“The sheer exhaustion she conveyed in the act of stirring her tea made it look like she was mixing cement.” ~ Martha Manning, psychotherapist (referring to her grandmother’s depression)

I don’t think about it much. Depression, that is. The moods come, and thankfully, they go. Except for the depression that hospitalized me. But that was years ago, long before I understood my own brain. For clinical depression there is now fairly good medication available. Other things help too, like understanding friends. Hopefully my experiences have wrought in me a deeper compassion for others. I hope it’s made a difference in my writing, too.

Last time I admitted depression, a friend said she just didn’t get it. I’m glad she’s never needed antidepressants. But something she said revealed a smidgeon of pride. “I just never give in to depression,” she said. “Guess I’ve never understood chronic victim mentality.” Ouch.

Well, much has been written on brain illness that would straighten out the least of this friend’s misconceptions, but some people would rather read the funnies. It’s useless to explain the function of neurons and neurotransmitters to people whose brain never falters. Note to self: Don’t look to misguided folks for understanding. It won’t happen.

Ironically, writing that ministers to me comes from those who have wrestled with darkness and come out on the other side. These writers speak to my heart. They’re compassionate, genuine, and not afraid to be transparent. They don’t shame people for the way they’re wired, nor for the way they’ve experienced life.

When I haven’t walked a mile in someone’s flip-flops, I really can’t afford to judge. So I treat people’s melancholia with care. When that black bile or brain-freeze descends on someone I know, I want to be the friend that God sends. I want to fan the flame of all His gifts, and love my friends in the most consistent ways I know how. It’s not enough to shrug and say, “I just don’t get it,” and walk away.

Melancholy souls were given a gift. Because of misunderstandings we’ve suffered, we recognize a timely word spoken in season. We cherish it. We cling to it. We never hesitate to offer a word or kindness to another soul in need, and trust God will most ably speak through us.

But a final thought lingers. If compassion is putting ourselves in someone else’s flip-flops long enough to feel their pain, surely melancholia taught us how.

“The human heart, at whatever age, opens only to the heart that opens in return.” ~ Maria Edgeworth

At first glance, this quote rang true. Then a Scripture came to mind: “We love because He first loved us.” ~ 1 John 4:19

Our hearts respond to Him, but even so, it’s grace that draws us heavenward. That’s what I love to write about.

What about you?

“Pray . . . Give you writing to God. He is the one who put the passion in your heart, the words in your head, let Him guide you each step of the way. Write for His glory!” ~ Mike Dellosso, from Seven Habits of Published Christian Authors

Lately I’ve pondered the effects of life’s little interruptions. Some are not little. We have chronic ailments, families to feed, and day jobs that crunch into our writing time. If not for the grace of God, none of us could live the life of a scribe.

For these challenges, Writer…Interrupted encourages me. We absolutely believe that God is in control, and while His Sovereign ways remain mysterious at times, He gathers for us a loving community in times of need. We get to see what He’s doing in our lives. Not only do we network and share information, we pray for one another. We’re family.

But of all life’s interruptions, cancer must be the most unwelcome.

At Writer Interrupted we’ve grown particularly fond of an author among us who has always encouraged us. It’s our time to encourage him. Let me introduce you to our dear friend and brother in Christ, Mike Dellosso .

Mike’s brand new book is being released, a gripping page-turner called The Hunted. You’ll want to read it, tell all your friends about it, and pray for Mike. He’s fighting colon cancer:

“This battle with cancer has been a trying time for many reasons, one being the timing. I was diagnosed two months before the release of my debut novel, The Hunted. Thankfully, the good people of the Writer Interrupted community joined together to throw me this blog tour. And what a blessing they’ve been to me. Thank you!”

You’re welcome, Mike. It’s plain to see that God has not only gifted you, but given you quite a story. It’s my pleasure to let the world know there’s a new Peretti in the house. I’m praying for your physical healing. May God bring you through this difficult time with a deeper revelation of Christ.

About the book:

Debut novelist Mike Dellosso delivers a spine-tingling drama in the style of Frank Peretti and Stephen King.

