It occurred to me the other day as I was reading comments from one of my postings, that almost every topic I write about comes straight from what's going on in my mind and heart. When I write about faith, or fear, or obedience or waiting on God... it's usually because that is what I am adressing in my life ... and it's where He knows I need His instruction and help...It's always interesting that so many others are on the same page! That's another blessing that comes from blogging... the fellowship of other like minded 'saints' (whoa... understand that I am really using that term loosely!! I know the Bible calls us 'saints', but I know me... and that word is a hard fit many days)... Still... that's what the Bible calls us... :D
I wonder if it isn't the same for many of you... that your writing many times is reflecting your own walk. It is always a help to me to put it down on paper. And no... not every thought or struggle that goes through my mind or heart is put into blog form... but I have seen it over and over, the encouragement of my own heart when I share what God is teaching me.
My intent is never to sound like I'm preaching... or that I have it all together...
On the other hand, there are lessons and 'nuggets' (one of my dad's favorite words), that He puts on my heart to share, maybe for the encouragement or edification of someone else. After all... we are all works in progress and our learning curves are all different and at various places along the road... and having said that... there SHOULD be results in our lives! If we are really living 'greater is He that is in me than He that is in the world'... it needs to be showing in our lives!
One more blog thing... there are some out there that ONLY talk about how they are experiencing victory... that God has lead them to a place of complete rest and peace...
#1 thing that makes me feel is... that I am not even on their radar screen!
#2 thing that I feel is somehow slightly guilty that I don't have that same constant victory in my own life!
and then.... I am reminded quickly in my own heart, that God IS working in me, and that I AM learning how to trust Him and to obey more quickly. I also am reminded that 'there is none that doeth good... NO, not one'...
I have never been overly blessed by ONLY hearing about someone's great victories.... but I am ALWAYS blessed when I hear a fellow believer share that they too struggle, with fear, obedience, trusting, waiting, and on and on... and then testify how God is changing that in their lives. He is doing that in me too... But... I still struggle, I still disobey, and I still desire more than anything NOT to!
There are also more than a few blogs that I read regularly, writers whose lives I deeply respect... it comes through in their gifted and knowledgeable words. The funny thing is... they don't hesitate to share their struggles as well as what God is doing to change them... I LOVE THAT!!! It blesses me every time... I love a good solid testimony of the life changing grace of God, but... let us share the struggles you have too... it's something most of us can identify with and be encouraged by, and learn from, as we see God 'working it out' in each other.
This journey is a 'marathon, not a sprint', as someone has said. We're all in it together...
This is a very special fellowship of friends, and with fellow believers, it's 'iron sharpens iron', as we share our hearts...
Final word of this lengthy (for me) blog... YOU all are the ones who bless ME!
21 comments:
Sonja,
I felt like I wrote this too and it's because I bare witness with what you shared as well. I think you summed it up for me when you said:
"I have never been overly blessed by ONLY hearing about someone's great victories.... but I am ALWAYS blessed when I hear a fellow believer share that they too struggle, with fear, obedience, trusting,waiting, and on and on... and then testify how God is changing that in their lives. He is doing that in me too... But... I still struggle, I still disobey, and I still desire more than anything NOT to!"
YOU BLESS MY HEART and I just have to say that your blog is one of my top ones to visit because GOD uses you to encourage me but also to cause me to THINK. I love that! I like to be challenged because therein is where true growth in God takes place.
I love you.
Amen! Amen! Amen! You are so on target! That is one thing I always want people to know about my blog...I don't claim to have it all together. I can share an insight God has given me one day and be struggling with it the next! That doesn't lessen the truth of what I said...just reflects that I am human. And you are right about blogging only in the light of sounding always victorious! It blesses more when we see how others struggle with the same things and how God works in their lives to help them overcome... to help them grow in an area. I have had a BIG one floating around in my mind, trying to figure out whether I should share it. If and when I do, it will be a LONG one because it is a major, major area in my life where God taught me a painful and humbling lesson.
Good words, as always, m'dear!!! You always bless me, on and off your blog!!
P.S. - I think the last couple of years I've been blogging more out of absolute amazement at who I am seeing God to be!!! Re-learning a great deal, and it blows me away!!! I'm like a kid in the candy store... Now, is it all embedded deep within me? No! I still struggle with releasing myself to totally trust Him! That is my biggest, biggest struggle. And if you look at it in raw form, it suggests a fear of God letting me down when I need him! Still so much to grow into! Our hearts first must see before we walk in it. My heart is beginning to see, and I am taking those first baby steps to walk in it!!! One day I step, another day I fall on my rear!
Your words are so true Sonja! It is a marathon and not a sprint. I am so grateful for blogging. After all, I would never have 'met' you and Carol Joy if not for blogging!
I used to write only about good things in my life. But then I realized that it's more important to share from my heart and in doing so ...it's not all good stuff. But all of us have our different challenges in life. I always like to say that we may not choose our trials but we can choose our response.
I've been opening up more but I still protect the privacy of loved ones. I think that is important even when we are being transparent.
I struggle with fear as you well know by now. But I find that many other women struggle with that too. And so they encourage me in this faith journey to trust God in all circumstances and that He has a plan and a purpose for all.
