Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Response for my anonymous friend..

Here is a comment I got....
"I really appreciate that you are attempting to bring ohthers to God and let others know, in the process how closely you follow the Bible. But is it not hypocritical of you to tell others how to live when you yourself are not completely truthful about your own walk? How can you witness to others to "be patient and Pray for you perfect mate as you did, when you and your husband were both engaged to others when you met? How do you call that being patient? Please explain this to me and all of your other readers. If you do not then that just proves to me that you are hiding things and are not as perfect as you portray yoursef. Waiting to see if you are brave and truthful enough to pint this. "
My response to this bizarre comment is...
We weren't both engaged to others when we met.
I am not sure where you are coming from and I am sorry if I have offended you somehow BUT for the record, we met 3 years after our engagements ended. I DID pray and wait on him.
I am far from perfect though.
I am clinging to God's grace in my life every second. Your accusations in your other comment have accomplished their mission to hurt me. There is just one accusation I want to clear up... I didn't marry Tim for money- just sex.

29 comments:

Keri said...

That is a weird comment, Steph. Thanks for posting it and hang in there. I have never heard (read?) you imply that you were perfect. In fact, I still refer back to your post on "repentence," several months ago. I love that you share your heart. Don't let this discourage you.
Love, Keri

Anonymous said...

Dear anonymous...As a dear friend of both Tim and Steph, I can assure you that their relationship was Godly and pure even when they met.
How can I say this? I met Tim when he first moved to town and we quickly became friends. He, my future husband, and 2 other girl friends all became very quick friends with relationships that were centered on Christ. I spent almost every meal with one or more of the "gang" for years and I can vouch that Tim was not engaged when he met Steph. I specifically remember when he came to my apartment one evening and told me that he had met "HER." My to-be-husband also had the honor of being Tim's dinner guest as Tim brought Steph over for dinner for the 1st time. He wanted to honor her and wanted her to meet his friends. My husband came home and immediately said "she's the one".

The relationship was amazing, Godly, and quick. They knew and we knew. Tim never looked back after he met Steph. I was honored to sit at their wedding a few months later while my husband was honored as a groomsman. They in turn sat as an honored couple at our wedding just 3 months later. Their love, since they met, has been and will always be for each other and I am so thankful to be able to watch their love for (first of all...)Christ and then each other, and their precious attention to Godliness with their boys. I am also humbled as I watch Steph suffer yet find hope and peace in all that she has been through - whether rushing Bubba to the ER during a seizure, becoming pregnant with Lake while taking meds for her illness and then selflessly coming off of those meds to make sure her child came first. Please don't doubt her love for Christ and for others. Yes, we are all sinners in need of a Savior, we are all imperfect - but these two are the real deal. I love them both and pray that Steph's blog is not impacted by your misunderstandings. Cherie

Sandi said...

That was weird. Even if you were engaged to others, that is a big difference than a marriage. When Mr right comes. HE COMES!

Why does this person want to give you grief? Don't let her/him get to you!

Bravo for addressing it!

Angela said...

I almost peed my pants at your last comment.

As far as I'm concerned, you have nothing to prove, but I'm glad you posted the coward's comment.

Andrew was so excited to see mail from Mr. Tim today, by the way!

LOVE YOU, GIRL!! Check your mailbox soon..... :)

The Barnetts said...

I love the last comment Steph...I married Tim for sex. That gave me a good belly laugh! Too perfect. Don't worry about this at all!

Jill said...

Oh I am so glad you are not perfect because how could we be friends? And oh, the whole married for money or sex part, glad you picked sex. It aint the dollars that keep one warm at night. Or that take really pretty pictures. Sorry about the comment. Don't let it ruin your time with your boys.

Erin Southwell said...

Steph, I am proud to know you through your blog. I have never thought of you as trying to portray yourself as perfect, quite the opposite, you are so open in your walk and transparent in your relationship with God-when it is easy and when it is a struggle. I am sorry that someone hurt you-to God be the Glory in all our struggles!

Erin:)

Mama Fish said...

Good grief- That is just plain weird! And quite frankly since I've been reading your posts I have seen you share how imperfect you are... and that apart from Christ living in you, you can do nothing. "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength". Remember all that HE is doing in your life, family and through your blog.

Jackie

Nicole said...

Stephanie, isn't it sad that people like this ruin our happy blog world?? Unfortunately people envy those they are jealous of instead of just striving to be better themselves. I am sorry hurtful things were said to you. I know how upsetting it is.

From someone who knew you (although not in a good way since we seemed to be on opposite sides of the fence in high school) and I can say for certain that you have grown so much and I myself could (and have) learned so much just from reading your blog. So keep that in mind...how many lives you are touching and having a positive impact on.

And just for the record, I don't think any of us in blog land try to appear perfect...sometimes pictures and words just seem that way!!! ;)

LeslieTummel said...

O might have to agree that your pics are perfectly done and your family is beautiful, but I have never heard you say that you're perfect! And who cares what the circumstances were when you met Tim? I was seriously dating someone else when I met Josh, but I knew immediately that he was "the one" and broke the other relationship off. You have your perfect man...don't let a moron's comment get to you. Have a Merry Christmas and let him/her wallow in his miserableness! I love your new header pic, by the way! :)

loveteam said...

Don't let this comment hurt you!! I think when other people see what is real and authentic "love" of God and Family, they crave it. It sounds like envy, not criticism.
Keep up the awesome blogging!

Loveteam

The Osborne Family said...

You encourage so many people in their walk with Christ through your blog! My mom always asks "Have you read Stephanie's new post yet?" She and I both have loved listening to all of Mark's teachings on the end times! Keep it up woman--you inspire me every day!

Mary T said...
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Stephanie said...

