Red Tin Heart..: Hope...

Friday, December 14, 2007

Hope...

I know these are the holidays, and Christmas is near. This is supposed to be a festive time, but did you know that there are more suicides during the Christmas holiday than any other? There are a lot of people who struggle with loneliness during this time of year. It is a holiday that is focused on being with family.
And if you don't have a family it can be pretty depressing. My thought for today is this, if you know someone who has no family why not invite them over for Christmas dinner.
And if you are alone, and have no where to go, why not volunteer to help feed the homeless at one of the shelters. You might make friends doing that.
I want to encourage anyone who is depressed right now. This time of year is a hard time for many people, for many reasons, it could be financial reasons or health issues, but don't give up. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
You may have lost family members around this time of year and your down over that, it will be OK, this will pass.
I have a number for the Suicide hot line that I got from my friend Bill's blog , Dying Man's Daily Journal at http://hudds53.wordpress.com/ that I would like to share with anyone who needs it.
Suicide Hot line 1-877-435-7170 or http://www.suicideline.ca/
It has been on my heart to write this post for awhile. So be encouraged and know that someone cares. ~Nita~

The song for the day, Praise You in This Storm by Casting Crowns. If you have time to listen to this please do. It will encourage you. first clip

23 comments:

Simply Shelley said...: Dear Nita, your post has so much truth in it. It's so sad so many, many people are without hope ! I pray for them.

Blessings,Shelley; December 14, 2007 at 8:16 AM
~Red Tin Heart~ said...: Shelley: I pray God will put people in every person's life who is lonley. And I pray with you for those who have no hope to have hope. Love Nita; December 14, 2007 at 8:24 AM
Dena said...: Nita, you are such a thoughtful and kind-spirited person and I just adore you. God works through you and you are truly a blessing.

Hugs,
Dena; December 14, 2007 at 8:52 AM
Anonymous said...: Nita, this is so very kind of you. Your wonderfully kind heart is shining though. You are able to think of others while in your own pain, you are throwing crowns. Bless you my friend.
I appreciate the links to my site.
Bill; December 14, 2007 at 9:23 AM
Mary said...: Nita, it's nice of you to remember those who become depressed during the holidays. It's very common since the season triggers all sorts of memories and emotions.

During a very difficult time in your life, you manage to be selfless to help others.

Bless you!; December 14, 2007 at 10:28 AM
Donna said...: Nita...you're amazing. hughug...; December 14, 2007 at 3:20 PM
~Red Tin Heart~ said...: dena: thank you. you have inspired me very much with your generosity. love nita

bill: i am just learning to do what you have done with your life. help others while i am in my own pain. and bless you back my dear friend. xoxo nita

mary: thank. it does seem to bring every emotion out in people. there is alot of pain associated with the holidays.
there are wonderful things too. xoxo nita; December 14, 2007 at 3:34 PM
~Red Tin Heart~ said...: donna: thank you, i think you are pretty amazing myself. xoxo nita; December 14, 2007 at 3:34 PM
Bobbie said...: Not all people have pleasant memories of Christmas and this season of the year is dark and depressing for them. I pray for those who are in need of the spirit of Christmas in some way, the homeless, the mentally ill, the lonely. God bless all with sustance, both mentally and spiritually.; December 14, 2007 at 5:03 PM
~Red Tin Heart~ said...: Bobbie: So true. Many people have a hard time with the memories they associate with this time of the year. xoxo Nita; December 14, 2007 at 5:18 PM
Tangled Stitch said...: Nita, thank you for your wonderful post. I am one of those people who gets depressed this time of year because I lost my parents during the Christmas holidays. But I have a wonderful husband and a wonderful son and I know that there is always hope.

Our lives are peaks and valleys and sometimes it is good to remind us that during the valleys there are peaks.

Bless you during this wonderful holiday season. I hope that someone looking for help finds your blog entry.; December 14, 2007 at 6:03 PM
Jeanette said...: So very true and so sad. Thank you for that reminder of all the blessings I have.; December 14, 2007 at 6:15 PM
~Red Tin Heart~ said...: jeannete: I was always told by my Mum that if you go through life and find one true friend you are blessed. xoxo Nita; December 14, 2007 at 7:00 PM
Robin said...: Nita,
Thank you for posting this- so many people feel there is no hope-; December 14, 2007 at 7:28 PM
~Red Tin Heart~ said...: Robin: you are welcome. i know how it feels to be sad at this time of the year. mom and dad always listened to this song by merle haggard called, if we make it through december. and i never realized the impact of those words until i was grown. but it is true. hope you are having a good evening. xoxo nita <3; December 14, 2007 at 7:50 PM
Susan @ Blackberry Creek said...: A wonderful service, Nita. What a heart you have. Yesterday in the car driving from one errand to another and listening to Christmas music, I found myself crying a lot. Christmas always makes me sad for what has been lost in my life--but also grateful for all the wonders and blessings that fill my life still.; December 15, 2007 at 7:42 AM
~Red Tin Heart~ said...: Susan: In my life it has been a sad thing because of family members that have died around this holiday, and because of several other reasons. I am grateful for the Gift of Christ's birth and the beautiful things that go with it too. But it can be so hard for people to go through. Thank you Susan for your comments. Thay mean so much to me. love Nita; December 15, 2007 at 8:31 AM
Susan @ Blackberry Creek said...: That Merle Haggard song brings back memories of one of the worst holiday seasons of my life. My first husband and I were having terrible marital problems. My kids were little. I didn't have a job and there was no money. And I remember that it was very very cold that winter. It seemed every time I turned the radio on, there was Merle singing "If We Make It Through December." Well we did, and our marriage lasted almost 10 more years. But that song always talks me back to that cold, sad December.; December 15, 2007 at 12:59 PM
~Red Tin Heart~ said...: Susan: When I was little my Dad was laid off every winter because of working in construction. And it was very lean during those times. It was one of the worst times in our lives too. We barely had money for food, and little money for Christmas. I remember getting a new coat for Christmas and 2 other small presents. But it seemed like alot to me. I was grateful just to have a new coat.
This has been the worst year of my entire life. There has been more that has happened that I could never write about. But I am still going to thank God for the good in my life. God is mighty He can help us through any thing in our lives if we let Him. Thanks for sharing Susan. xoxo Nita; December 15, 2007 at 1:45 PM
Tangled Stitch said...: Nita, Thank you ever so much for your post. It has made me feel I am oh so not alone. This is such a tough time of year and I wish nothing but blessings for you and all the other lovely people feeling a bit blue.

Soon it will all be over and we can get back to creatively creating or whatever we really love to do.; December 15, 2007 at 4:39 PM
Anonymous said...: Thank you so much for this post. Christmas can be such a hard time of year.

I posted a story about my Dad on my blog today, who was dying this time last year. I'd love it if you read it Nita.

hugs,

Kate; December 15, 2007 at 8:03 PM
~Red Tin Heart~ said...: Tangled Stich: I am glad this made you feel like you aren't alone.
I wish the same thing for everyone else too, lots of blessings and to not feel blue. xoxo nita

Kate: You are very welcome. It is such a hard time for those who have lost loved ones during this time. My heart is always a little sad because of losing my sister around this time of year. xoxo Nita; December 15, 2007 at 10:50 PM
pchickki said...: Thanks for the encouraging words Nita.
I am depressed this year as I said, this is the first year I have none of my children around. I miss them terribly. Tomorrow will be a better day.
Thanks again my friend
Patti; December 16, 2007 at 11:26 PM