2014- That's a Wrap!

I've been silent for several months here on Happy Christian Home. And I've been silent before. I realize there probably aren't many people still reading along, but somehow I still feel compelled to keep this blog going. Something in me says to keep sharing, and keep putting one foot in front of the other.

It is so easy to get overwhelmed in this great sea we call the internet and social media in general. It's a challenge to not compare oneself to everything else happening online. Feeling small here is pretty much effortless.

I guess I don't care about feeling small, per se. I just want to know that I'm called. And doing the thing I'm supposed to do with this space.

It is my goal this year to just be more consistent here, whatever that might look like. Either with monthly postings, or weekly postings- just consistent. Gradual. Realistic.

As you know, if you've been a reader for any length of time, I am a wife and a mom. I have three little ones, and for the past two and a half years, we've been homeschooling. This year, we are expecting a new little one to join our family, so that blessing will add a new dynamic. And of course, when we are busy with finding the "new normal" as a family, things like blogging tend to take a back seat. That's okay. (I'm sure you understand!)

Also, this past August, I teamed up with children's author Donna Perugini to be a contributor on her site. That has been an exciting opportunity for me, and I've really enjoyed working with her, and being sharpened as a writer. So, I guess you could say I haven't been totally silent online.

So, what's ahead for this space? Well, I hope to continue to share things as God places them on my heart, and also follow up with some of my writing from last year. I'd love to reach out to more of you via social media, like Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest. I don't want to spread myself too thin, though since I feel called to focus on writing, but at the same time, I need to go where readers are. I've learned I can't just click "publish" and kick back with my feet up and wait for the people to start rolling through here (if only!) There is a work side to this whole blogging thing! (File that under "things nobody tells you about starting a blog".) ;-)

I hope I can continue to connect with those that come through here as I have in the past, and get to know more of you! 

I hope that you had a wonderfully blessed 2014, and pray that your year ahead is awesome! 

If you're new around here, here are links to three of my favorite blog posts this year, and also links to a few of my favorites on Donna Perugini's site! 

Happy Christian Home posts:

Reflecting on Our First Year of Homeschooling

Read Aloud Chapter Books We've Enjoyed this Year

Unburdened: 9 Ways to Create an Uncluttered Atmosphere

Donna Perugini posts:

A Shiny Reflection for 2015

A Shiny Reflection for 2015

Homeschooling as a Beginner

Hosting a Community Baby Shower

 

I Can't Be Quiet

No, not in that "I'm talking and I can't shut-up" kind of way, but stick around, you're bound to come across that here from time to time! ;-) A different kind: 

"To them we did not yield submission even for a moment, that the truth of the Gospel might continue to be [preserved] for you [in its purity]." Galatians 2:5 (Amplified)

Here, Paul is talking about some "false brethren" who had slipped into their midst who were basically trying to oppose the work of the early church.

As my eyes scanned this verse a few mornings ago, I noticed that I had already underlined it previously. I read it again, kept reading, then paused. I thought, "why did I underline this?" I went back over it, and then the meaning was glaringly obvious.

I live in a culture, where every place I turn, someone is contradicting Jesus' life, death, burial and resurrection. Someone is refuting the Word of God. People mock other people who know and follow Jesus. I see it on social media nearly every day. People post things as if to shake their heads and say, "silly Christian!" If you don't know what I'm talking about, just venture onto any kind of mainstream website any time they feature an article about anything to do with faith...then scroll down and read the comments. It doesn't really matter what it's about. As long as it portrays Christianity, Christian people, the Christian church, or Christian ideals in any kind of positive (or even neutral) light, and there are bound to be some troll-ish people hanging around in the comments.

I really shouldn't read them, but I do on occasion. It makes me painfully aware that there are many people who would do away with Christianity altogether if given half the chance.

This is the culture in which we live. The ones who don't reverence God, are the ones who seem to be the most outspoken. When those who do love God speak out, or live their lives in front of others to be a witness, it soon seems like everyone jumps on them to squash their "hate and misguided views." Seeing things like this sometimes makes me want to not share my faith lest I be labeled and judged. I don't want people to think I'm "hateful" or a "bigot" or any other thing that Christians today are accused of.

