thinking about Him (The Lord)

had my attempts in 2018 worked, i would have missed working at my dream job, growing in my faith, meeting my very best friends, and so much more. my favourite television shows, my favourite memories. the birth of new family members, and my siblings growing up. chocolate, arizona iced tea, and orange pop. computer games.

i promise there's something out there for you. if you're contemplating hurting yourself, i promise it gets better. it sounds cliche and it is, but it's true.

remember that you're loved. if you think no one does, you're wrong. there's always something or someone to hang on for.

no one is beyond hope or redemption. no one is beyond help. no one is beyond love.

say you made art. art was your passion and being an artist was a major part of your personality.

say someone else used to make art. they had a really horrible experience, which coloured their thoughts and feelings regarding artistry. maybe it was a community or teacher, or maybe they didn’t just didn’t like it. maybe they realized that the man-made structure of religion was not all good. say they shouted it from the rooftops (metaphorically) at any chance they got. “i hate art! art is a mental illness! anyone who participates in ANY kind of art is mentally ill!” you would think that person was sad and bitter, that they had been hurt many times. the right thing to do would be to show them kindness, to show them gentleness. (i must say that i can only offer a christian perspective, as i am a christian. my life has not been violently impacted because of my faith, which is widely-held in my community. antitheism hurts, sure, but it’s not going to cause violence toward me, unlike islamophobic or anti-semetic antitheism)

to my fellow christians: when encountering an antitheist or antitheistic beliefs, it’s important we respond with respect and love. too often, especially in my own life, anger is prevalent and not love. treat everyone like God’s beloved children, because everyone is God’s beloved child.

at the same time, do not justify hate. instead, calmly question it.

i had an encounter with an antitheist tonight, and while i don’t want to re-hash the details of it, i got quite angry. i should have ignored it, or at least treated it with kindness and respect.  however, the lesson i am grateful to God for. i want to hold everyone in love, with that same respect and care afforded to me. i pray that we can all do that. tbh, think it would just be better for everyone. as always, my thoughts come from a white, middle-class, settler, christian perspective. if i’ve said something you disagree or find fault with, feel free to take it up with me. remember that you are loved infinitely by The Most High.  Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)

God of mercy, God of grace, God of comfort, Grant us Your gentleness, your care, as we look to our siblings in Christ, those who deal with mental illness, those who struggle, and all those who feel alone.

May we learn to treat each other in a way that reflects Your hope and light, may we remember it ourselves as we go about our lives. Help us to be kind to ourselves, and to others. help us to remember Your blessings and Your sacrifice; remind us of Your unfailing, undying, unconditional love. Thank You for Your compassion, may we remember it always and strive to reflect it to the world around us. Help us to remember our worth in You, grant us Your peace. Help us to see Your kindness and love when we need it most, and help us to show it to those who need it.  Heal us of our wounds, whether they be mental, emotional, physical or spiritual. Let those of us who were hurt feel Your never-ending love. Let all those who cry out be comforted.  In Your Holy name we pray, Amen

Verses to comfort you (NIV):  -Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.