In the quiver of lies called depression,
the name of the sharpest arrow is
You Have Nothing To Say. Forget
what the flowers told you, or the gift
from the little one in front of you at
the drive through when she smiled.
How can you give voice to the joy of
a snuggling Schnauzer, or speak to
the grief that rises with the sun day
after day? Anything you say will only
reinforce your insignificance. No one is
waiting to hear from you. Stay silent.
Truth is not silent. You must speak
through the pain, of the pain. Silence
can’t hold healing. Name the lie. Write
into the night, fill any page with names
you can remember, stories you believe,
songs you know by heart. It matters.
Peace,
Milton
3 blogs I read every morning – one of my best friends who is a potter like me, yours, and the surf report in Wilmington. All the news, searching, etc. follows. Christ’s blessings on you today – Tom
This is beautiful, and especially now, it speaks to my soul.
Thanks Milton.
Gotten into the habit of bringing a sack lunch on days like this, they last so long.
Helps not being all alone while alone.
Milton, you are a beautiful soul.
I was a lurker here for many months; brought several pastoral colleagues along, and your writings inform our discussion of worship, of music, of community, of our place in the world. I started my blog because I was inspired by yours. Thank you for feeding us. 🙂
Hang in there, brother. Prayers coming your way.
(o)
Many, many people appreciate reading anything and everything that you have to say.
Hold on.
Peace, Milton. You are SO loved. Molly
Dear Milton,
I have known a lot of people who have suffered from depression, and a couple who have died from it. Thank you for your courage and persistence in fighting against it, and for helping all of us understand life–and Life–just a bit better. You are absolutely correct: Truth is not silent. Peace to you.
Bob
So beautifully said, Milton … and so much my experience of you from afar.
Milton,
I don’t think I suffer from depression, but as a writer, I struggle, desperately, with You Have Nothing To Say. Perhaps that’s a form of depression, but it’s debilitating nevertheless, and I know how devastating it is. Thank you for sharing your courage with the rest of us who also have to defeat the lie, day after day. May it flower as beautifully in us as it does in you.
Milton,
*love and hugs*
Allie