Goodbye, Blog World!

    Hello, blog world. Again, I apologize for the absence of posts last week. Schedules gone wrong and a few other things have made getting posts done too difficult.
    In fact, it's made working on this blog a little impossible. So unfortunately, it looks like it's time for me to stop posting every week and move on. An age doesn't last forever.
    So blog world, thank you so much for visiting and reading these posts. It's meant very much to me personally, and I hope these reflections have been pleasant and relatable for you as well. I also hope that we'll all continue to walk in joy with the Lord, and see His loving-kindness everywhere we go and in everything we do.
    Again, thank you for everything, blog world. May you have a blessed day and life!
    Sincerely, Writer Redeemed

Billy Graham: "A Daily Process"

"Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion. It is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ."

~Billy Graham

    It's really a breather to think about being a Christian as something gradual rather than instant, isn't it? Not that it wouldn't be awesome to become totally pure in heart and spirit the second one accepts Christ as Savior; but alas, that isn't what happens. Becoming more like Christ--more heavenly minded, selfless, faithful, strong, and all the other things God teaches us to be--is a daily process of growth. Something that's supposed to happen over a long period of time.
    Which is also a relief, when one thinks about it, because growing and making changes in life isn't easy! It's a physical impossibility for a rose bush to spring up a day or week after its seed was planted, just like it's impossible to overcome or at least lessen numerous natural sinful things like pride. The Lord does strengthen us to do it--and not too slowly--but it's very good to know that He won't get angry because one year's gone by and we're not perfect.
    Plus, the fact that growth is a daily thing gives the hope that we become "better" each and every day; that we can wake up every morning and know that we'll be getting stronger, and go to sleep every night knowing the Lord has taught us something. It's like going to a favorite class knowing we'll be learning another aspect of a skill--only without the homework!
    Growth is really an awesome part of our lives as Christians; amen? :)

Writing Games: Birthday Presents!

    Birthday presents are awesome, and also interesting in the way that they kind of reflect who we are that a certain point. At the very least, the presents we've really, really wanted accurately represent our interests. But have you ever gotten gifts that don't reflect your chief interests, but a smaller aspect of who you are? Like a book about a certain activity that you do in a class--naturally, given by a classmate from that course. In that case, the gift doesn't so much represent who you are, but what another person has gathered about you.
    Wouldn't that be interesting to apply in our stories as a writing exercise? Using birthday gifts as a way to reflect what characters think about each other? The kind of birthday present that the love interest would give the protagonist would certainly be different than the one that the antagonist would give.
    Just like no two people in real life view one person they both know the same way, characters surely would have slightly different views of each other. And any gift is a thing that the giver thinks is appropriate for the receiver. The characters who are really close with the protagonist, mainly the best friend(s) and the love interest, would probably give them a gift that compliments or matches their genuine interests and personalities. Whereas the people they meet only briefly on their adventure would probably give a gift that's more generic, or some kind of reference to something they touched on when they met (like a comment about liking sushi). The antagonist or a rival character, on the other hand, would probably give a birthday "present" entirely meant to jab at the protagonist--it could be something mocking, or it could actually be potentially harmful.
    So what kind of birthday presents would your characters get? Interesting objects? Or are they the kind of character who would really get bland things like a plain coffee mug for their birthday?

 

Psalm 11:7

 

"For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright."

Psalm 11:7 (NKJ)

    God's complete righteousness is so great. He's never sinned and never will, which means that we don't have to be afraid of Him doing something like breaking a promise or losing His temper. Also, His total righteousness is something beautiful; something pure and unequaled.
    So the Lord's goodness is both an anchor and a wonder! :D

