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Stephanie J Thompson

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Mental Health Resources

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As you know, the popular book, “What to Expect When you’re Expecting.” gives much needed generalized advice on the adventure in to parenting.  While the information is definitely helpful, the book does not address the realities of raising children within contexts that are not expected.  Chronic/life threatening illness? Mental Health issues? Neurological disorders? drug addiction? undefined illnesses?   None of these fall in the line of our expectations. I often find myself repeating “That wasn’t in the book!”

Whether your child’s situation is short-term or long term, the result is a feeling of isolation for the whole family.  You carry the “elephant in the room” everywhere you go.  You become accustomed to stares, judgements, and well intentioned but not necessary advice on parenting. Furthermore, you struggle with how to balance the needs of the affected child with the needs of yourself, your significant other and any siblings. In other words, you fight to keep your family alive.

I know firsthand what this fight entails.  I’ve been there. All three of my children (as well as myself) have various mood disorders. Because of my own family’s experiences with situations that “weren’t in the book”, I developed a passion for empowering and encouraging families who are navigating such a journey.

Recently, I felt that this mission needed a name. Since my repetitive mantra is: “Help! That wasn’t in the book!” it seems to appropriately fit this ministry.   My desire is to provide hope and encouragement as well as resources so that we can persevere in this journey.  To read my posts about mental health, click on the Help! This Wasn’t in the Book! category.

Support: I created a support group online for support: https://www.facebook.com/groups/287459082249836/ It is a safe place to vent, ask questions and share experiences.

In addition, don’t hesitate to contact me on the Welcome page if you are looking for help. If I don’t know the answer, I can try to point you to someone who may.

Workshop: “Help!  This is not what I expected!  Nuggets of wisdom and encouragement as well as resources for persevering and finding peace when a child’s special needs (chronic or short term; mental or physical disorders)impact the whole family. This workshop will include both presentation and interactive segments.

Posts: Scroll down on the landing page to click on the mental health category

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When my first child was born 20 plus years ago, I envisioned taking just a few years off from my role as Pastor of Youth and Family. While that didn’t exactly unfold as expected, God used my gifts and skills in other ways. Read More…

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#burningbushes #holyground #moses #godseesme "#div #burningbushes #holyground #moses #godseesme "#divinepurpose #redbudwriters
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Jesus’ invitation is enticing yet puzzling. “ Jesus’ invitation is enticing yet puzzling.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.

What to make of his offer? Jesus just completed an emotionally filled rebuke of the towns which dismissed both his and John the Baptist’s words. Interestingly, he names whole towns. Were their individuals who were transformed in their thoughts and behaviors by the divine miracles they witnessed? We can only speculate. However, by naming whole towns, he indicates that individual actions contribute to corporate systems. Corrupt powers become familiar habits and the appetite for feeding them becomes insatiable. John and Jesus came to both convict and point them back to desiring the “very good” God provides for them. But turning back demands surrender to earthly gratification, human driven agendas and reasoning.

So the very towns which had witnessed the very signs of Immanuel (God with us) refused to repent of their human ideologies. In order to emphasize his point, Jesus compares them to towns whose names were already scandalously attached to sin. Whoa.

His invitation uses an analogy the crowd understood. Oxen are yoked together so that the more experienced one teaches and takes the burden of the other one as they navigate their course. God has come into their midst. There are no hierarchy obstacles or cultural/racial/gender barriers to being “yoked” with him. No religious bucket lists to follow. But rather, a relationship.

As Eugene Peterson translates in the Message:

 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30.

#Redbudwriter #stephaniejthompson #Jesusliberates #yolkofJesus
Recently, I experienced several “Moses moments.” As I went about my daily tasks, I encountered a “burning bush".: And then two more. They appeared in different forms than a bush. Actually digital communication. Nonetheless, they caught me by surprise and drew my attention.

God’s voice spoke through others to offer me opportunities to expand my writing voice. I was beckoned to venture into new territories. As my brain processed the implications, my body felt a wave of fear wash over me. I immediately secured myself in Moses's footprints.

My words echoed his, “But why me? (Exodus 3:11)

When one makes themselves available to being agents through whom God’s purposes unfold, we shouldn’t be surprised when we encounter burning bushes. But we are. Because in our humanity, we fear things that place us in positions outside our comfort zones. And even when God’s voice interrupts us to announce that our dreams are being realized, it can feel like too much. Did we really think God saw us? Heard us? Knows us?

