I wrote here back in October about Wade Bowen’s song “Turn On the Lights”, written after his wife’s battle with postpartum depression.   In November, a benefit concert  to raise money for Postpartum Support International was held featuring Mr. Bowen.     As he performed this song, a slideshow played in the background featuring photos of moms, dads, and their children who had been affected by postpartum depression.  

There is a photo of us near the end of the slideshow.  In it, we are walking on the beach swinging G in the air, and I am holding S.  It is so neat to be included in such an event in this tiny way, during this fabulous song.  Seeing the faces of so many moms who had gone through PPD, the dads who were there for them, and the children who are such joys to them now – it was really too much, brought tears to my eyes.

Enjoy…

God's PPD Ministry

I’m thrilled to be sharing a bit of my PPD story and what I have learned from it at Rocks In My Dryer today.  It is one of my favorite blogs to read!  Shannon is doing a series called “What I’d Like For You To Know” and the today’s post is to share and educate about postpartum depression.  It is an excellent series – I highly encourage you to check out all the posts in it.  Each woman sharing has so much wisdom and I have learned an incredible amount from them and their life experiences.  Compassion is to be had, folks…and as followers of Christ, it is something we are called to. 

What I’d Like For You to Know:  Surviving Postpartum Depression

God's PPD Ministry

Most of you know about my journey through postpartum depression, and if you did not before - well, you do now.    Since that time, God has led me to start a ministry to help and encourage other moms like me and families like us to get through such difficult and misunderstood times.  You can see the ministry website here:  Out of the Valley MInistries, Inc. 

A country music artist, Wade Bowen, wrote a song about postpartum depression after watching his wife suffer through this horrible illness.  It is called “Turn On the Lights.”  Even better, he is hosting a benefit concert for Postpartum Support International in November.  You can read more about it on my Out of the Valley blog. 

Here are the lyrics, and following that is a YouTube video of him singing the song.  It’s a beautiful song, written from a dad’s perspective.

It’s not easy anymore, everything seemed to change
With one blink of an eye, I’m the man to lay the blame
Well I’ve let you slip away, trying so hard to make this right
Well I have nothing left to do, nowhere else to turn
I know it’s dark babe…

Oh, turn on the lights
Yeah you have to
Turn on the lights

God's PPD Ministry

A friend of mine shared this YouTube video with me.  I was crying all the way through it – not for sad reasons at all.  It is powerful.  My heart fills with amazing praise for the amazing God I serve and the Jesus who died to save me and all of you.  Just watch these Cardbooard Testimonies…then I challenge you to comment with what YOUR Cardboard Testimony would be.  You’ll see mine below the video screen.

Mine? 

“Considered suicide during the worst of postpartum depression” 

*FLIP*

“He carried me through that valley to form a PPD ministry”

God Stuff, God's PPD Ministry, Great Music/Videos

I am so tickled, blessed, humbled and honored to be interviewed by Sue McRoberts, author of The Lifter of My Head:  How God Sustained Me During Postpartum Depression.   Its a great book and I highly recommend it.  Its been wonderful getting to know Sue as a sister in Christ, a sister in PPD ministry, and as a friend.   And maybe one of these days I’ll actually get to hug her in person!!!   

The Interview:   Read all about Tara Mock!

God's PPD Ministry