Dear Reader // Impromptu Sharings of a Christian Blogger
July 28, 2017
Dear Reader,
It happened yesterday, logging back in to a website I barely use. Well of all the things I had started a debate club there and someone had answered. A very staunch leftist, and what was the argument? Abortion. And I have to admit, she was a good debater with a years of experience. She had built up every single proof and opinion, with all the studies and rest to prove her points. And I realized something right away. She is never going to get my point, not one bit because we aren't arguing on the same premises. It was like comparing oranges with apples.
And looking back there's something I realize.
When someone wants to believe something...they are going to believe it and there's not much you can do to change that belief.
Yesterday it was easy to get discouraged, easy to question: "What is this world coming to?"
But then I found this verse.
Remember your Creator
in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come
and the years approach when you will say,
“I find no pleasure in them”—
2 before the sun and the light
and the moon and the stars grow dark,
and the clouds return after the rain;
3 when the keepers of the house tremble,
and the strong men stoop,
when the grinders cease because they are few,
and those looking through the windows grow dim;
4 when the doors to the street are closed
and the sound of grinding fades;
when people rise up at the sound of birds,
but all their songs grow faint;
5 when people are afraid of heights
and of dangers in the streets;
when the almond tree blossoms
and the grasshopper drags itself along
and desire no longer is stirred.
Then people go to their eternal home
and mourners go about the streets.
Anna, how depressing! You are probably asking how in the world that cheered me up!
:) But it did, because not only was that poetry so beautiful but because it just slammed things into perspective.
That day of trouble is coming.
But are we focusing on the city going up in fire behind us, or are we focusing on the sun rising in the sky beckoning the start of another day?
Are we drowning in day-to-day atrocities or are we helping people?
Are we...focusing on God?
Or are we focusing on the gazillion problems?
"Beloved..." God says. "My daughter, my son.... Did I give you the responsibility of fixing the world's problems? Did I dump the weight of the world on your shoulders? “Come to me, you weary and burdened child, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and in me, you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Not the world's yoke, my yoke. I'm doing this because I love you, and I want to go through this with you. I want you to be always close to me, so I can plough through these problems with you. I want you to be yoked to me always."
He loves you and me, that much.
Referring to where I started, I know how easy it is to get weary and burdened. I know how easy it is to read the news titles and lose hope in the world. I know how easy it is to even cry when you are watching news of war on TV. I've done all of these things.
I know this world spurns a soft heart but He loves your heart. He longs to have it.
So I'll give him my heart...
And my tears will turn into a cry for justice
My hopelessness into a prayer for help
And He will hear, because He loves me.
And He will hear, because He loves you.
Remember your Creator, dear sisters and brothers.
He's got the world in His hands, and you are His child.
Remember when we used to have these silly arguments with our friends?
"My Daddy is stronger than yours!"
"No mine is!"
Well...doesn't that put some perspective on it?
No matter what you are struggling with today...whether it's writing that book or discouragement, whether it's hopelessnes or hurt. ANYTHING.
Remember this...Your Daddy in Heaven is A LOT stronger than those things and He wants to help you. He yearns to help His beloved child.
So let Him. <3
Love,
Anna
_______
I decided to start a new sort of post, letter posts! These are just spur of the moment posts with no fancy headings or anything. Because in the times I feel I want to share something I usually don't get the time to make nice headings or format and add graphics. That means you'll always see the same heading and title. These are letters from my heart to yours. Let me know what you think and if you want any improvements or changes :) Let's talk below!
But then I found this verse.
Remember your Creator
in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come
and the years approach when you will say,
“I find no pleasure in them”—
2 before the sun and the light
and the moon and the stars grow dark,
and the clouds return after the rain;
3 when the keepers of the house tremble,
and the strong men stoop,
when the grinders cease because they are few,
and those looking through the windows grow dim;
4 when the doors to the street are closed
and the sound of grinding fades;
when people rise up at the sound of birds,
but all their songs grow faint;
5 when people are afraid of heights
and of dangers in the streets;
when the almond tree blossoms
and the grasshopper drags itself along
and desire no longer is stirred.
Then people go to their eternal home
and mourners go about the streets.
6 Remember him—before the silver cord is severed,
and the golden bowl is broken;
before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
and the wheel broken at the well,
7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
and the golden bowl is broken;
before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
and the wheel broken at the well,
7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
Anna, how depressing! You are probably asking how in the world that cheered me up!
