We Are Published Authors and Photographers! Does it Matter?

To my Facebook friends and family I want to say how thankful I am that God gave me you for going on 10 years now. You have brought so much joy to me as I’ve come to know you more because of your posts and photos that gave me the opportunity to share your good times with you, and you also gave me the privilege to pray for you and stand with you in times of greatest need. Most of all, I'm so thankful for those of you who are conquerors through some of life's toughest stuff and I witnessed it via your posts. You encouraged all of us. We "liked" and "loved" your posts and we celebrated with you when you had great victories! 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says "Encourage each other to build each other up, just as you are already doing."

Here's a great Facebook story that explains what I'm saying. The first photos here are of Michael Douglas Anderson and Delight Anderson's twin baby girls that were born 6 weeks early on March 31st. That was the beginning of their “Anderson Twins” FB Group Page that we were able to follow them daily on "FB Live" or see their posts and photos of great progress or the times when extra prayers were needed, Many of us did pray for them. We watched Mike and Delight push through those ominous days when fear could have consumed them, but instead, they stayed positive in faith that their little girls would survive. And the best news is that they are thriving today.

They lived out loud for us to watch what it means to trust God in the midst of storms. Their photos from their birth in April to today are here. Were those just "photos" or were they the signposts of God's tender mercies that they will always look back on and remember God's faithfulness?

Then there were the photos of dear friends in Tulsa, Terry Clancy and Debi Caruthers Clancy – whose home blew up, literally, from an oxygen tank explosion that burned their home and so much World War II memorabilia, classic records and many family treasures. Today you see this couple resilient, determined, Debi – facing two more surgeries from the explosion, but you would hear them thanking God for the many miracles that happened. For example, God's mercies were with them as they and their grandson, Aiden (pictured here), survived the explosion. Another was that a neighbor they had never met before or seen since, that urged them to move their cars from their driveway. Because of that encounter -- they still have their cars, unscathed. And, they would tell you, they are still here because of their faith and their church family that surrounded them with love and support.

So, don’t tell me Facebook isn’t a worthwhile social media place -- at least when it comes to being determined to "speak the good, believe for good, and do good to others". For those folks, and for me – social media (i.e., Facebook) has brought me encouragers, cheerleaders and friends that have walked out my faith journey with me. My FB family and friends have supported and encouraged me in ways that have lifted my morale, my self-esteem, my faith and my vision. Your acts of kindness have helped keep me strong and joy-filled – just knowing I was hearing God’s voice clearly when He told me that my mission field is social media and specifically, Facebook – and to strive for a daily post that lifts Him and His people up. I’ve kept my promise. That’s why you’ll see me every day right here on Facebook – as close to 6 am Central time as possible. I punch in on God's "time clock" every day.

Did you know you're a published author if you post on Facebook or any other form of social media? Does your Facebook and/or other social media platforms reflect the man or woman you hope to be remembered as? Do your words and photos make a difference in other people's lives? I like to think that whatever we do, whatever we say, and how we live, is a reflection of not just who we are, but WHOSE we are. Maybe it's time for us to step up our attitudes, our role modeling and our strengths in times of great joys as well as in times of great sorrows. What if the words we say and the actions we take save a life, lift up or encourage someone? What if we are lights in someone’s darkness. We can be. Maybe we can turn a new leaf -- rather a new post that really, really matters!