A Message to My Readers

According to my blog statistics, Aunt Dara’s Christian Advice Column has been read by multiple thousands of readers in over a hundred nations in every continent in the world except Antarctica.  I recognize that cultures differ and am aware that communication can be misinterpreted when cultures or religious denominations differ.  I must always keep this in mind when responding to letters.

I receive several letters each month.  Sometimes it may take a year or more before a letter and my response is published, and many letters are never published.  Usually I have multiple contact with the writers via e-mails before publishing their letters.  Often the letters that are published are condensed versions of the original or summaries of multiple communications with the writer.  My policy regarding publishing of letters and responses is contained in the Privacy Policy / Disclaimer which can be found at the bottom of each page on my website.  The Privacy Policy / Disclaimer has not been modified since this website was established on December 20, 2010.

When I receive a letter, I never send a response until after I have devoted time to pray about it—perhaps only a day or two, but in some instances I have prayed for up to two weeks.  My prayer is always to be sensitive to the needs of the writer and to convey to the writer the things that God would want them to know.  Sometimes I preface my response with an acknowledgment that what I have to say may be hard to hear.  However, it is never my intention to be insensitive or hurtful in anything that I say. 

My readers should always keep in mind that this is a Christian advice column that strives to answer questions from a biblical perspective.  The published information about me clearly states that I believe in traditional Christian values and morals, and I believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God.  Therefore, my replies may not be popular or politically correct, especially in certain cultures, and I realize that there will always be those who will disagree with some of my responses. 

That being said, I would like to address the person who wrote me a particularly scathing comment, and asking if this is for real or a satire blog.  I have taken your comments to heart.  Your message increased my awareness that just because I think that I am following God's leading in my replies, I still could be mistaken.  However, you were mistaken in your assumptions about the situation of the person who wrote to me.  This person is doing well and her situation has greatly improved since my initial contact with her.  I appreciate your comments, but your condemnation was not deserved.  I am not perfect.  I don’t know everything.  I make mistakes.  Sometimes I may even give inappropriate responses or bad advice, but my intention is to help and never to harm.  There will always be people who disagree with my responses, but before you criticize me so harshly, remember that you do not have all the information.

God bless,

Aunt Dara