But just like Moses heard, so did I. “I’ll be with you,” God said.

So with a bit of trembling in my voice, I said yes. But that wasn’t the end of it. Because just like in Moses’s narrative, his purpose was to show others the “I-AM-WHO-I-AM.” (Exodus 11:14). That audience includes both the direct participants of my calling but those with whom I share my vulnerable story. Of hopes. Divine interruptions. Trembling bodies. Trust in God.

I shared my story with my young adult kids and nieces. All of it. Nervous banter included. Because they are watching and discerning how we all fit into God’s big story. They are encountering their own Moses moments. Our lives flesh out the Biblical narratives for them and anchor them to the “I-AM-WHO-I-AM” who has been interrupting and empowering his people since the beginning of creation. We can all use the reminder that God calls us and uses us despite our insecurities, It is a beautiful truth.

#Redbudwriter #stephaniejthompson #Moses #parentingyoungadults #Godhearsyou
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s2thomp

#burningbushes #holyground #moses #godseesme "#div #burningbushes #holyground #moses #godseesme "#divinepurpose #redbudwriters
#rahab #godusespeopletohelppeople #womenofthebible #rahab #godusespeopletohelppeople #womenofthebible #redbudwriters
Jesus’ invitation is enticing yet puzzling. “ Jesus’ invitation is enticing yet puzzling.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.

What to make of his offer? Jesus just completed an emotionally filled rebuke of the towns which dismissed both his and John the Baptist’s words. Interestingly, he names whole towns. Were their individuals who were transformed in their thoughts and behaviors by the divine miracles they witnessed? We can only speculate. However, by naming whole towns, he indicates that individual actions contribute to corporate systems. Corrupt powers become familiar habits and the appetite for feeding them becomes insatiable. John and Jesus came to both convict and point them back to desiring the “very good” God provides for them. But turning back demands surrender to earthly gratification, human driven agendas and reasoning.

So the very towns which had witnessed the very signs of Immanuel (God with us) refused to repent of their human ideologies. In order to emphasize his point, Jesus compares them to towns whose names were already scandalously attached to sin. Whoa.

His invitation uses an analogy the crowd understood. Oxen are yoked together so that the more experienced one teaches and takes the burden of the other one as they navigate their course. God has come into their midst. There are no hierarchy obstacles or cultural/racial/gender barriers to being “yoked” with him. No religious bucket lists to follow. But rather, a relationship.

As Eugene Peterson translates in the Message:

 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30.

#Redbudwriter #stephaniejthompson #Jesusliberates #yolkofJesus
Recently, I experienced several “Moses moments.” As I went about my daily tasks, I encountered a “burning bush".: And then two more. They appeared in different forms than a bush. Actually digital communication. Nonetheless, they caught me by surprise and drew my attention.

God’s voice spoke through others to offer me opportunities to expand my writing voice. I was beckoned to venture into new territories. As my brain processed the implications, my body felt a wave of fear wash over me. I immediately secured myself in Moses's footprints.

My words echoed his, “But why me? (Exodus 3:11)

When one makes themselves available to being agents through whom God’s purposes unfold, we shouldn’t be surprised when we encounter burning bushes. But we are. Because in our humanity, we fear things that place us in positions outside our comfort zones. And even when God’s voice interrupts us to announce that our dreams are being realized, it can feel like too much. Did we really think God saw us? Heard us? Knows us?

But just like Moses heard, so did I. “I’ll be with you,” God said.

So with a bit of trembling in my voice, I said yes. But that wasn’t the end of it. Because just like in Moses’s narrative, his purpose was to show others the “I-AM-WHO-I-AM.” (Exodus 11:14). That audience includes both the direct participants of my calling but those with whom I share my vulnerable story. Of hopes. Divine interruptions. Trembling bodies. Trust in God.

I shared my story with my young adult kids and nieces. All of it. Nervous banter included. Because they are watching and discerning how we all fit into God’s big story. They are encountering their own Moses moments. Our lives flesh out the Biblical narratives for them and anchor them to the “I-AM-WHO-I-AM” who has been interrupting and empowering his people since the beginning of creation. We can all use the reminder that God calls us and uses us despite our insecurities, It is a beautiful truth.

#Redbudwriter #stephaniejthompson #Moses #parentingyoungadults #Godhearsyou
Load More... Follow on Instagram

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  • Advent/Christmas
  • Easter
  • five minute friday
  • Help! This was not in the book!
  • Sacred Connections

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