“What’s this about? Forgive me if I’m prying, but you tossed it out there, and I caught it.”
This was her response to me in an e-mail after I left a comment to one of her recent blog posts. It doesn’t much matter the content of my original comment; what matters is her response… her willingness to catch my words. In doing so, she caught my heart. What a good friend! What a good gift!
Most of us live our lives out loud in this cyber-community, putting our thoughts on display for others to digest. We do so intentionally; we mean for people to read our words and, ultimately, to understand them in accordance with our intentions. There’s a whole lot of room for interpretation when it comes to the “speak” we use in social media; consequently, we’re often misunderstood. But of this I am certain…
We want someone to try, someone to sit long enough with our thoughts so that we might move beyond the front door of our hearts and stay connected to this great big world.
I am grateful for those of you who catch my words, who read between, behind, and all around the words in order to take hold of my heart. It’s the best part of being here… of picking up the pen every now and again and saying what I mean, writing what I live. It may not always be what you want to hear, but it’s almost always what I need to say. Thank you for the grace afforded me along the way.
Like you, I want to be a word-catcher, a heart-catcher as well. Would you allow me to catch some of your heartfelt words this weekend? Go ahead… toss a few in my direction. What’s on your mind? How might I pray for you? As always…
Peace for the journey,
You are always catching my heart, Elaine.That's why I come here as you look beyond our words. My biggest prayer is I can see God's direction for us to find a home. I need it soooo clear as we have gone back and forth for months with many closed doors.
As usual, you nailed it! The whole phenom of social media, I think, is that "We want someone to try, someone to sit long enough with our thoughts so that we might move beyond the front door of our hearts and stay connected to this great big world…" And we can't seem to get enough of it (social media) until we realize that we have plumbed its depths and found it insufficient to meet our deepest need to "be known"…
It was true when John Powell wrote so painfully and accurately in the 60's (I believe) and true over 2,000 years ago when the Word became flesh! It is true of every single individual whether acknowledged or not…
Pray? For me. One big "mess of grace" as I remember someone(?) calling HERself… 🙂
♥Rebecca
I understand something of closed doors. We keep trying to pry a few open, only to have them slam shut in our faces. Yes, sweet friend, I'll be praying for the perfect match for your new adventures in Texas!
So well said, friend. And even though we can't fully and adequately "know" one another via this cyber-connection…
Thanks for trying! I love your great big heart of encouragement… all the way from Hoosier country. You bless me.
for me I need to breathe so I can catch the words…needig to slow down You are a blessing as always my dear friend
Elaine, thanks for the offer of prayer. Our family has had an ongoing private grief to deal with for some time now. We need God's continued comfort, strength, direction, and blessing.
I've been praying for the recent situation we were in contact about, too. I pray that you've been able to sense God's direction and feel His peace about it all.
Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!
Yes, what you wrote in this post is precisely why I so appreciate my blog friendships. Different levels, but there are a few who have caught my words, and my heart. And as a reader of your blog for nearly two years now, I surely have caught your words and heart as well. It's an honor and a privilege for me, to see God at work in you pains and joys.
My daughter and I recently returned to my father's home which we left for a season, not knowing that we would ever return… you know the story… It is a new season God has opened up unexpectedly. But in a step of obedience, we have gone back. We entrust the future into His hands.
Thank you for praying.
Much love,
Lidia
Elaine, I always know that when I visit this little corner of the blogosphere I will found pearls not only on the surface but ones that need to be uncovered layer by layer. I wish often that there would be an opportunity this side of heaven to sit and share life in person with those "friends" who I have come to "know" and love through their words – like you! :o) I can't help but know that what is typed on the computer screen is only a scratching of the surface of a life and heart much "deeper".
I thank you for seeking out our prayer requests…since Christmas our hearts have been heavy with the failing health and the passing of my mother (a few weeks ago). Now comes the transition of life without her…no matter how old I am I will always be her baby. :o)
You write: "I am grateful for those of you who catch my words, who read between, behind, and all around the words in order to take hold of my heart." The best part of writing from the heart is when your words touch someone else's heart. Your words have often touched mine…
Oh Elaine, you captured so beautifully the reason we blog! GOD bless you for putting your heart out here in words that penetrate and transform the hearts of your readers!
Blessings always~
I love the picture you gave of "the front door of our hearts" and how there is so much more beyond that. Thank you! Sooo good.
Elaine, I do agree. We all want to be heard and felt. I love to read comments and I have to say that I have been so fortunate to have awesome blogging friends. So many times I've been encouraged through words and felt the love even when I've never met the person. Somehow we leave our heart out there online and a few seem to catch it. 🙂
Right now my concern is with moving in the next few weeks. It's going to be quite challenging as we are going into an 860 square foot place. Our original home was almost 4,000 square feet. Simplify is the word of the day for me!
Blessings and love,
Debbie
What a tremendous grief you carry, friend. I'm so very sorry to hear this. May the tender comfort of Jesus Christ wrap around you and your family as you walk through these mellow days of mourning. Prayers!
You bless me, Debbie.
Wouldn't it be great if we could round table this one, Jess? I wish you were sitting right across from me!
My world seems pretty small some days, Kristi. It helps me to know that there's a world out there that includes my heart! Thanks for stopping by.
You've got a lot to carry right now, friend. 860 feet is a lot to manage despite the "smallness." What to keep? What to throw away? There is a time and season to everything. Perhaps Eccl. 3 might bring you some comfort as you make this transition. Prayers!