WHAT?!!? I thought you married me for the money! I feel so used. Tim

gillian said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE your new header picture! so sorry the anonymous commenter hurt you, forget them! you're doing His work by sharing yourself and your faith on your blog, thank you.

Heather said...

LOL at your last sentence!! You go girl, you deserve good sex AND good money! I know we've never met, Stephanie, and we may walk different paths through this world but I have a lot of respect for you and none for someone who would anonymously try to tear anyone down. Hold your head high. Jealousy presents itself in so many destructive ways. Try to brush it off! ((hugs))

Molly said...

Stephanie,

I have a parenting question that I would love your thoughts on. Some of my friends here in S.C. have been discussing this recently. Our children are all a little younger than yours (my oldest is 3 1/2). From what I see on your blog, I think you are a FANTASTIC mom and I really appreciate your posts about home schooling and training your children in God's way. Anyway, I was wondering how you introduced Jesus's death on the cross to your children. Understanding the importance and meaning of Jesus' death is pinacle but it's a difficult concept to factually introduce to a little one who doesn't even have a real idea about death (we haven't had any family or friends die). I really want her to see the beauty in the event and not be scared by the story. As you may agree, three year olds in particular have wild imaginations and it doesn't take much to send them into a tails spin. Anyway, I know you are really busy and you may not have time to answer. God's peace to you and your family.

Stephanie said...

Blog 1-
I love the question! Send me your email address and I will try and come up with a good answer.
tsblackiston@comcast.net

jord,ali,hal,kam and grae too! said...

I am so glad I didn't comment this morning when I first read the post. I was so upset and old emotions surfaced for myself. I will never understand why questions like that aren't a private question for some people. Here is someone who chooses not to tell you who they are but feels as though they know you or your life well enough to make an accusation intended to hurt and humiliate you and your family. I will never understand this. I was one of those people who didn't wait for that one true person..didn't listen to god....I married the wrong person, had a child I love dearly with that person and portrayed a life that was not true. When I finally found the courage to leave I was chastised by MANY and lost several friends for choosing to change my life and my daughters future. It was the most hurtful time in my life. I find myself not in the exact same path as you mostly because I don't understand the lord as well as you have come to and are continuing to. But I know that I made all the right choices for my daughter and myself which have led me to the life I am leading now. A life I am proud of with a man who the moment I met I knew was the person I should have waited for. When I read this today it dredge all those old feelings up for me and I wanted to give you a hug. Because even if it had been true...WHY exactly does it matter? You have a great life..a great husband and family and are happy and following a god you believe in and are living for. I will tell my daughter those same words to pray and wait for the one man who is meant for her. That doesn't make me a hypocrit. It means I have lived a life where I have learned valuable lessons that I hope to be able to teach someone else. NOT that I am perfect and right....So bless you for posting this comment and responding even though I personally feel that whatever path you took to get you to where you are is not a place for anyone to judge and certainly not with such hurtful intent.

Mary T said...
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Stacy said...

I just wanted to say that you encourage me to dig deeper into the Scriptures every time I read your blog.

I truly respect the love you have for the Word of God and your desire to instill that love in others.

Blessings!

*Lasha said...

I don't know you or your family; I found you through Tiffany Sipe's blog (who used to be my boss). I just felt like I should comment on here and say that I don't care how you and Tim met, what was going on in your lives at that time, or if you married him more for the sex or money (haha)...I love your blog. I get on here everyday to see if you have updated. Your family is gorgeous and you all always appear to be so happy and having so much fun. Don't let one comment ruin your day or how you look at your blog; there are many more who think your blog is just wonderful!!

Nicole said...

Love your header too! Did you take it yourself with a tripod or have some help?? I have been dying to have one like that or like the one in your sidebar with you and Tim on the sofa and the boys in front.

VIC said...

Stephanie, I love your new Merry Christmas Pic! Reece's little grin is too cute! You Blackistons are great!

Leah said...

Good for you girl! The way that you and Tim came together is between you, Tim and God. Who should say anything about the timing of it, even if your were engaged. Is God's timing not PERFECT? We have had our fair share of "judgement" on the timing of our own marriage, just let it roll off your back. And, the sex comment is sooo funny! Had to read it to Bryan! Love to you and Tim!

staciet said...

Hey Steph,
As your sister who has known you since you were born, I feel like I can vouch for you here! Steph was not engaged, or even close to being engaged, when she met Tim. I said at their rehearsal dinner that Tim could not be more perfect for my sister, and I think that even more so after their 7 (?) years of marraige. So whoever this anonymous person is, you have no idea what you are talking about and I would love to know why you would say slanderous and untrue things about someone who only has honorable intentions in expressing her love for her family and Christ.
Love ya Steph,
Stacie

Tara said...

Love your last comment on this post - lol! You two love birds are a great example of what God intended for marriage. Thanks for all the awesome posts on godly living & for sharing your life & family on this blog - I love coming here!

Love the new Christmas picture! :)

Kristin said...

Steph - I have made SO many mistakes in my life and YOU have brought me to a much better place in my spirituality. I have so much more to learn and understand, but I want to thank you for all that you have done so far in my life...
I do not understand - like so many others - why this person would make such accusations. Not ONCE did I ever think you were acting like you are perfect. You are very humbled and have helped me in that aspect as well. You are an inspiration to SO many people.
In such a short time, I have come to love you and all that you have done and accomplished. You are a WONDERFUL wife, mother, leader and so much more.
XOXOX

Anonymous said...

Stephanie...As an avid reader, but not always a commentor (sp?)..I appreciate your blog. I think you are so Inspiring.

As Christians I think we should be uplifting and encouraging to everyone. People can tell Christians by the fruit they bear..

I personally get a blessing everytime I come here, and I always learn something new! We all fall short from Grace, no one is perfect..but I think your a terrific example of a christian...