3 Reasons I Blog & You’re Not a Stalker

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine asked me, “So why do you want to share all that stuff with the rest of the world?”

It was somewhat out of the blue, but since I don’t recall the exact conversation leading up to it, I could be wrong.

It’s sort of funny she asked because I have actually been thinking and praying about where this here blog o’ mine is headed for the past couple of months.  In pondering all this, I’ve had to really ask myself, “Sarah, why do you do this?”

My family doesn’t really get it and I know some of my friends probably think I’m crazy too.  And in some ways, it can be a little lonesome when people don’t understand why you do what you do.   

I started this blog 4 years ago this month, 5 days after we found out we had lost our first son.  I’ve loved blogging the past few years and in the beginning, it was one of the things that helped me get through those early days of grief. 

At that point, my blog was essentially an online grief journal.  It was so therapeutic and it may sound creepy or strange, but God used the blogosphere to help me process and sort through my grief.  Even if no one read, it felt good to get my thoughts out of my head and down in writing. 

Not only that, but reading blogs was one of the only ways I could connect with people who had made it through the dark valley I was still living in at the time.  I knew of very few people who had experienced a full term stillbirth.  Even though I only knew of these people through their written words, I felt less alone and a lot more normal by simply reading their stories.  I found myself talking to the computer off an on saying things like, “Yes, you are so right! I feel exactly the same way!”   

In the process of all that, I discovered that I really enjoy blogging!  Thus, what started as an online journal developed into a new hobby.  There have been times when I haven’t blogged as much because the demands of my body and family just wouldn’t allow it {2012 for example}, but fast forward four years and here I am…still blogging!   

So, why do I continue to visit this little space I have out here in the crazy world wide web? 

Why do I think it’s worth it to put in the time when the demands of my time are already pretty large?

Why do I “put it all out there?”

Well, since you asked (and my friend did too), here goes:

1.  To share our story.
As I mentioned above, I started this blog days after our first son was stillborn.  It was my place to express myself and journaling always did give me writer’s cramp – ha!  I also wanted anyone and everyone who would read to know about my son, since they would never be able to know him for themselves on this side of heaven.  I wanted to share his story, which was now also my story. 

As our family has grown and God has blessed us with more children, the topics of my posts may have evolved and changed, but I continue to blog because I desire to share our story.  It just so happens to include a few more people!

We all have a story to tell.  It might seem mundane or boring or maybe it’s really fascinating or entertaining.  Either way, it’s the story God has given us and it’s only natural to want to share it.  For me, blogging is one of the ways I can share mine {even though it’s not always real exciting} and also works really great as an online scrapbook too!  🙂  
  
2.  To encourage others.
Most of what I blog about is just my everyday life, as uneventful as it may be.

There are some days when I’m discouraged and wonder if I’m the only one who understands.  I usually find that I am not {especially after I posted about my daughter’s meltdown and heard from some of you}.

It is my hope that by reading just a smidgen about our life, you might know that you are not alone either.  I hope that this blog might encourage you to hang in there and keep doing what you are called to do.  I may not know your specific situation, but more than likely, you are not alone and someone else out there understands where you are. 

Not only that, I want to also pass on some of the neat things I am learning {in every area of my life}.  As I am encouraged about completing a new project at home or some great book I’ve read, perhaps what I am learning will encourage you!  Life is hard and I think we all could use some more encouragement!

3.  To build community.
Sometimes, my being a stay-at-home mom can be isolating.  I feel like I don’t get out as often as I’d like {although it’s getting better the older Brady is getting} and sometimes my time outside of my home is limited, and blogging is a great way to connect with other people. 

God built us to desire community and I have loved this aspect of blogging.  There is a blog out there for practically every aspect of life and I love reading what other people have to say! 

Now you know where this all started and what keeps me going.  So, when you see some changes to this blog, don’t be scared.  I’m not going anywhere anytime soon, and my heartbeat is still the same.  My blog topics might change some and I may try new things here or there, but this will always be a place where I desire share our story: the ups and the downs. 

If you’ve been reading here for a while or are reading here for the first time, leave me a comment and say HEY because I’d love to get to know you better or for the first time…..really, I would!  If you’re a blog writer or blog reader, I’d love to know your reasons for writing or reading blogs.   

And for the record…

No, you’re not a stalker! 

I promise…. 

Fondly,