Purpose and Procedure



   Spiritual goals are wonderful! And by "spiritual goals," I don't just mean the overall mission of witnessing, helping people see God's goodness and seek Him; but specific objectives that accomplish that. Like raising a certain amount of funds for a program, or finishing a tangible project. The absolute fact that God will use these things to save people, and to build up His eternal kingdom is an awesome thing, and it's such a blessing that He's given us all a way to participate.
    But at the same time, it can be stressful, right? Because such a potentially powerful final result takes a lot of work, often a long process, and when working through that long process, there's plenty of time to worry about messing something up. We know ourselves way too well to expect that we'll do a perfect job. Yet we--at least, I assume most people--stress about the concept of risking the final result by human error.
    But a few weeks ago at a Bible study, I heard something that really blows this kind of worry out of the water. It's a simple reminder of something we already know, really: God is with us, so what we do in ministry isn't all in our hands because the Lord guides us in the process! His Holy Spirit is stated to be the One who "bears witness" (1 John 5:6), He's called the "Helper" who will abide with us (John 14:16), and there are verses all through Proverbs where it's stated that God is the one who guides our steps (like 3:5-6, 16:3, and 16:9). The Lord has promised to never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), so naturally that must mean He won't leave alone in good work either. He'll help us be strong and encouraged to complete the work He's given us to accomplish!
    So the ultimate purpose and the procedure of a ministry-related goal is safely in God's hands, just as we are; isn't that a relief? :)

Knick-Knacks and their Potential Writerly Purposes!

    Does anybody like knick-knacks? You know, small trinkets and items that are left on a desk, like a tiny figurine or an interesting paperweight. They aren't exactly practical tools, but they still fulfill small purposes like serving as a paperweight, being souvenirs of a trip, and of adding a nice decorative touch to an area. But they can have even more purposes than that to a writer, I think. Left on the desk, within arm's reach, it has potential to fulfil some awesome writerly purposes!
    Like providing a brief diversion. Because everyone can use a very brief mental break every now and then, right? Writing or plotting the story, trying to come up with the right action or the best wording, having a cluttered, stressed mind doesn't work as well as one that's rested. Observing a knick-knack for a couple seconds can help to relax and clear the think tank for just a moment. In my case, I have a small, smooth pink rock that I turn over in my hand sometimes, to feel its coolness on my fingers and clear some of the clutter out of my mind.
    I also have a knick-knack with a verse printed on it, which encourages me to push on with writing. That's another great writer-thing knick-knacks can do: carry a message, or signify one that you'd remember just by looking at it. It could be something as straight-to-the-point as a sticky note with writing on it (which are very effective when placed on the wall behind your computer, or on the desk space around it), or it could be something symbolic like a puzzle piece (which doesn't take up that much space). And with the message so close, it's not difficult for wandering eyes to land on them and remember what's important.
    And on that same note, knick-knacks can also inspire a person as a writer. A knick-knack that represents something--like maybe finished novel manuscripts that one will try to get published--can stir up feelings of encouragement, and hope for success. It can also just serve as a reminder that "hey, I've sat at this desk to write with that paperweight on it a million times, and I still love to do it!"
    So what do you think? Do you have knick-knacks that have done this kind of thing?

Ephesians 6:13

    Hello, blog world! I'm so sorry about the absence of the last two posts; something unexpected popped up. But I'm back now!



"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

Ephesians 6:13 (NKJ)

    That last part is really awesome: "having done all, to stand." Because God not only provides us with care and love, but He's given us His Holy Spirit, He strengthens us every day, and He leads us through sure plans step by step. So we don't have to stress about trying to come up with a perfect strategy on our own; the Lord is with us, and He brings the victory!
    Isn't that a confidence booster? :)

Psalm 147:5

 

"Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite."

Psalm 147:5 (NKJ)

    The fact that God's wisdom has absolutely no boundaries is so mindblowing. It can't be equally compared to anything. Even the galaxy hardly reflects the limitlessness of God's creative power, with billions of stars, planets, comets, and other marvels scattered far and wide.
    And then there's His understanding of complex things like problems. Christ led a human life on earth, handling each and every issue that people go through, living out His own wisdom and never failing to provide the best solutions.
    So the Lord not only knows every truth and fact that is, but He's seen and experienced them. His wisdom in all matters is completely unsurpassable.
    Our God truly is amazing and above all; amen? :)

 

Flashcards!

