I wanted to write this in reponse to a lovely post on Sweet Blue Sky Days. Melanie had me thinking on my purpose for keeping a blog.I know from the outset that I wanted to share ideas, especially with our homeschooling adventure, and keep track of a few fun family events along the way. One area of caution I'm well aware of is that when writing a blog, it's very much like a journal, and very much also like a journey of self-discovery. You find you thought about something a particular way one month, but you've moved a little from that place later on. It's a place where we get to write "I" and "we" a LOT, but there is a need to be mindful that you can draw in an unknown audience.
So, when sharing these snippets of our lives, are we trying to keep up appearances? Or, do we try and share to edify, hopefully producing better results further along the road? Well, I have to say that my intention is the latter, but if I've ever presented the former, with pride and vanity, I do apologise.
I could, not dissimilar to what Melanie wrote, present the handprints on the wall, the unweeded garden, the usual 'everything not in it's place' on the bookshelf pictures. I, in no way, wish to profess that I have it all together and perfect, only that I'm striving to walk a better path. My primary motivation is to present the better side of my life .. for edification. Why? Because:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
Phil 4:8
When you talk with a dear friend and they uplift you with good advice and wonderful ideas, don't you want to share the same with others? This takes the same care and consideration in grooming our thoughts and words as it does our appearance. So, with care, I'm mindful of presenting a glimpse into our lives by sharing the lovely and admirable. I hope it is received as intended. xxxx
6 comments:
This is such a beautiful post! You express your sentiment so well, and I'm encouraged that we share the same view. Like you, I too choose to share the sweet, the lovely, the inspiring snippets of my homeschooling journey. In doing so I presume (and hope) that others realise that my life is far from perfect! I make mention of that in my profile information too.
I love to come and visit here, and always feel very edified and uplifted when I do.
Thanks for sharing!
Melanie xx
I think most of us share that desire to build up and edify one another. I also think that deep down we realise that even the most polished looking blogs have real down to earth writers who are going through stuff like we are. We just choose not to unload it all on the blog. Likewise, with our real life friends.
I know mothers, especially home schoolers with lots of kids (just like Mel) are sure to have piles of unwashed clothes and dishes, houses strewn with toys and craft activities. I know it because we have it and so do most of my friends.
Thanks for this great and realistic post.
Have a great weekend!
Thank you so much for sharing.
I feel similar in many ways, and do enjoy your thoughts, pictures and kindness.
Well, You read my blog lol so you know it's not always edifying but I like to go for cheerful & on ocassion even thoughtful. I also live in a fairly isolated community where the opportunity to form like minded friendships is limited so blogging has allowed me friendships that otherwise would have been missing in my life & I appreciate them perhaps more than others. ☺
Thank you, all my blogging friends. :)
I enjoy reading each and every one of your blogs too, and of course know that real life really is a busy but creative place with all its fun messes and challenges.
Thanks for this post. It has become one of a number of 'coincidences' this week :)
I've been watching back episodes of House MD, and last night watched the one where the Blogger has to decide whether to accept a pig's heart valve and shock her semi-vegan blog readers, or go for a plastic one. The issue of blogging your life as entertainment for others, and related issues of authenticity and privacy were raised.
Then our sermon this morning was on Genesis chapter 11 and the Tower of Babel - the human urge to "make a name for ourselves".
It has set me thinking about my own motives for blogging, and the things I choose to share or not share (made easier by the fact that I've not been blogging lately and so I have a bit of emotional distance from my blog right now).
Thanks again for adding another voice to the mix of what appears to be one of my current topics :)
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