Letters from Jack (part six *final part*)

Dear Jack,

          I hope you like the drawing I made!   I got the idea through a dream I had about you (along with the description of yourself you gave me).  Hopefully, the portrait actually looks like you!  I worked really hard on getting it just right.  I do hope you like it!  Thank you for convincing me to continue doing art.  I want to apologize once again, for the bitter insults I called you.  You were only being a good big brother.  I was just frustrated and frightened, I wasn’t thinking straight.  Hatred was clouding my mind and I let my anger control me.  So I apologize again.

          Jack, thank you so much for sticking with me, even when I was being stubborn and selfish.  You are the best friend I could have asked for!  You are very kind, creative, godly, and selfless!  You encouraged me when I needed it most, you lifted me up when I fell down, I am forever in your debt.  Thank you for showing GOD's love to me when I had doubts about myself.  You were right.  GOD hasn't given up on anyone in the past, why would He have given up on me?  I feel so silly that I actually thought that GOD had abandoned me.  Jack, Thank you.  For everything.

          Oh!  And I love your idea of reading a book together!  Maybe we should start with C.S. Lewis’s "The Screwtape Letters".

Love, your forever grateful friend, and sister,

Avia

Letters from Jack (part five)

Dear Avia,

          I am overjoyed about the letter you sent me!  I am so happy to know that you've picked up art once again!  I would like to thank you for offering to draw me something too!  I will take you up on that offer.  But, I want you to surprise me; draw anything you want and send it to me!  I cannot express how glad I am to see that you've returned to your old self again.  You're that sweet, forgiving, ambitious girl again!

          It is wonderful to hear that your bullies have been taken care of!  Those boys deserved to get expelled after all they put you through.  I've also heard that they've mocked other students too!  Maybe you and those other students can become friends!  Oh, I am so relieved that your parents and teachers had the wisdom to assess that whole situation.  GOD is very pleased with your perseverance and patience.  He is very pleased.

          I also appreciate the fact that you want to get to know me better!  You had numerous questions in your letter, I will try to answer them all!  Let’s start with the easy ones.  I am now 10,483 years old, my favorite color is blue, I am left handed, and my favorite season is Autumn.  Regarding your inquiries about my appearance I have greenish-blue eyes, black, curly hair, fair skin, I am kinda short, though I am lean and strong, and I have freckles.  I think that’s about it.

          Oh!  I also enjoy reading very much.  I, of course, read the Scriptures.  But I also read science encyclopedias.  It's very interesting to study about the wonderful world GOD has made for us to enjoy!  I especially love to study chemistry.  I've noticed that you like to read also!  I've seen that you like to read fairy tales.  I have read the wonderful workings of C.S. Lewis's "The Chronicles of Narnia" along with "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien and I found them quite intriguing.  Maybe we should read something together?  Like a book club.  I've always wanted to read "Howell's Moving Castle" by Dianna Wynn Jones and "Cupid" by Julius Lester.  Maybe we could read one of those?

          You have been through quite a lot in the past three months since I started writing you and all through it, you always persevered.  I am very proud of you, so is our Father.  I have chosen this verse of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 for you, "Give thanks in every circumstance, because this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  I think it describes you pretty well.  Avia, I can't wait to see you grow in your faith as you blossom into an adult.  It's going to be a bumpy road for sure, but if you put all of your faith in the Lord you will make it through all trials life throws at you.  That bright future GOD has planned for you is just around the corner!

          I will continue writing you letters until you join me in Heaven.  So you're going to be stuck with me for a while!  Keep pushing forward like you always have!  Until the next letter.

Love, your affectionate guardian angel,

Jack

Letters from Jack (part four)

Dear Avia,

          I received your response letter and may I just say, I am appalled by what you said!  I am not bossing you around, I am trying to protect you from yourself!  And I am not an "angelic pain" either.  You just refuse to accept the truth.  Yes, I was the one who urged your parents to do something.  I had to tell your parents about what was going on one way or another!  And I don't see why you're so angry at me.  I mean, after all, I did tell you that if you didn't say anything, I would.  But you didn't listen to me, now did you?  I know I'm being stern with you but that's only because I care about you and don't want you to get hurt!  I've promised to protect you and I'm going to keep that promise in every way I possibly can.  Whether you realize it or not, this is what's best for you.  I know from experience that this is the right course to take.

          I also see you have still been avoiding art.  It saddens my heart to see you walk away from your God-given talent and joy.  Remember that parable in Matthew 25?  The one about the master leaving his servants gifts?  "To one he gave five talents; to another, two; and to another, one to each according to his own ability. Then he went on a journey,".  Remember?  Well, the servant he gave five talents worked hard at improving them so he ended up with ten talents when his master came back.  The servant he gave two talents practiced tirelessly and developed two more talents giving him four talents when his master came back.  But the foolish servant to whom he gave one talent to hid his talent and only had the one when his master came back.  Don't make the same mistake that foolish servant made by hiding your talent.  GOD made you with incredible abilities and spiritual gifts; use them.  Use them for His glory.  Use them for the good of others.  Use the gifts GOD has bestowed upon you.

          Please do not me angry with me.  I am only trying to keep my promise of protecting you.  Proverbs 27:6 says, "Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy," meaning that it is better to hear the hard truth from a close friend than it is to continue sinning with the enemy.  I am merely giving you friendly wounds.  Please do not forsake that.

I love you like a sister, I care deeply about you.  I am always here for you.

Love, your affectionate guardian angel,

Jack

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