11.14.2012

a prayer for bloggers.

A few weeks ago I came across this blog post here.
 When I read it, I felt completely convicted.

I had been feeling like an inadequate blogger.
 I couldn't stop thinking
about how I don't have time to post as much as I would like to,
or as much as other bloggers,
leave enough comments on the blogs I read,
get to build relationships with other bloggers,
or make new friends all over the country,
etc,
etc,
etc......
Then one day, my blog reading list was flooded
with posts about this girls trip that several VERY well known
bloggers went on. You know the one I'm talking about!
The trip you wish you could have been on...lol!
But, seriously.
You did wish that.
And so did I.
I was totally jealous!!!!
I immediately thought.....
"That looks like SO much fun!"
"I love Chicago!"
"These ladies seem like so much fun and I'd
love the opportunity to meet them!"
"I wish I had relationships with other teacher bloggers
like they have with each other."
"I wish I had time to comment and email bloggers
to form friendships like that."
"I wish I was in the "in" crowd."

"Do I have to sell a certain amount on TpT to
be in this group......or to get noticed by them?"
{they are all very successful in their blogs
and TpT stores.}

Then I read that post which included
a prayer written by Ann Voscamp.
As I was reading the prayer,
I had what a good friend of mine
would call a "spiritual spanking".
{btw, I find this term hilarious.}
Like a good smack in the head!

I was completely envious of the relationships these bloggers shared
and felt that I had to be as successful as them to ever
be a part of their group.
It wasn't even about the amount of followers......
I've never been one to dwell on that very much,
but I was looking at myself and all the "inadequacies"
I thought I had when it came to blogging and then I really
 just kinda felt like a fool.

Even though I may not feel like I'm the perfect
blogger or teacher,
I realized I need keep my focus on the reason why I started this
blog over a year ago.
And that was to hopefully inspire and share with other teachers.
It't not about how many followers I have.
Or how many "hits" my blog gets.
Or how many comments are at the end of my posts.
Or how much I sell on TpT.
Or even how many new friends I make.
Or to get "noticed".
It's about sharing something I'm passionate about
and through that,
sharing a bigger passion of mine which is my
relationship with Jesus.

I just wanted to share this prayer tonight
because I think its a great reminder not to get carried
away with blogging.
Or give ourselves unrealistic expectations when it comes to our blogs.
We're all at different stages in life,
and right now as a wife and mom,
this is the best I can do and that has to be enough for ME.
Blogging is a really cool thing, but it can also become something
 that its not supposed to be if you let it.

{sidebar: I just want to make it very clear that I LOVE the group of bloggers
I was referring to earlier and follow all of their blogs. I think they are
amazing people, even though I don't really "know" them, but they
seem very honest and genuine. They are amazing teachers and I've learned
a lot from them. In no way am I trying to say that their blessings
are not well deserved or that they shouldn't be sharing the exciting
and fun things going on in their lives. This post is about my own
personal struggle, not to condemn them in any way. :) }

..............................................................................................................

A Prayer for Bloggers

I am no longer my own blogger, but Yours.
Refine me with each post how You will, rank me how You will.
Put me to service, put me to suffering.
Let me be a follower — instead of seeking followers
Let me post for You —  or be put aside for You,
Lifted high, only for You, or brought low, all for You.
Do with me and each post whatever You will, because You alone know best.
Let me not strive but submit
Let me not compete but care
Let me not desire hits but holiness
Let my blog be full of You, and let it be empty of me.
Let me crave all things of You, let me care nothing of this world.
Let my words be focus only on the greatest of audiences: You.
And You are enough.
May I write not for subscribers… but only for Your smile.
May my daily affirmation be in the surety of my atonement not the size of my audience.
May my identity be in the innumerable graces of Christ, never, God forbid, the numbers of my comments.
May the only words that matter in my life not be the ones I write on a screen — but the ones I live with my skin.
I freely and heartily yield every sentence, every title, every post, every comment… or no comments… all to Your pleasure and perfect will.
My only fame is that I bear your name
My only glory is the gift of Your Grace
My only readership, Your eyes that seek to and fro to find
Make this so. Lord…
Yawhew, you alone are my God, not Google
Jesus, you alone are my Savior, not sitemeters
And Holy Spirit, you alone are my Comforter, not comments
So be it, today, yesterday, and every post to come.
O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine.
This is my prayer I have made on earth, over thie keyboard…
let it be ratified in heaven.
In Jesus’ Name…. Amen.
--ann voscamp
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25 comments :

  1. Yes! I just prayed this prayer over myself and my blog. I'm letting God do what He has to do. It's all for His glory, not mine. Thanks for sharing!

    Bren P.
    The Teacher Diaries

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  2. Thank you for sharing! You have touched my heart today with your honesty and your words (along with the prayer of another) have given me a spiritual spanking. Thank you my friend!
    Camille
    An Open Door

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  3. Thanks so much for posting your thoughts and introspection. It is true that it is very difficult to remember that success can be measured in very different ... especially when we see such amazing models of one type of success.

