encouragement.

word

wərd/

noun

1.

 a single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing, used with others (or sometimes alone) to form a sentence and typically shown with a space on either side when written or printed.

Words. They can send us soaring to the clouds or falling in despair. They can make us rejoice or make our hearts wrench with sadness. They can be the cause of joy and celebration, or the cause of sorrow and tears. These little black marks on white paper and the small tonal inflections we make carry so much meaning, and can so easily be the cause of our emotions! 

Over the past few weeks, I've really come to realize the effects of words- good and bad. I really like the definition of 'word' because it includes the word meaningful in it. Words are meaningful. They can carry good or bad. I think everyone would agree that when words are spoken to them, good and encouraging words are the words that are received most readily. When bad and discouraging words are spoken to us, however, I think everyone would again agree that they are hard to take in- and aren't desired or wanted.

Now I quickly want to take a moment to clarify something. I don't want it to come off that I'm saying we should all speak love and kindness to each other at all costs, meaning we lie to people in trying to be kind and avoid telling the truth... because now THAT'S a problem. We always have to be telling the truth, and sometimes the truth-bearing words we have to speak could be taken in offense. But, there is a way to tell people the truth, by doing it in kindness and love. Truth doesn't mean you tell people the truth by hitting them over the head with your words; you can tell people the truth by showing them grace and care.

A couple weeks ago, I was pretty upset by things some people had done and said to me, and was feeling discouraged in general. I noticed something, however, at school as I was walking up to where the lockers are. Bright, yellow sticky notes were stuck onto random lockers. As I looked closer, written on them were uplifting phrases, like "You are loved." I was so happy with how the school was encouraging each other, and how even just seeing evidence of others being encouraged, encouraged me! Now, there are more sticky notes up on the lockers in our school, not just written by one person, but multiple people! Blue and yellow notes bear phrases like "You are God's beloved," or "God chose You" are now on random lockers, and they are encouraging and uplifting people! These words are not only encouraging, but also full of truth found in God's word!

I'd like to challenge you, dear readers, and myself to something this week. We should look around and see how we can encourage someone or some people this week. Maybe it's through a note or maybe it's by making someone cookies who's having a rough day. Perhaps it's by encouraging people with words and paying people genuine complements or by leaving an encouraging sticky note on their locker.  Encouragement can take many forms. Believe me, something small like that can encourage someone so much. Let us use our words and actions to uplift people, as Christ wants us to!

Ephesians 4:29
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

Joyfully His,
             Hannah

One Life to Give

Africa. When you hear that word, what do you think of? You may think of a desolate, lonely place. Or you may think of children dressed in colorful fabric, balancing heavy jugs of water on their heads. You may think of dust, heat, and a scorching sun. Or perhaps, you think of shabby mud huts, with no running water or electricity. For me, I think of Africa as my home.

For the most part, I'm a pretty average teenager. States side, I'm from the suburbs of Chicago. I have a wonderful family, and awesome friends. I enjoy music, theater, playing soccer, dancing, and singing. But in a lot of ways, I'm different. I am a TCK and an MK (stands for Third Culture Kid and Missionary Kid) in Cameroon, Central Africa. I go to Rain Forest International School, and have had a lot of "missionary experiences." I am also a follower of Jesus Christ, who saved my soul.

People often say you have one life to live, so do all you can to enjoy it; after all, you only live once. The world tells us to do all you can to get what you want, so that you can be happy. I think the phrase should be one life to give. You have one life to give to bless others; you can change peoples lives for the better; and you can take up your cross and follow Jesus and live radically for Him. Life is full of choices. Do we give our lives to Christ, trusting Him with it... or do we ignore Christ and choose to do what we want? Do we choose to follow Christ... or not?

I am certainly not saying that living in the suburbs or that having possessions is wrong. I am also not saying that you have to give up all you have, move to Africa, and live in a mud hut. But I am saying that we should live radically for Christ and shine our lights brightly wherever he has us. God calls each of us to different places at just the right time. That could be living in a foreign country as a missionary, or living in the suburbs of Chicago. Wherever God wants you, that's where He has planned you to be a light for others to see. Some believers want to hide the light that has been given to them by Christ. This saddens me, because what is your faith then? As believers in Christ, we can choose to give our light out and make a difference for Him...or not.

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

God has called me and my family to Africa. It has not always been easy, and I honestly struggle with giving my life to Christ and living radically for Him. I want you to know, fellow readers, that I am not a perfect human, and that I have by no means, always lived my life out for Christ. I have made many mistakes, and need to learn how to trust God more. I hope you realize I am learning right beside you. Giving our all to God is within the choices we make every day. So I challenge us to question if we are giving our all to God. Are we shining for Him and not conforming to what the world wants us to be? Are we giving ourselves to God, to be used to bless others? Are we living radically for Christ through the daily decisions of how we react to things and what we expose ourselves to (ex: music, media, etc.)? Are we giving all we have to Him? These are the questions I want to leave you with for this first blog post.

I chose the title, Songs from the Rain Forest because God has given me a passion for music and theater; and because my family and I are following His call to the rain forests of Cameroon. On this blog, I hope to share what I have been learning in my life and also stories about life here in Africa. So stay tuned! :)

Joyfully His,
Hannah Lynn