Monday, July 29, 2013

my blogging story...


I remember the day so clearly. The battle inside my head was insane. Do I start a blog or do I not? Little did I know, I was about to make a decision that would change my life. 

Let's rewind to about fall of last year. I had such the desire and hunger to write. But where? How? While the thought continued to sit in my head, the idea of a blog was crossed once or twice. But, by His divine sovereignty and timing, I wasn't ready. He needed to work in my heart for just a little bit longer and prepare me for what was to come. 

He truly did work on my heart. He drew me closer to Him and surrounded me with a new church family that inspired me to be in The Word. Seeds were being planted and I didn't even know it yet. 

As the New Year approached, I searched my mind for some kind of resolution. Let me say this, I can't stand New Year's resolutions. They drive me nuts, I hate the idea of setting some what "unrealistic" goals for myself. So I can assure, this blog and what you see today was not and won't ever be any type of resolution. Although, I did ask the Lord to show me something new. A very broad request, I know. At that time, I didn't know exactly what that meant either. 

A few weeks later, I received my acceptance letter to my dream bible college. His was in control and I had no doubt in His plan. But still, in the very depths of my heart, I had a desire....for something new.

Then. From out of nowhere, something was telling me to start a blog. I didn't know what I was going to write about, what it was going to be called, or about the hours of work it would take to keep up this blog. I also knew nothing about the amazing, inspiring, self-less, loving Christian women that dwelled in this unknown world I was apprehensive to enter. So, with all that I had, I began to quietly pray about this opportunity. I didn't tell anyone and continued to live my day to day life with it constantly on my mind. 
"Lord, you have shown me Your unfailing love. I know that You know exactly what You want me to do. Is this it? Is this what I have been waiting for? Show me. Make it so clear Lord. Make it so clear that this is what I should do."

Oh, He made it clear. He made it very clear. So clear that one day, I woke up and knew that this is exactly what God wanted me to do. I had no idea what I was doing. I just started writing. Weeks passed by and for some reason, people started following and commenting and blessing me in ways I couldn't imagine. People wanted to read what I had to say. Not only that, but they were responding positively to it! That just about rocked my world. 

As time grew, I learned more and more about the "blog world". Design, buttons, link-ups, HTML, ya know, the normal blogger lingo. I quickly realized that this was way more than adding a picture and typing up something to go with it. It was a lot of work. But what surprised me most was...I loved every part of it. Not by any means am I an "expert blogger". Yes, there still are many things I have to Google to learn how to do. But, I have grown so much and have learned so many things! If you are new blogger, don't give up! It can easily get frustrating. If this is truly your passion, time will give you the experience you need to keep going. 

Contrary to common belief, bloggers are real people. We aren't robots or geeks in the library making new websites every day. We are all people. We all have struggles, dreams, aspirations, and for one reason or another God has all called us to the same place to encourage each other and lift us up. I have met some amazing people. People that I could easily call my real life friends and not just my "blogging friends". I had no idea that people like that would come my way with this blog. 

Now it wasn't always puppies and rainbows around here. My time here on this blog has been a roller coaster. Some weeks would be great and I would walk away with some awesome content. Other weeks, I would stare at the screen, searching for the words to speak. In times like this, I had to step back and give The Author His pen back. While I am the one typing on these keys, time after time He provides me with the words to speak. And for that, I am extremely thankful. 

So, there you have it. There is my blogging story. Hopefully by God's grace, this won't be the end of this story. 

to be continued....

11 comments:

  1. I love this post! It is very similar to what was going on in my heart before I started my blog 5 months ago. I so love every part of it but am especially loving the network of inspiring women I have discovered through blogging. I would much rather sit down and read my blog feed than turn on the tv and watch the news. It has become my new media outlet as well. One that is so much more beneficial to my life.
    I love hearing stories like this.
    Thanks for sharing!
    Shannon

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  2. Love your honesty here! Not to mention the fact that you're so OPEN to give credit to the Author :) God is so good, and I'm grateful for other women like YOU who are willing to blog about Truth.

    So excited for what's to come for you and your blog!

    Alyssa
    {lyssandloveliness.blogspot.com}

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  3. I love this post! This is exactly how I felt for months and I finally started my blog recently as well! It's amazing what God puts on your heart, and, I mean, how can you not take the leap? But yes, it is scary all the lingo and things to keep it up! How do you possibly do your blog and go to school? Are you finding extra hours in the day somewhere??

    -Jessy @ The Artsy Cajun.com

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  4. What a blessing that God uses you in such an amazing way through your blog. It is so wonderful to know that He is what inspires so many of us to do what we do. :-)

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  5. Ummm soooo happy you decided to start a blog! I love you friend and pray for the opportunity to meet in person one day!

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  6. Okay, random comment first? The coffee cup in your picture is so. cute. And with that being said...

    I love this idea!!! It is so cool seeing how God has used something as simple as blogging to work His will in your life :) Please continue this story Lauren!

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  7. LOVE your blog, LOVE you words, LOVE your heart. So happy to have been following along and enjoying every minute of it, sweet friend!! :)

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  8. It's always nice to hear someone else's story. Thanks for sharing! :)

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  9. Hey Lauren- I can totally relate! I just started blogging this year and have found that it is so captivating! I knew that if I was going to make a blog, I didn't want to just do it half way. I love sharing my story, creating and designing, and really connecting with other people, too. I'm still learning a lot but it's cool to hear that I'm not the only one who realized I got into more than I bargained for but loved it! :)

    Lauren (the other one)
    how-beautiful-are-the-feet.blogspot.com

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  10. Wow thank you so much for this post! I just recently started a blog and have recently been thinking maybe I shouldn't have, no one is interested in what I have to say but I remembered that's not why I started a blog in the first place! I started this for myself and to get closer to God and meet other Christian's! Your post has definitely helped me and inspired me since I've been so down about mine!

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  11. Such a sweet post! I just started following your blog because of the bloghop and I love it! I can see the Lord is using you to do great things. I am very thankful for the new blogger inspiration.

    P.S. I have that same coffee mug only with my initial of course ;)

    Tifani Sipes
    http://breakfastattifanis.blogspot.com/

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