May 23, 2017

An Update


Dear Reader,

You may not have noticed, but I've made a few changes to my blog.  For one, my profile photo was very overdue for a change.  As the week goes on, I might make some other slight changes...be forewarned.  ;)  But one of the biggest that I want to share here is that I no longer have an "about me" page.

Why?  Well, I've been thinking about this for a little while.  Do I really need a page talking all about myself?  I know you, as a new friend, might want to know more about me.  Don't fear, you can still read the important details on my sidebar. =)  But because of that change, I added a new page.  One that is very close to my heart.  It's a story of love.  An analogy that has been growing in my heart.  Instead of reading about me and my blog, I want to you read this story.  Read about redemption, His love, and our Ransom.

But here's a quick preview if you're interested.  =)


Once Upon a Time, there was a beautiful land ruled by the King and His Son.  The country was free from famine, doubt, and fear, although evil lurked in the mountains far to the west.  The King guarded his people wisely, caring for them as a father to his son.  He loved them.

When pestilence came to a distant land, the King opened his arms wide to accept the battered strangers.  They poured in by the thousands – torn, tired, and ragged.  One in particular, a shabby orphan girl, caught the Prince’s attention.  She was not beautiful; her clothes were mere rags.  But the Prince loved her and waited for the right time to show her His affection.  She was foreign without the typical light complexion and gentle smile of the Kingdom’s citizens.  Lines creased her forehead and her hair was matted down her back.  Despite her appearance, the Prince waited, yearning for her to return his warmth, his love.

But she didn’t.

The girl was brought into the village, fed, clothed, and cared for.  Without parents to guard her, she was vulnerable.  Thus, the King showed her special favor, watching out for her tenderly.  But the feelings were not mutual.

As enemies from the west stormed into the country, the maiden exchanged grace for treason.  She joined the enemy and gave them vital information to the castle’s security.  Her heart turned black and twisted.

Who could trust one like her?  As the King and his Son once again returned peace to the nation, the enemy carried her away to the west.  They mistreated her.  They beat her without mercy.  They tore her heart and trampled her soul.  And finally she was left in a dark dungeon as her life blood poured out onto the ground.  Her eyes closed, her breath became shallow.  But worse than that was the horror and scars.  She had betrayed a friend and received her due.

But as the sun set one last time on her horizon, her swollen lips opened with a final plea.

“Help me.”

It wasn’t a demand for justice.  As a babe reaching out to her father, her heart yearned for someone she could trust.  Someone who would love her.  Tears raced down her blood-stained cheeks.

“Help me.”

The words echoed through the dungeon, mocking her as she sank back against the cold stones.  Her strength was gone.  The color faded from her cheeks as the moon rose high above the defensive castle walls.  There were no stars to lighten the darkness of night.

But her words were not lost.  They traveled on the wind past the western mountains.  Still they carried on, until a Prince in a castle far away heard them.

He heard them.  And the plea touched His heart.

Read more here.


What else is coming up on Having a Heart Like His?

On Friday, I am posting a movie review before we jump into a new topic that is one that I struggle with at times... and I think many of you might as well.  I hope to see you next Tuesday for the first of that series.  =)

I love you all!  Keep living for our Savior and Prince.  ♥

14 comments:

  1. Oh, my heart! I love this analogy already, and it feels so personal because this is my story. I love to think about how Jesus never saw me even at those times as the beautiful daughter I would become. I think back to those miserable days and imagine Him watching me, longing for me, excited that soon, very soon, the fire of grace would set my heart blaze. Oh, how wonderful His love is!
    And also, Hosanna, if you haven't heard the song "What A Beautiful Name" by Hillsong Worship, I think you'd love it! It's so lovely :)

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    1. Sorry, I didn't mean to say "never" in the third sentence!

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    2. Oh yes, Delilah! This analogy was so personal to me too... because the maiden is me. I fail so many times, but He never gives up on me. Our lives are wonderful, beautiful stories that only He could write. And how reassuring to realize that our futures are in His hands... we wait for His return and to see His glorious face with our own eyes. ♥

      I've heard that song, but it is a lovely reminder. I'm listening to it right now - thank you! His Name is indeed beautiful. ♥

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  2. Ohh I love this so much, Hosanna! Your words are so beautiful and this is a gorgeous analogy. Thank you for writing this -- I'm sure it will touch others. <3

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    1. Katie, I'm glad you enjoyed it... and I pray that it does touch others! I love the quote that says, "the pen is mightier than the sword"... and I believe it's true. We can use our words to make a difference if we are living for Him alone. ♥ Your novel was encouraging for me to beta read those months ago - keep writing for our Savior, Katie!

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  3. MAN I've never really thought that way about having an about me page on my blog...HOWWWW ARE YOU SO THOUGHT PROVOKING?? <333
    (oh and btw I flailed about your new tab in my comment on your last post ;))
    I can't WAIT to see your Friday post!!!
    -Ariel

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    1. Oh, but Ariel, it wasn't me that thought of it at all! Another friend actually shared her thoughts with me about "about me" pages... but I never felt like it was the right time for me to change mine until now. =) So really, it's just one teen girl challenging another... and I hope you are able to be a shining light to those around you as well!! =) Isn't it an amazing blessing?!

      You are the sweetest. ♥

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  4. What a beautiful analogy, Hosanna! You have a gift for crafting words like that. <3
    I've often felt the same way about about pages, and have been wondering if I could do mine differently. Your idea is lovely, and I know God is pleased with how you seek to honor Him in everything. ♥
    Looking forward to reading your next posts! =)

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    1. Thank you so much, Emily. ♥ And it might encourage you to know that I looked at your blog for inspiration in doing my own pages... I really appreciate that your "about" page is so Christ-centered. It's waaaay too easy to fall into selfishness and want to promote yourself. (trust me, I know from experience!) I love that you are resisting that so well in your blog. It is very encouraging to see you honoring Him with your words. =)

      Again, thank you! I appreciate your kind words.

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  5. I'm just piping in late, as seems my custom lately, to say: wow. I really, really, like the idea of not having an about me page, and what you've replaced it with is so precious and beautiful. It makes the whole redemption story intensely personal. You did an excellent job of sharing the story of Love! And I've said it before, but I have to say it again: your heart to serve God is so inspiring and encouraging. I'm so blessed by your blog and interactions in the blogging world! :)

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    1. Aw, thank you so, so much, Jessica! Your words are very encouraging. Over the last few months it's like I've been able to "see" Jesus differently... perhaps as a real, personal Savior instead of a distant God we follow "just because." Ezekiel 16 (a very detailed and mature passage despite the beauty twined within... just to warn you) made this story come alive for me, and God put it into my heart. We were so helpless before He saved us. Ezekiel writes that God said, "'Live!' I made you thrive like a plant in the field; and you grew, matured, and became very beautiful." So... I suppose what I'm wanting to say is that it's all God! I can't do anything on my own. We can't do anything on our own. He's so wonderful. ♥♥

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  6. Hosanna, you wrote this more than a week ago, but I read it for the first time just now. It's beautiful! <3 What a heart-wrenching and heart-*warming* picture of the uncontainable, relentless love of Jesus, our Savior and our Lord. Thank you!

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, Jordy. This story is so close to my heart. I'm thankful that God allowed the idea to grow in my mind and gave me inspiration for it. It's blessed me so much to see Christ's beautiful love in a fresh, personal way, and I hope it encouraged you as well. ♥

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  7. Beautifully written story Hosanna! And even more beautiful is what it represents! Christ's love for us is so beautiful and sacrificial, how can we not show love?

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