dear Whitney,
Ms. Houston,
I think we owe you a sincere apology.
When we first bought your cassette tapes so many years ago, we were taken in by your voice. The strength and control of every note and the emotion with which you sang was truly captivating. Your voice was described as “timeless” and “flawless”. You gave us perfection and in return we demanded it from you.
Time after time, you delivered what we wanted. We will never forget when you so effortlessly sang the National Anthem at the Super Bowl in 1991. We watched you receive countless awards and cheered for you as we ascended you to a pedestal among other celebrities we esteem.
Then you gave us The Bodyguard, and you stole our hearts with “I Will Always Love You”. No one could hit those notes like you. We, perhaps prematurely, called you a legend. What a voice. What a heavy burden to bear.
What happened next, only those closest to you would be able to explain and understand…or maybe only God knows. The fame and accolades don’t fill the void like we think they will, so we try other things. We make choices with lasting consequences…destructive relationships, drugs, compromise.
The truth is that this void we have is God-given. He made us with a longing to be great, to be enjoyed, and to make an impact. I think in your heart you knew that, but you became known for what you DID and not for simply being a child of God. Your identity was in your songs and not in the sound God put in you.
So, we watched you unravel. We demanded perfection from the voice that could no longer deliver. We were disgruntled customers who wanted our money back, and I don’t think you ever recovered from that. I’m so sorry.
You see, those of us who like to be entertained did not consider your soul. We did not think about your heart that was obviously broken for a very long time. We could have helped to hold your weary arms up. We are selfish, entitled people, and I’m so sorry. You deserved kindness and mercy and a chance to be free and whole, but we did not love you well.
I’m praying that at this moment you are worshiping the One who is the very definition of Mercy and Love. I am grateful that He delivered me before it was too late, and I hope we can all learn from this to extend kindness and forgiveness in the midst of each other’s failures.
Lovingly,
Your Fans
Dear Kelly,
What a blessing to read these loving words from a Christian. So many Christians have shared painful judgmental thoughts towards Whitney. Thoughts that show no resemblance to the love of our sweet Savior.
Thank you Kelly, for being a voice for so many of us who have wanted to reach out in love to the memory of Whitney and to somehow send comfort to her loved ones.
May God use your words to bring comfort and possible clarity of the mind of Christ to those who read them.
One who treasures the love and grace of Christ,
Cindy Leigh
What a beautiful article…
I can only imagine the pressure that these stars are under, when they are yet so young and vulnerable. I wonder how many of them have been told that having a child will ruin their careers… I wonder if Whitney heard that. I wonder if they are forbidden in their contracts from getting pregnant or much less telling about an abortion. I love Whitney for her song, “Miracle” and of course for the inspiration only she could provide in I Will Always Love You, etc. She is surely in peace now.. and has left a most loving message to us here, to not listen to the world’s orders about success or motherhood, but “don’t throw away your miracle”. She is a hero to those of us who have considered doing so…. Kisses.. Anne