Monday, April 18, 2016

HOW I GOT STARTED BLOGGING


Blogging.

Some people take to it like a duck takes to water.

Me?

Not so much.

In fact, I would call myself a most reluctant blogger.

At least in the beginning.

It's kind of an interesting story.  

Would you like to hear it?


In 2010 I decided to take a class on speaking.

A woman who used to be in my Bible Study group was teaching it.  She had a lot of experience in speaking – at conferences, retreats, ladies' groups, luncheons, etc.

Actually, I had never even considered taking the class until my Bible Study leader, a good friend, suggested it.

Well, more than suggested it.

She said, "God told me to tell you to take the class."

I believe that God talks to us, bubbles up His thoughts in our spirits.

And so, I believe that He did indeed lay this message upon her heart.

However, I wasn't quite so sure that He was speaking the same message to me!

So I used the proper *Christian* response when we don't really want to do something – "I'll pray about it."

But here's the thing.

The more I prayed about it, the more I started hearing the same thing!

Which was crazy!!

You see, I remember the 12 weeks our group had spent listening to this woman's "speaking class travails."  She cried, she was nervous, she felt inadequate, she felt overwhelmed.  Every week she asked us to pray for her as she prepared for the class, as she wrote another speech.

And then she would report to us how difficult it was to be critiqued.

Well, with this enthusiastic endorsement of the class, who wouldn't be eager to sign up?!

Me.

But, I kept hearing the Lord telling me He wanted me to do it.

And so, I did.

Yes, the whole experience was really difficult.  I also cried, felt nervous, inadequate, and overwhelmed.  I also found it emotionally excruciating to be critiqued.  And I asked for prayer every week.

In the end, though, God gave me a life-changing experience through the process.

And this speaking class was the springboard into blogging.

Here's the story on that…


About halfway through the class, our teacher told us about a Writer's Conference that was being held at a local church.  She highly recommended that we attend, as good writing is a crucial step toward good speaking.

One of the other ladies in the class and I decided to go.

We were so excited.

The morning of the conference, we got all dressed up in what we thought made us look like *real* writers.  We brought all our important note-taking stuff.  We practiced serious faces.

We loved the initial mix-and-mingle buzz in the room.

Then, just before the keynote speaker's presentation, my friend went to the restroom.

And promptly came back with another woman in tow.  (I think we women have a knack for making instant personal friends anywhere!!)

"Look who I met!  This woman goes to my church, and she's going to join us!"

Well, that was fine with me.

And so, the three of us immediately became fast friends.

Later that afternoon, there were breakout sessionsindividual seminars on all sorts of topics.  My two friends decided to go to the one that was all about blogging.

Nothing was less interesting to me than blogging.

I was and am not a social media girl.

At the time, I did not even own an updated cell phone.

And even the word *blog* bugged me to death – I couldn't even say the word without a "teenage valley girl" inflection in my voice:

"Hi, I'm Sharon.  I, um, like, live in Southern California.  I totally love walking on the beach, like, it's awesome.  I'm a Taurus, like, that means I'm ornery, whatever that means.  Hee, hee.  Oh yeah, and I, um, I blog.  Ciao!"

So I politely told my friends that I couldn't care less about blogging, it had zero appeal to me, and I'd catch up to them later.

That's when I went off by myself and had a good ol' meltdown.

I talked to my husband.  

I talked to my sons.  

And I finally talked to God.

I told Him how lost I felt, like I had no purpose.  I told Him how I didn't feel like I was good at anything.  The speaking class was terribly hard, and I wasn't doing anything with my writing either.

I told Him how useless I felt.

No thunderbolts.  No whirlwind.  No burning bush.  

No startling revelations.

But, I did feel a nudge.

"Go join your friends."

I wasted some more time, because I did not want to go hear anything about stupid blogging, Lord, thank you very much.

But, considering the fact that passersby were beginning to look at me weird, I decided to gather myself and move on.