    Ah; the end of the academic semester is finally coming (relaxing break, here we come!). But alas, there's still some work to get done, and studying to do. Which can really make a person more aware of just how helpful certain study aids are.
    Like flashcards--especially flashcards. Few would disagree that they're one of the most awesome types of studying strategies, right? Quick to read, convenient to access, and easy to store, they provide a simple method for swiftly memorizing facts and concepts. And there are so many other good reasons why it's great that flashcards are easily available.
    For one; they can be used for practically any subject. Algebra, foreign languages, history, studies in the Bible--concepts and facts from any of these subjects will fit nicely onto little cards. A term/concept on one end; details/translation on the other.
    Flashcards are also flexible and easy to transport. While a notebook has to be carried around in a bag or in one's hand, flashcards could fit in a person's pocket. They could also be folded, slipped into wallets, left around on a desk, pinned to corkboards, or used as bookmarks. A person could put some in every room of their house if they wanted to, and it wouldn't take up much space at all.
    Plus, it's rare to find fluff in flashcard notes. Because with such a limited amount of space on that blank card, a person is kind of forced to prioritize. So when it's time to review, instead of having to read a blocky paragraph of words, one gets a sentence or two of the important information that they could actually memorize.
    In addition to that, illustrations can be put on flash cards! Visuals like that are helpful, and fun to make, and pleasant to look at when reviewing information. It's like giving a name to a face. Plus, a person could doodle and say it's all part of the studying process. :)
    And conveniently, flashcards don't have to be made with index cards. Anything that can be scribbled on will work nearly just as well; random scraps of paper, old assignments, opened envelopes, even napkins. As long as graphite or ink will show, it can be used; which is sometimes a must when schedules are too cramped for a trip to the office supply store.
    So those are a couple things to be happy about when prepping for a final exam. Are flashcards your favorite study method?

Music Pieces

    My parents are mega fans of Downton Abbey. When new episodes aired, the family would get together and watch, then talk about it later. During those conversations, my father always liked to point out small clever details about the show--like the way colors and light contrast were used. And one of the nice touches he particularly liked to point out how lots of the main characters have their own theme music.
    Which is really an interesting concept. A music piece that perfectly summarizes a character, place, or scene taking place in the story. There are lots of intricate aspects involved.
    Like, for example, the way instruments can reflect special details about a character. NBC's Heroes has a villain who used to work as a watchmaker, and sometimes during his main scenes, you can distinctly hear a ticking noise. Various instruments were being used to imitate the ticking of a watch, hinting at his rare skill and his old occupation. In another show, where the main character is a lady usually tasked with running errands, her music is calm but purposeful, a soft kind of sound with strong undertones. The choice in music not only perfectly characterizes her daily duties, but it also sums up her own personality as well.
    Music pieces can also set the mood for different places and societies. If you've watched The Hobbit movie trilogy, you know that the music sounds different when the plot takes the group to the Woodland Elves' territory than it does at the Shire, or at the Misty Mountains. Because the Hobbits, Elves, and Dwarves are very different peoples, and their music reflects the different values of their cultures. Hobbits are homely and value keeping peace, so their music is pleasant and almost sleepy. The elves value beauty and dignity, so their music is serene and elegant. The dwarves, finally, value strength and glorious building accomplishments, so their music has loud notes and a grandeur tone. The music serves as such a perfect reflection that a person could easily picture these places just by listening to its respective musical piece for just a few moments.
    Sometimes, certain music pieces can also signal a break in the action, the "normalcy status" in a story. They do this quite a bit in Downton Abbey, and also in Sherlock. This is usually snippets or variants of the main theme, played at a break in the action or between scenes, where the characters aren't directly pursuing their goal or working hard. It's kind of relaxing, actually; like taking a nice, deep breath before pushing on with the excitement.
    It's true that all of these things are generally applied to movies and TV, but I think they could also be applicable to a novel. A friend of mine was able to construct a setting, scene, and characters from one good instrumental song she heard, and another writer-friend even wrote a song to characterize her main protagonist. Lots of others like to listen to music while writing because it helps them get in the mood of the scene.
    So what do you think? Do you ever pay close attention to musical pieces in movies or shows? Do you have specific songs that fit characters/settings/scenes in your story perfectly? :)

Psalm 55:22

 

"Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved."

Psalm 55:22 (NKJ)

    "He shall never permit the righteous to be moved." There's something really powerful about that line. It's got a dramatic tone about it that makes what the verse proclaims even more encouraging! Because it's simple enough to know that the Lord protects us and cares about us, but the wording ("He shall never permit") seems to show something very personal and determined. An unwavering will to ensure that His redeemed stand strong in the face of opposition.
    Isn't that awesome? :D

Steering Wheel or Spare Tire?

Life's always a road trip without any stops, but prayer
can be two different things at any given moment:
the steering wheel of the car, or its spare tire.

"Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?"

