Sorry it's been a little quiet around here ...
First there was a bad cold the week before Christmas that put me down for several days.
Next was a flurry of activity in preparation for a family Christmas in Tennessee.
And then it was five fun-filled days enjoying Christmas in TN.
After that (and actually, by the last two days of our vacation), my cold relapsed.
And then the New Year came, with me still blowing me nose and feeling sick.
Finally, I went to the doctor and got antibiotics for a sinus infection (no wonder I still wasn't feeling well!)
So now it's January 12th. My sinus infection and cold have finally cleared up. I had a couple good days, but now again, I'm still not feeling 100%, probably because illness can set off my chronic health symptoms.
When I don't write on my blog for a while, it calls to me, "Chris! You've been ignoring me!" And I feel disappointed with myself because I'm "supposed" to be posting but I just don't feel like it or have the mind to.
Which has led to several days of thinking and praying about my blog. Should I continue? Should I give it up, so I don't feel like I'm failing when I don't post very often? Should I just blog whenever I can, and not worry about it when I don't?
And also, what is my purpose in blogging? I'd been a reader of blogs long before I started my own. Which is why I started mine, because I like how the blog-world connects people of like minds. I thought it would be fun to share some of my self and my world. However, I enjoy blogs have a more specific focus than "here's what happened this week"; so I'd like mine to go beyond that also.
I've tried not to focus too much on my health issues, because I didn't want to come across as complaining, or woe-is-me. I haven't posted much about homeschooling either because I don't feel like we do anything spectacular or out of the ordinary that would be of great interest or help to other homeschoolers.
Yet, homeschooling and my health are a huge part of my life; they are my life. Again, that leaves me wondering about my purpose in blogging. What might God desire of my blogging? If I post more about my health struggles and somehow managing to homeschool in spite of them, can I do it in a way that God could use to be encouraging to other moms in a similar boat?
Parenting and being a mom was also a big struggle for me for the first several years. Should I go back and sift through the lessons I learned along the way, and share those? Perhaps that could be helpful to younger moms? But then I doubt myself, that I don't really have anything "worthy" enough to say that hasn't already been heard. And there are much better writers out there anyway.
Any thoughts? Or feedback? I guess I'm in limbo here, and need to continue seeking what God thinks about my blog. Because that's the real purpose.
7 comments:
Hi Chris -- I totally get what you're saying. I went through the same thing, wondering what my purpose in blogging was/is. That was part of my taking a "sabbatical" as I realized blogging was becoming sort of an idol for me, and I was feeling so pressured that it was distracting me from mothering and homeschooling. (I don't necessarily get that impression from you, though.) I would love to feel called by God to do it, such as like Karen the "Irritable Mother" -- but I know that's not my calling for right now. At this point, I use blogging to share what's on my mind/heart, and as you stated, to connect with people of like minds.
Don't say you don't have anything "worthy" enough to say. You never know who might stumble across your blog just by doing a Google search, and be touched by *your* perspective on things!! Also, I have seen other blogs where they retell the health struggles they once had and how God spoke to them through it. But I do commend you for seeking the Lord in all of it -- for His purposes!
Chris,
I totally enjoy reading your blog and am blessed and challenged by it many times. I don't think you should feel any pressure as to how often you write a blog entry. Don't set your expectations for yourself too high, blogging should be enjoyable, not a chore.
I love all your topics, whether you're writing about homeschooling, health, your hobbies, how God has spoken to you or what your family has been up to. Even though we live so close, I hardly ever see you so it's a great way to stay in touch. I love your writing style and your blog is a great way to showcase your photography which I also love!
Pam
Hi, Honey!
I totally agree with what Pam B says. I wasn't sure just how to say it, but she said it beautifully! Even me - your Mother - really enjoys reading your blog. You do have a unique way of expressing yourself - no matter what the topic - but especially when speaking about yourself. Dad and I are very proud of you and your talents.
Love, Mom XO
Chris,
I think you should continue to blog if you ENJOY it! If it seems to be a task you feel you HAVE to do once in a while, then it doesn't seem worthwhile to continue to do so.
Continue to pray about it, see if it is something that helps you release any stress by writing about things that happen, etc. Also, as mentioned earlier, it could be that you may write something that would be beneficial to someone else somewhere!
I think it's kinda cool to be able to do this!
I love you, sis!
Sue
Chris,
I've thought about writing my own diary on a blog. And then making it so private, that only I could see it. But, that is pretty dangerous, I know.
I get in ruts, sometimes posting a lot, and other times, just not in the mood. It's hard enough just to get my thoughts into sharable sentences. And I think that sometimes life just throws so many things at me at once, it's hard to just "live" through it, let alone share it on line.
And I've been grappling with the question ..."Is everything that God reveals to me, supposed to be shared?" Or..."Like Mary, do some thing just need to be pondered in my heart?" But, that's just my rambling thoughts, and not some sort of filter for others.
I've been blessed by your blog, but I understand the difficulty keeping up when you want to, but don't have time, or energy. Hugs.
Janet
Hi Chris,
Just my 2 cents--worth not much--but--
People blog for different reasons. I wanted my blog hid. I did try to hide it-until my son found it and linked it to his blog and then I had everyone in the world reading MY thoughts! And that is what they are. I write because I know that someday my kids will all want to know what was going on with me in 2011. They may want their favorite recipe or see pictures of themselves living their day to day lives and it will always be there out in blogoshere...your day to day life is their day to day life.
Yes, sometimes-my feelings go way too deep to share with the big wide world-it is then that I write in parables:)
Don't worry about how often you blog--it is for you. That is what keeps me sane! My blog is mine-I love to share my life-but it is still mine and I write because I must and if God lays something on my heart-I write. And God is always laying something on my heart:)
Thank you for being here to read and sharing your words.
Vonda
Thanks for the kind and thoughtful feedback!
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