Forever Beloved - Faith, Love & Truth

Dear Anonymous Commenter:

For nearly 3 years, I’ve sat idly by while you’ve left demeaning, rude comments hidden behind a facade of niceness. Although the sugar dripping out of your mouth might have fooled others, it never fooled me. The comments were intentionally left to hurt me. I know that and so do you. They were also craftily written to seem as if they were from a friend, to make me doubt her. While I could have easily said oh-so-many things in return, I’ve erred on the side of silence. Until today.

What you may not realize, even though I shared it numerous times, on this blog I have hidden trackers. So the people that comment and think it’s anonymous, I know exactly who you are. I have your IP address, your location, your computer make and model and even what system you’re browsing on.

A little info on this little blog of mine. I started this blog in 2006 {wow, it’s been 10 years}. It was started as an outlet, a way to share my scrapbook pages and a way to keep in touch with family. But then something happened. As time went on, more and more people started reading.

A while back, I glanced at my site meter. I saw something that was beyond anything I could have imagined. I have readers from Russia, Canada, China, United Kingdom, Germany, Philippines, France and Malaysia. And I realized, in that moment, that this blog was my Ministry. God has done something I never, in a million years, would have imagined this country girl from a tiny town in central Pennsylvania doing. I have actually “went into the world” from my living room.

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

Mark 16:15

Every day I write blog posts to inspire others and make them smile; to share hope, grace and truth; to share my own mistakes and sins; to share my heart; and to share Jesus and His amazing love with others around the world.

I absolutely want my blog to be a happy, positive place. A place where you know, even on your worst day, you can leave it with a smile on your face and feel refreshed. A place where the heart of Jesus shines through.

I know you feel directly connected to some of my posts, especially the ones on friendship. I can see how many times you read them. I can see how you go back, time after time, and read ones I’ve written nearly two years ago. I can see how many times you go back and read the comments you’ve left, no doubt hoping to see a response from me.

I’ve decided to give one response for all the past and future comments you’ve made here…

If you can’t say somethin’ nice, don’t say nothin’ at all.

~ Thumper’s Mama

I’m choosing silence rather than allowing my emotions to respond. I know that my responses should always be to reach out in grace and mercy. Even though you may have bad intentions, I should have forgiveness in my heart. It’s simply not necessary for me to publicly ridicule you. And I refuse to do it.

You can feel welcome to continue to read my blog, that’s what it’s here for. That’s why I write it. But if you’re leaving comments hoping to receive an unkind response from me, you’re wasting your time. You won’t find that heart attitude here.

Hello August, goodbye July {Seriously, where did summer go?}

Hello Birthday, goodbye feeling young {I am not even kidding…yeow was this year a hard one}

Hello school, goodbye days spent with my youngest little
Hello whirlwind weekend of seeing my NY family, and my youngest brother marry his love

Hello to my baby being a senior, goodbye having babies {again, where does time go?}

Hello canning season, goodbye bare cupboards

Hello pictures nearly every single day, and editing my life away
Hello to a long, stressful day in the hospital during my Dads surgery {would love y’alls prayers}

Hello end of summer 4wheeler rides with this gorgeous man

Hello resisting the urge to decorate for fall as soon as the kids go to school {that’s a hard one}
Hello to my new coop being done, and having the most amazing hardworking husband!

What are YOU saying hello and goodbye to?

{Semi} Wordless Wednesday

An Open Letter To The Anonymous Commenter

HELLO. GOODBYE.