A Random Blog Comment?
I opened my email on Tuesday morning. News, ads, blah blah blah.
Then a comment from my blog. Blog comments are my favorite emails to read.
But this one made me pause. It started like this:
“Hi Lisa,
You don’t know me, but I wanted to tell you…”
I read it all the way through.
Then I took a deep breath. I needed to read this one twice.
Reasons to Blog
If you blog, why do you do it?
You must have good reasons because blogging can be costly…in time, in energy, in thought, and sometimes in money. Blogging asks questions of us: Are we sharing too much? Are we not personal enough? Is our effort even worth it?
We probably share many of the same concerns, and same reasons, for blogging.
Perhaps you blog:
- To encourage others
- To teach something you know
- To make friends with like-minded people
- To share your art
- To sell a product
- To connect with your family
- To entertain
- To point others to God
- To document your story
But when you blog, here’s a surprise you might not expect . . .
As you blog, you are the one encouraged. You are the one who learns something new. You are the one entertained.
We think we blog to give something to the world.
And hopefully we do.
But as we blog, we also gain things in return.
Maybe God teaches us something we couldn’t have learned without writing out the words. Maybe we make real friends in the blogging community. Maybe we learn about humility and pride on those posts with only a few readers.
And often we receive far more than we give.
Gifts in Both Directions
After re-reading the blog comment from Nick that Tuesday morning, I felt humbled. But not because Nick was hateful. (I occasionally receive those comments, but the vast majority of visitors are kind.)
Rather, what Nick came me that morning was hope. He reminded me that throwing something on my blog every few days can be more valuable than I realize. Not because I have something profound to say, but because God can do something profound with our meager offerings.
Nick said he and his fiancé had downloaded the 2-year Bible reading plan that he found on my blog a year and a half earlier. They were nearing completion now. They were on track to finish it shortly after they were married in the summer.
Nick said,
“Although this plan may have seemed like a small project for you, it is fascinating to watch God work through us and our skill set. For me, my fiancé and a few of my classmates at our university, this plan has been a gift.”
I didn’t know I had been blogging for Nick that day when I shared my post.
But I’m glad Nick did.
Whatever it is you expect to give by blogging, I hope you give it.
But I also hope you receive so much more in return.
Featured Post
Tracy began her blog years ago. But eventually grew discouraged and deleted it. She started again, but deleted that one, too.
She felt she lacked the proper knowledge to teach what she was learning about God.
But now she’s back. She’s decided she can encourage others in their faith walk—and be encouraged in return—which is something we’re all qualified to do, wherever we are in our journey.
Visit Tracy here at her blog and welcome her back into the blogging community, then link up your own blog posts below.
If you’re a blog writer, what difficulties do you have with writing a blog? What joys have you received? Share in the comments.
And if you’re a blog commenter, THANK YOU. You make us all happier.
Thanks for sharing, Tracy! Here’s a button for your blog.
I’m linking at these blog parties
1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.
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3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).
We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.
MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
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