Letters from Jack (part three)

Dear Avia,

          I see you have ignored my last letter.  I assume it is because you think this is a joke.  I assure you this is no joke.  You are being physically and emotionally abused and you need to tell someone so they may help you sort this hot mess!  I am not kidding.  It's time to let someone know.  And if you don't tell someone, I will, whether you like it or not!  I'm going into big brother mode here because I love you.  This situation is very serious and is proving to be dangerous, thus, it should not be taken lightly.  This scenario can possibly hospitalize you, or worse, kill you!  How can you not see the severity of your situation?!

          Not only that, but I am also becoming increasingly concerned about your state of mind.   You're not your normal, cheerful, creative self anymore.  Instead, you're now depressed and distant, it's like I don't know you anymore like you're a complete stranger.  What happened to my favorite little girl?  Yes, I know you're 16, you're not a baby anymore.  But that doesn't give you the right to treat yourself like dirt!  Why do you do this to yourself?!  You're beautifully and wonderfully created yet you say you're worthless, stupid and that no one cares about you.  That's not true!  GOD cares about you, your family cares about you, your friends care about, I care about you!  Don't you realize that?

          But it doesn't end there, no!  You don't just tell yourself, and believe, the same horrible lies that your bullies tell you, but you have given up on the very thing that gave you joy!  Art!  Why would you do that!?  GOD gifted you with extreme talent in that field, you've created wonderful masterpieces, crafted elegant designs and you greatly enjoyed it!  Why would you give all of that up?  Remember that bright future I said you would have?  If you give up art none of that will come to be.  If you continue down this path it will lead you into a whole downward spiral!  I don't want that to happen to you.  I want you to be happy.  I want you to be successful.  But, with the way you're continuing through life, that may not happen.  Please don't do this to yourself.

          Look, I'm going to be completely honest with you.  I'm scared!  I'm afraid of what's going to become of you if you don't do something about this constant abuse at school!  I don't want you to get hurt!  But I trust that GOD will take care of you in your time of need.  I know you don't think you can make it through this rough patch, but you can!  I know it seems impossibly dark right now, but it's always darkest right before dawn!  I beg of you, don't give up on yourself!  Because, no matter what, GOD won't.  Did GOD give up on Jonah when he didn't go to Nineveh the first time?  No!  Did GOD give up on the Israelite slaves when the Pharaoh of Egypt wouldn't free them?  No!  Why would He give up on you?  He wouldn't.  He and I are always here for you, He and I will protect you, we promise to protect you!

Here, I noticed you don't have a Bible so I jotted down some verses of encouragement for you.

Proverbs 18:10

"The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

Isaiah 41:10

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

John 14:27

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Remember, I am always here if you need to talk.  I'm just a letter away.

Love, your affectionate guardian angel,

Jack

Letters from Jack (part two)

Dear Avia,

           I am so sorry!  I see that your bullies are now physically abusing you!  I saw you limp home today with bruises and blood scattered across your pale skin!  I wish I could have helped you!  I am so very very sorry Avia!  I should have been there to protect you!  I am terribly sorry.  But, you can make it through this.  I know you can.  You're a strong girl.  Just remember, GOD is always with you, through thick and thin, through the good and the bad, through dark and light, no matter what.  I am always here for you as well if you wish to talk.  You can always confide in me.  Not because it's "my responsibility" or because "I was assigned to you", but because I think of you as my closest and dearest friend.  And who wouldn't want to be friends with you?!  You're a very trustworthy, honest, and forgiving young lady!  Three things all great friends are supposed to be.

          Now Avia, please don't continue to listen to those lies those deplorable boys spit at you!  You aren't alone and none of your loved ones hate you!  You have me, your friends and your family!  We all love you very much and we would be devastated if we lost you!  Listen to me Avia, I think it's high time you tell someone what's going on at school.  Tell your parents or a trusted friend what's going on.  Hey, I know it's going to be hard.  These situations are very difficult to deal with, so it is completely understandable if you get nervous or scared.  But trust me, once you do tell someone, everything will get a lot better.  Can you do that for me please?

          I know you're scared and believe me so am I.  But I know that GOD uses all things for good to those who love the Lord!  Just think of Joseph and his coat of many colors.  He was sold into slavery by his own brother's and he was thrown in prison for something he didn't even do!  But he trusted in the Lord that everything would turn out for good and he ended up being a very powerful and wealthy man!  So we have nothing to worry about.  And remember, you're most definitely not the first to go through this, nor the last.  Even Jesus was beaten and bruised unjustly.  So you are never truly alone in this situation.  You are never alone in any situation.  GOD is always watching; he is always with you.

          GOD and I shall be watching over and protecting you wherever you are, don't worry, we'll take care of you.  Please keep safe until I am able to write you once more.

Love, your affectionate guardian angel,

Jack

Letters from Jack (part one)

Dear Avia,

          You don't know me, but I am your guardian angel.  You may call me Jack.  I see you've had a bit of trouble down on earth, well no need to worry any further!  I have arrived!  Err… well, not really arrived, per say, I haven't actually showed up in front of you, I've only written you a letter.  You get the point.

