Happy Warrior For Christ

So it’s no secret that I’ve been stuck. I went back to see how many posts I published in 2023 and it was around 200. Of those, 51 were Scripture posts. While they are certainly important, they are not original other than my selecting a photo to go with the Scripture passage and choosing which version of the Bible to use that day. There were some recipes. There were posts that I updated and republished. There were many posts about my printable products. Numerous posts about why I wasn’t blogging which included both the legitimate demands of home and lack of inspiration. There were some audio posts. And there were posts from my other website that I moved over here this month. But there wasn’t much that I would consider great content I’m really proud of as a writer.

On December 8 I published A New Website Name – The Faithful Christian Woman. I lost a whole bunch of subscribers when I did that. Apparently being a faithful Christian woman was not appealing to them. I found that quite interesting.

And then I wrote very little. I didn’t like the new name because it felt stifling. Even though I tried to keep it broad enough to not get pigeon-holed, it felt limiting. So I didn’t really write. I didn’t send out emails. I felt trapped.

I mentioned in a podcast on my other site how much I appreciated many of the conversations that came out of the No Quarter November that Canon Press did this year (and does each year). I enjoy it because I am wired in many ways like the men and women who make up that extended network of Christians. I understand the appeal of the Moscow Mood which was much talked about and critiqued during November (but I didn’t get to allow myself the freedom to write about in real time). Does that mean I agree with everything that comes out of Canon Press and Moscow? Of course not. But that doesn’t stop me from appreciating they are one of the few Christian groups in America actually standing up to the cultural zeitgeist at this time. And they are having fun while doing it.

Here’s why it appeals to me in the big picture.

At heart, I’m a happy warrior. If you aren’t familiar with that term, it comes from a poem by William Wordsworth. You can go here if you want to read the poem and a short written analysis: “Character of the Happy Warrior”.

But it’s not just the poem. Caroline and I read aloud through the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) this fall. Without being irreverent, doesn’t it seem to you that Jesus was a happy warrior while doing His earthly ministry? If you read through that poem analysis, you’ll understand my point. Obviously a poem written by a fallen man will never capture the fullness of Jesus Christ. Wordsworth wasn’t even trying to describe Jesus. But I see many similarities there.

What about the Proverbs 31 woman? Does she seem to represent a happy warrior? Think about that poem analysis and then read Proverbs 31 again: Morning Hope – Proverbs 31:10-31.

I like being around happy warriors. I enjoy reading posts written by happy warriors. I prefer listening to podcasts and watching videos of happy warriors. These aren’t people who deny reality or try to hide from it. Just the opposite. They see reality for what it is, but are able to push forward as happy warriors rooted in their faith in Christ. They live their life for God and try to assist their fellow earthly travelers.

Almost exactly a year ago I wrote “I was born for the storm, and a calm does not suit me.” What I wrote there was true and is still true.

Do you already see yourself as a happy warrior? Or is there a happy warrior hidden in you waiting to come out?