    What I try to concentrate on is the gift of communication and collaboration that blogging and TpT has afforded today's teachers.

    When I started teaching (40 years ago) there was no way we ever saw what anyone else was doing. Lunches were with our students and then on to playground monitoring. After school we were scrambling to "ditto" (does anyone else but me know what that is?) our materials, go to meetings, plan, reinvent the wheel, etc. We seldom got the opportunity to collaborate, share ideas, or get a "peek" into another teacher's classroom.

    I think all bloggers and blog followers should remember:

    1) If you share your ideas- you are generous beyond belief.
    2) If you let us peek into your classroom- you are courageous beyond belief.
    3) If you talk to us in your blog, your posts, your responses to posts - you are a model of strong communication.
    4) If you have a blog or read blogs, you are dedicated beyond belief to be spending your precious extra time doing so.
    5) If you are looking for new ideas, you are a fabulous model of for continuous learning.

    Hats off to everyone, bloggers and blog followers, for working so hard and caring so much for the children and families we serve. What can mark success than that?

    Cindy
    Granny Goes to School

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    Replies
    1. Cindy,
      Thank you for your perspective...very good points. And some things I hadn't really thought about. Thanks for taking the time to share :)
      Leanne

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  4. Finding connections to lots of things in this post. Thanks for sharing. Check out the 5-Star Bloggers...all kinds of inspiring blogs.
    http://theorganizedclassroomblog.com/index.php/blog/are-you-ready-to-take-the-5-star-blogger-challenge

    Laurie
    Chickadee Jubilee

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  5. Thank you so much for sharing this. It's very easy to lose perspective on what is really important in life.
    Teachin' First

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  6. Just happened upon your blog and am so thankful that I did!

    I appreciate your vulnerability--praise God for what He is doing through you!

    Erin
    Little Miss Primary

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  7. Awe, Leanne don't be so hard on yourself. You are a wonderful blogger! We did not post about our trip to make anyone feel bad. We just were so happy to finally meet each other and wanted to share with everyone. I don't want people to think it is the "in" crowd. There is no 'in" crowd in blogging and that is the beauty of it and Pinterest. People are drawn to your blog for your unique ideas. As for my group of close blogging friends, many of us have just been doing this for a long time. Friendships formed long ago, when we were struggling to figure it all out and throwing contests. The emails led to phone calls and so on. We are a kind and supportive group of bloggers, we get busy too. We don't have time to read blogs and post as often as we used to. There is a lot of pressure to keep making products and keep promoting. TpT has been a blessing, but at the same time very stressful. It is important to have people in your life who understand. Look at the comments you got on this post. You have people who read your blog, care about you, and feel the same way. Keep your chin up and don't ever compare yourself to anyone else! You are awesome.

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    Replies
    1. I couldn't agree with Erica more!!!! :) You have great ideas! Don't short-change yourself!

      Amanda
      http://www.oneextradegree.blogspot.com

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    2. First, thank you ladies for taking the time to stop by my little space on the web! Secondly, thank you for your kind words and support! I was really glad I came upon that prayer because it kinda gave me the kick in the pants I needed for my attitude towards blogging! I hope you, and the rest of your awesome blogging buddies, know that I in no way meant to make anyone feel bad for sharing about your trip! I just felt God nudging me to openly share my thoughts, and maybe someone would benefit from it. Hope you both have a fantastic Thanksgiving!!! :)

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  8. I am so glad I ran across this post today. I too started blogging to share ideas and learn from others. I was just thinking that I don't read others posts as much, and post as much myself. But I do spend time with my 8 and 10 year old who will not be that old for long, surf as much as possible and spend time with my significant other. We work all day and add more to our plate all the time. Enjoy your time and enjoy your blogging. You are wonderful for sharing all of your ideas:)

    Aloha,
    Corinna

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  9. Leanne, I sometimes wonder how I ever really connected to that sweeet group of teachers! You see it is a very diverse group--all ages, all walks of life, different interests and ideas. It was really a "meet up by chance"! Some knew each other from previous blogger meet ups, some live in the same towns, some work in the same district...connections were made. It was one of those "what if" meet ups. "Wouldn't it be greatto get to meet?" was spread through those different teachers and became a good excuse to walk out of our own personal lives and trials and take a break in a beautiful city. I've never been to your blog before, but I'm glad I found it! Your sweet words give me a glimpse into your tender heart. I think "bloggers" by nature are high burner teachers who go above and beyond and truly love teaching. With that often comes insecurities, I know I have plenty of them. No matter how many followers one has, how many products one sells on tpt, or how many blogger meet ups one attends I think it is our nature to wonder how we fit in. I can't wait to read more from your blog and will pray that God continues to nudge you along in your blogging and teaching journey. Your newest follower! :)

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    Replies
    1. Kim and Megan,
      I'm so glad you found my spot on the web! Thank you for taking the time to comment and share your thoughts...it means so much to me!!! :)

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  10. Well said. Precisely what I needed to hear. Grateful. Your newest follower - Lisa
    Growing Firsties

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