Someone recently mistook me for Ann Voskamp, of Holy Experience.For a few minutes, this person thought I was that Ann — the Ann — who makes us sigh, ponder, weep.For a short time, I was thought to be the Ann who writes heart-melting, soul-achy prose. The one whose blog is an oasis, a repose.This person thought I was the one who regularly pours out her heart, offering beauty, insight, inspiration.Peace, poetry, poignancy.For a few minutes, someone thought I was that Ann.And then…I realized the misunderstanding.I cleared things up.And I was no longer that Ann.Suddenly, I was only this Ann.And so I wandered over to Holy Experience.Humbled.I meandered through metapher and admired adjectives. Feeling word-poor and image-bleak by comparison, I clicked back to my own speck on the blogosphere. I composed this post.No photos capturing slanting shadows grace the space.No rich content to inspire a deeper faith pours from my spirit at the moment.All I have are a few nouns and verbs. Occasional silliness. A story or two. Nutella.I’m just sitting here thinking.I’m thinking about what makes us who we are.I’m thinking about Ann.This Ann.That Ann.And I’m grateful that that Ann is sharing her gift with us, quietly tapping out all that she sees, pointing us to the Savior, gently recommending hope, prayer, study, love.
You are right about that Ann “O)
But there is also the wonderful human-ness of you, with your gift for words and your ability to inspire! in all areas eg from your MMM to your Nutella “O)
I think that it is the beauty that all of us are different and in those differences we are directed to Him and His amazing beauty and His kindness in giving us all gifts… gee I hope you can understand what I am trying to say.
The only thing we should aspire to is Him! But isn’t it lovely that others can help us to do that…
this Ann or that Ann “O)
“Word-poor and image-bleak”
I’d say that’s how I feel after comparing my work to Holy Experience! But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
After reading her posts I am reminded that my strengths are not in the telling, but in the showing.
I’m glad for both Anns who share their gifts.
Stay the way you are. I enjoy your nouns and verbs and Nutella. You are the right Ann.
So well said! The burden of mistaken identity and writer’s insecurity is wretched. Hate that you had such an encounter.
I haven’t gotten to know That Ann. But I like This Ann. She inspired me to feast on Scripture as a discipline. She was one of the first blogs I followed back in June 2007 when I entered this new world. Her honesty wraps me up all warm and cozy, using all those nouns and adjectives I love. [Words are my friends. I think they have personalities. Sort of like those Little Miss and Little Men characters.]
Anyhow, I’m glad to have This Ann coming to me in regular installments. Please don’t hide the special way you reflect the glory of God. Stoke the fires, girl! Let’s set this world ablaze to magnify Jesus, the Word who says everything better than any of us could. 🙂
i love both anns
i love that they are both His daughters
i love the gentleness, compassion and tenderness that shows on both blogs…the purity….the devotion…just different reflections of the same Papa shining through both…different facets of the same diamond…
I have not been to visit “that” Ann (though I suspect I will be going.) I just wanted to say that I appreciate the inspiration and encouragement that “this” Ann provides.
blessings,
karen
I have not been to visit “that” Ann (though I suspect I will be going.) I just wanted to say that I appreciate the inspiration and encouragement that “this” Ann provides.
blessings,
karen
Well I like “this” Ann quite a bit. She has a unique ability to reveal her heart that beats for the Lord Jesus who has fearfully and wonderfully made her!
Oh, dear. I didn’t think through that this little insecurity-post would result in such kindness from so many.
Thank you.
I’m totally humbled in a different way.
(And a little embarrassed.)
You are so, so sweet, to take the time to tap those sweet words into the comment box–but please know that I wasn’t fishing for compliments and I fear that it might seem that I was.
I think I’ll quickly put up another post and let this one kind of sink down low on the screens…..
Ann, dear friend… oh.
I’m sitting here feeling very, very sad.
I love Ann Kroeker.
I love how Ann Kroeker sparkles. I love how Ann Kroeker dazzles and writes and laughs and thinks and probes deeper. I love the Ann Kroeker I’ve met in this place and hope to someday meet face to face.
I confess: many days, I struggle to even like that other Ann. She’s just a broken one… often overwhelmed… who clears screen and heart space now and then to untangle thoughts.
I think I like you much better.
Much, much better….
Oh, I’m all teary for BOTH of you Anns!!! I wish I had one living on one side of me, and the other on the other side. Because I’m just selfish that way.
We all have a gift to share, and as insecure as I have felt about my own, I love Sarah’s (shepherdsgrace) analogy that we are all facets of the same diamond. Let’s just shine and know that He is pleased.
oops, don’t quite know how that happened…the above comment belongs to me, little old Jenni…from One Thing…