Because, after all, who wants to see a sobbing woman in the lobby at a Writer's Conference??  ("Wow.  That must have been a tough rejection letter…")

I (reluctantly, unwillingly, grudgingly) joined my friends just in time for the tail end of the blogging seminar.  But, instead of listening, I doodled and sniffled and muttered under my breath...

"This is so NOT me."


A couple of months later, my friend – the crazy extrovert who makes lifelong friends in the bathroom – had started her own blog, and was applying lots of fervent pressure on me to do the same.

Finally, I allowed her to open an account for me.

"You've got to pick a name for your blog," she gushed.  "Something fun and catchy."

Fun and catchy.  

Not exactly my forte.

But I finally came up with something I liked…

Sharon Sharing God.

I thought of it because if I was going to attempt blogging, it was going to be all about God!  This was my whole desire – to serve Him in my writing and in my life.  And I liked the little wordplay of sound-alike "Sharon Sharing."

Who could have known that six long years later, I would be the only person still blogging?!

Well, God did.

The irony does not escape me.

Me, the most reluctant blogger, still at it and still enjoying it!

Blog Land is where I belong.

I have found it to be a place of comfort and inspiration.  A place to connect and make real friends.  A place for God to use His words through me to help others.

A place to wrestle with my own faith, and an avenue to encourage others in theirs.

My blogging has evolved.

I can see how my writing has changed.  How my format has changed.  How God has developed something that I am truly blessed by.  (If you're interested, my first blog post can be found here).

And, after all is said and done, God has taught me a thing or two through this blogging journey!!


1.  Be careful what you say *no* to!

God has a sense of humor.  I'm convinced of it.  And He is at His funniest when He brings to our lives the very last thing we want.  Not troubles or trials, but opportunities that we think we will *never* do.  It is much better to really and truly pray about these things, for they just may be the very moment that God has planned for us all along.


2.  Listen to your friends.

There are times when our friends are invaluable conduits for what God wants to say to us.  They can encourage and cajole us, prod and coax us, counsel and advise us.  And sometimes, they really do hear from the Lord, and can speak a message into our lives.  Sometimes they can be wrong – but if they're saying the same thing that the Holy Spirit has been niggling you about, well, I'd pay attention!


3.  Sometimes God knows us better than we know ourselves.

Sometimes we may think that we'd never be good at something, it just isn't "our thing."  But, God knows our hearts, and He knows how He made us.  And the very thing we don't consider as a possibility may be just the thing that allows us to blossom in our faith.  God wants to use our unique talents and abilities, and He knows best what they are.  He knows the shape and color of our threads.  Let's trust Him to weave us into the place that we belong.


4.  God likes to take us out of our comfort zones.

Growth happens when we are stretched.  When we reach a point where we cannot do something on our own.  God loves to step into those moments.  He often opens opportunities for us that make us feel inadequate or unprepared for.  This is when He shines!  He delights in giving us strength in our weakness, power in our feebleness, and comfort when we're out of our comfort zones.


5.  God delights in showing us His purposes.

I marvel at the fact that if I had kept saying no to God's invitation into blogging, I would never have discovered some of His purpose for me.  God wanted me to write, and He knew how much it would fulfill me, while at the same time fulfilling His purpose for me.  If you truly want to serve the Lord, be ready for Him to show you what that looks like.  And be willing to venture forth, even if it doesn't look like what you thought it would look like!  God has given each of us spiritual gifts, and He enjoys revealing them to us and through us to others.  And no one cheers louder than Him when we use them for His glory!


So, there you have it – my blogging autobiography.

It's been quite a journey.

A journey I never expected taking in the first place.

But God…

God had an idea.

He had something He wanted me to do.  

And He found a way to get me to do it.


Sharon Sharing God.

I can still hear Him chuckling…



How did you start blogging?





I write because the words
burst forth from
within me.

And God is faithful
to keep filling me
with

His words. 



SSG Blog Trivia: I usually tell people that I have an online devotional.  I guess I still haven't made peace with the word *blog* – though I have coined this tagline – which you'll see at the end of all my blog posts:

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

Fun and catchy, huh?!



"Everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, even whom I have made." (Isaiah 43:7, NASB)

"For we are God's masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

"For God's gifts and his call can never be withdrawn." (Romans 11:29, NLT)

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work." 
(1 Corinthians 12:4-6, NIV)

"As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart.  Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do…" (Ephesians 6:6-8, NLT)

"Therefore I…beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God." (Ephesians 4:1, NLT)

"…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." (Philippians 2:13, NIV)

"…may he equip you with all you need for doing his will.  May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him.  All glory to him forever and ever!  Amen." (Hebrews 13:21, NLT)

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14, NIV)

"…my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God." (Acts 20:24, NLT)

"The master was full of praise.  'Well done, my good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful…'" (Matthew 25:21, NLT)



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS, THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY, MUSING MONDAYS, MODEST MONDAY, MOTIVATION MONDAY, INSPIRE ME MONDAY, LIVING PROVERBS, REFLECT LINKUP, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, UNITE LINKUP, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, RA RA LINKUP, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, WISE WOMAN, THE HOMEMAKING PARTY, TELL HIS STORY, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, WEDDED WEDNESDAY, THE LOFT LINKUP, ONE WORD COFFEE, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, GRACE MOMENTS, THANKFUL THURSDAYS, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, PARTY AT MY PLACE, SHINE BLOG HOP, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, GRACE AT HOME, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, COZY READING SPOT, NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY, 100 HAPPY DAYS, BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT PARTY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, GRACE & TRUTHDANCE WITH JESUSTGI SATURDAYSFAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH, WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY, LET US GROW, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, GIVE ME GRACE, SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY




BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

47 comments:

  1. I liked this Sharon....you being real. I started blogging to have my voice and it's ballooned into something wonderful. Although I don't blog a whole lot anymore, I am on facebook and have found another way to share my love of His Creation through the photos that my daughter and I take. It's all about connections for me....awesome ones with people I've come to love even though I may never meet face to face.

    Happy Week. Hope it's amazing for you.

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  2. Enjoyed reading this, Sharon, especially the part that you are the only one of your friends that were at the workshop still blogging. Great reminders too of lessons you learned through this :)

    I started way back in 2005; I heard the word "blog" which I had never heard of before; started doing some research about what a blog was and then thought "this sounded like fun" so jumped on the band wagon :)

    betty

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  3. I love your story...and I'm so glad you did or I would have never had the opportunity to know you! I started mine as a way to share my photos after picking my camera back up having my vision restored through cataract surgery. I needed a creative outlet and was inspired by people such as Anita Johnson and a few others. I have also always loved to "write" if you want to call it that but certainly don't consider myself either one! I used to think like you...blogging was a strange word and never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be doing it! Man...have I ever "met" the greatest people though...some of the greatest encouragement I have ever received and so many wonderful blessings! I'm so very glad you said "yes" back in 2010! :)

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  4. Sharon, I love your open, honest, transparent "online devotionals"...I started blogging in 2009 to share some photos and journals from my trip to Israel for the filming of Beth Moore's Jesus The One and Only Bible study...and have found it to be very encouraging and a great way to connect with others. Many blessings to you!

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  5. Sharon, I, too, was a reluctant blogger at first. After a year of people telling me I should start one, I finally did with a lot of help from my daughter. The first post I wrote was a guest post on her blog. Since then I've been blogging now for 2 1/2 yrs. and I love it! I'm visiting from #SmallWonder

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  6. I started blogging at the encouragement of my daughter. I'd never even read a blog up to that point! I've been at it seven years now.

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  7. Good story! I started blogging by accident, just to see if I could make words actually appear on a page. It worked, up they came. I also discovered there were actually christian blogs, which I never knew. My internet experience 10 years ago was almost nil. I agree Sharon, there are so many real bonds formed on these pages. You have been one of the blessings for me!

