A Few Words... You Are Loved

Coffee/Tea of the Day - Tea Thyme

No crafty things to show you today, although I have been working on some stuff in the background while still dealing with these yuckity yuck seizures. they still aren't going away, much to my dismay and disappointment. :(

But I wanted to post today about the very sad news we woke to this morning regarding the passing of Anthony Bourdain. yet another suicide has taken the life of a wonderful, yet obviously hurting soul. We have also been dealing with the news this week that Kate Spade, the talented designer, took her own life.

Last night I was reading the news that suicides are up more than 30% in recent years. Just a few days ago I finished watching the newest season of "13 Reasons Why." it's a fabulous series on Netflix that tackles the aftereffects of a teen's suicide at a high school, but I warn you now, it is not easy to watch. it is graphic with very serious themes and scenes. but that doesn't stop it from being a truthful telling.

Unfortunately, many of the situations dealt with in the series, and that we are seeing played out in the news, I have had to experience in my own life. Which is why I am writing this post today.

“I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” 

{Ephesians 3:17-19}

I want to let that one person out there reading this know that YOU are loved. Someone out there loves you very much. There are probably a lot of someones. There are probably people you don't even realize that are impacted by your life and you have no idea. I am sure Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade had no idea the number of people who would be so shocked and in mourning over their passing. We had a long group text about it this morning with everyone in my family because it hit us all so hard.

The point is that YOU matter. There are going to be times that you feel overwhelmed, and life is going to be so very hard. I know. I have been there so many times. I am a suicide survivor. so I really have been there. and there are times that you really can't feel the love that people have for you, but that doesn't make it less real. and it doesn't make God's love for you less real.

you were created to be here, in this moment, at this time on Earth, for a certain purpose that ONLY YOU  can fulfill. I know that there are other things in life where other people can take over for you if you don't do your job or a chore or show up or whatever, but in this particular case, you are the only one who has been called to fulfill YOUR PURPOSE.  you are necessary.

so please understand how very much you are loved. really really loved. and we have to show that love to other people who might be feeling less than lovely.  because we have been there. we know that loneliness.  and the hurt. but sometimes you sharing a smile can be what it takes to let someone know that they are worthy.

be kind. show compassion. walk in peace. and in doing so you will know love. you will spread love and be love.

but for this moment, just remember that you are loved. really truly loved. always and forever.
Jennifer

* all of the graphics used today can be found here. if you use or link them on your own blogs, please be sure to give credit to the artist/author, Holley Gerth. :)

*Editing to add:
Here is the link to a fabulous article I highly recommend everyone read. Thanks!

Another good article...