How I came to start my blog
Believe it or not I have only had a computer for about 2 years. I know, how did I survive?? Actually it really wasn't that bad. Surprisingly enough you can live without technology. You don't miss what you don't know you are missing. I wasn't void of all technology. My husband brought his work laptop home on the weekends. He also bought me a kindle which helped me connect with the outside world. Unfortunately it just broke, or rather my kids broke it. They have a habit of breaking things.
When I was able to get on the internet, I found a few blogs that I found really inspiring. I loved reading them and was always encouraged. I did at times wonder how they managed to blog and take care of their families. Even though I wasn't sure how it all worked I thought it looked like a great outlet to have from home. I have always loved to journal and write and crazily enough God put it on my heart to start a blog. I had no idea what I was doing. I didn't research how to start a blog. I didn't know what html was. I didn't know how to make links. I didn't know how to promote my blog. I didn't get someone to create my site for me. I just jumped in and have been learning as I am going ever since.
My blog is by no means perfected and I still have so much to learn, but isn't the process the best part? I have learned so much about myself as I have opened my heart to perfect strangers and friends alike. There is nothing like putting yourself out there to really make you get out of your comfort zone. I have searched my motives more deeply and questioned how I use my time and my actions.
Blogging is not easy.(I share more in detail about balancing blogging and family here) It can distract you from other things you should be doing, especially when you love to blog. It is not for everyone and you are not less than if you don't have a blog. Like so many other things; it is a platform to be used for either good or evil. We have to be obedient to God to use our time and resources to glorify him in the way that he leads us.
As the thoughts of starting a blog were whirling around in my head I kept sensing the word faithful. I knew I wanted to encourage other women to be faithful in the everyday little things that no one else might see except God; i.e. cleaning, laundry, mothering, cooking, homeschooling, time management,devotions, ministering to your husband, exercise.
The verse that came to my mind was from the parable of the talents:
So often we dream of doing things for God on a grand scale. We tend to look at the domestic tasks and mothering as of lesser importance in the eyes of God and the world. It can be easy to think we really aren't doing anything of significance as we wipe boogers, reside over sibling disputes, clean up sticky rice from the floor and wade through mounting piles of dirty clothes.What we often forget is that caring for our home and families is the glue that holds society together. How many people do you know that are suffering or have suffered because their family life was missing the simple presence of care and comfort; love and joy.
Loving our children and husband well are a mother and wife's highest calling; not just reserved for the select few. Not all women are gifted as housewives, mothers and wives but as we surrender our lives to God's will he gives us everything we need to be who he has called us to be.
As you read my meager attempt at putting my two cents into a world that seems to be bursting at the seams with blogs filled with many different opinions, information, how to's and insights; I pray that you come away encouraged and edified. I want you to know that you are valued and that all you do is valued and worth being faithful with. I hope you feel like you are visiting a friend when I share the goings on of my little family, homeschool, struggles and heart.
It can be easy to forget why I started this blog and get caught up in trying to make a tiny dent in the blogosphere. There are so many things I could be doing to get the word out there about my blog, but right now I know that I need to be faithful to do what God has called me to do and not get side tracked with trying to keep up with the latest blogging trends. I know there are certain "blogging rules" and "dos and don'ts" if you want to make it in the blogging world but I don't want to sacrifice my morals and convictions in the name of success. I need to simply keep sharing what God puts on my heart...when I am able.
Of course I would love for my blog to grow but instead of trying to do it in my own strength I am committing my little loaves and fish to God and asking him to multiply it in his perfect time and way.(This doesn't mean I am not going to do anything to promote my blog... just not everything)
I love this little place that I have come to meet so many wonderful women and mamas who are just like me; trying to do the best they can with all that God has given them. But there are many days when I know by connecting in cyberspace I am disconnecting myself from the ones in my immediate space. So if you don't hear from me that often or consistently know that I desire to be faithful with this blog but I am trying my best to be faithful to Jesus, my family and my home foremost...and I pray you are too.
I am excited to see what God is going to do with "the talents" he has entrusted to me; though it's likely I might not get to see how God uses me fully. More than anything else I want to hear him say, "Well done good and faithful servant...enter into the joy of your master."
If you have a blog, why did you start yours?
What has God put on your heart to be faithful with?
How are you investing your "talents"?
Linking up with some of these amazing link parties!
Rebekah, I think you have a nice blog. I like your layout and also your sweet heart. I know how hard it is to balance everything and a blog. It's especially going to be difficult for me here on out because I took up an Adult Sunday School class at church. I won't have as much time. These people deserve my full attention. Just like those in your life. Don't feel bad if you can't "Keep up". I have to tell myself that too. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie, you are so sweet<3
DeleteSo glad to meet you via Mommy Moments, Rebekah! I am a beginner blogger myself and am feeling my way along. I long to show God's goodness and encourage fellow moms but am always fighting the temptation to glorify myself. Blessings to you as you write and share...I look forward to keeping up with your journey!
