Why Do I Blog?
Why am I drawn to writing? I'm pondering this question as I sit and look at my blog page with no idea why I continue to come here and check my other favorite blogs and think about what to write. I'm not a famous author nor do I expect I ever will be. My first thought turns toward something Mary Clarence told a rebellious student in Sister Act. If you get up in the morning and the first thing you think about is ________, then you are a _________er (paraphrased). Now I can't say that writing is the first thing I think about when I get up in the morning but I can honestly say that I think about it every day. I think about it a lot some days, not as much others. When something captures my attention, my heart strings, my joy - I think about writing. When something funny or touching happens I think - there's something great to write about. I think it "needs" to be written about; not just it "could" be written about. There are moments when something so simple yet so profound happen that I just want to capture it in writing right then and there but that seldom happens.
I have also gone through the struggle of thinking - what do I have to offer, what do I have to say that has not already been said by someone else in a much better way. I have friends who love to write also, and they are very good. One in particular who I dearly wish would write more and more often. I often come to my blog just to see who else has written in theirs since the last time I checked. I am disappointed when I see that she hasn't written and delighted when she has - it's always something good. She is smart, funny and faithful. Her life sometimes parallels mine and I am often tickled that what she writes about speaks directly to my own day or week. She often writes what I am thinking and would have written if I'd taken the time but didn't. Then I fall into the trap of comparing myself to others and decide I'm not "good enough" to be a writer. Fortunately, I have wonderful friends and family to remind me that God uses many people and many voices, talents and gifts to reach the hearts He is seeking. If He gave me a gift and a passion for writing then He expects me to use it to further His kingdom and hopefully to bring hope and joy to people. My wonderful sister-in-law said to me once, if a scene could only be painted by one artist what would all the other artists paint? We would lack the beauty, variety and wisdom that many perspectives offer. True. Just because one person has written about something I feel drawn to write about doesn't mean that I have nothing good to offer.
Besides, does it matter that no one reads what I write? Well, pride says yes, I want to share my thoughts, ideas, experience, humor, hope, excitement, sorrow, joy, lessons. I want to pass on some of the wonderful things I learn on my journey. I want to testify to the blessings and miracles in my life. Yes, I would like to know that someone out there reads and enjoys and benefits from what I write. But I am figuring out that it's like so many other things... I only have to do my part, write what He places on my heart. It's up to God to make sure that his intended reads it.
All of this would explain why... when a friend mentioned (in passing) a blogging conference that I'd never heard of (a conference just for bloggers!? --- christian women bloggers!!!!!) taking place in a state 15 hours drive away, I felt compelled to check it out, talk with my husband, pray about it and register. I have grown to be very independent and have no hesitation in doing this type of thing by myself but this feels different. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. The registration is limited and I wonder if everyone there will already know each other and I will be a conference-crasher! Oh no!!! But, register I did and reservations we did make. My husband and I will be heading out together so I can attend this conference. First, I LOVE conferences for subjects that I am passionate about - you could say I am passionate about conferences that are about my passions :-) That would be confusing but whatever. And... it is a large group of faith-filled Christian women who also love to write and who want to learn, grow and get to know each other. Oh and a bonus - most appear to love coffee and chocolate :-) I'm so there!!!
This might not be the season of my life for as much writing as I'd like but I trust that the season will come. I sense that it is waiting just outside the backdoor, patiently. I keep my eye out for inspiration and am blessed by the sharing of other wonderful writers who are already in their season. God truly leads us when we are willing to follow. A beautiful example is the book my friend mentioned in a brief conversation and then I happened upon when looking further into the speakers at the above mentioned conference. This book speaks to the very core of the last three years for our family. Finding joy through thanksgiving. This is what I have found myself doing these past few years and have been blessed beyond belief because of it. And then I find it written - by a woman I have never met and never before heard of. It reminds me that we are all parts of one body, living lives that are full of REAL stuff, good stuff and bad. It makes me know that when we find the source of joy, we cannot contain the joy or the source for ourselves - we are driven to share it with as many people as we can - it nearly bursts our hearts and our souls until we allow it to illuminate our entire lives.
This is why I blog. I have things to say whether anyone listens. Or not.
I have also gone through the struggle of thinking - what do I have to offer, what do I have to say that has not already been said by someone else in a much better way. I have friends who love to write also, and they are very good. One in particular who I dearly wish would write more and more often. I often come to my blog just to see who else has written in theirs since the last time I checked. I am disappointed when I see that she hasn't written and delighted when she has - it's always something good. She is smart, funny and faithful. Her life sometimes parallels mine and I am often tickled that what she writes about speaks directly to my own day or week. She often writes what I am thinking and would have written if I'd taken the time but didn't. Then I fall into the trap of comparing myself to others and decide I'm not "good enough" to be a writer. Fortunately, I have wonderful friends and family to remind me that God uses many people and many voices, talents and gifts to reach the hearts He is seeking. If He gave me a gift and a passion for writing then He expects me to use it to further His kingdom and hopefully to bring hope and joy to people. My wonderful sister-in-law said to me once, if a scene could only be painted by one artist what would all the other artists paint? We would lack the beauty, variety and wisdom that many perspectives offer. True. Just because one person has written about something I feel drawn to write about doesn't mean that I have nothing good to offer.
Besides, does it matter that no one reads what I write? Well, pride says yes, I want to share my thoughts, ideas, experience, humor, hope, excitement, sorrow, joy, lessons. I want to pass on some of the wonderful things I learn on my journey. I want to testify to the blessings and miracles in my life. Yes, I would like to know that someone out there reads and enjoys and benefits from what I write. But I am figuring out that it's like so many other things... I only have to do my part, write what He places on my heart. It's up to God to make sure that his intended reads it.
All of this would explain why... when a friend mentioned (in passing) a blogging conference that I'd never heard of (a conference just for bloggers!? --- christian women bloggers!!!!!) taking place in a state 15 hours drive away, I felt compelled to check it out, talk with my husband, pray about it and register. I have grown to be very independent and have no hesitation in doing this type of thing by myself but this feels different. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. The registration is limited and I wonder if everyone there will already know each other and I will be a conference-crasher! Oh no!!! But, register I did and reservations we did make. My husband and I will be heading out together so I can attend this conference. First, I LOVE conferences for subjects that I am passionate about - you could say I am passionate about conferences that are about my passions :-) That would be confusing but whatever. And... it is a large group of faith-filled Christian women who also love to write and who want to learn, grow and get to know each other. Oh and a bonus - most appear to love coffee and chocolate :-) I'm so there!!!
This might not be the season of my life for as much writing as I'd like but I trust that the season will come. I sense that it is waiting just outside the backdoor, patiently. I keep my eye out for inspiration and am blessed by the sharing of other wonderful writers who are already in their season. God truly leads us when we are willing to follow. A beautiful example is the book my friend mentioned in a brief conversation and then I happened upon when looking further into the speakers at the above mentioned conference. This book speaks to the very core of the last three years for our family. Finding joy through thanksgiving. This is what I have found myself doing these past few years and have been blessed beyond belief because of it. And then I find it written - by a woman I have never met and never before heard of. It reminds me that we are all parts of one body, living lives that are full of REAL stuff, good stuff and bad. It makes me know that when we find the source of joy, we cannot contain the joy or the source for ourselves - we are driven to share it with as many people as we can - it nearly bursts our hearts and our souls until we allow it to illuminate our entire lives.
This is why I blog. I have things to say whether anyone listens. Or not.
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