          I guess now that I think about it, you've had more than just a bit of trouble down there.  You've had quite a lot actually.  I'm sorry that you had to go through all of that alone.  But no matter, I am here to help!  Look, I know you're being bullied.  I even know about that time those boys stole your notebook and ripped out your favorite drawings.  I know how much it hurts to have something you've created destroyed.  And I know what it's like to have poisonous words spat at you, my family history isn't exactly perfect and not a lot of humans believe in me and being the youngest angel in Heaven I always feel like I'm failing at my job.  But I promise I will do the best I can at taking care of you!  And don't listen to those big meanies who belittle you!  You're an amazing person!  You're sweet, kind, ambitious, encouraging and hopeful.  Not to mention very beautiful!  Also, your passion and talent for art is beyond compare!

          Hey, I know your school bullies say you're a terrible artist, I know they say you're ugly and worthless, but you're not!  Indeed, you are the exact opposite!  You are the best-est, most sweetest person I've ever had the pleasure of meeting!  And GOD has crafted you just as he wanted.  He gave you those beautiful brown eyes, that lovely short, raven hair, your adorable freckles and your winning smile!  He is more than proud of his wonderfully created masterpiece!  You shouldn't feel ashamed of that.

          Now I know what you must be thinking, "why should I listen to you?  You're an angel!  You're perfect!".  Granted I am perfect in the way of behavior, I have not and will not sin, but when it comes to trials and torment I am anything but perfect.  You see, I was very little when my eldest brother, Lucifer, rebelled.  It was devastatingly heartbreaking to see my big brother thrown from our home in Heaven.  Not only that, but many of my other older siblings followed Lucifer in his rebellion!  I was so shattered!  And all of this happened when I was only 500 years old (which is very young for an angel)!  And those siblings who were once high and mighty warriors of the Lord are now hissing, spitting demons!  The family that once guided and encouraged me now insult and ridicule me!  My brothers who once taught me the ways of the Lord now tell me horrible lies about Him!  I guess it turns out we're not as different as you thought we were, huh?

          Look, I have seen your future, literally, I've seen it and you turn out better than you could've ever imagined!  You become well-known, successful, wealthy and beloved by all!  You have true-blue friends, a supportive family, and all the Lord's blessings!  Everything anyone could ever desire!

          Now Avia, I know you don't know me, but I know you.   I've been watching you from heaven ever since you were born and I have to say, I couldn't be happier to be your guardian angel.  I do hope you and I can be the friends.

Love, your affectionate guardian angel,

Jack

Letters from Jack: An explanation by the author.

Yo yo yo!  So, this Friday, February 5th, 2016, I will be posting the first "chapter" to my mini-series "Letters from Jack".  But, I thought that a little bit of background would make the story a little more enjoyable.

To start off, this started out as a paper for school.  I have this class called "Inklings" (If you don't know what that is it's basically a mix of creative writing and reading).  Our assignment was to write a story in the epistolary format (stories written in the form of letters, e-mails, blog posts, etc...).  It was also supposed to be loosely inspired by C.S. Lewis's "The Screwtape Letters".  So I decided to write a quick introductory letter written by an angel to a girl.  It was originally going to be just one letter, but then I realized that I ended it in a very unsatisfying way.  And me being the writer that I am, I could not leave a story just hanging like that.  So, I wrote a series of other letters to complete the story.  Thus, the "Letters from Jack" mini-series was born!  Soon, it will be the first ever series (mini or otherwise) on the "Art of Random"blog!  I hope you guys will enjoy reading the series as much as I enjoyed writing it and that it will impact your life positively!

Shalom!
<3 Ary

Tips for life

Hey party people!  So, when I was little I was incredibly shy!  I remember going to a new school for first grade and not wanting to talk to anyone.  I remember barely talking to anyone at all at least until third grade.  Now that I'm in high school I've changed and learned a lot.  Now, I may not have had as much experience as some others, but I still have some advice to give.  These tips will be geared towards teens, but may be useful to college age kids and full-grown adults.  So here are some tips for life!

Be optimistic

If you’ve read my “NEW YEAR’S 2015!!!  Oops, I mean2016!” post you know that one of my new year’s resolutions is to be more optimistic.  I have noticed that looking for at least one good thing in every day is very helpful.  It’s easier to get through the day knowing that something good happened.  Besides, who wants to be around a Debby-downer all the time?

Forgive and forget as best you can

When I was younger I was picked on a lot.  I was always made fun of for being tall, being homeschooled and not liking a lot of modern media.  For a long time, I carried a grudge against my bullies.  I let my anger fester in my heart and let it turn into hatred.  It took me an entire 2 years to forgive them even though they didn’t apologize for their childish behavior.  But after I forgave them, it was a lot easier to live life.  I wasn’t thinking about how I would get revenge or how badly I would whale on them, but instead, I was thinking about the people whom I love and care about who love and care about me!