Thank you for sharing your tidbits. You encourage me so much Sonja and I'm so grateful for you sister.
Love you,
Debbie
Sonja,
Thank you for always being "REAL" on your blog. I definitely don't have it all together and I learn from so many others. I pray others learn from me, too...as GOD works in and through my life.
Hugs,
andrea
this is completely true for me, too. i value honesty
and vulnerability over confidence and confession
of victory.
having said that, there is a time and place to boast
the victory, too.
it seems that our paul boasted more about his struggles
than victories, though.
blessings,
lea
Yes. I think that being comfortable with your own vulnerability and humanness is where the "real" writing begins.
Thank you for your encouragement to me...so many times.
"Warts and all"... that's the prayer my mother prayed over me when I wed Billy... that he would see it all and love me still. He's seen it; my kids have seen it, and now, with blogging, I hope to let the world see it--to live as authentic before God and his created people. I've said it before...
There's no profit in pretending. I've found that it's a lot hard to hide my faults (probably because so many of them are lived out loud!) then to be honest about them. Still and yet, there's a struggle sometimes to admit my sin and all of the times (even in the last week) when I've gotten it wrong.
Thank you, Sonja, for being a come-alongside friend and for strengthening me with your words. It may not seem like a lot to you, but it means a great deal to me. I've felt an untold amount of love and support from my blogging friends over the past couple of years. Some have come and gone, but many have stayed on the road with me, and I consider those some of the dearest friends I have.
Keep to it, sister. Thank you for caring about me right where I'm at!
peace~elaine
Hey, girl! As the others have said, you've hit the nail on the head! It's about being real and sharing our life stories. It's also about letting go and letting God step in to do His work.This is a great post that really blessed me!! Thank you so much!
Hugs!
susan
Sonja, I know for sure I am not one of the "I got it all together" ones. God has so much work to do on me. I enjoy reading your blogs because they are from your heart and it shows. That my friend is very refreshing! Hugs!
Great real post there Sonja! You speak from the heart. Thank you dear one.
Since I am so new at this blogging thing I am still learning. I can't agree more with the words you have written. I know that we minister more from our struggles and failures than from our victories. I know a mother doesn't want to hear how I raised "perfect" children...which I didn't, nor how we had the "perfect" home school, which we didn't, but how we walked through when it didn't go according to the books...which is how it was and still is.
I haven't enjoyed most of our trials, but they have taught me to have compassion and eaten away at my pride.
I come to your blog for encouragement and lifting up...I have never felt preached down to...I notice that those blogs I just don't stay to read.
Blessings and thanks for sharing from what you are going through....I am blessed,
Janette
Sonja,
I will keep this comment simple and sweet. AMEN!!
hugs!
Gwen
Sonya,
Here we go, again...I need your help, prayer warrior friend! I have several MORE urgent prayer requests at arise 2 write.
andrea
Of, dear Sonja,
I guess do most know life "De profundis", "From thedepth I call on you". I also have experienced that from the bottom I can see the stars more clearly.
I praise the Lord for the stars on heaven of for the rich things he lets me experience when I am nothing in myself.
My wonderful dad even used to see God's way when struck by severe illness.
"Had I not my "Thorns", I might not need Jesus," He used to say.
He taught me a lot. Not with so many words, but through his way of practicing everyday Christianity.
Dear Sonja,
I so appreciate your loving comments. I hope and pray, that you'll get a wonderful time in the Land of the midnight sun.
Please say hello to your sister too.
She's an equal joyful encourager, but I cannot reach her on her blog.
Oh, what I pray most for, is that the somewhat unsteady weather in Norway must be stable and shining.
In all churches of Norway,(The Lutherans), one every Sunday pray for good and useful weather. I am praying for shining sun at the wedding.
Needed to come back an have a re-read of the truth of this post.
The reason I feel so refreshed by my visits here, is because of your realness and honesty. When I think of a potter and his clay, the time and patience that he exerts on his lump of clay, I am so encouraged. I know without a shadow of a doubt, that I am a work in progress. I also do know that God uses you to bless and inspire me. Thank you!
I also find other blogs encouraging. Sometimes I comment, and others times I don't, but I am a regular reader on the blogs that I follow and then I just save others as favorites. Just how many will google allow you to follow Lol! I don't know. Keep blogging!
I'm not surprised at the content on your blogs, for it is from the abundance/overflow of your heart - - such an eloquently expressed heart, I might add!
Keepin' it real is your hallmark, my friend!
Kathleen
Dear Sonja,
I just love your blog, for your honesty and transparency. Every post of yours that I get to read really encourages me, because you show yourself to be a real person.
You do not try to dress up your words (not my style either), and like me, you tell it like it is for you. We are so alike in many ways, and you are right, we do see that happen many times on blog world!
Yes, we share our struggles as well as our victories.
If someone wrote of nothing but victories, I feel the same way you do - I am not on their radar screen as well!
You are funny... and I appreciate you so much.
Love
Lidj
I hope you enjoy my blog as much as I have yours. Great insights!
I am now a follower.
God Bless, Bob West
http://westbob.blogspot.com/2010/05/god-vs-science.html
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