~Corrie Ten Boom

    Man, this is a really awesome quote! It's short, simple, and the imagery that Corrie Ten Boom uses is something that anyone in the world can picture and understand.
    Plus, it gives a healthy dose of conviction. Prayer is such an amazing and good thing that it's almost unbelievable--the ability to speak with the Lord, to "cast [our] care upon Him" (1 Peter 5:7, NKJ), and to even accomplish things for His kingdom as we pray for others and for His will to be done in our lives. It's a great relief and haven of sorts in life, an awesome blessing, and a great way to be fruitful, but sometimes it's too easy to act like it can be left on a shelf, untouched until something really bad happens.
    That's when prayer becomes a spare tire, only to be used in emergencies. And that's not the way the Lord intended prayer to be. He wants it to be something we hold to every day to connect with Him, and to direct our path in life, just like a steering wheel guides a car. It's a navigator that steers us away from troubles and dangers before we run into them, and it keeps us going in the ways God wants us to be in.
    This awesome quote by Corrie Ten Boom embodies that truth in a way that's perfect for helping us avoid stagnation in prayer life. It's like a simple equation we can hold up and compare the past few days to, providing a good idea of what prayer currently is to us within very little time.
    Do you already have this quote memorized? Is it a favorite saying of yours? :)

Writing Games: Shoes

The condition of a person's shoes can tell some
pretty interesting stories!

    You can learn a lot about a person by their shoes. This is something that's been used in many-a-mystery novel; the extremely observant detective, upon studying the footwear of a suspect or a pair left at a crime scene, can piece together little details and deduce not only who the shoes belong to, but what that person has been doing. In some stories, investigators have put together whole stories just based on what they notice about another character's shoes.
    Outside of the investigation context, that would work really well for summarizing and personifying a character; don't you think? A lot of details about a person's life and personality can be portrayed just by focusing on that one article of their outfit, and the description doesn't need to be long and complicated. It just takes asking a few questions, like:
    What kind of shoes are the character wearing? A character well off in the financial sense with a specific taste for fashion might love to wear designer brands; but they might also like special treasures found in thrift stores. Characters who aren't so well off financially might have hand-me-downs; or they could be wearing shoes that belonged to a loved one because that person isn't around anymore. Or, of course, if there isn't some kind of complicated backstory, the character could have just gotten their shoes at a local shoe store.
    What condition are the shoes in? A soldier in the middle of a devastating war would probably have plenty of cracks in the rubber of their boots and permanent stains on the leather from trudging through a dusty/swampy terrain. And an athlete's shoes might have smooth circles near the worn-out soles, from countless hours of training and competing. Even a character with a relatively "normal" life might have bits of candy/popcorn lodged in their shoes if they work in, say, a movie theater.
    Is there anything on the shoes that are unique to the character? Some people like to doodle in the white spaces on their sneakers; a character with special artsy skills would possibly do that. A clumsy person would probably have scuff marks all over the front of their loafers from bumping into things and tripping, making their shoes unmistakable. And a character who has an odd fascination with a certain color might always aim to wear shoes (or just shoelaces) that have that color; which can be really interesting when the color is one like bright yellow.
    So do any of these ideas bring up unique details about a character in your current work? What kind of details; what kind of shoes do they wear?

Proverbs 1:8-9

"My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother; for they will be graceful ornaments on your head, and chains about your neck."

Proverbs 1:8-9 (NKJ)

    Ah, a mother's wisdom. Mothers themselves are a blessing from the Lord, but when they know Him, and know His word, it's even greater!
    Because the wise words of a caring mother are powerful, strengthening us when we need to be strong; they're calming and sure when we need comforting; practical and time-proven when they want to show us how to make the right choices.
    It's truly a blessing that lasts for lifetimes. Happy Mother's Day, everyone!