:) But it did, because not only was that poetry so beautiful but because it just slammed things into perspective.
That day of trouble is coming.
But are we focusing on the city going up in fire behind us, or are we focusing on the sun rising in the sky beckoning the start of another day?
Are we drowning in day-to-day atrocities or are we helping people?
Are we...focusing on God?
Or are we focusing on the gazillion problems?
"Beloved..." God says. "My daughter, my son.... Did I give you the responsibility of fixing the world's problems? Did I dump the weight of the world on your shoulders? “Come to me, you weary and burdened child, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and in me, you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Not the world's yoke, my yoke. I'm doing this because I love you, and I want to go through this with you. I want you to be always close to me, so I can plough through these problems with you. I want you to be yoked to me always."
He loves you and me, that much.
Referring to where I started, I know how easy it is to get weary and burdened. I know how easy it is to read the news titles and lose hope in the world. I know how easy it is to even cry when you are watching news of war on TV. I've done all of these things.
I know this world spurns a soft heart but He loves your heart. He longs to have it.
So I'll give him my heart...
And my tears will turn into a cry for justice
My hopelessness into a prayer for help
And He will hear, because He loves me.
And He will hear, because He loves you.
Remember your Creator, dear sisters and brothers.
He's got the world in His hands, and you are His child.
Remember when we used to have these silly arguments with our friends?
"My Daddy is stronger than yours!"
"No mine is!"
Well...doesn't that put some perspective on it?
No matter what you are struggling with today...whether it's writing that book or discouragement, whether it's hopelessnes or hurt. ANYTHING.
Remember this...Your Daddy in Heaven is A LOT stronger than those things and He wants to help you. He yearns to help His beloved child.
So let Him. <3
Love,
Anna
_______
I decided to start a new sort of post, letter posts! These are just spur of the moment posts with no fancy headings or anything. Because in the times I feel I want to share something I usually don't get the time to make nice headings or format and add graphics. That means you'll always see the same heading and title. These are letters from my heart to yours. Let me know what you think and if you want any improvements or changes :) Let's talk below!
20 comments
YESSS I love the Ecclesiastes sooo much (I don't know why? It's a bit sad...) and this was kind of what I was trying to say in that short story I submitted... kind of :D (How's the contest thing, by the way? I don't think you ever said what would happen once we joined? Will you announce how many participants you had later on or something?) Beautiful post <3
ReplyDeleteYESSS, I LOVE Ecclesisates so much too! It's packed with so much meaning <3
DeleteThat story you submitted though *hearteyes* It's great and I will announce the whole thing soon. There will be multiple winners and I will talk about the contests and share personal thoughts :)
Thank you for your comment Lisa! :) <3
I agree!
DeleteOh okay, thanks for telling. I think it's super cool you did a contest :D
*high fives*
Thanks! :D *high fives back* Actually tbh there were only 2 entries....haha. But both were incredible. So I'm excited to make that post and talk about them...
DeleteI always look forward to your posts. When you post, I get excited. Today you did not disappoint me. This was so beautiful, Anna. I love these kinds of posts. Just thoughts from the heart. It's therapeutic to write and also nice to see what other people think.
ReplyDeleteYour posts are always so beautiful. Your heart is so kind and you care deeply for everyone, even strangers. I understand that feeling. When you feel like you want someone to see the light, but you know they won't. Its hard and it can be bothersome, but God's got this.
Such a wonderful post. Amazing job! <3 <3 <3
God bless you!
*blushes* You honestly have no idea how much this comment means to me <3 Sometimes I feel stupid for caring so much, but deep inside I know it's right. And it means even more to see someone take the time to encourage me like this. Thank you bunches Ivie <3
DeleteYou are right, God has it all in His hands. How often we forget that! We reach a little too high and God takes our hands just in time before we lose our balance and fall.
Thank you so much again, I feel like you are a kindred spirit and I also love to see your posts. You have such a honest yet lighthearted approach which warms my heart. Depending on what you have to say, you always make me laugh or reflect and above all you are really an inspiration because you point back to God. You keep things in perspective in a way that I can come out of what I've read refreshed in real life. Your words reach far beyond where they've been written :)))
God Bless you Ivie :) <3
*blushes, too* You're so sweet. Thank you. I'm really happy my words are affecting at least one person out there. I'm so grateful for people like you who are so encouraging to me. You're always so nice and inspiring. I really appreciate everything you say.
