A Common Question
I now understand why so many bloggers eventually ask their readers, “What topics interest you the most?” If I asked that question, I’d mostly want inspiration. I’d want to hear something in the answers that excited me to write. I’d want direction. I’d want to hear something in the answers that gave me guidance when I felt ‘all over the place’ in my writing styles or subjects. I’d want affirmation. I’d want to be encouraged that what I’m writing is bigger than myself.
These things are great if the focus of my blog is others-oriented. But then I remember WHY I’m writing. I didn’t start blogging to eventually make it a business. I didn’t start blogging to make a name for myself. I didn’t start blogging because I was so passionate about a specific subject that I wanted to super-focus on it. No, I started because it was God’s idea.
From Chaos…
Nearly nine months ago, as I was wrestling with a jumbled up pile of thoughts running through my head, I felt God say that I should start blogging. I was surprised, to say the least, because I had no desire to try to ‘build’ something like this. I didn’t want the responsibility of producing posts, being on a schedule and doing it well. Of course, one might say that I didn’t have to have any of that, but I knew without a schedule, I wouldn’t keep it up.
As I strongly considered that maybe this really was God’s voice and that He probably knew what He was doing in asking me to write, I began to write. I started sharing little by little with people, ‘I’m going to start a blog.’ It felt so odd to say that and also a bit self-promoting. However, as I wrote my posts, I found that I really wanted to share them with people. I wanted to let others know more about me and have somewhat of a dialogue about the things going through my mind. I wanted to connect with a wider group of people than those I see day to day.
to Order…
When I stepped out in obedience to God’s prompting, I didn’t know how much it would change me. You see, God wasn’t asking me to write for the sake of ‘making a name for myself’ nor was He asking me to write solely to help other people. He actually wanted me to write for my own good!
As I’ve spent these last nine months writing about the things that come to mind, my blog has become a bit of a ‘polished’ journal. It’s helped me clarify my thoughts in ways that thinking alone couldn’t do. It’s helped me interact with a wide range of topics that I come in contact with on a regular basis; things like adoption, racial awareness, storytelling, life choices, music, singing, biblical ideas/commentaries, my past, my present, my future, and so much more. I am more grounded because I’m writing and I’m more organized in my mind and heart.
plus Connection…
God’s so good that not only have I become more settled within myself, but I’ve connected with people I haven’t had the chance to interact with regularly. I’ve reconnected in a new way with family and friends that live far away. I’ve more deeply connected with the meaningful people in my life just because I can interact on my own time table (no time constraints or scheduling to figure out). Additionally, I’ve always been a bit of a social butterfly and this has been such a fun way to have a chance to interact with more people on a semi-regular basis. I feel more alive now that I’m reaching out and sharing with people like this. It’s been so fulfilling in a new and refreshed sort of way!
and patiently waiting for Inspiration.
I find myself wanting to know which posts or topics people like to read the most, but then I remember that this blog was a gift to me from God. He’s the one who’s opinion and direction matter the most. So, when I am uninspired, I’ll wait and listen and hope to catch even the most fleeting idea for a post. Then I’ll start to write and see where Holy Spirit leads me. I’ll see how Holy Spirit took a passing idea and turned my thinking all around so that I look at it with a new perspective. And I’ll be excited to hear how my journey is encouraging, helping, and cheering others on as well.
I’m so thankful to be writing this blog and have a place to share my thoughts. I’m so thankful to each of you who read this blog and interact with me because of it. It’s been wonderful to connect and dialogue! It’s been so fun to share and receive feedback. I’m happy to be blogging and, I suppose, I will continue into the new year! 😉
P.S. Have you ever had something that you started so it could benefit you, but then it ‘got away from you’ and became others-focused? Did you feel like that’s where it was supposed to go or did you have to remind yourself that it was ALSO to help you in some way? I’d be really interested to hear about your experience(s).
Brittany M Putman 