Something Special for Moms, Dads, and Grads

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something special for moms

1. 100 DAYS TO BRAVE GUIDED JOURNAL This guided journal encourages anyone facing a new challenge to refl ect on their fears, explore their faith, and fi nd the courage to go wherever they’re called. $20 | zondervan.com

2. WATERS WISDOMS SAMPLE SUBSCRIPTION Beautiful, waterproof photos come with a plastic frame you can adhere wherever you need a little inspiration: your shower wall, mirror, or another spot perfect for you. $24 | waterswisdoms.com

3. GRANDMA KISSES This sweet story with adorable characters will have kids and grandmas smiling and snuggling as they read together. $10 | thomasnelson.com

4. GRANDPA HUGS Grandpas are so fun! This delightful board book celebrates how wonderful spending time with grandpas can be. $10 | thomasnelson.com

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Celebrating those closest to your Heart

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for moms, dads, and grads

5. JESUS CALLING, Gray Leathersoft Edition The same great Jesus Calling content in a style that men (hint: dads and grads!) will appreciate. $23 | jesuscalling.com

6. GOLD DOT PEN This chic pen with a removable cap is the perfect staple for any desk or purse. $24 | emilyley.com

7. LAVENDER CANDLE Crafted by women survivors of traffi cking, this lavender candle provides a soft, fl oral aroma that will reduce stress and refresh your space. $30 | thistlefarms.com

8. EAT YOUR PEAS COLLECTION Let cherished family members know how much they’re loved with words they’ll never forget. $12 each | eatyourpeas.com

9. TRIO SCRIPTURE BRACELET– Joshua 1:9 Etched with scripture, this piece is a beautiful reminder that God is with us, wherever we go. $44 | goodworksmakeadiff erence.com

RedefiningIoy when the bottom falls out

Kay Warren is the co-founder of Saddleback Church with her husband, Rick. For more than ten years, Kay has been a tireless advocate for those living with mental illness in tribute to her son, Matthew.

by Kay Warren

ONE OF THE GREATEST JOYS OF MY LIFE HAS BEEN BEING A MOM. We have three kids: Amy, Josh, and Matthew. Josh and Amy are just amazing human beings. They’ve got little people themselves now, so I’m a grandma—it’s the best thing in the world. But Matthew, our youngest, we knew from a really early age that he was diff erent from his siblings. At age 7, Matthew was diagnosed with depression. He suff ered from suicidal ideation when he was 12. In the years that followed, he would be diagnosed with ADHD, early-onset bipolar disorder, OCD, body dysmorphic disorder, major depressive disorder, and borderline personality disorder.

“Mental illness takes such a toll on families. And our family was struggling right along with him.

Even though he was so ill, he was also this amazing guy. He was funny and creative and deeply compassionate for other people who suff er. He had a huge, tender heart for other people in pain. But he just kept getting worse. Probably two or three years before he died, I realized that as his mom, it was taking such a toll on me. Mental illness takes such a toll on families. And our family was struggling right along with him. So I did a really intense study of scripture, and I came to realize that I had defi ned joy wrong. I was defi ning it based on how I felt. If it seemed like a good day, then I could experience joy. But if Matthew had a hard day or something else went wrong in my life, then I didn’t have joy. Come to fi nd out, as I look at scripture, it’s so much more than that. Happiness will not be enough when the bottom falls out. Happiness will evaporate, but joy can stay. When I decided I could count on God’s character, that I could count on God’s goodness, that I could count on God’s control in my life, even when life seemed to spiral out of control—that’s when joy began to take root in my life, and that changed me. I don’t even remember when I fi rst encountered Jesus Calling, but I’ve relied on it in some diffi cult situations. I’ve got the app, and so if I don’t read it at home, I’m reading my app. There’s one passage in particular I go back to over and over and over. And it says:

I am leading you, step by step, through your life. Hold My hand in trusting dependence, letting Me guide you through this day. Your future looks uncertain and feels fl imsy-–even precarious. This is how it should be.

The day I read that passage for the fi rst time, I was worried about Matthew. He was in a particularly bad season, and I wanted to know what the future held. And when I read this passage, I was like, Whoa. It convicts me and comforts me all at once. When Matthew eventually took his life on April 5th, 2013, it was the worst day of my life. And when he died, we were faced with confronting on the deepest level ever, What do we really believe about God? Is He truly good? The day I read that wanted to know what worst day of my life. And Kay and Matthew, 2013

“God has this way of working in the places where we feel ruined.

Kay and her husband, Rick at Saddleback Church

I remember saying so many times, “My life is ruined. It can never be good again.” And what I will tell you is that life will never be the same again—but it can be good again. God has this way of working in the places where we feel ruined, where we feel like our lives have been shattered, and He does rebuild. If you or a family member are struggling today with mental illness, I just want to know you’re not alone, and there is hope. And please don’t isolate yourself. It’s a natural thing that we do when we’re feeling sad or anxious. Sometimes we’re afraid our friends and family won’t love us, or they’ll think we’re weird if we tell them how much we’re struggling. But that just increases our sense of anxiety and loneliness and depression. Connect with people in your life who love you. Seek help at your church. Look for resources that can help you or your loved one: the National Alliance of Mental Illness is a free resource where you can get tons of information. My website, kaywarren.com, has all kinds of things I didn’t know how to fi nd when I had a family member struggling with mental illness. So wherever you are and whatever you’re struggling with, don’t be alone. Don’t give up hope. And look for the resources and help—because there’s always hope.

Adapted for print from Kay's interview on Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith video series.

Put your phone in Camera mode and hover over this code to watch Kay's story.

THERE’S HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT

If you or a loved one are experiencing thoughts of suicide, there is free and confi dential support for you.

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 to receive prevention and crisis resources.

Kay’s book, Choose Joy: Because Happiness Isn’t Enough, is available from your favorite book retailer today.

EMILY LEY is the founder of Simplified, a brand of planners and organizational tools for busy women. Emily has been featured in Forbes, Family Circle, Better Homes and Gardens, Glamour, and Good Housekeeping. Emily lives in Pensacola, Florida with her husband, Bryan, and their son Brady (9) and twins Tyler and Caroline (5).