I'll be over to check on you, friend. Not literally (as in not in your country), but at your blogging address. One of the beautiful gifts of blogging… being able to expand our lives across the seas. Love you.
I am at peace. Praying for yours today.
Hope this weekend brings you a restful pause in the arms and love of Jesus!
The cyber-community is where you and I first connected, and the heart-connection that resulted has been a wonderful blessing. I just love how God brought us together to become sister-friends. Y'all really are family…Bill and I feel so comfortable with all of you whenever we are together.
Bill and I pray for you, Billy, and the kids every day. You know my prayer requests…thanks for interceding on my behalf!
Love you dearly…
So glad to have those who catch us… and who get us! Thank you for reminding me.
Oh Elaine, you hold my head above the water so many times when I feel like I'm going under. Tonight is one of those times. A broken heart….which I can't even explain about right this minute….and knowing there's not a thing I can do about it except put in God's Hands! And why does that not give me the total comfort and peace I seek? I don't know! Something not right in my heart I suspect. Covet your prayers.
Thank you so much for sharing yourself with so many when I have a feeling that sometimes you do it at the same time you'd rather be curled up in the bed with the cover over your head! You're good like that!
Love you friend!
Marilyn
I was just thinking today about having a Barney burger in Mt. Airy. That was a fun weekend… miss you.
~elaine
Let's talk again soon. I'd love to catch up!
Heading to bed… you'll be in my prayers as you are already in my heart.
Loved this one, Elaine.
You know, I've tried to explain to people who don't blog what it's like. In so many ways, they just don't get it. The hardest thing for them to understand is the REAL friendships that are forged through the screen of a computer. To many, the idea of technological communication would be counterintuitive to intimacy.
However, I've found deep friendships through blogging – sisters who really CARE about me and my life. I have been challenged and convicted, uplifted and encouraged, inspired and emboldened by their words, their lives, their HEARTS.
You are one of the people I know with a most beautiful heart.
So here's my *pitch*. My husband and I are in the middle of a life-changing move out of our area. I would so appreciate continued prayers as we handle all the multitude of tasks that clamor to get done. I'm tired, overwhelmed – and I just need rest and peace. (A good back rub would be good, too!!)
GOD BLESS!
Moves can be exhausting, whether literally or emotionally speaking; they can also be times of great strength, encouragement, and faith walking. I'll be praying for you and your husband as the new season of trust unfolds.
I love the way you always listen to my heart dear friend, I am so blessed by your friendship. Please pray for strength in my life, the stroke has weakened my body. I love you. How can I pray for you?
wifeforthejourney:
I may be slow and often out in left field, but its good to catch your writing, better still to live with the pitcher!
Thank you for your faithfulness to keep on sharing the Word, and your own words! You are the best!
Love,
Billy
My sweet friend. I love to come here and read what you have to say. Your words speak to me. I know so many of the words come straight from God to my heart.
My closed doors are mostly with people. I have difficulty making friends, opening myself up to others.
God is working on healing me.
So many times I've found encouragement in your writings, and you know that your words have caught my heart! For so long now I've found it difficult to share my own heart on my blog, and I'm sure you've noticed the posts are few and far between. Of course we have had the joy of grandbabies born, and the excitement of planning for our new home….but at the same time our hearts are heavy over some church and family situations. Tonight my burden is for one of my daughters, and though I can't give details, I ask that you keep her and her family in prayer. I thank the Lord for your 'cyber' friendship.
Elaine….plain and simple, you speak to me! Your ponderings penned in the form of a blog post always minister to my heart! You are speaking my language! His inspiration through your pen or post always hits the bullseye of my heart!! So thank you for faithfully drawing back His bow and releasing His words of love, peace, healing and encouragement!
HE IS FAITHFUL!!
Sweet Blessings!
Jackie
Moving beyond the front door – that's where the heart of this blogging community is – to dialog a give and take – "word catching" and "heart catching" involves connecting – you define the potential of this community so beautifully! My prayer, on my heart, is for my son whose National Guard unit was activated due to the Tornado tragedy – to find God somehow in it all, that faith would grow and not be diminished by the grievous things he has seen and had to do, heart-breaking things, and that somehow as his faith grows it touches those hurting.
Dear Elaine,
This has been a season, since before the new year, a long season of not writing on my blog. I have a desire to write, but don't know what to write at the moment…. so I write in my journal and attempt to work things out with God that are so hard to put into words.
I am so glad that you have been posting links on Facebook, I was drawn in today and it was a good thing – just as I am feeling so "glutted" on the world – the fasting, the loneliness in the desert – all these things have been speaking to me – and I feel this hard pull in me between the things I am longing for, more of God.. something more and can't put my finger on it, and the "how do I do it" in the busyness of my life right now…. the feeling that I am missing out on something big.
Yet God is still speaking to me through Beth Moore's James study, and through my pastor's sermons and I almost feel like I don't know how to respond to Him…
I'm doing great emotionally, had the best ever summer (and fall/winter) with my family that I have ever had. there is so much to celebrate, and I am, but there is more there too that I just can't put my finger on.
Thank you for throwing your words out there my dear friend – you are so appreciated! And I have caught your words, and heart, more times than you know or than I have responded in a comment.
Love to you,
Heather
I love all the words you toss out Elaine…they are pure beauty that comes from your heart and soul. We can all catch each other's words, really, that's what blogging is all about 🙂 Lori
i've always loved the words you throw out. just the other day i was sharing with friends about what you wrote in your "problem of pain" post… how we've all been gifted in some way and our giftings can be applied to the pain in the world. thank you for your words.