Sooner!
This goes in the file of “I wish I had known about this sooner, it’s cool.”
I was getting ready to share about Bluetree’s new CD coming out on March 1 — “God of this City” with a new verse and some cool other tracks are on it. But then I got this from my friend Rob, who has a real heart for touching the searching:
Phil and all,
Today, the day before Valentines Day, has been chosen as a day for everyone to wear their shirts with the slogan “To Write Love on Her Arms”. The organization website is at this URL:
http://www.twloha.com/page.php?id=6
My daughter Astrid became interested in this web site after finding it referenced in blogs on an art website. It is basically an organization targeting teenagers and young adults who feel alienated and unloved, to emphasize their personal worth, and that no one is beyond love or redemption. Be sure and read the vision statement. It is very simple: “The vision is that we actually believe these things …” Some of the testimonials on YouTube are pretty moving and very authentic. Astrid bought her shirt from “Hot Topic” at the mall.
The day before Valentines Day was chosen because it is a day when the unloved feel it acutely. ”To Write Love on Her Arms” is trying to make sure those people know that they, too, as valuable and loved. The name comes from the practice of self mutilation that depressed people sometimes practice. The idea is that instead of mutilation, one should write “love” instead (an oblique reference to Isiah 49:16).
Astrid knows a lot of kids who need this kind of encouragement. She dug her TWLOHA shirt out of the dirty clothes hamper. She then had me smell it (after all, what are Dad’s for, really?). After I passed it for stinkiness, Astrid wore it to school to advertise to others, that they are not alone.
So who is your valentine going to be? … who needs to hear from you they are important?
TWLOHA!
Every one needs to be told they are loved or given a hug at times. One person we know for sure loves us no matter what is our heavenly Father.
Lets send him a big hug for Valentine day .I think he would love to know we love him every single day.
Betty R Aikens
13 Feb 09 at 4:33 pm
I read this blog, and I went to the website, and it brought back memories. Although I wasn’t a drug user at the time, I had a problem with self-worth. I felt unlovable. I had been through two bad marriages, Ihad miscarried with my 2nd child, and I was going through my 2nd divorce. I tried several times to take my life-I wanted to die. Really.
My sister’s mother-in-law came to me and told me that if I needed a ride to church, that she would come and get me, just let her know. I had heard of Jesus, because my grandparents were Christians, but this was the first time anyone had ever invited me to church. So I went. I called “Gladys” and asked her if she would pick me up the next Sunday. She said she would, and sure enough there she was on Sunday morning to take me to church. Ther I found Jesus. There, I found love. I was who I was, and Jesus already knew me. I didn’t have to explain myself-I didn’t need an excuse. He just wanted me to come to Him so that He could love me in a way that only He can. I don’t try to understand it. I just accept it and that is what has sustained me all these years. I love my family-yes that’s true. But, the truth is, sometimes I feel alone, even when I’m with my family. It takes Jesus to remind me that I am never alone, and that I am loved.
So, when we are in church, let us not just go through the motions-really. Let us try to connect with someone-saved, or not-and make the connection. We are the light of the Gospel of Christ. Someone out there needs the light. Saved or not.
Deborah Butler
16 Feb 09 at 10:28 am