Stories by Firefly! : 13 Reasons Why || Choose to Stay

Welcome, folks...to the next-to-last post in the 13 Reasons Why tour. I can't say enough how amazed I've been by the number of people who showed up and spoke out in support of the tour and these books. May God be glorified. <3

Today, we're sharing R2Ls that all of you have shared over the past twelve days. Read through these and be reminded all over again how beautiful life is and just how much you matter. Even more R2Ls are being spotlighted on Kate's blog. <3

Kaitlyn Krispense, Author

|| Reasons to Live

Family. You see, your family most likely cares and suicide doesn’t just take the person’s life, it takes the life of a family.

- Abigail Harris

Colour. The vibrancy of red. The depth of blue. The lushness of green. The serenity of lavender. The cheer of yellow. There are so many beautiful and amazing couleurs that surround us every day. They have me in awe. Stop and appreciate the colour in your life for a minute.

- Katja Labonte

To see another sunset and another sunrise.

- Angela Watts

My R2L for today would be America. Seriously, we live in the greatest nation on earth! Sure we have our problems, but you can have a chance to change that! We are the freest nation in the world and you know what? As a whole, we care about what happens to you! Because you are a part of our people. You matter. God put you here for such a time as this! What are you called to do for the betterment of America (or your home country?) People are willing to die for her...you should be willing to live for her

- Ryana Lynn Miller

Stories. Stories are everywhere. Everyone’s life is a story. Every book is a story. Every building has a story. And God writes the best, most mind-blowing stories ever.

- Katja Labonte

Seeing happy dogs while out in town.

Funnel cakes during festival seasons.

- Angela Watts

A reason to live is laughter. God has given us laughter to cheer us up from even the darkest places. Have you ever heard that laughter is the cure for anything? I believe it is. I don’t mean just a slight chuckle I mean a full out, belly hurting, laugh. I know that no matter how I’m feeling if something happens – or someone says something – that is hilarious, I am out of my mood instantly just because of laughing. God wants us to have joy and be happy. He wants us to have laughter in our lives. Don’t punish yourself by not laughing. You will find that it is amazing how much laughter helps.
- Abigail Harder

Smiles. Dimpled smiles, broad smiles, smirking smiles, happy-tears smiles, baby smiles, loving smiles, how-do-you-do smiles, welcoming smiles, I-love-you-so-much smiles. So many smiles.

Laughter. There is so much humour in life. Laugh. Enjoy it. The smallest things can make you giggle—don’t smother it or feel ashamed or childish. God gave us laugher for a reason.

- Katja Labonte

The one reason to live I'm going to share is Jesus Christ. Think of it, He made the ultimate sacrifice so you could live! Jesus made a way for sinners like us to have L i f e . Jesus is our reason to live because He has made a way for us. He has a reason and purpose for us to live. And He loves us so much!

- Brooklyne

A JOB TO DO. There is an endless list I could give as reasons to live, and why I live, but I picked this one because it’s powerful. We as Christians have a job to do, and we as breathing, living, humans have a job to do. There is not just a reason to live, but a REASON YOU ARE ALIVE. There is a PURPOSE to your life and no human was ever brought into this world by mistake. You were molded and formed and named in your mother’s womb and whether you know God now or never have yet, He has created you with fingers of love and He knew that the world could not get along without you. So LIVE. Fill your role. Love the people around you, work hard, and never, ever doubt the fact that you are IMPORTANT.

- Libby May

Choose life today because you are alive! God has gifted you with life, and you woke up breathing and living. He wants you here, on this earth, for some purpose of His. It's not for you to decide when to leave this life; you didn't create yourself. It's up to the Creator Himself. Yes, life may be painful right now, and you may be struggling with things no one in this world can understand. But that doesn't give you liberty to escape this life -- it means that God has promised us trials and he has also promised to make us stronger through them if we endure to the end.
- Kaitlyn S.

Hoop earrings. Rhinestone rings. Ruffles and lace. Your favourite skirt. Those little accessories and outfits you love. The things that make you smile when you put them on.

- Katja Labonte

My parents. They are the best and I seriously don’t know what I’d do without them. They’re always there for me. <3

- RebekahAshleigh

Here’s the short version of things: We’ve all been in dark places, and in a dark world, we’ll keep going there. But you are not the only person on this planet. You are not the only person who’s struggling. You are not alone. Suicide is not your last resort; don’t let it be your last resort, because no matter how lonely you seem or feel, if you’re reading this, there’s someone out there who will weep over your death. Please don’t take your own life when it could cause another to make the same decision. Please don’t take your own life when you could be helping someone else with theirs. Life will try to get the better of you. But, and I’m quoting Abbie Emmons here: “When life knocks you down… get up.” People can and will relate to you if you let them. And also… always be a happy camper.

- Merie Shen

Dreams. Goals. Plans. Aspirations. Desires. Making us push and rewarding us. Stepping out in faith, holding God’s hand. Surrendering to His call. Accepting His plan.

- Katja Labonte

Late night conversations with the stars.

- Angela Watts

|| R2L

Today's reason to live is: You. Are. So. Loved. More than you will ever be able to understand or comprehend, you are loved. The God of the universe give His only child for you—an unfathomable love we will never be able to fully grasp the magnitude of. And there are people on this earth, right now, who care about you. Who are thinking about you. Who love you. So please. Stay. You are wanted here. <3