Seven years ago, I wrote a [not very good] poem that began as follows:
“Take away my want to be made much of … “
Even now that plea echoes in my heart.
I decided to research how many blogs are estimated to be on the web-the best I could find was an article written in 2008 putting the number around 112 million english language blogs alone. 112,000,000.
Hello humility! There you are. What is worthwhile about the frothy words that I drop on the page? A recounting of my day, the endless cute stories and photos of my [admittedly gorgeous] babies, a little navel gazing, the grace I don’t deserve …
I have been praying that I would engage with this blog in a way that was balanced [and interesting, funny, whatever … all the other things that would make reading this worthwhile to someone.] And at the same time, to guard against the growing desire to know, to care so much if [and who] does.
Then I found this. And this [part 2] and this [part 3]. Of course it’s from Ann Voskamp. A whole movement called Upside Down Blogging. Making less of myself and more of Christ. Ohhhh.
That is worthwhile.
If, and only if, I am making less of myself and more of Him. I mean, there will always be cute stories and photos of the babes, some recounting of days, maybe a little navel gazing . . . but my desire is, my heart is, to point heavenward in the details. In the stories, in the grace I don’t deserve. So this, from her speech on upside down blogging, articulated far better than me, is what I hope comes from spilling my words on screen.
She continues later, saying that the success of your blog, and really every part and piece of your life, can be counted by whether you offer it as service to Him. [Truly, if you blog, you should read these. So encouraging!]
So, now, I am praying for blogging success. To be upside down, to be low, to lift Him high.
Thanks for hearing? knowing? reading? my heart each day.
…. Lord, take away my want to be made much of …..
~M.
“It matters to serve One. In the upside down kingdom, One is the one you serve.”~A.V.
molly 🙂 we are so on the same page….. i read anne’s thoughts about blogging a few days ago, and it seems like since then, i haven’t been able to write a post!!!! i’m trying to pursue writing and blogging with just that ONE utmost goal – to honor Him and to lift HIM up. I agree that He does use our stories, the good the bad and the ugly to work through us and to work through our readers 🙂 I’ve been SO challenged by anne’s words to make HIM my total focus of my posts……and i think it’s a beautiful challenge that will never cease to exist in the blogworld 🙂
thank you for bringing these beautiful words of anne’s to your blog, love you molly 🙂 i do i do!!!!