*Satan*

While I was on facebook I came across a page called *Satan*. I looked at the page out of curiosity. What I saw didn’t surprise me too much. There were a ton of people bashing religion and God and His “fans”. Naturally, there would be Christian responses. I didn’t like most of them. There were Christians “defending the faith”. They did this by posting Bible verses and telling the people that they needed to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. That the Lord will execute His enemies. That everyone needed to repent and shouldn’t sell their soul to the Devil. And we wonder why people don’t like Christians? That’s why.

            Although the Christians may have had good intentions, they went about it the wrong way. There’s a good way and a bad way to approach these things, and that was definitely a bad way. If you tell people these kinds of things when they already have a negative view of Christianity and God, then you are going to get a not-so-cheery response. You need to remember that they don’t have the same beliefs as you. They are going to think that what you’re saying is hog wash and label you as an unintelligent loony-tune. Being “Holier than thou” will not get you anywhere. The only thing you will get from it is closed doors, smirks, and curses. You don’t want to lose an opportunity because you’re trying to be pious. Do you think that will please God? Think again.

            Why not discuss how they came to their conclusion about Christianity and God instead of condemning them to hell? That will open the door for a good discussion. You will be able to see their side and learn how they think. Then in turn, you have a chance to share how you came to your conclusion about God and Christianity. I couldn’t see this page and say nothing. I posted “So this is an anti-Christianity & anti-religion page. Why do you hate Christianity or religion in general? I’m not taking any sides, but want genuine feedback please.” I’m hoping that people give real, thoughtful responses. I will make another blog that will anonymously list some of the responses. If you ever hope or intend on talking to people who see things differently, then you need to know their point of view.

Tragedy Strikes.

In my community, today is hard to bear. It is hard to smile or laugh when we remember what happened two years ago. Today marks the two-year anniversary of a tragedy: a beautiful & beloved teenager got taken from us. Her eyes closed: never to be opened again.

I remember when I first heard about it on April 10th, 2010. Sophomore year. Spring break is only a week away. Amanda, Chrissy, and I are in their living room. Amanda gets a call from one of our close friends. Tears start rolling down her face. Waiting impatiently, we all want to know why she's crying. The phone call ends and there is a moment of silence. Finally Amanda says, "Allie got into a car accident yesterday." Heart drops. "Is she okay?" It seemed like we spent forever waiting for the answer. Phone calls were made to find out more information. We were worried. Finally we find out that she's in the hospital. All we know is that she's unconscious and hasn't woken up yet. My mom took us to go see her. On the way there my mom reassures me that people can regain consciousness.

We arrive at the hospital and make the journey up to her room. There are a ton of other people there already. Some of them are mutual friends. The waiting room next to her room is full of family; the hallway is full of friends. They let us know that Allie has no brain activity. Machines are keeping her breathing, but they will be shut off tomorrow. Our close friend is never going to wake up. We will never hear her mellifluous laugh again; never see her contagious smile. It took a few minutes for that to sink in. The tears started flowing and would not stop.

Her mom let us go into Allie's room to see her one last time. Allie is laying there peacefully. Her eyes are shut and there is a subtle rising and falling in her chest. Good friends gave her a manicure and pedicure. Not a single blond hair was misplaced. Her pink skin was lotioned. Allie looked so alive. Like she was only sleeping. Her mom told us that we can talk to Allie. We could give her a hug or a kiss on the cheek. I was speechless. Words refused to come out of my mouth. I couldn't touch her because she wouldn't be able to give me a hug in return. All she had was a small sign of impact on her forehead and a broken nose. Untouched by death, Allie was still beautiful.

Allie was taken off of life support on April 11th, 2010. The rest of April was a living hell. It would not stop raining. Heaven was mourning with us. My sisters and I were very close with Allie Freshman year. She used to come over almost every day after school. A part of our hearts died with her. All of us had a different way of coping. My sisters and a few friends painted the pole that the car crashed into. Many of her close friends spent a lot of time together. I coped by withdrawing from everyone. The anxiety was too much to handle, and I couldn't be there for anyone. I wish I had been there more for my sisters.

How could a sixteen year old believe there was justice in an undeserved death? I couldn't. So I was angry. I was angry with God for taking Allie away from us. She was one of the last people on Earth who deserved to die so young. She loved life and she lived it. I was bearing an unbearable burden. In my anger I yelled at God. I yelled for weeks. I didn't understand. All I wanted was to understand. I had believed that God was just and He had a purpose for everything. So I was shaken up because I couldn't see a purpose in this. My anger had gotten so bad that I couldn't pray without crying. Nor could I read my Bible without crying. I used to turn to my faith in God when I was confronted with pain or grief. With my faith running dry, where else could I have turned?

The time came where I was tired of yelling at God. I was honest with Him and told Him that it was too much. I needed comfort. It was all or nothing. I demanded an answer as to why He allowed this tragedy to strike. I could not move forward without clarity, and my faith was running thin. I opened my Bible to a random place expecting to finally hear from God. And oh I definitely heard Him. I opened my Bible to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.


 " ¹³ Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. ¹⁴ We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. ¹⁵ According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage each other with these words."

I miss her sooo much. But that day God answered my yells. He gave me comfort knowing that there is hope. I will see her again. Not in this life, but in the next<3. When you call on Him, He will answer.