Ep 19: Mothering Through Depression; An Interview With Carmen Cooper
How do you instill in your children a heart for those in need? What adjustments need to be made within the family in light of postpartum depression? How do you adjust education goals through the ups and downs of life? In this interview with our brave and fascinating friend, Carmen Cooper, we dive into these often taboo subjects. Carmen has 5 children, and she shares the story of each of their unique education paths. She shares her struggle with depression and gives hope to the 1 in 7 women that experience postpartum depression. Conversations like this need to happen more often so that the stigma can be removed. There is hope and God is faithful to provide solutions and support through life’s most difficult seasons.
In This Episode We Discuss:
Raising kids that have a heart for those in need.
Adjusting education methods to suit the needs of each individual child.
The importance of community.
Mothering through depression.
Christianity and depression.
Mentioned in this episode:
DECLARATIONS
God, I firmly and unequivocally believe that You are reliable, present, strong and able. You are so FOR me, all the time. You treasure our vulnerability and humility before You and You love our ‘Yes’. You are GOOD, and Your love endures forever. Your love for me is unshakeable, unchangeable, ferocious and constant. You hear me when I’m in pain, when I have nothing left to give, and when I am inhabiting my darkest hours. You have always heard the groaning of Your people, and You sent Your son to experience every human feeling, trial, injustice and agony so that I would have a Saviour who understands me.
When I am weak, You are strength itself. I declare an infusion of the Strength of God into and over everyone within the sound of my voice. Be filled to overflowing with the satisfaction, wholeness, Goodness, power and Peace of God. May your wills be bound to the will of Jesus. Be overwhelmed by the love and approval of your Father, who knows every detail of YOU. We will be honest and humble before You, Lord. Nothing is a surprise or a deal breaker to You.
I refuse to live in self-condemnation or harbour a critical spirit, because I am in You, Jesus, and You’re in me. You see me. You are my justice. You hold every strategy, plan and solution that will help me. I receive Your wisdom, discernment and ability in order to hear You clearly with regards to my health, my day, my family and my future. You are fully invested in the story of ME!
I receive the ability to inhabit and interpret my life correctly today. You are with me and You never look away, no matter what. My family matters to You. Today, I choose openness, humility, love and connection for and with my children and my partner. Please give me the eyes, voice, touch, thoughts, insights, problem solving abilities, organizational prowess and calm of Jesus today in the midst of all of my relationships.
Jesus, I choose to allow You to revitalize, realign, renovate and awaken my spirit today. Breathe of heaven, blow into and over me. I am a child of God and I love Your creativity, zeal and passion for my life and my purposes. You enjoy me. You are my Great Confidence, my past, my present and my destiny. I love You and I love Your ways. Draw me closer to Your mysteries and give me curiosity and courage to delve for the gold and search for more of You...it’s Your gift to me, and it’s my honour as a King and a Priest.
I choose to have mercy for myself and listen to my body and my heart today. I am allowed to rest, to express myself, to have feelings and opinions. My thoughts and ideas are important. I am a child of the GREAT I AM, and am accepted, redeemed, beautiful, interesting and integral to this chapter of human history. I am full of living water...Jesus, please give me authenticity and ability to communicate about You in ways that open brand new doors into Your realm of salvation for everyone You put in my life today...in whatever way You choose. I refuse to be religious, legalistic or fault finding. You are the Messiah, Jesus, the Saviour of humanity, and I choose to learn from You. Help me to want nothing more than to feel and be able to love the way You do.