DeleteYou should never feel stupid for caring so much. There are things I care about and I don't know why I do, but I care about them because I see from the outside that something is wrong.
I always look forward to your posts and comments.
<3 <3 :)
Thank you so much Ivie and I know for sure that I am not the only one impacted by your posts <3 :)
DeleteI always look forward to your posts and comments too! <3 :) <3
I think it's so important to be open to new opinion; I know what you mean. Sometimes, we become so wrapped up in our own point of view that we forget that differentiating ones exist! It is always frustrating trying to get through to someone who is not willing to accept any opinion other than their own, but sometimes we have to take a step back and realise that we can't change everything!
ReplyDelete(Sorry that comment was a bit wishy washy, I hope it makes sense! You have a lovely blog <3
Lauren | Sincerely, Lauren Emily
That's really true, especially when there are a million opinions surrounding us! :) What's important is not to try to make everyone jump into our wagon but to rather focus on what's important and what we need to be doing in our lives. That way we can become beacons of light and act in love. :)
DeleteAnd thank you Lauren! Your blog is gorgeous as well! :)
This post is so true, too often I try to prove my point to people, who don't even believe in my principles to begin with. I often forget that I'm not the one who can ultimately save them. Thanks for this, it's really encouraging and inspiring!
ReplyDeleteThank you Gray! I'm so glad this could help you because honestly this was written when I was sorting through and trying to evaluate my situation. And boom, it hit me all of a sudden and I had to share. I'm so glad it could help others! <3
DeleteGorgeous, absolutely gorgeous! That's such a wonderful verse, and serves as a great reminder. As I've been hearing in church recently, it's important to remember to keep your eyes focused on Him, not your fears or troubles. Those things will not last, but He will. Thanks for your heart-warming words, Anna! <3
ReplyDeleteThat is so important to remember! It seems so obvious but how often we forget it! Currently in church the focus is that we have to answer as to who God is and the way we do that is not in words but in the way we live each and every day. That was really profound to me...
DeleteThank you so much Melissa, all I can say is soli deo gloria. <3 I just feel blessed that I can share these things with you all, you are a great encouragement in my life :) Thanks so much for always commenting and sticking around, it means a lot to me :) <3
This is amazing, Anna! Thank you! I did need this! I sometimes wonder, "What can I do? No one listens to me." But, God will always listen to me. And I will listen to him. He will guide me.
ReplyDeleteLovely post, Anna!
Thank you Clare <3 I am so glad I could inspire someone <3 Your thoughts are beautiful and though simple are profoundly true. Just like in Psalm 23...knowing that Psalm by heart always comforts me so much when I struggle with my anxiety or any other doubts but it's so easy to forget who's children we are. I do it all the time...
DeleteAnd if you ever need a friend to listen...be sure that I am here. <3 Whether by comment or email, don't hesitate to talk to me because I feel you...I've been there so many times and I know how it feels!
Thank you again for your lovely comment :) God Bless you Clare <3
I like the idea of letter posts! There's something about getting closer to someone's heart, seeing what their passionate about without the graphics and formalities.
ReplyDeleteAnd wow, I get what you're saying. I used to wish I was good at debating, but now I'm realizing being good at debate achieves nothing. It has to be reaching the heart, and letting the Holy Spirit do the convicting.
That chapter and the questions you asked are so good. In a world of so many problems the only thing way we can stay afloat is to look up. Thanks for the encouragement, Anna. This post was a blessing. xx
Thank You Jessica! I feel the same way <3
DeleteSame here, I always used to think debating would help...many times that's wrong. It's more of the way we live that matters, the way we let God work through us.
Thank you so much Jessica, I'm so glad I could help encourage you and thank you for your lovely comment, I always love to hear what you have to say. God's word is powerful isn't it? <3
xox
Wow, this was really encouraging! It inspired me to make sure my connection with my Father is not weak, because as you said He is strong!
ReplyDeleteThat's so true Rachel! I couldn't have thought of a simpler, better way to say it. Thank you for commenting <3
DeleteHi! Thank you so much for your comments, they always make my day. I allow anonymous users to comment on my blog, but any crass, profane, pointless criticism and mean comments will be deleted. Remember to check back or click notify because I reply to all of my comments!
Have a Blessed day <3