I have questioned what is the right thing to do regarding the comments from Anonymous, and honestly I don’t have the strength nor the energy to answer the questions that he/she has. I so appreciate those of you who defended me and Emma, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you. I cant answer his/her questions, only God can. All I can do is what I did in my initial post, and that is back up my position with scripture in a very polite way.
I also question why, why in the world would someone come to a persons blog who has cancer and try to make them doubt the one thing that gives them hope. Why in the world would someone try to make me doubt my God at a time like this in my life. I couldn’t for the life of me wrap my brain around that thought. (I am not at all saying that those of you who have identified with Anonymous and his/her questions about faith and why bad things happen offended me, please don’t take it that way… I would just never say it the way he/she has said it, especially to someone who is going through something so ….. hard…)
And then I realized that Satan is the master of all lies. He is the deceiver of men. But my God, He is the only hope I have. He has never NEVER failed me. He has NEVER left me and I will trust in Him. I will turn my eyes to Him. I will praise Him. With every breath that is in me I will praise Him.
Now I am going to go to bed.
Good night and sweet dreams 
-H
Hi Heather,
I haven’t been here in awhile. I’ve seen just enough to know you are doing okay.
I think the reason you’ve been visited by “Anonymous” is not to bring you down, but for you to remember your hope. To renew your strength and resolve.
I know you are tired. Hang in there, Heather. You have a great reward.
Hugs,
Melinda
Heather – I attempted to comment at A Place For Ministry Wives but I was unable to post so I was hoping that she might read my comment here. I find her post at http://aplaceforme2.blogspot.com/2007/10/how-i-will-choose-to-blog.html to be so on point! As you know I do not blog but there a very few blogs I read and yours is my favorite.
I often wonder if bloggers would say the things face to face that they write on blogs, either their own or commenting on others. I practice and encourage others to never blog or post anything they would not say to someone sitting at their kitchen table. I do believe it is the work of “evil” when a person or group of people blog and/or post mean and painful things about others they have never known, met or even have internet communication with. It is beyond my understanding how, what I am sure are otherwise good, kind and caring people believe the words of another who they probably also only know from the internet to the point they criticize, make mean comments, even make threats, draw conclusions without hearing the other side and at times make no effort to even look for the truth. I wonder if they think about the pain they have caused a person whom they do not know. Proof that this is “evil” is how quickly it ignites and draws so many people in and the hurt and damage continues.
I already said I am not a blogger but if I were I would make certain I blogged in the same manner and character that I communicate and interact in the “real” world. It saddens me deeply when I hear horror stories of how people have been hurt and at times harmed by the words of others – words by people who decided to make judgements and attack others without apparently stopping to think what they are doing.
I am then lifted by your blog and the way you seek to help others through your own faith and difficult times! Then when I read the post at
A Place For Ministry Wives I am led to believe that the “good” does outweigh the “evil”. Thank you and all the other bloggers who remain kind and caring rather than judgemental! Thank you for showing me the good side of blogging.
“Don’t let the idiots get you down. Some people get kicks from writing outrageous things. Just hit delete and don’t let it in. Consider the source and move on.”
I’m not trying to start a fire here, but this kind of comment is exactly why I’m sure Anonymous took many of these comments with a grain of salt like many of you did his/her comments.
Anonymous wasn’t trying to make Heather question her faith, but rather try to understand her faith – asking questions about how she can be so understanding and accepting in the way she is. I won’t hide the fact that I’m not a Christian, but I was for nearly 20 years, so I know all the “right” answers. But – now that I’m “an idiot” (as so eloquently stated above) I can also understand why someone might ask Heather how she can trust so completely in God the way she does. That doesn’t mean Anonymous was being judgmental in anyway, just curious. But unfortunately, he/she certainly got some nasty feedback from people on here.
That’s really unfortunate, don’t you think?
I stopped by here today to see how Heather is doing. I am often lifted by her strength and raw honesty towards both her cancer and her religious faith. I was mystified by some of the deliberate and strategically placed ignorance in such a graceful arena.
“I’m not trying to start a fire here”. What? Just light the match? No, no I don’t think it is unfortunate that people got a little defensive or “nasty”. Sometimes “idot” is simply the perfect word. (from WIKIPEDIA: “Idiot” was originally created to refer to “layman, person lacking professional skill”, “person so mentally deficient as to be incapable of ordinary reasoning”.[6][7] Declining to take part in public life, such as democratic government of the polis (city state), such as the Athenian democracy, was considered dishonorable. “Idiots” were seen as having bad judgment in public and political matters. Over time, the term “idiot” shifted away from its original connotation of selfishness and came to refer to individuals with overall bad judgment–individuals who are “stupid”. In modern English usage, the terms “idiot” and “idiocy” describe an extreme folly or stupidity, its symptoms (foolish or stupid utterance or deed”).
Funny, I’m not a Christian either and I didn’t clump myself in with the “idiots”- I do believe there are idiots out there attempting to find and embrace their daily power through negativity and passive assault, a sign of personal insecurities. This would include the person who left the comment that is the topic of discussion. It doesn’t take Einstein to understand the tone and implication of the ANONYMOUS comment. It is a far reach to think/believe “rather try to understand her faith – asking questions about how she can be so understanding and accepting in the way she is… That doesn’t mean Anonymous was being judgmental in anyway, just curious” Please don’t insult the rest of us. There is nothing subtle about the comment- it is purely antagonistic. One who is compassionate, thoughtful and has even an ounce of intellectual capacity would not come to Heather’s blog and decide this is the place to encourage religious evaluation. Faith and hope comes in many packages and we all adopt some system of faith to get us through life.
Heather, while my methods and sources for hope and faith are different, every time I come here you inspire me to reach deep into the tool kit and utilize wisdom by LIVING it and not simply “preaching” it… to be hopeful, honest, compassionate and kind. Like I said earlier I am not a Christian but was raised going to Sunday School at a Reformed Christian church and later while in high school I attended a Baptist church that a woman I was baby-sitting for invited me to (because there were cute boys attending the Youth Group). Unlike most people who walk away from organized religion I have no bitter feelings or animosity towards my experiences and do not put myself on an intellectual “high horse” and talk down on any religion. My religious and intellectual understanding of the world and/or the “meaning of life” is an ongoing process- one that I will never completely or fully define- and that is simply ok with me. When I decided to take a moment to come to your blog this morning with my cup of coffee I was first impressed with your new design. Instantly (before I saw the topics) I knew what I was gong to post here since you had placed a tree in your design. After writing the above words I wondered if I should still post this link- but I have decided that it’s actually quite perfect… I think you’ll appreciate these stories.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebel1in8/166131418/in/photostream/
(click on “it just makes sense…”)
and then there’s this story…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebel1in8/26311084/
xo, Heather. Have a beautiful day EVERYONE! and keep on keepin’ on.
Heather – just a quick comment on Jacqueline’s post. She has it so right! I am so confused as to why Anonymouse or anyone, Christian or not, would ask you to question your faith at a time when you are so obviously in need of it. Anonymous can question your faith but then when others question his/her motive or intent they are then called to task. Like Jacqueline I do not have the faith and belief that you have but I work for it all the time. I am so glad that you have your faith, friends and family to see through the challenges you face and I am glad that CHOSSE to share with us when you do and I am also glad that you are tkaing care of yourself and healing. I know that you pray for all of the “anonymous” in the real world and cyberspace. I simply say they should get a life and if they need help in thier search for faith they should seek out guidance and understanding rather than question others faith. Continue to focus on oyur health and your journey and wirte when you can.