Lately, I haven’t been able to write.
First, there’s the lack of time. Then my lack of energy these days. You know, motherhood, life, and all the rest. 🙂
But the real reason is that I have been genuinely thinking about what I have the right to write about.
When I started this blog, I dove in blindly. I wasn’t tech savvy. I didn’t have a decent camera.
I was going through trials with my health. Hurting. Scared. You name it. So I just started writing. Mainly, I was desperate to find hope again.
It sounds selfish when I think about it now, because this journey has taught me, it’s not only about me.
I know every time I send my words out, even if it is only seen by a few, they are still my words… and they can still impact. I mean, even a pebble makes a ripple in the water, right?
And so our words need to line up with our life.
I’ve always known from the start, this little blog wasn’t going to have mass appeal. I still have an identity crisis ’til this very day. Am I a mommy blog? A blog about chronic illness, wellness? A faith blog? Why would a mommy want to read about a chronic illness? Why would a chronic illness sufferer care about motherhood? So it goes… I’m still unclear, my friends.
But ever since I began writing in this blog, I check my life more. I check my heart, my motivations. If I am going to pour out thoughts on humility, trusting God, and loving others… I know I have to be living those very words I write. If I am going to remind you to be courageous, then I want to hold tightly to that at 2am.
And when I miss the mark and am in desperate need of God’s grace, I feel the need to say that to you, too.
So lately, before I press publish, I sit there and take a deep breath… because like many of you, I just want to be real about this. I don’t want to inspire you with just inspiring thoughts. I want it so that if you were a fly on the wall in my home, on a frazzled Monday morning in the face of spilled milk and burnt toast, you’d see the same heart and soul in my real life as you do in my writing.
It’s hard. It’s humbling. But you know what encourages me?
You.
Some of you write the most heartfelt blogs, ever. I come away from some of your posts, and it’s so clear that you are living what you are writing. You are writing to be faithful. Your love for the reader is evident. You are the real deal.
Because in this world, there is this pressure to have mass appeal, to be liked, to be validated, to go “viral” if you will.
But the truth is, we will come up empty when we chase those things alone.
So I encourage you (and preaching it all back to myself), in whatever you do, to do it faithfully… genuinely. Even if your platform is small. Even if you feel like a pebble. Say what you mean; mean what you say. Speak from conviction. Be who you are, tell your story.
* While I have a lot of favorite blogs, I want to share with you a few blogs written specifically by people living with chronic illnesses. I have been truly inspired by their words and their lives. Please check out: Unshakeable Hope, Kim’s Blog , Life in Slow Motion, Sarcoidosis Soldier.
invited by grace 
Thank you for this. As I read these tender words, it was almost like I took a breath of fresh air. Thank you soo much.
I am taking that same breath too… thanks so much for your kind feedback. God bless. 🙂
Dear Kim,
Keep on writing, God is with you and will continue to be by your side. I have shared your blog with friends and I know it is helpful, keep it up. We are praying and thinking of you as we support you through prayer. Take one day at a time, its OK.
Auntie Gayle
Thank you Auntie Gayle. I will keep writing. Thanks for sharing my blog with your friends. My hope is to be faithful with it. Yes, one day at a time!
Thanks for writing this, Kim! I can relate in so many ways. I feel like my blog has an ‘identity crisis’ sometimes too. But I believe you nailed it – being faithful to share what the Lord is working in our lives. I have been so blessed by the range of topics in your posts. You’re not sharing an agenda or just what you think your readers want to read, but you are sharing your heart. Keep it up! 🙂
Megan, what a sweet and encouraging comment. I will definitely continue to share my heart. I am so glad that we have crossed paths on this blogging journey because I truly appreciate your thoughts and convictions as well. 🙂
From a fellow pebble, thanks for your honesty in this post. Keep writing from the heart, even if your words touch one other pebble, it’s worth it! Love, your bloggy friend
Natasha, I love that… “a fellow pebble.” 🙂 Thank you for the encouragement to keep writing. As long as I can continue to find free moments (which is hard with three kids!), I will keep at it. And you too as well. Your posts always inspire.
I like reading what you write.
I can honestly say the same for your writing. Please keep up the insightful and thoughtful work. I enjoy yours and Heather’s blogs a great deal… thank you!