Four Gospels: Creating a Wider View

    There's one gospel message--one foundationally true story of how God came to the world as Jesus Christ and made it possible for people to be forgiven of sins--and wonderfully, there's not just one written account of it, but four! They're all completely reliable, as each narrative was inspired by the Holy Spirit, and while they speak of the same Person and often recount the same events, not one of the four gospels is a carbon copy of another.
    Matthew's gospel, for example, is very detailed with references to Old Testament Scriptures, emphasizing the prophecies of the Messiah spoken hundreds of years before that Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled. The gospel of Mark, in something of a contrast, sticks to crafting a quick account of the actions and events that occurred in Christ's ministry on earth, making a shorter but no less fulfilling read. Luke's gospel account (written by a Gentile, which is a rarity) is full of the parables that the Lord spoke, creatively painting pictures of His Kingdom and the kind of lives we, His followers, should lead. And in the gospel of John, spiritual matters are spoken of in depth, stressing Christ's divine identity--particularly in the famously eloquent first chapter.
    Each gospel tells the same story, but they don't tell it in the same way. It's like looking at four different pictures of one tree; the subject is absolutely the same, but the different angles catch new aspects and details that the other photos don't focus on as much. One picture on its own provides a sufficient view of the tree, but all four together complete the appearance, giving a full picture.
    So in having four gospels to read, the Lord has given us a more in-depth look at our Savior; a wider view of His love and the greatness of His saving grace. Isn't that awesome? :)

Greatness

    "Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em."
    This quote (from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, Act 2, Scene 5), is possibly one of the Bard's most famous--and most inspiring--lines ever written. The words really stir up emotion, so it's no wonder that people often compare famous fictional characters to it.
    It's definitely quite an interesting label. Rather than focusing on what kind of skills and specialties that make them great, it zooms out and draws attention to how the character became awesome and admirable. For example . . .

Some characters are just born to soar.

    Born. The Doctor from BBC's Doctor Who, Charlotte Holmes from Brittany Cavallaro's Charlotte Holmes series, and Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars can all fit into this category. Because from the very beginning, they've either had someone in their life with a reputation they must live up to, or they have a special ability or just a unique kind of personality that practically demands to be used for a huge, awesome cause. Naturally, it's the character's own choice to become heroic, but their origins usually serve as a big factor in the direction they're going in.

Some have to work a bit to get off the ground.

    Achieved. Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow from the Marvel franchise, Mr. Molesly from Downton Abbey, Luke Skywalker from Star Wars, and Tris Prior from Veronica Roth's Divergent series are all nice examples of people who earned their greatness. Because a bright future full of potential wasn't promised to or expected of them in the beginning; they didn't grow up preparing to save the world, didn't inherit millions, and didn't have a famously heroic relative. Some of them had to rise straight from the dust--or, like Natasha Romanoff, from the ashes of a more sinister past--and work very hard over a long period of time to earn every morsel of honor they receive.



And some really need to be . . .
persuaded to start flying.

    Thrust Upon. One could say that Frodo Baggins from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy had greatness thrust upon him, and Cinder from Marissa Meyer's fantastic Lunar Chronicles series, and Eustace Scrubb from C.S. Lewis's Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and Katniss Everdeen from Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games. These are the "poor souls" (poor in their own eyes, at least) who get dragged into a conflict and come out with a cape fluttering behind them. The adventure they never wanted to take part in transforms them, makes them stronger, and changes their heart so that by the time it's over, the character is much more heroic.
    Each of these methods of achieving greatness has admirable qualities about them. Because we can all sympathize with someone surrounded by heroes, wanting to earn a name of their own, or at least not disappoint those who expect greatness from them. The diligent, determined characters who achieve their greatness create an awesome underdog story (who doesn't love those?). And while it's kind of funny when characters are reluctantly pulled into adventure (who didn't chuckle when stuffy, cynical Eustace Scrubb freaked out in the movie version of Voyage of the Dawn Treader?), it's also awesome to cheer them on as they become stronger, greater people.
    So what about your own characters? How does your protagonist achieve greatness? Is s/he born with it, did they achieve it, or was it thrust upon them?

Psalm 32:1

 

"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered."

Psalm 32:1 (NKJ)

    Amen, and amen!
    The Lord's forgiveness is sweet and strong. Sweet and joyous in the fact that it's made acceptance by and a relationship with Him possible; and strong in the fact that it actually happened, that God found a way to forgive us of our sins without compromising His perfect integrity.
    At the end of the day, when there might be some regrets on one's mind, remembering the completeness of the Lord's forgiveness is not only a huge relief, but it's strengthening because it lets us know that we're still covered by Christ's redemption, that He'll still gladly be with us.
    Being forgiven, redeemed by the Lord so freely, is a blessed thing indeed. Amen?

Ernest Hemingway: "About what Hurts"

Things that hurt really hurt. So writing about those
things should naturally be accurate, right?

