This blog has been my place …
a place where I could express my feelings, my thoughts …
a place I could document my life and the lives of my husband & children …
a place that I have used to connect and build relationships with friends I have never even met.
Knowing that I’m considering not blogging anymore actually kinda hurts my heart a little bit.
My goal was always to have a place for my girls to look to when I was long gone … to remember our lives and each other.
But, somewhere along the way, I got censored.
And, the censorship just keeps getting worse.
I must constantly think about who might be reading my blog and will they get offended or think less of me because of a post or misinterpret something I’ve written.
And, if you’ve been a faithful reader of my blog, you know I’m not really good at not being honest.
How, oh, how can I not be who I am on my own blog written by me? That task, my friend, is quite difficult.
I’m torn.
I do love this place.
So, now I find myself in a predicament.
I either (A) write nothing of real substance and just keep it light, or
(B) simply quit.
I’m gonna need a little time, but hoping to be back soon.
I’m thinking …
I started writing a blog a few months back, so I am beginning to know how you feel. I truly felt like God was leading me to do it, so I told Him that this was His blog, not mine. For Him to be the words on the blog, not me. I prayed that if anyone get their toes stepped on, that it be done in a way that they seek "their" heart, not mine. Someone will always judge you for what you write, or get offended, but you have to allow God to deal with them. Just think about all the people that you bless!! Someone out there is turning on their computer right now, to read what you have to say and hopefully get a little peace of Jesus along with it. I've enjoyed it. Thank you..no matter what you decide.
Praying for God to give you His perfect direction…Tammy
I agree with TAMS.. I find that no matter what I do or say someone will disagree and/or get offended….
Pray and ask God what He wants you to do.
RQ
Exactly what made me keep coming beck here: The honesty and keepin' it real.
I'm awful sorry that you are getting "censored".
I know so many people just adore this little place on the internet.
I agree with Tammy too. There will always be those who will be offended by one thing or another; that happens at church, at work, in the grocery store…you can't really escape it because we're all people.
The fact is, you help and encourage waaaaaay more than you would ever offend, and I hope you will factor that into the equation.
You know, Jesus said the Gospel is offensive…I'm just sayin. 🙂
Just a suggestion . . . make your blog private . . . choose those followers that aren't judgemental of what you write and your precious family.
God Bless
What about "c"? Write from your heart and if anyone is offended then they can quit reading.
It's hard, I know. I enjoy your honest and to the point blogging. It's hard to please everyone. I can relate and I enjoy reading your blog because it comes from the heart. At the end of the day, it comes down to you and how you feel.
I'll be praying for you!
Well, I agree with all of the above!
But take your time to make your decision. You can always take a break and come back when you feel ready.
There's a small, damp, chilly part of Oxford that very much enjoys a blast of warm Southern charm! I'll miss you if you go – no pressure!
GIRL.
My last post is up and I'm about to mark the whole thing 'private' for good, so I hear your heart. Take your time deciding. You'll know it's right if you have a peace around it.
Want to start a Blogger Protection Program with me?
I don't have any advice. I just wanted you to know that I would miss your blog.
I love your blog and really enjoy reading what you have to say. I have no further advise than what the posters above said. I selfishly hope you will continue to be here because I'll miss you if you're gone. I pray the Lord will give you wisdom in your decision.
UH huh yep, I get it. Went through it last summer. Didn't know I had "followers" until I wrote something that stirred them up. I never write what I wouldn't say to a person's face (if given the chance) so it wasn't like I was in deep dooty, but I decided that I didn't want certain family reading stuff, mostly cause they don't want to hear it anyway and censor me in real life so I took it to my blog, where my heart is real, and true and honest…I love reading your blog. And if you decide to start a BPP, I'm IN!
I agree with all of the above! Take you time making the decision. I would miss you terribly – you always have something that to say that helps me in some way!
Hugs and prayers comin' at you!
Write what you need/want to write. You can't please everyone. We should all be big girls!
As a pastor's wife, I completely understand your predicament. I've had to censor myself at times on my blog– during times of tremendous frustration, I've had to think "Is this something that will come back and bite me or Spouse in the butt later?" What I finally came to was that I don't name names, but if I'm frustrated, I'm going to say it… and if someone reading my blog gets their nose out of joint because I stated that I was frustrated– well, so be it.
I sincerely hope you don't give up blogging. I've enjoyed your blog, and it is a great place to document your lives together and testify to God's grace in your lives. Yes, there will be people who get cranky, but then maybe the reason they are getting cranky is because God may be trying to show THEM something and they just don't want to hear it.
You are such a light in this blog world! I hope you come back. But if not We all understand.
I think we all hit that point with blogging though. A break is sometimes just the thing.
Love ya girl
I totally understand exactly what you are saying. But I sincerely hope you don't "quit". Just remember who you are doing this for and why and try not to get caught-up in what others may think. There are so many of us who read your blog, some who comment and some who don't that are encouraged by it. I'm very sure you don't write to cause someone pain, but that you write from your heart. I agree with the previous blog entry that maybe whoever is causing you grief might need to hear what your sharing. Just a thought. . . I'm praying for you and trust that God will carry you over this rough patch.
Here is what I'm thinking…and its just my thoughts, but, if its your blog…then it should be your thoughts. However they come out to other people is their problem not yours. If they have a problem with it then they should unsubscribe. Their are many freedoms in our country (or at least their used to be) and at this time our freedom of speech is still our own. I say if you LOVE it then KEEP doing it.
Or (C) Keep on keepin' on.
This is a beautiful and honest place you have here. You do what you're told by the Boss…but I for one hope you keep that light shining and out in the open for the world to see.
Love ya!
You could always keep your blog password protected and just allow certain people to read it. That's what I do. Family and a few close friends. That's it. And even they disagree with me sometimes. Oh well.
It is tough to maintain balance. I've gotten 'in trouble' for my blog on a few occasions. I still don't think I was in the wrong, but I did remove the posts. It's tough when you are in a public position and attempt to remain transparent. Not everyone likes transparent, but that shouldn't matter.
Praying you make the decision that is good for you and your family.
-FringeGirl
I can appreciate the suggestion to offer a private blog, but what if you enjoy reading, but you havent commented in a while and one day you click to read and you're locked out?? there's no way to contact the blog owner and request to read…that happened to me just recently. And i loved this particular blog. Should have commented more I guess….
I'd be so sad if you were to NOT blog — but I understand your predicament. Pray about it and do what's best for you and your family!
Keep it real.
And time will tell … with God's guidance … what {real} looks like 🙂
I just started reading your blog a few months back and would really miss your post. I have to admit I sometimes have to filter my FB status cause I am afraid one of my church friends may see it.But recently I have said to myself self, u know what, its my FB page and I am gonna write what I want, and sorry if they don't like it or like me for me!!
If you remember the email that I sent you a while back, you'll know that I can sincerely say that I understand. I hope you work through this with the best of results. Hugs!
If you're asking for my vote…..which I know you're not ;), BUT I say keep blogging 🙂 I would be ultra sad. You were one of the blogs that I daily checked!
I do sooo get your dilemma, though–I have had to censor myself from time to time….working in any ministry, whether as a vocation or a volunteer, I've had to choose not to talk about some things that have hurt me deeply and it would've been GREAT to put it out there on my blog, but it would've hurt my husband's ministry as well as my integrity….I getcha 🙂