Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Blessed to Blog


The other day while going to my dashboard to check my feed, I happened upon a little piece of information that surprised me. I saw that I had made 399 posts so far with Blogger. So that means.. . [drum roll?] . . .yes, this is post number #400! Wow. I had no idea. I think people do special things when they reach these century numbers. Lots of folks have giveaways, but in case you haven't noticed the sticky note at the top of this page, we're having one of those right now at the business blog, so that won't work for this. I didn't know what to do to celebrate, so I decided I'd just count my blessings. Of blogging, that is.

As is true of most of us, there have been times that I've struggled with this whole blogging thing. Mostly the struggles have to do with fitting it into my busy and sometimes hectic life. Sometimes it has had to do with subject matter, feeling a bit brain dead occasionally. It has worked out much better after I made the decision here some months ago. Having settled in with that, blogging is now a definite part of my life, resulting in real blessings. I've thought of these six, but I'm sure there are more:

1. Friends. There are quite a few of you who I sincerely count as friends. We've never met personally, but it just "feels" like we know each other and are kindred in heart and spirit. When I come by your little place on the Internet and refer to you as "sister" or "friend," I really do mean it.

2. Devotions. That's right. Some of the posts which some of you write are nothing short of devotional material as far as I'm concerned. I can't count how many times there has been a blog post that has edified, comforted, challenged, and/or encouraged me.

3. Travel. Now that may sound silly, but you've got a person here who has lived in one state all her life and has seldom traveled far from it. My blogging buddies tell me all about the weather where they are and lots of other goodies about other parts of the country. There have even been a few British and Australian friends that would give little tidbits about their neck of the woods. It's interesting reading about events on the west coast or what it's like to live on a farm and so on.

4. Fun. Love you witty folks. We actually have a lot of fun together! Some of our blogging friends give us something to chuckle about and you know how much we need the merry heart!

5. Helpful information. If you've learned a lot from being a blogger, raise your hand! I know I have. There have been so many times I've learned how to do something or how to save (like our Hands and Hearts blog), found a good recipe, gotten good household tips, etc. To me, that's no small matter and it's a real benefit. Blogging broadens our scope. I like to check in on a few folks who blog about political matters and I learn quite a bit that the regular news don't tell us. Sometimes we can find out things we wish we didn't know, but more often than not they're things we need to know.

6. Self-expression. It's good to be able to have a place to say things to others without even leaving the home. When we have a blog, it's our place where we can say whatever we want (within reason) and we can choose to "converse" with others via comments if we so choose. It's rather nice to chit-chat that way. But most importantly for me, this blog is a place where I can talk about the Lord. That's the best part of all.

So there you have it. I could say so much more, but as usual, I can't stay here long--have a lot to do. Be by to see you soon, friends, but for now you can congratulate me for 400 blog posts!

7 comments:

Laurie said...

Congratulations, Maxine, for 400 posts!! God is certainly using you as a voice in blogland! I, for one, am always edified when I read what you have to say, and I count you as my friend. I just began blogging in August, and it started as a way to tell friends and family about a health challenge, but suddenly, others began to read it and I wasn't sure what my focus should be. I was about to stop blogging, because I wasn't sure I was glorifying God, but I asked Him to show me what to do, and in His faithfuness, He did! Now, I do not have something profound to say, but He does, so it is my goal to share His Word when He gives it to me to share. Your 6 points are good examples for us all.

Thank you, thank you, Maxine, for sharing what He gives you to share from your heart!
In joy,
Laurie P.S. Did I ever tell you I found your blog by Googling "Christian blogs"? When I saw you were a Nanna, I just had to take a look!

Mary said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cathy said...

Congratulations, Maxine! I always enjoy your blog. And that is a great list of reasons to blog. You are a blessing to me and to many others.

Cathy said...

I just looked and I have posted 686!

Susan said...

Congrats on #400!!!

I'm so thankful you blog and that God saw fit to connect us. You are truly my "sister" Maxine and I cherish you.

Maxine said...

I just made a long comment to each of you and as I posted it, I got this strange message saying "Service unavailable" and it all got lost. Now I only have time to say thanks so much and how much I appreciate you All!

Neesie said...

Congratulations! You are doing much better than I am. :-)