Dear Colleen

Another relevant find.... Saturday Nov. 27th, 2004 2:10pm Dear Colleen, I write you today, instead of God, Himself, because I know what God hears in your heart and that writing a letter to Him is entirely unnecessary. However, I see that you could use a letter of encouragement. This is not to barrade you, or ask why you are who you are and make the decisions that you make. This is a letter of the here and now - not revisiting old decisions that have long since passed and by the mercy and grace of God have been forgiven. I see the path your mind is taking you on in this moment and I'm writing this letter to you to turn it around. They are satan's lies - you should not be ashamed or afraid. Don't even give him the satisfaction of entertaining such notions. Rather, reflect on God's love, forever. No one can take that away from you. You are eternal, but only through the grace of Jesus Christ. Reflect on that and the words of Christ. You are His friend. God wants you to be happy - not ashamed. You can break the cycle here and now - but you have to believe it's possible. It is easy to get wrapped up in things of this world - you're not the only one who has given in or stepped away. Repent and search again for God's way, and you will find happiness there. Expose and admitt your mistakes to God, but do not dwell on them. Sin gives birth to sin. Love gives birth to peace and casts out fear. You are weak - but that is not a fault - God's power is made perfect in your weakness. God's power is perfect - so you are weak. Satan will try and try - he will never give up because he knows the war is lost - so he will try to win every battle he can. He will lose. God has won and God has chosen you. You have a tender, sensitive heart and people will make you feel like that is wrong. Keep listening for God's word - He speaks to you - speaks peace into your heart. Keep talking about God's love. Keep showing others what it is through your life. Keep admitting and exposing mistakes and sin, repenting and forgiving yourself after you know God has forgiven you. Go through each day picking out a mistake from the day before and giving it to God without replacing it with a new one. You are not the bad person that you so often think you are. You are loved by those in Heaven and by some here on Earth. Surround yourself with love every day. You are a work in progress, and nobody knows that better than you. Don't forget to rest sometimes. I don't mean physically. Don't forget to give yourself a break sometimes. You are a good person - you are on the right track most of the time. Don't forget to enjoy God's blessings. Just breathe, and don't judge yourself for it. It's all about balance - mind, body, soul, and other people. Heaven will be great, but every day you're on this earth can be great, too. It's just a matter of perspective. Keep God in front, let Him do the hard stuff - He wants to, and He's good at it! He loves you. God did not have time to make a nobody - He did not have time to save a nobody. To God you are somebody. You are somebody to me, too. Keep going out there and being somebody to everyone you meet and God will be there. Love, Colleen