Keep writing, sharing your heart, and being obedient to Him! Thank you for sharing your heart today. I started much in the same way you did. In fact, it took me nearly 2 years to actually start my blog. I am not tech savvy, but He is faithful to lead us and equip us to whatever He calls us to 🙂 Blessings to you today!
Julie, that really is the heart of it.. obedience to Him who makes all things possible for His glory! I find a lot of comfort in remembering that He is faithful to lead and equip. Sometimes following that lead is a little tough, but He is with us. Thank you for sharing your thoughts… and for being faithful in pointing your readers to Christ. 🙂
I am not a mother and I am not a religious person, but I read all your posts because you are a beautiful and honest person and that’s what matters. And there’s always something so graceful to take from everything you write into our struggles. It’s truly meaningful. I hope you never stop writing.
I am humbled to know that you have been able to take away something from here. 🙂 That means a lot to me. I believe you have a tender and honest way with words yourself. Please keep writing as well. ❤
Everyone here nailed it, we enjoy reading your posts because you’re the real deal and that truly is rare in the blogging world. It seems the only real way to go viral is through corruption or scandal or having an axe to grind- I’m with you, I’d rather be the pebble. Keep up the great work! (:
And thanks for the shout out, that’s really sweet ❤
Thank you, Kim. Really, I feel everyone should be reading your blog. You have life-changing things to say. I appreciate you and your courage to share your journey with cancer. Praying for you, friend! ❤
This was so encouraging for me today…thank you for sharing your words.
Thanks Christie…. so glad that you stopped by to read these “words.” I love what you’re doing over there with your blog! Your words, impressions and stories are rich. We are blessed! ❤
Keep writing, what your doing is really great and if it only touches one person who needed to be touched then you are doing the job God has called you to do. Its not about how many followers or what anyone else thinks, it only matters what God thinks. Blessings to you and keep up the good work!
Terri, you are right. We are here to do the job God has called us to do… and it may look different from the next person. Thank you so much for stopping by! 🙂
That right there is pretty heartfelt. Keep writing from that place x
Thanks, Abbie. It’s good to see your posts these days! 🙂
Thanks! It’s good to be back 🙂
Keep doing what you are doing and don’t worry about picking a specific topic. I enjoy reading all of your posts 🙂
Thank you for the encouragement. 🙂 Your blog continues to lift me up… I just want to thank you for that too! 🙂
It’s easy to try too hard for someone to notice your message, to pursue visibility. But what really matters is just as you said – sharing your authentic voice. Let out what God has put on your heart and do not be afraid. Sometimes I wonder how many more followers I would have if I were not writing about God, but that would not be living my truth. So, only one person at a time might appreciate my post, but that’s enough for me. God will open doors and use us just as we are. What we bring to him is enough because He is God.
You have a gift to put things so simply yet profoundly… “Let out what God has put on your heart and do not be afraid.” I agree that God will open the right doors and use us right where we are. And we are enough to Him. Thanks, friend! ❤
I think you’re doing a wonderful job, I enjoy your messages so much! It’s tempting to pursue visibility and to try to hard to write an attention-getting message, but just as you said, it’s your authentic voice that matters. Let out what God has placed on your heart and because He is God, He will make it enough. Plant the seed and God will grow it according to His will.
Thank you. 🙂
I think you’re wonderful, Kim! It is hard to pin down a blog to one thing. Our blogs should reflect us–and we are made up of all kinds of experiences and passions. Keep going in the directions the Lord puts on your heart and He will impact people with your words. God bless!
Yes it is hard to pin down a blog to one thing! I guess that’s the part of me that wants life to fit neatly into compartments… but it is just not the case. 🙂 I will keep listening and trusting His direction with my writing. I hope the same for you, Amy. You are a wonderful writer.
I love your honesty. It takes a lot of courage to be simple and genuine! You are a beautiful person and a great mother!
Aw thank you. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your passion and love of motherhood. You remind me of how precious this season is… it IS such a gift to have our little ones. It’s a tiring gift. But nonetheless, it’s a blessing from heaven to be privileged to care for their hearts.
Such wise words and clearly prayerfully considered. They spoke volumes to me and I nodded right along with you. You’ve been on my heart lately so I’m glad to see you here and know that God is taking you on a journey of being intentional in your words. You are so right – it’s easy to get caught up in the numbers and go searching for approval and lose sight of the motive. And even when we hear that the words meant something – the enemy likes to steal that joy. Yes – let’s keep it real, lets keep Him at the core – seeking Him in the process and trusting Him for the results.
