I have a friend who is writing a book. And she's been getting all kinds of advice on what to title it. I keep telling her that it is her book. Its content is her thoughts, not someone else's. Seems to me, if they want to name a book, they oughta go write their own.
I'm working on a book, too. I've picked its name. And I have my reasons for its title. Some folks will never read my book because it is me who wrote it and they have a preconceived idea of who I am and what I believe. My reputation preceeds me.
I love the name of this blog. I fell in love with my moniker the moment I made it up. I pronounce SelahV the way the French say, that's life, or such is life: C'est la vie. I gave a lot of thought to SelahV Today. Then I started other blogs. And really, none of them completely tell the whole story of who I am. Yet, combined, they paint an abstract picture of Hariette Petersen...Christian, writer, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, Southern Baptist, Political Conservative, and enthusiast for various things. I am interested in the machinations of our country, and the history of my faith.
Some folks who read my various blogs, know me by SelahV, others by Hariette. Some see my passion for sharing encouraging words through Devotional Writing and become fans. Others read an opinionated piece of blather I write and never return. Some folks like what I say, others, not so much. It's okay. That's life. Even I don't like everything I say (I'm still learning). Not every person who reads my writing can know me completely. And often folks can take a pinch of what another is, and make that the sum total of who they are...they do not want to go beyond the "pinch". Sometimes they don't even take a pinch, they take a smidgeon of what another thinks and form an opinion that way.
I'm not always dogmatic or narrow-minded. Nor am I always whimsical and ooey gooey. I state what I know, what I believe about what I know, and sometimes...I speak before I think and say stuff I don't know. I once had someone call me "The Ubiquitous One" in our blogging community. I had to look that one up. I thought. Is he picking on me? I was surprised to discover it's meaning. Who woulda thunk?
I don't think it's possible to actually assign one characteristic to a person and consider it the sum total of who they are. Do you? I know some folks who profess to be Christians with whom I wouldn't want to be associated or linked to as "believers". I know some Republicans who could not possibly speak for me. Shucks, I know some Southern Baptists who don't believe what I believe theologically, philosophically or morally. There are even some very notable people who would never endorse my writing and I wouldn't want them to endorse my writing. "SelahV Today" is life as I see it, today. And for what it is worth, I am happy with it. Even if some folks aren't. You can't please everyone...no matter how hard you try. I've learned that the hard way.
But, you see, I know that the foundation of my blog, the purpose for which I write, is grounded in my faith in an awesome, forgiving, compassionate, long-suffering, merciful God. And when I flub a post, He is there with me...flooding me with His grace to make me a better writer, a better person. I depend on Him. By His name I am called His child. By no other Name do I want to live my life today. selahV