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  8. What we won't do for friends or with friends? Thank you friends of Sharon who encourage(d) her to write because she most definitely is gifted and blogs "Sharon Sharing God" with a special flair of humor and spiritual application that we all can be blessed by and grow. I'm glad that you joined them and listened to God. {or I never would have met you} Thanks, "nudge" :)

    You, Sharon, are fun and catchy and so is your sweet blog (and I'm still waiting for you to gather Marty's blogs and get that one going too-just start by copying the ones that you've already done here and then when Marty inspires you write some more, because I know he has alot to teach us just like you)! I agree blogland is where you belong and you have become part of some many groups that share your interest and gift. Bravo!

    Love your SSG Blog trivia ... because BLOG is truly what you do and it shows ... and the photo is unique as are you!!! Online devotional or website works for me... people not into blogging don't usually know the terms like "blog" as either a noun or verb. So I looked it up here: "a Web site on which someone writes about personal opinions, activities, and experiences"

    I so agree with your 5 points that God teaches us through this process of writing we call a "blog". The acrostic is much better.

    I would not even dare to share the how or why for my blogging here - way too long (maybe I'll have to blog about it sometime now that I am starting my 9th year).~ Peggy

    P.S. Your "grateful thoughts" on your mom touched me deeply. And I enjoyed your first "blog" post ... As for the rest of your gratitude on: mistake, farewell, gray, sister, prevention, generations - well, each one spoke to me but as always Marty teaches me much or maybe it was the spiritual lesson that I needed in my own heart.

    Thanks Sharon for sharing and sticking with "blogging" Blog on.




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  9. Thank you for sharing your story and you have certainly held up your end of the deal with "Sharon Sharing God!" So glad to have meet you through blogging.

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  10. Wow, Sharon! I loved this story about how you got into blogging and how you have stuck with it faithfully all these years. I have been blogging purposefully since 2011. That's when I felt more than a nudge from God, I heard his voice! "Write a devotional blog." I kid you not! Of course, my response was, "Are you talking to me? Lord, are you serious???" Yes, he definitely was, and still is, serious about my writing as a vehicle to bring Him honor and glory. He has blessed me so richly both through my blog and my novels, I don't even know how to begin to thank Him.
    And I'm so grateful for you and your inspiration here, Sharon. Reading others who also focus on the Christian message keep me going strong!
    You and your readers can check out my novels at my website: www.gladetrilogy.wix.com/theglade
    Blessings!

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  11. really enjoyed this, glad you shared. your blog always blesses me, love you.

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  12. Sharon, I enjoyed reading about your unconventional journey into blogland. One never knows just what all may unfold when when we say yes to God. It's been wonderful to see parts of your blogging journey. Keep going with God.

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  13. Love your story, Sharon. But the creating in your sign off - that sounds like God talking in my opinion! I find this new world to me a wonderful community to share my love lots of hobbies and interests and then I insert my heart and share my God stories.

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  14. What an amazing story, Sharon.
    God works on mysterious ways indeed. And when He calls us, there's nothing we can do but answer and follow His will. You have blessed so many with your blog. I'm glad you answered His call.

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  15. So thankful to walk this amazing blogging journey with you, sweet friend. When I started, I didn't know what a blog was, either! God always has a plan, doesn't He? So thankful He orchestrated our paths so that we are a part of His unique, individual plans for us! You are a consistent blessing me....both here at your place and when you leave comments at mine. Sending you much love and many blessings!!

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  16. I loved hearing your story, Sharon! Thanks so much for sharing it. Your words, "God wants to use our unique talents and abilities, and He knows best what they are. He knows the shape and color of our threads. Let's trust Him to weave us into the place that we belong." paint such a true and vivid picture of God gifting and using us.
    I got into blogging at the urging of a friend also. I didn't even know the meaning of the word "blog" till she explained it. She and another mutual friend and I all started together. Life interrupted and like you, I am now the only one of the three still blogging on a regular basis. I love the motivation it gives me to write each week and especially the friendships God has given me through it over the years.

