MY FAMILY TREE By Victoria Lynn Siebenhaar

　
      I was asked to speak at a Singles Conference about the Cure for Loneliness and Depression. As I prepared my lesson, I began to wonder why loneliness and depression had never taken residence in my heart. I remembered distinctly the last time I had felt depressed about being older and still single. I had been looking at a diagram of our family tree when my heart filled with incredible emotion as I compared my brothers’ branches to mine. Their branches flourished with the names of their children and grandchildren. My branch stopped with my name. Immediately Sadness, Depression, and Loneliness began to knock at my door. Although I did let those unwelcomed emotions visit for just a few moments, they outstayed their welcome and I chose to never let them take residence in my heart.
 
To symbolize the decision of not letting the root of depression or sadness spring up in me, I went outside and dug up a 5-foot tree. I chose carefully a tree that had plenty of branches and twigs sprouting off. I then took the time to cut paper leaves from construction paper. On each leaf, I wrote the name of someone I had helped encourage that week. Each name was represented by a note I had written,

a call I had made, cookies I had baked, treats I had delivered, or countless other ways I had taken the time to encourage someone’s day. As each name was written, I taped it to a branch or twig of my 5- foot tree. Within just a matter of a few minutes my tree was filled with leaves representing my extended family – those whom I love. I soon realized why Loneliness cannot abide in my heart. I am too busy! Depression cannot linger because I am too busy commending love to those represented on my own “family tree.”
 
In the past 20 years, I can recall only a few moments of time where loneliness or depression again knocked at my door. Those emotions usually stay away, because they know they are not welcomed in my heart. I challenge every reader to kick out those unwelcomed tenants and replace them with acts of service for others. Serving others is the key to combating loneliness, discouragement, sadness, and depression. So, the next time you can hear Loneliness knocking at your door, write a note of encouragement to an elderly shut-in. When you see Sadness coming up your driveway, stop him at the gate by calling a loved one who is going through a tough time. When Depression tries to sneak in your back door, bake a batch of cookies for your next-door neighbor or offer to rake their leaves. When Sadness attempts to enter by breaking down the door of your heart, immediately stop him dead in his tracks by taking the time to write a note of thanksgiving to your parents, pastor, boss, or co-workers. Combat the destructive seeds of loneliness and depression by living for others. Then, you too, will get to see your “family tree” in full bloom.
　
” And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul;
then
shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day:”
                                                            Isaiah 58:10