Keeping up with the bloggers
Jul. 8, 2005 at 2:10 PM
Blogging
I love blogging at homeschoolblogger. It has been a great opportunity to share my thoughts and learn what other Christian homeschoolers are doing. But there is a danger lurking in the blogs as well. By identifying the dangers we can all avoid them and enjoy our experience.
Comparing. It is easy to compare our blogs, our schooling, and our lives with each other. We are all unique but the tempation to compare and worry that we are failing is common. Don't fall into that trap. Enjoy the successes of other families and learn from their struggles.
Distraction. Blogging is fun and an excellent learning tool but it can become more than God intended it to be. I have fallen into this trap a few times and thankfully the Lord and a strong husband were able to encourage me back on track. (A broken computer get's your attention too!) Don't let blogging take you away from your duties as a wife and mother. What profiteth a woman if she has a good blog but loses her family?
Competing: My nature is competitive. I think it comes from growing up with the pressure of academic excellence. I struggled with site stats early on in blogging. Why was I writing if no one was reading. But I quickly realized we are not competitors but companions on a journey together. I am content to know that the people reading my site are brought by God to be encouraged. If that is 1 or 1000 a day I will be thankful.
My mom and dad have been reading my blog. They call me all the time now saying "I didin't know that about you!" What a joy for me to share my life with my parents. Many of the things I share I would never think to tell them directly but through reading my blog we are becoming even closer. If that is God's only purpose then I am grateful.
So, I guess what I am trying to say is keep blogging in perspective. God is using this medium for HIS purposes and HIS good pleasure. I am writing this post mostly as a reminder to myself but I hope that you can benefit from my mistakes and avoid the hidden dangers lurking in the blogs.
10 Comments and Trackbacks
posted by ejoyce,ink on Jul. 8, 2005 at 2:46 PM
I've had a few of those concerns myself! Thanks for articulating this so well and posting it for the encouragement of all! Eleanor
posted by Harriette on Jul. 8, 2005 at 3:03 PM
AMEN! Thank you, thank you! Funny, I seriously, was praying about this very thing on my way home this afternoon from my Moms In Touch Prayer group - as in out loud in the car......"Lord, I don't know what this 'blogging thing' is all about....but pls let it be led and about You...."
I, too, enjoy the reading and have caught myself saying.....how in the world and what is wrong with me..........the blessing of homeschooling is just that - unique as we each are and so are our families, teaching styles and approaches and subsequently our bloggings! Our homeschooling endeavors as well as our blogging endeavors do NOT need to go to "the Jones" pitfalls......LOL!
Thanks for posting that!
Harriette
~South of the Gnat Line~
posted by Anonymous on Jul. 8, 2005 at 3:23 PM
I also think that when the blog is of the utmost importance misunderstandings can easily occur as that is where our treasures were that day.
posted by ClassicalEducation4Me on Jul. 8, 2005 at 3:42 PM
I have enjoyed the last 6 weeks of blogging, but we start back to school on Monday (7/11) and my time online will be a lot more limited then. I've done what I wanted to do in those 6 weeks - posted schedules and helpful info for homeschoolers - but it's now time for me to get "back to business" as a wife and mom. I haven't totally neglected my family, but I haven't been as available as much. I've decided to turn the computer OFF at bedtime and it won't go on again until school is DONE for the day. If it's on (we are on cable), it's just so easy for "just a few minutes" to turn into an HOUR!
Kris :-)
posted by spunkyhomeschool on Jul. 8, 2005 at 5:02 PM
You're absolutely right anonymous.
I have been on both ends of the misunderstanding involving blogs and bloggers. I just had a situation recently that brought those very thoughts to my mind. And that is some of the reason for my post today. I was too focused on myself and a misunderstanding occurred. Thankfully, the blogger was very gracious and forgiving. (Maybe I'll pick her as a blogger of the week. She deserves it!)
I have learned it is best to quickly seek forgiveness when wrong and to be quick to forgive when wronged. And then move on. We all make mistakes.
It is so tempting to hang on and become angry or biitter and want to constantly remind them of their wrong. Or worse, blog about it and let others know how bad another blogger is. (I have actually seen bloggers do that. Especially to the more popular bloggers!) Thankfully, in my few occassions that has not been the case. Thanks for the reminder!
God is bigger than the blogosphere.
posted by Beth on Jul. 9, 2005 at 10:35 AM
I've found that blogging, as anything else, can be a help or a hindrance. And to some of us, it can be quite addictive (a little window for Mommy to escape through sometimes, too easily)... fortunately, I get so stumped as to what to write, where to start sharing, etc. that it keeps my excessive blogging tendencies at bay (most of the time anyways!;) I was thinking of this whole blogging phenomenon last night, and realized how truly humbling it's been for me, and encouraging, to read the thoughts of so many wonderfully devoted, articulate, wise women (and a few men) these past few months since I started in blogosphere... truly amazing. May we keep our priorities straight, and our perspectives in line with His Word, that our blogging would be a ministry both to ourselves and to others, blessed in His Grace.
posted by homebusiness on Jul. 9, 2005 at 8:04 PM
That gets my vote as blogging quote of the year!
posted by belovedbks on Jul. 9, 2005 at 8:19 PM
This quote:
"What profiteth a woman if she has a good blog but loses her family?"
How true, how true.
And add to that one:
"What profiteth a woman if she has a 50 websites but loses her family?"
LOL -- you get the idea.
I have always suffered from a lack of moderation!!! And I can't expect anyone else to "moderate" my life... 'cept me.
But a broken computer DOES get your attention fast. ;-)
posted by 3FoldChord on Jul. 9, 2005 at 9:24 PM
...."What profiteth a woman if she has a good blog but loses her family? "....
shouldn't this be"..or her family get slost in the piles of dirty towels and socks."
posted by AllThingsHomeSchool on Jul. 9, 2005 at 10:45 PM
Yes, Spunky I am so glad that things were quickly taken care of, that was very kind of you. I discussed it with my dh once he got home and he gave me a hug and said to get back to business as usual....so on with blogging. God sure is MUCH bigger. <smile>
Beth, I totally agree with you when you wrote
<May we keep our priorities straight, and our perspectives in line with His Word, that our blogging would be a ministry both to ourselves and to others, blessed in His Grace.>
This has always been my personal goal. Great comment!
Blessings