Last week I took a break from Blogland. I didn’t write any blog posts, I didn’t read any blogs, I didn’t visit Pinterest – and it was good. I hadn’t realised how much I’d needed the break until I took it.
I’ve blogged a lot over the previous few weeks and I must confess I was getting a bit caught up in stats and comments and wondering how I could grow this blog. I was starting to lose sight of why I started this blog in the first place.
It’s not about the numbers.
I don’t have a huge readership, and I am absolutely okay with that. I don’t particularly want to be famous, and if I never have a post that goes viral, well, so what? In two days, I had three friends pull me aside to tell me that they’ve enjoyed my recent posts, that they’ve been challenged and encouraged. That is why I write, for the three people whose hearts I’ve touched, not for stats or followers.
It’s not about me.
Yes, I write from my experiences, but ultimately my goal is to glorify God and point to him. My faith is my compass, and so everything I do – whether in my marriage, my parenting, or my writing – is for Jesus. And this blog is a reflection of how God is working in my life, how he’s moulding me into the woman, wife and mother he created me to be.
My opinions and beliefs are not always going to be popular, particularly when it comes to sex and modesty and marriage. I don’t actually care about being politically correct, and I’m tired of being made to feel like my faith is not acceptable in today’s culture.
This morning I read a post about the importance of being a visible Christian, and it confirmed the need for me to write down what has been on my heart this week.
I am a Christian. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that he died so that my sins would be forgiven. I believe that the Bible is the Word of God and that it speaks truth and hope to those who read it.
We live in a broken, hurting world. But this is not all there is. There is so much more to life – and it’s not the ‘so much more’ the world offers. In Jesus, there is so much more freedom, so much more hope, so much more joy. So much more.
My heart’s desire is to share that so much more with you. If you are afraid, if you are hurting or lonely, if you have no joy, tell me. I may never get the chance to meet you face to face, but I will pray for you.
How can I pray for you today?
Thank you Melanie! You’ve said everything that I had been feeling! So what if noone reads my teeny tiny blog?! I’ll be okay 🙂 There are bigger and more important things to think about! I am just so thankful for family and grace and getting to wake up every morning! 🙂
Right! I feel like I should probably write “it’s not about you” on post it notes and stick them up in various places around the house to keep reminding me what’s important. Thanks for reading. 🙂
Thanks Melsie I was feeling so low this evening. Thanks for your encouraging words. xxxxx
Love you, my friend.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder.
Thank *you* for reading. 🙂
Wonderful post Melanie. We (me) need to hear the living word. Thank you for an inspiring blog.
Thanks for reading!
I agree with you, but it is hard to not feel that competitive tug when the only people reading your blog are a handful of people. Not all of us are called to be Beth Moore or Lysa TerKeurst. Heck, who knows their truths but them and God. Our job is to walk in the truth the best we can and let that be our witness. If God wants me famous, he’ll make it happen.
It is hard, and I think there will always be a part of me that feels that tug. Thanks for reading.
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This is so good! It’s hard not to get caught up in the legalistic side of it all! Thanks for sharing this. I take a blog break/fast (along with all social media) at the beginning of each year and it’s so good for me!
A blog fast to start the year sounds like a great idea. Thanks for reading.
Right there with you girl! God puts a message on our hearts and that’s what is important. If no one ever reads it, well that’s ok because we were faithful to what God gave us to do. Be encouraged that you are on the right path!
Thanks for reading.
Well stated! I love that song too. I often have to step back again and reevaluate why I’m writing at all. And honestly, my prayers have been answered to continue on with this trek, it’s good to see another out there on the journey.
Marissa
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I think it’s good to reevaluate every now and then. Thanks for reading!
[…] There is a lot of negativity in South Africa at the moment. Several of my friends are considering or have already emigrated. I wrote here why we’re not going anywhere. I believe God placed us here, now, for a reason. He has a greater plan that we may never understand, and I’m okay with that because, as I’m learning more and more each day, it’s not about me. […]
Love how open and honest this post is! I always tell myself, if I can inspire one person I have done my job. Keep up the Godly work!
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for this great which really puts things into perspective. So thanks…
Thanks for reading. 🙂
[…] I wrote about being a visible Christian, being in the right place at the right time, and how loving a person does not mean approving of […]
[…] post from Melanie So Much More (Let Your Light Shine) about how she took a break for a week from blogging and how it has helped her work out what is […]