On August 29, 2005 the greatest natural disaster to ever happen in the united states destroyed my home. Hurricane Katrina destroyed an incredible amount of real estate, stole 300 + lives and created such damage that it is still not all repaired. Within only a few hours of landfall, comments began to be left on my blog. People were talking about coming down to help, asking what we needed, and assuring us of prayers. Once we had power restored, blogging became a central focus of our local recovery effort. We kept the stories of recovery on the blog. I cannot tell you how important that blog became to all of us, because of the generous and compassionate hearts of Christians around the world. And it not only blessed us, it was an opportunity to witness to God’s works in the disaster, and assist our community with help.
Little did I know that an even greater personal disaster was only a few short years away. On May 23, 2008, our son John Robert was killed just a few days before high school graduation. One might think that with such a tragedy I could not possibly care about blogging, but that would be wrong. After John Robert died, one of the ways I expressed myself was through the cartharsis of blogging. This self-expression was something that some cautioned, but once you lose your son, not much else matters. I poured my heart out in my blog. As a result I received an overflow of encouragement, sympathy, and compassion. Not only did this exchange of pain and compassion make a difference to me, evidently others who have been through a similar ordeal found some relief in knowing that they were not alone in thair pain.
In both instances I was more than encouraged – I began to realize the power of encouraging words. I want to thank the hundreds who left responses and encouragements across these years. I cannot imagine going through such tragedy without my blogging community … one that is made up primarily of Christians. And I think that is the true power of this … Christians sharing their hearts with other Christians, even if they’ve never met.
Blogging matters because it is people hearing in their own language. Regular people being read by regular people … and finding rich resources for living- shared freely.
Thanks for reading!
John
Encourage one another!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God bless you & Maggy both!
Love,
Linda
Thanks, Linda. You certainly live by those words.
If it weren’t for blogging, I wouldn’t know you and Maggie (internetly of course ;)
One of my great moments in blogging ;)
“internetly” … good workmakeupage! You are one of the chorus of encouragers, Paula. Thank you.
i FEEL THE SAME AS P aula, ! ;)
Janice, you remind me of a butterfly who flys by the blogs and posts offering brief but beautiful encouragements! Love your pictures on your blog.
Same here-I would not know, have been blessed, and been encouraged by you without your blog! I actually found your blog at the time John Robert died; and even though I did not know you-I felt your grief, prayed for you, and kept coming back-your transparency, honesty, and faith through such a tragic time was incredible. I am so thankful that I have gotten to know you and your great laugh since through twitter, chats, and can’t thank you enough for your help in getting me to China!! You are such a blessing and I love you, brother John!!:)
Thanks for your prayers and friendship Kat. So happy your trip to China was such a success.
John, you have blessed many through your online ministry; it’s good to know that you too have received blessings.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
Tim, thanks. No doubt it is my heart that is touched most.
Amen. John, you are responsible for my participation in the blogging community and I don’t know how many people I have referred to your blog. many, many. So many have received comfort and encouragement from your words.
I love your blog,John.I’ve learned so much about you through it.One thing being that we have much in common.
Thank you for sharing yourself with the world.You’ve been such an inspiration and encouragement to me through my own time of angst in more ways than you know.
Love to you in Christ,John.
Thanks much old pal! Thanks for all the friendship you have offered over the years.
John I remember reading your posts during both of these times. You inspired us.
Bobby you’ve been a constant … a rock of encouragement for so long. Thank you.
JD, I love your blog!!!
I’d seen it before, and had seen your comments elsewhere on the blogs that I read…but had never really paid much attention.
You caught my attention, though, one Sunday afternoon at the very beginning of last year, when you first started the video chats. You had one streaming live on your blog when I stopped by…went to your chat room and started chatting…and became a regular reader of yours that day!
I remember coming in after church one Wednesday night in May of last year when i casually surfed over to your blog to see if you happened to be chatting that night. Instead I remember reading your tragic news…i remember how it struck a familiar cord with me…and i remember literally being on my knees in tearful prayer for you that night.
It’s amazing how we in this community can share our lives w/each other without even having met, most of the time! Thanks so much for sharing your life with us, JD!
Just one of the reasons you are indeed the King of alll bloggers.
Thanks for the open window to your world, for your help for other bloggers, and for just being John.
Royce
Thank you John for sharing the joy and the pain of your earthly walk and letting us walk along beside you. My life is richer from knowing you.
Living in Florida and having sent our youth group to MS. to help out with your recovery when you were there, has given me an affinity to your blog.
As you journeyed through the loss of your son I have been blessed to point others who are traveling the same road to read your words.
Blogging has become a powerful tool of teaching, learning, and encouragement.
Powerful post, thank you. I’ve only been blogging a few weeks, so I didn’t read your posts during these two critical periods of your life. But, I wish I had. Thanks for your transparency, something I need to practice more.
Warren
http://warrenbaldwin.blogspot.com/
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I just came across your blog today. I cannot even say I know how you feel. I too have lost a child when she was only 10 months old. I do not how I made it through this time in my life. I did not have anyone. I was 18 years old and all alone. I have carried her death with me throughout these last 25 years and for me, it has not gotten any easier. My thoughts and prayers are always with you and your family. I wish I had all the friends you have. They just did not have this then. It might have made a difference. Your blog has made a difference. Thank you for sharing it with me.
God Bless You and Keep You Safe!
John,
Your blogging isn’t just changing your life, its impacted mine and thousands of others. I hope that you receive as much blessing as you have given to me and other readers over the years.
I came to know who you are during those two catastrophic events in your life and you’ve since been a great encourager to me with your blogs. Your gut level honesty when John Robert died really spoke to places of my heart.
I definitely believe that your blogging has enabled you to not just survive the past year, but to arise from the ashes of terrible tragedy. And it’s given your readers invaluable insight into how God’s grace can do the same for all who invite Him to do so.
You have taught some powerful lessons simply by demonstrating that faith can keep us putting one foot in front of the other.