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The Beauty of Blogging
I didn’t know what to expect. When I first ventured into the blogosphere, I had no idea what I was doing. Where do I go? How will I meet people? Will anyone like me? Like a student stepping into a new school mid-year, I saw a world of cliques and friends swirling around me and wondered if I would ever fit in or find a real friend.
I smile now as I look back at that new, awkward blogger. I am still pretty young and naive, but so quickly God has helped me find my way. He took me by the hand and showed me where to go. He provided me with friends and taught me through what I read and wrote. And as I felt the warm embrace of the body of Christ, I realized that God had led me here to this strange new community of women scattered around the globe, huddled around screens, loving, learning and praying for one another.
I am so grateful to Lauren from Created By His Glory for including me, a latecomer, in the Beth Moore Living Beyond Yourself online Bible study that included over 30 bloggers. Lauren it blessed me in so many ways – and I know the Lord led me to the group – thank you so much for hosting it.
There I had the chance to meet and fellowship with gifted bloggers and kindred spirits who inspire and teach me, like Iris, Gibee, Karin, Maria, Boomama, and Carol – to name just a few. (I hesitate to even begin such a list because really I should just include the whole LBY blogroll!)
And everyday I continue to meet women, like Sandra, Heather, Dana, Diane, etc. whom I wish just lived next door so we could swap stories over tea and watch our kids play together. (Being up here in the Northwest, I longingly read of the blogger get-togethers the ladies are having in the other parts of the US.)
There is so much beauty in blogging as we celebrate our lives, our children and our faith. But when I started blogging it never occurred to me that I would discover the body of Christ so actively working and thriving in the blogosphere. It is a beautiful thing.
The Carnival of Beauty is hosted this week by |
Robin says
Hey Janice, So glad you stopped by my site and I’m glad to have finally bounced over here. It HAS been a surprise to find “blog kindreds”~friends in the blogosphere. My “real lifers” don’t get it; they think I’ve got a problem (and the truth is, I have to limit my computer time ’cause it’d be way too easy to “live” here and not in the real world). For quite a while, I blogged w/out sharing my link; it was simply an outlet. Then, I got “brave” and shared it with a few friends. What I found out is THEY RARELY POST COMMENTS! They read, talk to me about it, email me, but are too shy to post. Soooo, I decided if I’m gonna have any interaction I’ve got to post to other bloggers. It took me a while to get over my shyness that way, but now I love it and wish I had more time to devote to it. I love the concept of your site and a slowly forming vision (?)…dream (?) is to build some kind of site that combines some of my passions/giftings to share with others. For now, it’s just an outlet. Blessings!
Erin says
I enjoyed surfing through your blog a bit this morning. Especially enjoyed your “Tackle it Tuesday” posts. What a sense of accomplishment you must feel at the end of each Tuesday! 🙂
heather says
Janice,
I’m so glad you joined the LBY Study and now the Carnival. I see your “5 Minutes for Mom” button all over the place, so you don’t seem like a newcomer at all! Thanks for doing a great job of linking moms to each other. It’s a great way to build a sense of community as we journey together through mothering. 🙂
Blair says
Welcome to the carnival Janice :o) Blogging is intimidating at first isn’t it? Glad you jumped on in!
Brenda says
I started blogging just a few months ago, and I didn’t really know what to expect, but I’ve found so many wonderful Christian women online. Real women with real lives who open their hearts and minds to share joys and sorrows, trials and triumphs, prayers and praises – what a blessing!
The internet isn’t just for psychos anymore!
I followed your link from your comment on my blog, and I’m subscribing right after I post this.
ACostlow says
Thank you so much for your post. I have just started blogging mostly to keep in touch with family, but I hav read a few bloggs and I feel a sense of friendship or kinship with other moms and I love bieng encouraged by their stories. I hope that i can become bloggy friends with so many moms. Thanks for the blog I love it
Christina says
My sister just got together with 2 bloggers she met, and their kids at the Philadelphia zoo yesterday, and they all hit it off. I did a blog about it so maybe you can check it out. Living here in Hawaii that may be hard for me, but you never know. I do think this is a great way to spread God’s word also and to find out how everyone else deals with their daily lives and living a Christian life.
Rena (Mugwumpmom) says
I’ve been blogging since May and have “met” some truly real people who inspire me, make me laugh, make me wish I lived next door, and whom I think about and pray for. I never thought they would become real friends, but I feel that the minute I meet them, whenever and however that will be, we’ll just pick up right where we left off, at the last post. Couldn’t agree with you more…neighbour! ‘Cause you almost are.
Take care and enjoy your evening…what’s left of it anyway.
Rena
dawn says
I’m new to blogging. It took me quite awhile to join in the fun. It is overwhelming at times, because there are so many good sites and so little time! I was telling my husband tonight about the prayer chain in this venue and it is truly amazing.
Susanne says
I like you am amazed and blessed by what I have been involved with since I started to blog. I feel like I’ve made some real friends even though we have not met face to face because of the connection of being sisters in Christ, and moms, and the incredible support I’ve witnessed. I’m glad to have met you, Janice, my fellow Canadian blogging friend!
GiBee says
It is amazing how many women I have gotten to know this year. It seems odd to say that I know someone just from blogging, but really! It’s true! I love your blog, and am thankful that you and your sister host this kind blog … it has been helpful to me already, as I have ordered a couple of things you have reviewed … bumpy names and highchair seat covers… You are helping women everywhere!
Your dear friend in Christ, GiBee.
Morning Glory says
I’ve also been amazed at the network of support in the blogosphere. I remember after my first few months of blogging how overwhelmed I was at the existence and interaction of this little world of women. It’s been a real blessing to me.
Adventures In Babywearing says
I have to say I love how many Christian moms I find blogging all over the place- all with different perspectives for me to learn from. It’s another form of “outreach” … the blogworld is our “mission field” and you have to agree that us moms definitely need to join together & continue to build each other up- we need it more than anyone sometimes… we are raising the future leaders for our world!
Sandra says
LOVED your entry. I too had no idea how much of an impact blogging would have for me, it’s truly the work of God in a way, I’ve met so many wonderful women, just like you, who keep inspiring me and bringing a smile to my face 🙂
I’m so excited that you mentioned me as one of the people you wished lived next door. I soooooo wish that were true, would love to have some tea with you and just chat 🙂
Have a wonderful day,
Sandra
Stacey says
Some of my bestest friends are women I met online. Just a big old “AMEN” to this post!
eph2810 says
What a wonderful ‘first’ entry for the Carnival of Beauty.
Yes, it is amazing who many wonderful women are out there and even more amazing that God brought this community together. But then again, nothing is impossible for God at all…
Blessings on your day.
(((hugs)))