“After learning of the disappearance of his nephew, Joe Saunders returns to his childhood home of Dark Hills to aid in the search effort. When Caleb is found, badly mauled and clinging to life, Joe embarks on a mission to find the beast responsible. But the more Joe delves into the fabric of his old hometown, the more he realizes Dark Hills has a dark secret, shrouded for three generations in a deadly code of silence. As Joe unravels the truth behind a series of unexplained animal attacks, murder, and corruption at the highest level of law enforcement, he is led to a final showdown where he must entrust his very life into God’s hands.” More about this chilling story and the author behind it HERE.

About the author’s journey to publication:

“My writing journey began in September of 1998 after my brother-in-law suffered a tragic and near-deadly motorcycle accident that left him in a coma for eight weeks. At first, I mostly wrote short inspirational pieces and vignettes. Anything and everything about what I was experiencing on a spiritual level, what I was observing on a physical level. I just let the words flow from my heart to my pen (I wasn’t using a computer at the time). I really made no attempt at getting my writing published, I just wanted to write and get it down, but in the back of my mind I knew that some day I’d be shooting for publication.” Read the rest of Mike’s journey to publication.

Tomorrow I’ll share more behind the writing of Mike’s book with you. Meanwhile, let’s continue to cover his family with prayer.

Buy the book, kick back, and enjoy the Blog Tour

* The Hunted: First Chapter
* Order Mike’s book on Amazon
* The Mike Dellosso Blog Tour
* Mike’s Blog

Author Tricia Goyer shared two pearls of wisdom with her son, a recent homeschool graduate:

1. “Cory you’ve worked hard and you’ve excelled in your studies, but for your future my advice is not to work harder. Or even to work smarter. But to abide in Christ. Even machines can be trained to do work, but only men and women - guided by the Holy Spirit - can bear fruit that lasts for eternity.”

….and….

2. “If at first you don’t succeed, go back and do it like your mother taught you.”

“Tune our hearts to sing your grace.” ~ C.S. Lewis

“Cease to inquire whatever the future has in store, and take as a gift whatever the day brings forth.” ~ Horace

“Be like the bird that, halting on its flight awhile on the boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing that she hath wings.” ~ Victor Hugo

“I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.” ~ Martin Luther

There’s nothing like a good quote at the right time:

“Today a new sun rises for me; everything lives, everything is animated, everything seems to speak to me of my passion, everything invites me to cherish it.” ~ Anne de Lenclos

“Kind words smooth all the paths of life and smiles makes burdens light, and uncomplaining friends can make a daytime out of night.” ~ Carrie Jacobs Bond

“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems that you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” ~Harriet Beecher Stowe

“Trust the past to the mercy of God, the present to His love, and the future to His providence.” ~ St. Augustine

“The greatest gift we can give one another is rapt attention to one another’s existence.” ~ Sue Atchley Ebaugh

As I perused my lovely Mother’s Day gifts this morning, each one reflected the specialness of the giver and warmed my heart. But more than gifts or praises, we mothers desire something more precious than store-bought sentiment - the gift of time. I love my children, but not for the gifts they bring. The gifts are a sweet representation of their love, but their presence in my life means more than I can describe.

On that thought, God nudges me. Is He trying to tell me something? After all, writers busy themselves with many a project, trying to honor Him with thoughtful, well-put words. In the process, we sometimes forget what He desires most. As much as words and stories bless His heart, He just wants us. If we but spend precious time with Him, the words will come.

A good week to concentrate on the Giver, and not so much the gifts. Let us honor God with all we write, but remember that good writing flows from a bountiful relationship with Him.

He is the Author and Perfector of our faith, amen?

“Let all my words sink deep into your own heart first; listen to them carefully for yourself. Then, afterward, go to your people.” ~ Ezekiel 3:10-11, TLB

We write our experiences down too quickly sometimes. Certain events need to simmer. Particularly when we’ve been hurt.

Before we gain a right perspective, we need the Lord’s insight. Otherwise, our words aren’t ready. We need a certain healing before we tackle strong topics, or else we’re merely grinding an ax.

Yes, it’s still true - everything in life is fodder for the writer.

But all in good time.

“A word in season, how good it is!” ~Proverbs 15:23

“We ought to begin each day asking God to give us high expectations for every human encounter we experience. We should pray for alertness to the special opportunities God brings our way to give or receive encouragement through conversation. The words we hear and the words we speak often carry the seeds of life.” ~ M. Blaine Smith