The other day, I was getting the church newsletter done because it had to get printed and sent out. When I was almost done, I got info for another page. But, the way the newsletter is set up, I need an even number of pages. So, I needed something for another page. So, I decided it was time to come clean. I am not one to share this blog with everyone in the world.
I guess it started as a personal journey and I wanted to make sure I would stick with it. Since beginning, I have gone in spurts of daily writing and every few days. My longest stretch happened when I was sick, so I am giving myself a break there. But, it has become both an outlet and part of my spiritual discipline to write so I no longer fear I will break the habit completely. So, that excuse to share it is nonexistent.
My other fear was that I would offend someone by writing or, moreso, not writing about them. There are so many things I could write but don't. There are days it's hard to choose what to write. So, there is a chance I would choose to not write something that happened. The last thing I would want would be for someone to come up to me and ask me why I didn't write about an experience I had with them or something they did. And, I want to feel free in my writing to not worry about who reads what. For safety and privacy, I never use names or specific places. But, I would never want someone to be mad at me for using them in one of my posts either. To date, neither of these have happened. And, I have gradually added people to the list of people who know this blog exists. So, going with the "so far, so good" philosophy, I can feel secure that I will not offend anyone who reads this for the right reasons. If I offend anyone, I suppose it would be the start of a conversation that might end very interestingly after sharing my journey. Or maybe they will just choose not to read it anymore- which is ok too.
I guess the main thing is this. I felt it was time to let go of this fear and open up and share my journey. I did it quickly- like tearing off a band-aid. There was no time between finishing the newsletter with the page and beginning to print. In the next few days, they will all be out. The people I e-mail the newsletter to have already received it.
So far, I've had several comments about it- which I think is a first. I write a youth update every month and don't think I've ever had a comment. They were positive. In fact, one person sent me a very touching e-mail that blessed my day yesterday. In the past couple weeks, several people had mentioned they read my blog that I had no idea read it. So, I think that warmed me up for this.
So, where was God? I think He was telling me there was someone who needed to hear what I have to say.
Blessings,
Jennifer
I guess it started as a personal journey and I wanted to make sure I would stick with it. Since beginning, I have gone in spurts of daily writing and every few days. My longest stretch happened when I was sick, so I am giving myself a break there. But, it has become both an outlet and part of my spiritual discipline to write so I no longer fear I will break the habit completely. So, that excuse to share it is nonexistent.
My other fear was that I would offend someone by writing or, moreso, not writing about them. There are so many things I could write but don't. There are days it's hard to choose what to write. So, there is a chance I would choose to not write something that happened. The last thing I would want would be for someone to come up to me and ask me why I didn't write about an experience I had with them or something they did. And, I want to feel free in my writing to not worry about who reads what. For safety and privacy, I never use names or specific places. But, I would never want someone to be mad at me for using them in one of my posts either. To date, neither of these have happened. And, I have gradually added people to the list of people who know this blog exists. So, going with the "so far, so good" philosophy, I can feel secure that I will not offend anyone who reads this for the right reasons. If I offend anyone, I suppose it would be the start of a conversation that might end very interestingly after sharing my journey. Or maybe they will just choose not to read it anymore- which is ok too.
I guess the main thing is this. I felt it was time to let go of this fear and open up and share my journey. I did it quickly- like tearing off a band-aid. There was no time between finishing the newsletter with the page and beginning to print. In the next few days, they will all be out. The people I e-mail the newsletter to have already received it.
So far, I've had several comments about it- which I think is a first. I write a youth update every month and don't think I've ever had a comment. They were positive. In fact, one person sent me a very touching e-mail that blessed my day yesterday. In the past couple weeks, several people had mentioned they read my blog that I had no idea read it. So, I think that warmed me up for this.
So, where was God? I think He was telling me there was someone who needed to hear what I have to say.
Blessings,
Jennifer
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