ReplyDeleteHi Elisabeth! So great to meet you! Yes, its such a fine line. We naturally want praise and approval. But most importantly is knowing how Godviews us and continuing to glorify him no matter the feedback we get from others. Stay faithful in doing what God has called you to do!
ReplyDeleteI usually feel like I must be the last person on Earth who doesn't own a smartphone, so I know how you feel! It doesn't particularly bother me, but I feel like others must think I am such an oddball. I feel like I can never have enough reminders that God calls me to be a Mother, and that is enough.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about what others think. Keep doing what God has called you to do! So glad you stopped by:)
DeleteHi! I'm your neighbor at Holly Gerth's linkup this week. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, because I feel like housework, and being a better steward of my home, is something God's been laying on my heart lately. I don't have any kids (at least not the two-legged kind), and I run a freelance business and a couple of blogs, and I never really make housework a priority, just doing what's absolutely needed as it's needed. But I feel like God's been showing me that I need to make more of an effort to be a good steward of my home, and that cleaning is a way of loving and ministering to my husband. And then I came here and you pretty much confirmed all of that. :)
Cleaning though mundane is definitely important and such a labor of love. So glad God is speaking to you and that you have ears to hear what he is saying. Stay faithful! Thanks so much for stopping by!!
ReplyDeleteThis was such a beautifully written post, sharing your heart and your desire to always be faithful! Yours is a beautiful testimony of truly blogging for the Lord.
ReplyDeleteI actually felt the call to blog maybe five years ago, but I didn't start one until this past January which was God's perfect timing. Like you, I learned as I went. It is probably a lot harder than I realized, but the rewards have been ten-fold. The relationships I have formed and the kindredness that is so evident has been such a blessing.
In prior seasons I led Ladies Bible Studies and was a mentor for Mothers of Preschoolers where I was asked to deliver devotionals every now and again. I love researching the Bible and learning as I go. Blogging to that end seemed like the perfect idea. :-)
It was a blessing to visit you today. :-)
Karen, your comments encourage me to no end. Thank you for always being so generous with your kind words...they really bless me:) When you are blogging for the Lord it is like a bible study...so much to study as you share from Gods word. A lot of work, but so rewarding!
ReplyDeleteRebekah, your start sounds a lot like mine. :) I knew absolutely nothing about blogging when I started almost two years ago, and while I've learned a lot, I still have so far to go!
ReplyDeleteI started A Divine Encounter because I sensed the Lord's nudging to begin a writing ministry, and as I researched available options, it became clear that a blog was the best place to start. The heart behind my blog is that I noticed an imbalance in the Christian messages on the web. There's a lot that focuses on how to do things - how to pray, how to take care of your home, how to parent, how to show respect to your husband, how to organize your home, how to trust God, etc. To be clear, these are all critically important messages, and ones I'm very thankful for. I write some posts like this, so I don't want to sound disparaging in any way. But there's just not very much that points us toward the relationship that should be the foundation of all that we do. When we get that right, the rest tends to fall into place.
Thank you for using the biblical account of the loaves and fish - it never ceases to amaze me the way God gives me the grace to offer Him my little bit, and then so graciously receives it and multiplies it in the way He sees fit. Thank you for linking with us at Grace & Truth! :)
Hi Jennifer! Glad to know I'm not alone;) Yes, I pray God uses us to point others to him and not to ourselves! Thanks for hosting such an encouraging link up!!
DeleteI have only been blogging since February this year, and I started it because we had just moved house 5 hours away from most of our friends and family, and also in the hope that I can be of some small encouragement or blessing to other people.
ReplyDeleteI also know very little about the technical aspects of blogging, such as html, and I have been learning a little bit at a time.
It is so good that you are putting your husband and family before your blog, and thank you for sharing how you started out :-)
You have come a long way since you started! Know that you are an encouragement to so many! Thanks for your kind words!
DeleteThanks for sharing. I enjoyed this post. Your family is most important and I love seeing that in you.
ReplyDeleteThanks SObmuch Judith!! Yes , they are:)
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ReplyDeleteTo answer your question. I started my blog so that family can get a glimpse of our lives when we are spread out around the world. It is also a place in which I share my creativity. #ShareWithMe
ReplyDeleteHey Helena! That's so great! It is So nice to be able to see into the lives of our friends and families through social media and blogging!
DeleteYour blog is lovely and you have done well hunny. Good for you for starting one and taking it further. It's a great space to be creative and share with everyone online. I love the blogosphere and their community feel too. Thank you so much for linking up to Share With Me #sharewithme
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