"Write hard and clear about what hurts."

~Ernest Hemingway

    The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of things that hurt is death.
    That's a difficult subject to write about, isn't it? Because it's a touchy, sensitive thing that many people go through; and the last thing we would want to do is misrepresent its effects in our writing--or worse, misuse it just to make the story more dramatic.
    I once read a book that did just that (though I won't name names). Near the end of the story, the main character's best friend dies. And a couple chapters later in the final battle, the best friend's sibling also dies with long-winding last words, which pushes the main character into a very palpable fury/grief that (naturally) gives her the strength to destroy the enemy. Those character deaths were infuriating not just because it came off as cliché, and not just because it seemed awfully convenient, but because it was so unnecessary. Both of those characters didn't have to die--the sibling, at least, could have lived on and overcome his grief--but they were offed as if it was exactly what they were meant for, like the only reason those characters existed was to make the protagonist feel gutted in that one moment. The dramatic air around the losses was also kind of obscuring the fact that death had occurred; it made what happened seem unrealistic, and easily forgettable once the book is closed.
    However, in Kiera Cass's The One, there's a scene that doesn't make that kind of mistake, and lines up perfectly with what Ernest Hemingway is advising in his quote. In one of the last major scenes (SPOILER ALERT!), there's a surprise attack by the vicious rebels, and in the chaos and carnage, a lot of secondary characters are killed. It was a really gut-wrenching plot twist (and personally, I thought a few too many characters we've come to care about were lost), but in the scene's context, a high death toll makes a lot of sense. If the enemy had attacked so directly, and only nameless wallflowers (or nobody at all) had been harmed, the story would have totally lost the realistic element the author had created so artfully in the series. Plus, the shock and sadness that the scene prompts is exactly what a person should feel when they hear about such an event. Kiera Cass didn't gloss over anything; she made the bitterness of death bitter, and gave the topic of death the solemn recognition it deserves.
    Have you ever just stopped because a book is so good (or not good) at portraying the gravity of hard, hurtful things in life? Have you ever gotten really stressed about portraying death in a story as realistically as possible?

 

Psalm 63:6

 

 

 

"When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches."

Psalm 63:6 (NKJ)

    This is truly a good, good thing. Lying in bed late at night just remembering the things God has done, thinking about His ways, and even speaking with Him in prayer.
    Because when it's night, it's like the world has stopped and the needs of the day are put on hold. At night, lying in bed, everything's still and calm and relaxed, and there aren't so many distractions as there are in the day. It's perfect for having a calm, whispered conversation with the One who doesn't need sleep.
    Do you do this often, meditating and praying while lying in bed? Isn't it wonderful?

Penny in the Gutter

Gutters are wet and uncomfortable, and stepping or tripping into
one is very unpleasant, but when you find a penny there,
it's a nice, small bright side to the situation, right?

    Life is good--but as we all know, it doesn't always go well. Sometimes unfortunate things happen; disappointments that bring us down. Sometimes multiple disappointments happen all at once, and that kind of discouragement can really make a person feel ill.
    But thankfully, God is in our lives, so there's always good reason to have hope. He's promised that since we've let Him be our Lord, everything that happens to us happens for a reason (Romans 8:28). And because of that assurance, we can also trust that we'll never be in a situation where there's nothing but disappointment and failure. In every low and dark place, there's going to be a bright side. In every huge mistake, there's a lesson that'll help us avoid getting back in the same situation. And in every disappointment, there's always a hope that God will use it to bring about something good.
    It might really be difficult to hold onto that kind of optimistic thinking when one's actually going through problems, but it is true. I've recently just had a time where I got hit by one discouragement after another after another, and though I definitely wasn't confident that the problems would just disappear, understanding that God is in control and wouldn't let everything just be a disappointment was a real anchor to hold to. Soon after calming down, I realized that all of those discouragements had actually opened the door to an awesome (and rare) opportunity that otherwise would have stayed closed. And realizing the blessing that was made available was like finding a bright, round, precious penny in a gutter. Something really good came out of the bad situation, and it's something that'll last a lot longer.
    So while discouragements we have to face in life aren't easy to ignore at all, there's still a sure hope that bad situations don't have to be all bad. The Lord is our God, and He has a talent of using difficulties to create good, amazing things.
    That's such an awesome, comforting thing to be able to hold to. Amen?