When I began a blog, some people looked at me like I was crazy. It wasn’t even that long ago; I’m semi-late to the blogging scene. Even so, I got questions like,
What’s a blog? (oh, great, like a online diary, sort of)
What do you write about? (not my kids’ poopy diapers, that’s for sure)
Why??? (that was the best one)
I began blogging in July 2007 (first) because I wanted to see if I just could. I didn’t think anyone would read. I really didn’t care. I was concerned about exposure, vulnerability, about others judging me.
Blogging very quickly turned into a theraputic writing discipline for me – something I USED to get out all of my words and to try to become a better writer. 300ish words every morning or so, like a task to be finished, like a physical exercise to build a bigger muscle, I was trying to bulk up my writing skills.
And I do think I am a better writer than I was 468 posts ago.
Now, however, blogging is something different for me. It is my primary writing discipline each day (as I try to squeeze time in to write what I REALLY want to write), and it is theraputic. But, it has begun to fill a need in me that I really didn’t know was there to begin with.
Fellowship.
We’ve gone to the same church for a decade. I have a lot of friends at church and at my daughter’s school and at my mother’s group. And I participate in solid female Christian friendships on a weekly basis. There are only a few women I count as very close, however.
Blogging has created an amazing sense of fellowship with other bloggers I’ve met only through the “1s” and “0s” on our computers. And most of them I’ve never met in real life. Most of them have never really heard my voice outside of my videos and I’ve never met their kids. It isn’t like I am closer to my blogging friends than my “real-life” friends, but it is a different kind of friendship-intimacy. There aren’t as many expectations in the blogword as there are in real life.
I’ve gotten to know so many women through the words they diligently write day after day. And I’ve laid my heart bare so that they can get to know me too. I’m always amazed and encouraged when someone tells me I’ve written the words they were thinking but couldn’t get out themselves; that they know there is someone else out there like them. I feel the same way.
And now I need this fellowship every day. It helps to feed my soul.
Through this now-basic, but previously revolutionary medium called blogging, the world is so small and its crazy-easy to find other people like us. Connection. Christ-followers connecting and working toward the same goals. That is fellowship. No matter how “real” or “not real” the relationships are or how and where the connections are made. Fellowship is connection.
And call me wild, I jumped on a plane this morning to visit and hug a blogger I’ve never met.
But am I the crazy one?
(Mandy and Drew are completely insane to have two people stay with them who’ve they’ve never met. More insane than me. What if we’re obsessive compulsive nose-pickers or argue with each other all weekend? What if we pilfer sugar packets from restaurants and then blame it on the worship leader and seminary student…)
This is so great. If I can do it alone you can do it with Chad! Have a great time. It is so worth the fellowship. Trust me Sarah you will miss them madly when you get home. I told Mandy when I got back from Oklahoma it is like I didn’t get to finish a ton of conversations. I have unfinished business.
I am so excited for you!!! Can’t wait to see pictures or video.
Mandy isn’t crazy – anyone reading this can tell how great you are. I love that we can become such good friends with other bloggers! Have a great time!
This might be one of my favorite posts. You put into words wonderfully what I have tried to explain to other people about blogging.
Denise and I were just talking about this today on Skype. I finally got to “meet” Denise in semi real life. We were talking about the networking and the friendships made and what a huge blessing it has been in both of our lives.
And people who don’t blog, just don’t get it.
I am glad you started blogging and I think it is great you are meeting a bloggy friend in real life. Have a great time.
You’re having the time of your life, aren’t you? Aren’t you?
I am very happy that the two of you get to meet.
Love you both so.
Fun stuff! Do we get to see a video of you both together, cause that would be cute.
Wait… was I NOT supposed to tell Mandy about the sugar packets? Sorry.
Wish I was with y’all. Next time. Fo sho.
i can’t wait to meet and hug you in person sarah!
i think i’d get choked up a bit and embarrass myself.
somehow the jesus in me meets with the jesus in you (and others) here in this bloggin community, and i am blessed, feel like i’ve been near God, encouraged, refreshed, even loved… it is surprisingly wonderful fellowship.
and yeah i got to “meet” kristen via skype, that was so COOL! i miss her already.
Its crazy but its so fun!!! Can’t wait to hear about it. Pix and all!!
hugs,
Fran
You can be random my love! I hope you are having a wonderful time and enjyoing the break in the weather! Love you both so much it hurts!
Anyone who has been blogging for more than a month knows you arent crazy! We learn so much about people through the words they write…..maybe more than in person.
ok. mandys cool isnt she??? youre gonna wanna take her home with you. leaving wont be easy.
This was so fabulously neat to read after-the-fact…
And, I think you’re right… We were crazy! But I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Thank you for your heart. Your words. Your story. Your laughs. Your pictures. Your energy. Your joy.
Thank you…
Really, really, well written. So well written, I saw links to this post on two other blogs. You really do capture the spirit of blogging well. It is so much more than just journaling. It creates a whole new type of friendship.
How fun that you are meeting ANOTHER bloggy friend. If you ever make it back to the DC area, I will be SURE to catch up with you.
Yep. You summed it up beautifully.