I know I haven't mentioned anything about Japan, and I didn't want you to think I didn't care. As much as I try to provide inspiration & happy posts throughout the week, in reality there are things happening in the world that go beyond pretty pictures.
The footage is unreal, even the photos above I can't comprehend the magnitude of what is happening in them. 9000+ are missing in just one village. It definitely puts things in perspective for me. This past weekend lives were forever changed while I went to a flea market and spent money and shopped. I don't know: I feel like it's so meaningless when families are worrying, wondering, waiting for news of their loved ones.
There's a lot more going on beyond my day to day and trivial petty issues. Last week we found out Nick's sister is getting a divorce, which is heartbreaking because a family is now torn apart. She's really having a hard time, and her 3 beautiful kids will now grow up without their dad. They're all under age 5, and my heart breaks to think of them as they deal with their lives being forever changed.
So I'm dedicating this post to anyone who is struggling - whatever you're going through: don't loose hope. I tried to find some inspiring images to share with you. Print one out, hang it nearby or set it as your desktop background. I hope you are encouraged today, friend.
source: asuma
source: thresca
source: nameless
The above graphic I added some text, it is inspired by Revelation 21:5. There is such hope to be found in the One who gave His life for us - can you imagine a day when there will be no more tears or sadness or death? I think the verse 4 is so poetic, "He will wipe away all our tears." Wow. I can't wait for the day when this war is over, and He welcomes us home.
Those are just my beliefs, yours may be different. But thanks for letting me be open with you about them.
Regardless of what you believe though, let us continue to pray and encourage those who are hurting, struggling. Let us rally as a community and send support to those in Japan who are lost, scared, needing rescue, needing hope.
Lydia & the girls from Utterly Engaged are holding a bloggers day of silence for Japan, this Friday the 18th. I'll be participating so there will not be a post this Friday. If you'd like to participate as well, that'd be great too. All the details about it, as well as how you can help, can be found here.
But I know there are lots of organizations out there to give aid. Yahoo has a list compiled here. You can also donate via text: text MED to 80888 from any mobile phone to give $10 or text 90999 to donate $10.00 to red cross.
Thanks for reading through this post, friends.
Thank you for sharing this post. This weekend seemed like a reality check on my end as well, from flying back to Southern California every weekend to be near my family in their time of need to realizing how fragile life can really be. I'm not sure when we'll find that light at the end of the tunnel, but however long that road is, and what surprises we may find on them, it's good to know there are good friends and people to make that journey just a little warmer.
ReplyDeleteCheers.
Beautiful words & images.....so very touching
ReplyDeleteyou are so sweet and the reality of life is definitely a major though on everyones minds right now after the disastrous event in Japan. Thank you for the inspirational images as I have a few friends in Japan that need lots of support right now.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the donation information! Will be texting red cross now. It's little things like this that can make a BIG impact if everyone does it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this!
B.
That Girl in Pearls
warming and peaceful in a troubled time in my life and those so far away yet so close to home
ReplyDeleteThe photos coming out of Japan are pretty horrifying. So tragic and awful. And now devastation plus nuclear power plant unleashed. It is all too much. Too terrifying.
ReplyDeletethank you for the post! I so appreciate that you are willing to use your blog post to help a good cause and recognize the needs of others. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post, could use a little uplifting :-)
ReplyDeleteGod can bring us through all things. Thanks for posting this!
ReplyDeleteLovely post. And good title for it. yes it is reality things like this happen in the world. including the divorce. thank you for including the photos with quotes. I have similar photos with quotes on my blog also.
ReplyDeleteVery touching=)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TipLsmZgjI
I will definitely be participating on friday.
ReplyDeleteMy little brother is currently stuck in Japan and can't get a flight home until the 19th. So needless to say friday was an emotional rollercoaster until I got a message saying he was safe and far away from the quake site.
My heart goes out to the millions of Japanese people who have been affected by this tragedy.
It's been a real eye opener for me.
I find that my Faith as a Christian helps me as well to get through such difficult times. At church yesterday we were praying for Japan, and as tears fell from my cheeks, I realized just how fragile life is, and just how truly blessed I am. We all are.
ReplyDeleteVery sobering indeed. Puts life into perspective, doesn't it? Praying for Japan.
ReplyDeleteIt's been so heartbreaking to see what has happened. It's also been hard to see the impact on my bf, he is shattered by the devastation in his homeland.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing. your honesty with your faith is bold and beautiful. it is a comfort to have hope of something bigger than this life. I just have a little tiny blog, but I think I'll join in on Friday as well and cast my hopes and prayers in with the rest of those that are going up all over the world.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and poignant post. I respect that you've shared your faith so freely here and that you took a moment to help remind us about how to stay positive during such difficult times.
ReplyDeleteDanni,
ReplyDeleteI shared similar feelings this week as well. Especially as I thought about some of my friends who have family over there. One verse that always keeps me going in times of trouble is James 1: 2-4
this post brought me to tears. thank you so much danni. xoxo
ReplyDeletej.
i have no friends or family in japan, but this disaster has felt incredibly real to me. i can't seem to shake it. the weight of it hangs over me like a shadow. which is perhaps not a bad thing. we ought to have our hearts break when others are so utterly devastated. remembering, of course, to use that grief well, in helping and in prayers and in understanding. the pictures are breathtaking, in the most literal sense of the word. i'm also observing the bloggers day of silence. thank you for this post,
ReplyDelete-shawnacy
Bravo Danni! Beautifully written post. I am still in shock and disbelief at the magnitude of disaster and heartbreak Japan is facing. In a global economy...it is almost as if it happened in our backdoor (in fact, Andy and I have two friends who work international, and both happen to have been in Japan for business last week...thankfully they are both okay). My thoughts and prayers are with Japan and anyone who was touched by this disaster. It is heart-wrenching, sad, and just plain terrible. My thoughts and prayers are also with Nick’s sister…what an ordeal to go through and the fact that children are involved…well, it is just sad. Here is to better days ahead…
ReplyDeletexx Cat
Praying for Japan
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts and beliefs here, Danni. I've been praying for them throughout the weekend and I hope everyone will try to help in some small way, even if just through prayer.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteLike I posted today: focus on the good side of life.
