Experiencing the journey…

I want to thank all of you who have written, commented on, or read this blog. I started it as an outlet for anyone to express the things they were struggling with in a safe and supportive atmosphere. I have “met” many of you through this blog and it is wonderful! I also know that some have said how this site has helped. That is awesome!!

The last post was in December. I have been working as part of the leadership of a new church and will soon be moving from western NY to the Cincinnati area to help start the church. Over the past 10 months, we’ve been working on systems, developing programs, working on budget stuff, etc and I’ve been traveling, learning, studying and doing all I can!! What’s awesome is as I move into full time ministry, I get to spend the rest of my life helping people who are where I once was get to where I am now! No more shame, no embarrassment, and no more hiding anything.

Today I can stand free from all the coping skills that I had learned, free from suicidal thoughts, free from struggling to make it through each and every day, all while acting like I had it all together. Instead, I can be honest, open, and transparent, willing to talk about it all and reach out to anyone who is going through anything I’ve been through.

I’ve been through tons of abuse, both growing up and in my marriage, rejection, depression, anxiety, PTSD, panic attacks and you name it. My coping skills included alcohol, drugs (illegal when younger, prescription as older), self-injury, eating disorders, suicidal “stuff”, and probably a handful more! Today I am healed. Today I no longer have to rely on my own strength. Today I want others to experience what I am now living. It’s awesome!

So I thank you for participating on this blog. I invite you, if you haven’t already, check out and join in at my blog at rindywalton.com. Jump in and comment and you can make it easy by subscribing by email to follow the journey. See ya over there!!

Is unhappiness a “good enough” reason for divorce?

 Post written by: Anonymous

Christians aren’t “supposed” to get divorced.  Except in rare cases, like adultery.  At least that is what I have been taught.  It is what I believed when I got married.  I have seen the statistics that children are better in divorced, happy homes than in homes where parents stay together just for the children.  I’ve known couples that stay together and maintain a friendship of sorts.  I’ve known couples that have stayed together miserable just because they thought they were supposed to do that.

My spouse is not abusive, mean, a bad person, an adulterer or any of those other labels.  My spouse refuses to grow up. Wants to be a child. Resents working all day, coming home, cooking dinner, cleaning up, dealing with children and the other such things that come along with being an adult.  My spouse would rather visit their childhood home.  Where meals appear on plates, all cut up and fixed. Where sleeping in is expected and there are no adult responsibilities.  My spouse promises to grow up.  And does better for a little while. Then falls back into the same pattern. Counseling has not helped except to prolong the cycle just a little while.

My spouse is not a bad person – just immature.  Childish.  Never had to grow up.  Doesn’t know how to take responsibility.  Doesn’t want to learn how to take responsibility. Has a “what is in it for me” attitude.  Very selfish.

It’s not a horrible, huge problem in the scheme of things.  But I’m not happy.  At what point does my happiness come into play?  Are Christians supposed to sacrifice their own happiness for the sake of staying married?  Is there ever a “good enough” reason to get divorced because you are unhappy?

Quick Link

My blogging friend Joni has written an awesome post about her struggle to get pregnant titled If you will, I will. It is a story of disappointment, depression, questioning and ultimately faith and obedience in God. All of this while she was a leader in her church and comforting others. Hope exists in all situations. Give it a read…

Suicide

 Post written by: Anonymous

 Sometimes people feel like they need to ecape. Whether it’s because of people, feelings, or decisions, they just need to escape. Well a few years ago I went through a period of time where I felt like that. To this day, I’m not really sure what the reasons were, but all I knew what that I needed to “escape”. I didn’t feel right. I didn’t feel good enough for people, or the right kind of person. I was always angry. My parents and I would always fight, I was the worst older sister anyone could ever have. Thats when the suicide “talk” started. At first it was just the tantrums and the crying all the time, but then it got worse. I used to threaten my parents that I would commit suicide and use different things against them. I was in a state of anger and almost depression. Everything bothered me, and I was rarely ever happy. Things started to get better, but then it all started again. The fits I would throw were terrible, and my mom even tried sending me to counseling. But again I refused to go and just said more terrible things.    

Now that I look back on it, I try and relate to how I felt and why. I’m still uncertain as to why it happened. Maybe it was because things weren’t going my way and thats how I felt I needed to react to them. I know it was wrong of me, but I have learened form my mistakes. I know now to talk things out with my parents and solve problems differently.

The message I am trying to send is for people who have mixed feelings like I did. There are other ways to solve your problems, but threatening with suicide and other hurtful words or actions only makes matters worse. Things will get better if you talk it out. Communication is a must, especially with the ones you love.