But...I can't be quiet. I cannot "yield submission" as Paul says. I must let my light shine before men. The Gospel must continue to be preserved for those who haven't yet accepted Christ. To neglect that would mean selfishly hoarding the truth and freedom found in Jesus for myself. I'm so glad that so many others were obedient to preserve the Gospel!

I must speak, and this blog is just one way for me to speak.

I'm well aware of the "numbers" that my blog reaches, but I can't see the people on the other side of the screen. I can't possibly know every single person who happens upon this site. But even in it's own tiny way, this blog perpetuates the Gospel. Like a small pebble in a large body of water, it makes a difference (I'll leave it up to God to make it a bigger difference). Yielding submission would mean fists full of tiny pebbles jammed stubbornly in my pockets...and somebody, somewhere, never reading the words that God might use to change their life. I don't know how God will use me, but I must be available for Him to decide.

What about you? How are you making yourself available to preserve the Gospel?

Linking up here:

Swirly Thoughts

"I feel like I need an outlet. There are things on my mind. But I don't know what to say," I told my husband recently. "My thoughts are just too...swirly!"

I'm six weeks into being a mom of three. I've definitely gotten my energy back (for the most part). I've been able to get our home back in some semblance of order. Starting to get routines figured out. These are good things!

But what direction is this blog taking? I don't know. I feel the need to spend some time in prayer and hearing from the Lord what He will have me do here. I never wanted to simply have content. Just to post consistently...though that would be nice. It would keep me from "falling off the map" I guess. I also never intended for this blog to really be about me, which, having looked back over some of the more recent posts, seems to be the direction I've been taking.

Also? Aside from blogging, I need to get back into the habit of being in the Word. That's probably why I'm coming up blank here. How can I encourage anyone if I'm on empty? How can I even care if I'm so out of touch from His perspective?

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5

So, that's where I'm at for the moment. Waiting. I so desperately want to get back into blogging, but I need Him to bring some order to these thoughts that are swirling around.

Pray for me?

What has been on hold in your life lately?

One Year, One Hundred Posts!

How quaint that my one-year blogiversary would coincide with my 100^th post! I'm super excited to say that I've been blogging for one year already! (Actually, one year and one day by the time you read this!)

I'm so honored that so many people would want to read what I have to say. I mean that. When you start a blog, you really have no way to know who will pay attention, let alone who will return. So, thank you to all of you faithful readers! I am truly thankful for the encouragement to keep going in the form of new followers and sweet comments. Many blogs don't last a whole year, so I really am grateful to all of you!

It seemed like that first big hurdle was getting ONE follower. I'm forever grateful to that first brave soul (hi, Leslie!). I'm just so thankful that I've found the "blogosphere" to be a friendly place filled with many incredible, encouraging women. And y'all are talented, too!

Anyway, I'm not doing a giveaway or listing 100 things about myself (sorry, I'm just unprepared for that!) or anything really super-duper special other than just sharing my heart.

My goal for the next year is to grow more as a writer, reach out to more women...maybe even learn to take good pictures! :P I know I haven't been a terribly ambitious blogger, but hopefully I'll become a little more driven for this coming year in blogging. Not in an obnoxious way, though! I just want to be more available for God to communicate through my blog to touch others. And of course continue to provide helpful information, and encouragement (hopefully I was succeeding at doing this in the first place! Lol!)

So, a big HOORAY for one year and 100 posts! Thanks again for continuing to read and grow along with me!

A Couple of Great New Blogs! ;-)

Just a quick post to promote a couple of really important blogs (at least I think they are)!

My husband started Christian Music Discovery, a blog where, as the name would imply, you can discover great Christian Music. He highlights all types of Christian music (and if you just said to yourself, "there are different types?" then you really need to click over and check it out). Now, he is a worship leader, and he's been playing music since he was about 5 years old, not only that, he loves listening to music (as you might guess) and I'm always surprised by what he finds. (He really spends a lot of time listening to music). All that to say, there is something there for everyone, so you're bound to find something you like.

He also has another new blog, Psalm 133, a blog that's devoted to promoting unity in the American Church. He feels very strongly about unifying the Body of Christ so that we can grow in power to reach the lost, and more!

Even though these don't exactly fit in with the theme of my blog, I thought they might still be of interest to you. So let me know what you think! I'm really excited that he has joined me in the blogosphere...writing about topics he's passionate about!

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?