were growing up it was always a bit more difficult during certain times of the month. My mom coined the term "COW disease" during this time….it stood for Custom Of Women (taken from the KJV Bible). 🙂
on May 16th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
well….
I'm sure you will get a million comments on this post but I have to add mine too. I love part 2 and the picture of you laying on your bed like a big walrus and then crying like a big fat baby. Too precise. I've been there…might even have photos to prove it. Yes, those days when staying in bed with the pillow firmly strapped across your breathing holes seems like a good idea are behind me (for now? for good, Lord willing) but I do recall the need for a good Word, a good friend, and a husband to hold my hand (and change the next diaper or 2). Thanks for letting us know we aren't alone.
Barbara
Edited by bestsister on May. 16, 2007 at 4:09 PM
on May 16th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
I am that cow.
I am that cow. Or maybe those cow<i>s</i> from the Veggie Tales Cebu song, I'm a mad cow and a sad cow … not so much a sick cow, though. I guess that's good.
What you say makes sense but I'm having trouble making the truth soak in, the mad sad cow disease has somehow well-oiled me so I can see it as true but can't quite grab it and live it …
maybe I need Sesame chicken. (insert weak, lame laugh)
on May 16th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
thanks
I really appreciated that article. I sometimes struggle with depression related to my hypoglycemia, but this week I have been struggling with depression that is probably hormonal… I am two weeks late for my cycle and my bloodwork says that I am not pregant…
please pray for me to remember that God Knows What is Best and my job is to TRUST HIM!
on May 16th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
ALERT!
http://www.imgag.com/product/preview/flash/wsShell.swf?ihost=http://www.imgag.com&brand=/product/preview/flash/wsag&cardNum=/product/full/ap/3066708/graphic1&mtype=0&&NameFirstFrom=&NameFirstTo
on May 16th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Doctors
always do that to me too…blame any symptom on feeling overwhelmed by staying home with children.
Lately I feel awful more often than not due to hormonal post-partum fall out. Sometimes it is soooo hard to take my eyes off of the mire that I feel sunk in and look up at my Savior.
on May 16th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
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ok Julie, THAT was funny
on May 17th, 2007 at 11:01 am
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We're reading 2 Kings for morning Bible time. My oldest asked me how Jehu could still not fully obey God when he'd actually heard God. We then talked about how Peter, who'd said Jesus was the Son of God and that he'd be willing to die with him, fell asleep while our Lord was exceedingly sorrowful nearby and had asked only that he watch and pray. What makes us think we're any better? We're frail, weak beings that need God. I suppose we need bad days to prove it to us and keep us humble.
on May 18th, 2007 at 12:01 am
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I'm having a Mad Cow year. My husband is about ready to trade me in for a new lawn mower. At this point it might be a fair trade! Mad Cow disease is so frustrating and on top of that I'm pretty sure I have been tainted with the e-colijustcan'tstopeating bacteria too. That is worsening the severity of the mad cow disease upon any attempt to dress the cow. Perhaps this cow should move to Uganda where they especially value a fat wife and a fat cow.
I really enjoyed your articles. You are a very gifted writer. God speaks through you in an incredible way! This is exactly what I needed to read tonight. Thanks for your words of wisdom. God bless you!
Another cow in Angie's herd- Amy
on May 18th, 2007 at 7:22 am
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ok angie's sister…. you are one FUNNY lady. "trade you in for a lawn mower"
just so you know, i read your comment hearing Angie's MN accent in my head. haha.
ok, now hurry up and move down here so we can all go out together and graze at a good Chinese buffet
on May 18th, 2007 at 9:39 am
Yes, she is one funny lady!
And do you really think that I have a MN accent? Come now…. surely you jest?:)
A. Mad Cow