Why Blog

Recently I have run into several people that are acquaintances that in the course of the conversation they will make some comment about reading something on my blog. This is so strange to me, that people outside of my little blog list would care to read anything that I have to say. But it has also made me think about why I do this.

So WHY BLOG? All of our lives are very busy and filled with all sorts of activities; family, church, sports, camps, classes, friends, jobs, lessons, etc. Why fill my time with one more thing to do? I go to church with most of my close friends. We try to get together once a week for coffee that lasts about one hour. That one hour is not nearly enough time to really connect with someone. To really hear their heart and know what is going on in their lives. Our time at church is usually filled with smiles and a quick ‘hello’ as we pass each other in the hall as we are herding our children where they need to be to trying to get were we are supposed to be (I think I spoke to my good friend Beth yesterday for a whole 2 minutes) . I was longing for some sort of community; to be able to connect with others. Blogging does that for me. I can drop in on someone at any time and see what is going on in their family, what they are cooking for dinner, what they need prayer for, pictures of what they are doing with their family, whatever. It gives me a feeling of really knowing what is going on.

Blogging also gives me an opportunity to complete a thought. Much of the time I feel like I have old-timers. You know where you cannot complete one thought. Most of my thoughts feel like fragments. I enjoy sitting down and putting something out here when it has some substance. In a way, I guess it gives me a sense of identity. So much of my life is a support role (wife, mom, teacher, friend, etc) that I enjoy knowing that I have not lost myself completely and there is something of worth still in my brain. Luke 6:45 says ‘Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks’. Hopefully what flows from these posts is a blessing to you and glorifying to God. I certainly try to share my heart and what God has been teaching me. It also gives me a way to articulate what God is doing in my life. I think it is a much clearer picture of what is going on in my heart and life than just running into a friend and chatting for a moment at Target.

Really I don’t think blogging is unlike any other hobby. It works for me. It costs absolutely nothing. There is not a mess to clean up. There are no supplies to buy or store. I can do it whenever I have free moments, anytime day or night. For this season I am in, it works. The fact that I have met some great women who encourage, inspire, make me laugh and make me think is just icing on the cake! Kim @ Mercy Days commented the other day that someone said 'Blogging was ridiculous. Who would have time for that?' I have to admit that blogging can become consuming and I have been known to spend way too much time checking blogs, but I also have come up with an system for myself to to keep me accountable and help that not to happen. I assume there would be the same risks with any other hobby such as scrapbooking, quilting, photography, fitness or whatever. I wouldn’t know since I really have no other hobbies ;o) But I have also spent too much time talking on the phone, gardening, painting, cleaning, etc. Everything in moderation right?

Tomorrow I will give you a few blogger that I have enjoyed reading over the past couple years.

So, what are you thoughts? Why blog?