Be honest

"Honesty is the best policy," that’s what they always say.  Now I know you’re thinking that lying is okay in certain situations, but that is a big, fat lie.  Even if people don’t believe you, tell the truth, even if you’ll get in trouble, tell the truth, even when it may seem like you get in trouble for no reason, tell the truth.  Think about Joseph and his coat of many colors.  He always told the truth and did what was right, even though people didn't always agree with him.

Find a joy

I would say “find a hobby” but a hobby isn’t particularly always something you enjoy.  I mean you should find out what you truly enjoy!  Whether it be painting, running, reading, writing a blog, whatever, as long as you enjoy it and you’re not just doing what others are telling you to do.

Find others’ love language

A love language isn’t necessarily spoken or written words.  Sometimes it’s giving gifts, or spending quality time with someone, or giving hugs or other kinds of physical contact, etc.  Find out how your loved one’s show love to others so you can show them love in the way they understand best.  Maybe while you’re at it, find your love language?

Say thank you

Whether it be to your mom for driving you to school, or to your classmate for letting you copy their Spanish notes, or to your friend for listening to you rant, just say thank you.  A simple “thank you” can go a long way.  Let people know that you appreciate them and the things they do for you!

Learn the definition of love

If you’ve read the “My friends my mission” post, you know how I learned the definition of love.  But, you might not learn what love is the same way I will.  Maybe you’ll learn it when you start dating, or when you help others less fortunate than you, or when you come to Christ, really anything is possible when it comes to true love.  What I’m trying to say is that there is no step-by-step instruction sheet about “how to learn what true love is”.  You have to discover it for yourself.

Why I don't like reading

Hey there friends!  Now, before you read the title and get all mad, hear me out.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with reading!  It’s educational, relaxing and it exercises your imagination!  I’m actually reading the second novel in the “Guardians of Childhood” series and I quite enjoy it.  I read it out loud to my bro and we have a great time diving into the story!  But the kind of reading I don’t like is when you’re forced to read a book.  Like for school or something.  Why?  Well lemme tell ya...

Takes up too much time

I hate that I have to spent 2 hours+ reading something I don’t enjoy.  It’s boring and I’m never really invested in anything I’m reading.

Doesn't always spark my interest

a lot of the stories I’ve had to read were not that interesting to me.  Like "The Crucible" or "Robin Hood and His Band of Merry Men".

They don't get interesting for 1000 chapters

I don’t like it when, like, half the book is a long, winded intro.

Too much hype

"Hunger Games", "Divergent", "Harry Potter" and a bunch of other books are talked about so much that I lose the interest of reading.  It’s like the movie "Frozen".  It may be a good story but it just loses its appeal with THAT many people saying, “It’s so good!  You have to read/see it!  Trust me,”.  (Even though I have no reason to trust your choice in media).

Characters aren't always lovable

now most characters are lovable, but I don’t always connect on a personal level with them.  And it’s not just in books!  There are a ton of movies and tv shows that have terrible characters!

And before you start commenting and saying that I’m an uneducated moron or that I haven't given books a chance, let me say that it's my choice of whether or not to read something and you can’t force me to read when I don't want to.  I don’t mind if you like reading, just don’t badger me about not reading. Over and out!

<3 Ary

Ps.  Don't start recommending books to me because of this.  I will not read them.  If I want book recommendations I will ask for them

Pss. I am going to do a mini series soon called "Letters from Jack".  It will be told epistolary style and it will be about an angel sending letters to a girl who is having some severe trouble on earth.  I will publish it one letter (chapter) at a time.  Hope y'all will like it!

A letter to ALL bullies

Dear bullies of the world,

What is going through your mind as you’re belittling innocent children?  What makes you think that is a good decision?

“They deserve it!”

Well, give me one reason why they “deserve” it.

“They’re different!”

And you aren’t?  I’m sure he/she could mock you for the same reason.  And isn’t everyone in the world different?  If so, why aren’t you making fun of everyone?  (That includes you.)

“Well… they’re weak!”

So constantly undermining his/her thoughts, feelings, interests, intellect (which you are clearly lacking) and opinions is going to make them stronger?

“Well, uh, no… But what difference does it make?! They won’t fight back anyway!”

And that makes it right?  Maybe they don’t fight back because they know fighting is never the answer and they’re being polite and respectful towards you even though your ill behavior shows you don’t deserve that respect. Did you ever think of that?

“N-no… but I’m just being honest!”

Really?  Just because something is “honest” does that mean it should be said out loud?

“They say to always tell the truth, so, yes,”

Okay then, you are extremely childish and disrespectful and sickeningly foolish, as evident through your deplorable behavior.

“Hey!  That was very offensive!”

Hey, I’m just being honest.

“He- uh- oh…”

Yea, it hurts doesn’t it?  Why would you do that to someone else?

Bullies!  You are not “just being honest”, you are not “giving them the hard truth, they do not “deserve it”, just because they aren’t “fighting back” doesn’t mean they are weak!  So shut up for a few second and think about all the hurtful things you’ve said and done to these poor, innocent children.  After you have done that, go apologize to the people you have hurt.

-          Ary

Ephesians 4:29

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear,"

1 John 2:9

“The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now,”