Thank you for thinking of me Tiffany. Yes, I took a little longer to come up with a post this round. 🙂 I have been thinking about how the enemy likes to steal joy too!! I agree, let’s keep Christ at the core. Let’s stand firm in our convictions that we are defined by grace alone… and His love that pours over us daily! He will be faithful to do His work through us! Your writing touches my heart, every time. Every time. ❤
Amen…and friend, you’re light is so beautiful…just keep shining. It points us straight to Him! xo
Thanks for the shout out! And this post was wonderful. Some great reminders. You are so right that blogging causes me to pause throughout the week to consider if I am living out what I wrote!
Your blog is one that I can relate to… and I am always encouraged by what you share. So glad you found this post to be a good reminder. 🙂
I love this! I think every blogger feels this way at many times through out their writing time. I know I do! I’ve been blogging for over 2 years now and I still don’t have it figured out. What exactly am I saying? But I agree with you. I’m keeping it real and in keeping it real, I stay true to myself! Thanks for sharing these words!
Rachel, I would say that you do have it figured out more than your realize! Your blog is very genuine and I am encouraged by it. 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed this post!
Keep on writing, Kim! I love read your blog! As far as followers, like you have mentioned is just a number. You have a supportive community here. Pebble or boulder… your words inspire me.
Aw thanks Veronica! I definitely do have a supportive community! I thank you so much for your follow. 🙂 I love that you write about such a variety of things!
Thank you, Kim! More like random ramblings? Hahaha! 😊
Kim,
I can so relate to this post. So many times I’ve questioned this whole blogging thing and how much of an impact I’m making… But then God reminds me that’s His concern. You are such a great writer and your sincerity (God in you) makes your posts so powerful. Please keep writing, my friend.
(Thank you so much for mentioning my blog).
Bill, I don’t have enough words to thank you for sharing your writing with the world. Your blog is always such a hopeful place. You have a way with words and your humility is so evident. I appreciate your courage, your honesty, and love for Christ. I know it has been a hard road with much heartache. But I hope you never stop writing, because your story is powerful, and Christ in you makes all things possible. Blessings, friend!
I will never go viral either. You gave about 33 “likes” onthis post. I would be so excited about that! But isn’t it funny, no matter what we achieve, we always sort of want more. Or maybe those are just my issues. I love how sincere you are here. You rock!
This is so very late – but better late than never? April, I really appreciate your comment here. I am so glad that I found your blog. Keep sharing your heart – it is such a blessing to hear about what God is showing you through your everyday adventures as a homeschooling mom!
Oh, wow. It’s like you were reading my journal. Thanks for your words. It’s exactly what I struggle with, and what I need to be reminded of every day. It can get a little discouraging when we bleed words on the page, pouring out our hearts–and it seems no one is listening. The world teaches us our significance comes from how many “likes” or “followers” we get. But we need to remember where our significance truly comes from.
I have to apologize for this extremely late response… but I appreciate your comment. It is easy to think that our worth comes from outward validation, but that is so not true. Continue to pour your heart out! I often think, if we can be a blessing to one person, then it’s worth it!!
Exactly!
Glad to know, Kim that I’m not the only one whose blog has an identity crisis! But while reading your post, the thought came to me – isn’t that a lot what like is like? Most of us could never take our lives and whittle them down to one category. I’m with you – I just want to be real. Which is sometimes a mess. Sometimes a success. But every day, with the Lord’s help changing and growing. And maybe that’s why our blogs do the same thing! Thanks for just being you. I’d rather connect with a real, simple person than any other kind! So I’m glad to meet you!!
I wrote this post a while ago and I am STILL in my identity crisis with this blog. With the busyness of life, I sometimes question if I can even keep up with a blog. But I try my best to write when I can. I wish I could write more though!
I hear you! I try to be real, too – which is not exactly natural and comfortable when I realize this is a very public venue. I love what you say though – sometimes it’s a mess, but sometimes it’s a success. And it is very rewarding when I can see how God works through what little or a lot we bring to the table. So thank you for your follow!! I can’t wait to visit your blog!