I just want to say, never underestimate the effect your online presence has on others.
I was thinking about years ago when I first discovered blogging. I’d always liked to write and to share my thoughts on the internet seemed daunting. But, I was very lonely. I’d just moved to a new town and I didn’t know anyone. We were living in a bad area. Family was distant and I had three, soon to be four, then five little ones. I had only just embraced my faith in Jesus and I felt very alone in my journey as a Christian and a mother. The internet seemed to unlock a world to me.
Then I found a group of women bloggers who were mothers and Christians. They posted about ordinary things, the things I was going through, mundane things, hard things, beautiful things. Their faith shone through their words, giving them strength. This overflowed off the page ( screen) and into my own ordinary world transfiguring it and showing me the profound meaning in it.
I was blessed by these women more than I can say. They inspired me, encouraged me, edified me, convicted me.
My children were blessed as my own journey of motherhood was blessed. I will always hold a special place in my heart for those women.
I dearly miss those humble, earthy, homely and homespun blogs although I find similar beautiful souls on Instagram, even if it is a little more fast paced.
A few years ago, I heard that one of these women passed away. I literally went into my bedroom and wept. I had never met or spoken to this sweet, Godly woman, but my children’s childhoods would not have been the same without her generous wisdom and quiet, strong faith. That is because she guided me, as a woman and a mother into the sacredness of my vocation and role.
We are all influencers in our way. The effects of our lives will only be fully realised in eternity.
Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
-Titus 2:3-5
( I just want to thank those who have commented recently. My laptop is not working properly and I’ve just changed my phone and for some reason my replies to your comments aren’t appearing in the blog. I’m really sorry. I think it will work better through my laptop once it’s fixed. I appreciate your kind comments so much)
Thank you for this reminder. I haven't been blogging as long as you but I remember when I started and I longed to be the kind of blogger who gained loads of readers and comments. It took me a while to realise that is not the type of blogger that I really wanted to be. I love the blogging community that I am part of now, there are fewer of us around now, than when I started, but the community feels intentional, kind and loving, like the group of women that you found yourself part of. It is an unusual relationship with people who have no physical form and whom we are unlikely to meet but the support they give through their words is immeasurable.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comment. I have tried to reply a few times but my comments just didn't seem to show up. Hopefully,
DeleteI've finally solved the issue :) I think online friendships are especially important when you live a more isolated life and being a stay at home/homeschooling mum can feel a bit isolating at times. Just knowing that other women are experiencing similar things is strengthening. I'm so glad your online community feels intentional, kind and loving. When I check in on instagram stories through the day it feels like a catch up with friends which is so nice.