Dear Jen (A Little Letter to Jen Hatmaker)

Dear Jen,
I'm much more of a handwritten note type of person. I so would love to write you a letter, just between you and me, to say thank you, to encourage you, to uplift you. But I'd have to be a total creeper to try to figure out a place to send it. And I'm going to refuse to be a creeper. So I'm throwing this up into the internet air and hoping it lands somewhere near you. Not because I haven anything special to say, but just because I want to send a little encouragement your way.

When I saw your tweet that said, "Facebook is where humanity and kindness go to die," I hurried over to your page to see what you wrote (knowing full well whatever you said was needed and good). After reading some of the comments on that post, and remembering some things people said to you months ago on a totally different topic, I just want to say...

Jen, you are a gem, a light, a treasure, a joy.

Your words are needed.

Your challenges to the Church are needed.

You are needed.

I'm so sorry for awful things people say. People say such cruel things. And whats worse, they say cruel things in the name of Jesus. Some conservatives go off on you when you call for the Church to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the streets. Some liberals go off on you for remaining true to the hard teachings of the Bible. Some trolls go off on you for just saying words because they just have no lives.

Don't read the comments, Jen. Don't do it to yourself. If I get all fired up reading some of the crazy stuff people say, I can't imagine what it must do to you. So just avoid them. And rest confidently knowing you are not alone and you are doing much good.

Jen, you keep on preaching the Gospel. Keep sticking to Scripture. Keep being a light in the darkness. You are making a difference in this world for the Kingdom of God. Your unique voice is being used by God to impact many.

I'm cheering you on, sister. And on nights like tonight, know there are many of us linking arms with you, standing beside you and behind you, praying for you. There are many of us so thankful for the words you say.

Keep fighting the good fight, Jen. You fight with beauty, grace, humor, and love. 

Thank you for being you. You are loved and appreciated, respected and prayed for.

Grace and Peace,
Sarah