Why Blog?

It seems that recently I have had to explain to almost everyone in my life why I have a blog. Many people don’t understand why I would go to the trouble of writing as I do and much less posting my thoughts online. “Why write about your life for all the world to read?” or “Where is your sense of privacy?” I hear.

Well, for starters, I have a blog because it encourages me to be intentional about writing. (If I want to write a book one day, I have to start somewhere). Blogging helps me increase the productivity of the process of writing because I know that I have an audience. Knowing that you (whoever you are) read my blog from time to time provides deadline of sorts to keep me writing.

The strange part about it is that I do consider myself to be a private person. Boundaries and personal space are concepts that are important to me. There is much of my life that I do not share with the world or my larger community for that matter. Like most people I have an inner circle of friends and family that get to hear about the crap of my day in and day out living. So know that if I write about a topic on my blog, it is because I consider the material to be something that I would say out loud to anyone who wants to listen.

With this in mind, I have a blog because I’m the type of person in general who is very open to sharing my life with others. I don’t mind discussing what life lessons I’ve been learning lately or telling others about funny encounters I have had one a trip or during a major life event. Almost always, I feel at ease using personal examples in teaching and preaching. Yet even still, I often surprise myself in what actually is coming out of my mouth in front of others. For example, two years ago during a woman’s Bible Study I was leading, I remember telling an elaborate story I hadn't planned to about why I love grocery shopping so much. I found that it was a moment for all of us in the room to connect about something we have in common even though I felt vulnerable in doing it. Sharing about your own life can be a really good thing if done appropriately.

So, even though last fall I swore to several of my friends that I would never have a blog (Abby gets "I told you so" credit for this one), I am not turning back now. I actually really enjoy the discipline of it. Plus, it is a great way for me to provide updates for family and friends that I am not able to talk to all the time and connect with new faces such as those on the Rev Gals ring. (I have enjoyed getting to know several of you). So, let the blogging go on… and please excuse my spelling and grammar errors along the way. I know I’m prone to make them frequently. I’ll need an a great editor for that book I publish one day :)