Friday, February 25, 2011

Love and Success

Yesterday I was blessed with quite a bloggy surprise! I logged into Blogger, and checked my stats as I usually do, then checked recent posts of blogs that I follow.

I clicked over to Rediscovering Domesticity, and saw that my bloggy friend Audra had just entered her first post as a new editor at Gather Inspirit. I was all excited for her. Then I clicked over to read her post, and saw something called Love Ambush.

"What a nice idea," I thought. She encouraged readers to click over to another (unnamed) blog to love on the author of that blog by leaving comments, following and/or praying for her (among other things). I was all ready to join in the fun, when to my surprise, I clicked over and landed right here. Yep, on my blog! (I actually did it twice just to make sure I wasn't trippin' or something. And yes, that word is a part of my vocabulary!)

So, thanks to Audra and the team at Gather Inspirit for making my day yesterday! That was totally awesome, and now I have a few more blog friends because of Love Ambush! (Hello, new friends!)

That was such a timely happening for me, as I was thinking about blogging success (and just success in general) recently. Am I a successful blogger when I have say, 200 followers? When I receive a steady stream of comments? Or maybe when I master blog design? What goal am I working toward with this "lowly" blog of mine?
I think as a blogger it's really easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to other bloggers. It's easy to become discontent with your look, your content or your features. I know I see other bloggers that post daily, who have thriving communities, or weekly link-ups that attract hundreds. But I'm not them! At least not yet. And that's okay!

Ultimately, the conclusion I've come to with blogging success, or any success, is that I just need to do what God directs me to do! No more. No less. Sure there are things that will be revealed to me in time that are key to advancing my blog so that I can reach my goals. I'm still pretty new to all of this (my blog just reached 8 months a couple days ago)! But I know that I'm right where God wants me to be. I have a young family, a home to take care of and other stuff to do. I need to make sure I'm doing all those other things well, and not get caught up in making my blog "all that it can be." I know that God will promote my blog (and other projects and things that I undertake) as I trust Him to lead me. Just like the Bible says in Proverbs 3:5-6:

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths."

What does success look like to you? Do you struggle with trying to build your blog while maintaining balance in other areas?

7 comments:

  1. Hi, Becky, I've been struggling with some of those bloggy things too. A verse comes to mind: 'Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.' (Psalm 37:5, KJV).

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  2. Anna, I LOVE Psalm 37! One of my favorites for sure! Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. Oh, Becky. I struggle with that ALL the time. I've had to step away from analytics. I've had to stop checking my email - anything to keep my eyes off the "just one more follower" or "why can't my stats spike that that again?" and keep them on Christ. I fail miserably at times, but thankfully He is the King of Grace! I know that He is working through me and that there are people who are not Christians who read daily who are having seeds planted. My view of success as a Christian blogger? Reaching those who do not know God.

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  4. It's so hard! I printed and posted "A Blogger's Prayer" over my computer, and it's been a great help to keep my perspective right. You can find it here:http://www.aholyexperience.com/a-bloggers-prayer/ and you can print it for free :)

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  5. @ Audra, funny you should say that you had to step away from analytics...I hadn't checked them in a while, and I guess in the meantime it stopped tracking my blog altogether. I don't know what happened. Guess I don't need to obsess over it! ;-) And I absolutely agree with reaching those who don't know God. It's so important to not stay in the "Christian blog bubble".

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  6. @ Emily...Hey! I saw your comment from before, and I don't know what happened. Apparently my commenting system just decided not to work randomly. I will check out your link. Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Becky, I was surprised by the 'stealth Miss Audra' today. How fun and what a blessing she is!

    I noticed on your church website that Orville was featured for the preschoolers...YAY! I just finished a little cirriculum for Orville and have been waiting for my husband to do pdf's for me. I'll try to get it up next week. Have you video taped any of your crafts or times spent teaching or reading to the children? I would love to see their response to the book!

    Thanks for taking the Word to them through my children's book!

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