My daughter and son-in-law
Ok, don’t look at me in that tone of voice. I’m aware that we all dread these type of posts.
And I’m sorry. I truly am! But I am struggling with whether to keep pouring my time and mental energy into blogging, and what else is there to do but write about it? I have two blogs (don’t tell me if you didn’t know that, just play along please). This one, and my family blog. I’ve never tried to monetize either one in any significant way, because I’ve always looked at them both as ministries.
With my family blog, I want to provide family with updated photos, and what’s going on in my life. And I’ve hoped that other stay-at-home mom’s would stop by and be encouraged, inspired, more aware of God’s beauty …. something.
With this blog, I tend to dig deep and really give you something that’s worth reading. Well, except for those ridiculous Pleasantly Disturbed posts. Those are just me trying to make people laugh … because I love to see you smile. Even though I can’t. (I hope you heard the extra dose of sanity ringing loud and clear in that phrase).
Both blogs serve their purpose, but they can also take a lot of time. And with homeschooling starting in a week, I’m feeling kind of intimidated. I was serious when I wrote this post and I don’t want to preach one thing and do another.
It seems like if I start the day with the computer, we are joined at the hip for the rest of the day. I get involved with other people (I love you guys!), and my focus ends up being on you instead of home. Home may be where the heart is, but my if my mind is absent, my heart tends to follow.
By no means have I decided to shut things down. I guess I’m just wearing my heart on my sleeve here and wondering if all y’all have had similar struggles. Besides, who else do I discuss blogging with other than my readers?
I told Shaun last night that I’m putting all this effort into something that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. When I work, I want what I do to count for eternity. I don’t post for comments, or flattery, or anything really, other than hoping it blesses the socks off someone out there. Or better yet, moves them closer to God.
Perhaps that’s where the problem lies. In the blogging world, sometimes folks stop by and yet I receive no feedback. That’s only bad in the sense that I’m left to simply hope an impact is being made (insert picture of preacher preaching to a ton of bricks here). Ask my husband … if I don’t know where I stand with someone, I can’t be their friend. If you hate me, I’m ok with that. I just need to know.
This is where the vicious cycle starts. I get bogged down with blogging and think, This is ridiculous. I am not putting myself out there one more time. Not one more! And then BOOM! Someone leaves me a comment that tells me what I’m doing matters. To keep on keepin’ on. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can …
But in the grand scheme of things, does anything I do here or here matter?
Mothering matters. Wifing matters. Making quilts for people matter. I can tell by the looks on their faces when I give it to them.
Perhaps I’m looking for tangible results.
Perhaps tangible results will not be shown until I reach that beautiful shore.
I think we all experience this. I know when I do, I just slow the blogging down – less writing, less reading, less commenting. I have really done that this summer. Every single time I do it, I realize how much I miss the writing and commenting with my bloggy friends. I guess it comes down to a fine balance of blogging and everything else.
I think we receive less comments because so many people (myself among them) read blog posts in various Readers without ever actually clicking over to the blog itself.
Maybe we’re also trying to read and keep track of too much?
I pray that the Lord continue to reveal to us how much impact speaking out for Him has, even when we can’t see it.
I know that’s true of myself. I don’t comment everywhere I read, and I do think I read too many blogs!! Finding time to babysit everyone that comes to my blog is nearly impossible. Heheee.
I’ve tried to subscribe to the RSS feed on your posts and put it in my Google Reader. But when I click on the button or the link, I just see a page of html. I do not see subscription options.
I don’t know what the answer is to this dilemma. When I click on my RSS feed on the Moonboat, I get a page of subscription options.
Hmmm. I’ll ask Peter about it. Never had anyone else say they had any problems… Thanks for letting me know.
Just a quick comment here to let you know your messages are a blessing to me.There is so much useless information on the internet that the blogs of Christian women and men are like a point of light in darkness. Your are appreciated.
Thanks!!!
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I think there needs to be a certain element of fun or love for your blog. Even though I go through slumps, I still love to write on my blog. If it becomes a chore, I get blocked.
I enjoy your mad humour, and I would miss it if you left, but that’s not a reason to keep going if you don’t enjoy it. Maybe you feel that you are writing for readers, and not for yourself?
My mad humor … haha!! I know I’m nuts. I’m ok with that now.
It is almost always fun for me. I just question whether I have the time and energy to keep it up. I’m thinking slowing down may be the best option. I don’t think I can quit anyway. I always come back, and I’d like to think that means I’m a writer. Someone who can’t NOT come back.
Hi Brenda, I am a fairly new reader of your blog, but from what I’ve seen so far I know it will be a favorite. I read a lot of blogs, but don’t always have time to comment (wish I did).
I blog because it’s a way for me to express my thoughts in a way that I cannot in real life. I love to write and want to develop this skill. I also love meeting people that I actually have things in common with. I don’t know anyone in my “real” life who likes to write…so I can’t imagine giving up that connection here! (although, like you I struggle with priorities… I do often have to cut back on the time I can devote to it)
Hope this helps you to see blogging in a different light, God bless
That’s part of what I’m seeing too. Nobody in “real” life who likes to write. And I do love the connection. I don’t think it’s about not loving or loving it. It’s just about priorities. I’ll announce some sort of wishy washy decision here shortly.
Thanks for your input.
I have a whole bunch of blogs in my reader, and I never read it. I tend to go directly to the blogs I love, sometimes reminded by comments on mine. I love yours.
I know what you mean about the joined at the hip thing if you start first thing in the morning. I have to find a better balance in order to maintain my passion and things like laundry and cleaning and ugh stuff.
P.S. That is one purty picture!