Maureen x
thank you for these pictures. it really is encouraging.
ReplyDeleteGod is good. probably the only good thing we have here on earth.
Your post moved me. When I first learned of the tsunami, I knew it was terrible and that I should care--but I could feel apathy in my heart.
ReplyDeleteOn my way to my room, I saw the news and how 2,000 bodies had washed ashore. I am not a gal of numbers, but I carefully considered how much each one meant.
I read your post and felt tears in my eyes. Your words and concerns about others' troubles moved me to my knees in prayer to God for Him.
thank you for this inspirational post, I hope those people will find a relief soon. Those are terrible thing, and it gives you a whole new perspective on life.
ReplyDeleteI love and am really encouraged when you open up about your faith, Danni! Being a blogger, and a Christian, I sometimes struggle with how to be transparent, but also not overwhelm with my beliefs. I'd love to chat with you more about your thoughts on christianity and blogging. Or at least be encouraged by how you intertwine the two. Does that make sense?
ReplyDeletex.o. Mattie
(mattiebabb@gmail.com)
Thank you for your inspiring message and photos. Seeing the devastation in Japan instantly shows us how vulnerable the human race is and the magnitude of the earth we inhabit. It kind of reminds me of a Jack Johnson lyric from the song "From the Clouds."
ReplyDeleteWe could watch it from the clouds
We can't stop it anyhow, it's not ours.
Anyways, thanks for sharing.
XO, Katie
Running On Happiness
this was a really lovely post :) i especially loved the one where you added the text from revelation. i'm finding it a little bit hard to concentrate on day-to-day life at the moment, after all the world has been through lately.
ReplyDeletei am praying for the strength and comfort of everyone who has been affected x
i needed this.
ReplyDeletethanks!
thanks for this much needed post. definitely encouraging and sums up the mood well.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing this. i'll be participating in the blogger day of silence as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your faith. Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteI'm also praying for the people of Japan. Saw this on www.desiringgod.org. A Prayer For Japan by John Piper http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/a-prayer-for-japan
This is a little off topic but I just wanted to say that finding a blog like yours with a faith that's so transparent has been such a great experience.
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing this post, Danni. It was beautiful and I'll definitely be participating in the blogger day of silence as well.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing this beautiful post danni. i will definitely be participating in the bloggers day of silence for japan.
ReplyDeleteThank you for letting us know about the day of silence. I'll be participating as well.
ReplyDeleteA little perspective for all of us. Thank you for being bold in your faith ... He is always pleased when we step out and speak His name. Blessings to you.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing this post.. continued prayers and support for all those in japan during this time.. as well as others struggling around the world.
ReplyDeletehope.peace.love.
yeah i felt the same this weekend. in between watching the news we did very normal things and it felt so meaningless.
ReplyDeletewe actually donated some money already and now i'm trying to raise money from my etsy shop. 50% all sales until March 26 will be donated to the Red Cross.
the link is here http://www.etsy.com/shop/happyserendipity
let's all hope and pray the nuclear catastrophe is not going to happen!
very nice posted and thx for sharing
ReplyDeleteThis post was beautiful, Danni. Everyday, as the news keeps breaking about Japan, I feel heartbreak each day for them. And feeling so helpless. I'll be participating this Friday, and sending lots of prayers for the victims of this tragedy.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you wrote this post for us.
Hello. I'm Kellie from Icing Designs, http://www.icingdesignsonline.blogspot.com/. I just came across your blog today and I'm so glad I did. Today I saw a Daddy say good-bye to his 15 year old daughter and Tonight I will watch a High School Friend say good-bye to her 33 year old husband.
ReplyDeleteI loved the verse you shared and I loved you sharing your faith, thank you.
I live in California and there was quite a bit of damage in Santa Cruz and Crescent City...thousands of miles from Japan. I can't even fathom the trauma they must feel in Japan.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this encouragement. I'm sure the Japanese people could use the outpouring of encouragement and well wishes.
Thank-you for the reminder from Revelations!
ReplyDeleteI hope hope hope this does not come across as insensitive... nothing in my comment is meant to diminish the anguish of a divorce or its impact on children. But growing up without a father does not necessarily equal suffering, nor does it signify a childhood that is in some way deficient.
ReplyDeleteMy father chose not to be in my life when I was very young. My mother, and the wonderful friends in her life, showered me with so much love that I never, ever felt wanting, or like I was inherently disadvantaged due to my father's absence. And it was what I learned about love as a child that allowed me to hang out with my dad as an adult and forgive him long before his eventual death.
All I mean to say is that the amount of love in a family is much more important than its composition, or whether it deviates from 'normal.' Here's hoping that Nick's sister's kids use that as a source of strength and resilience.
well said danni. divine inspiration + hope was leaping off this post, straight to the heart. seriously.
ReplyDelete