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  17. I'm so glad you started blogging , Sharon!
    We started about the same time.. Though I started with my dog's blog: 'the whoof pack'.. And then I realized I wanted to share my faith more, so I started 'My Hearts Home'.. And pretty much have been winging it ever since! (With God's help).
    I never liked the word BLOG either for some reason.. Online Journal is preferred.
    Blessings & Love~ Lisa

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  18. Sharon - I am so glad you headed the prompting of the Lord and that you are still going strong 6 years later!! congratulations that is a HUGE accomplishment. I always enjoy reading what you have to share and enjoy the humor that is always weaved throughout your writing. We must have linked up at the same time today because you are my neighbor at the following places: #Unite #TestimonyTuesday and #RaRaLinkUP

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  19. Sharon, this is the first time I'm visiting your blog, having just found out that I'm your neighbour at #TuesTalk. I loved your recap of your blogging start. I laughed at how God had a plan all along and you were probably the last to know. He has such a great sense of humor and I'm sure glad that you stuck with it. I know He will use you to inspire others.
    Blessings!

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  20. Interesting story Sharon. I'm a blogger who was late to the party. I started reading them and spent several months doing so. Then I decided to blog. By then the big oomph of blogging was over. But I enjoy putting my thoughts down on "paper."

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  21. I enjoyed hearing about your blogging journey! I started as a fashion blog a couple years ago and quickly realized that was not my cup of tea! I now feel totally comfortable in my faith and lifestyle niche. Glad you stuck with it! I'm your neighbor at Titus 2sdays!

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  22. I started blogging before it was even a word. Way back around 2000 when I didn't know Jesus and I was looking for community and acceptance. It's been an evolution for sure. And I love the people I've met over the last 16 years. Including you. 🙂

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  23. Very sweet post. I feel blessed to have known you from the getgo and you're right, when we write we get better at it. Serious writers write it, then re-write it again, and again! I like your obedience to God because so many are influenced and I know He gives you the topics. I started my blog in 2008 just before Sookie was born to connect with her mommy's amazing posts of being a Navy Wife and new mom. Neither one of us had a lot of time to sit and chat on the phone. The blogosphere is a great way to learn, talk about the meaningful things of life and make new friends!

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  24. Loved reading this: SO encouraging! Amazing what God can and will do, even through our reluctance. Thank you for sharing this at Holley's. It's just what I needed to hear in my reluctance to carry on in the publishing journey of my book.

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  25. So glad to hear your story! I'm also an Unlikely blogger - sort of a Luddite actually, but God is helping me to wade through the technology issues and to focus on sharing truth and glorifying him. Blessings, Sharon!

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  26. Well,

    I can understand why God urged you
    to begin a blogging! You write beautifully, authentically,
    and I def. enjoy your sense of humor.

    I lOOOVE the image of God chuckling.

    What a lovely sound that would be!

    Keep up the good work, Sharon.

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  27. Oh, yes, God has a sense of humor indeed. Putting this introvert in charge of the church's social functions - you get the idea. So excited to read about your start, Sharon! What a wonderful testimony! I started blogging to get the word out about my books. But, as you say, it's turned into so much more. Blessings on your week, my friend!

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  28. Hi Sharon! What an interesting way to be called to blogging. And you never wanted to do it? To me, you are so enthusiastic in your words, and so happy to share! I can see why God wanted you in his corner.
    I started blogging because I thought I was supposed to write a book. After I started the 'worst book in the world' I realized that was not my calling! So, I researched blogging and started. Yikes, that was hard. Remember your early days of blogging? Man, those crickets were cheeping over at my place, that's for sure!
    Blessings,
    Ceil

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  29. I loved your story of being a reluctant blogger. My husband and I watched a movie about a blogger Julia. I did not even know what a blog was until them. At the church I attended, during the share time, I was sharing my stories with a twist about God at the end. Apparently some considered me preaching and complained. I told my foster daughter, and she suggested I start a blog. I did research and chose Google's blog option, and began sharing stories about my childhood, children growing up, and later in life. My daughter again encouraged me to compile my stories and have them printed. It turned out I needed 3 books as there were too many stories. Some of my friends purchased my books to help with the printing costs, but most were given away as Christmas gifts to family members. Now my blog is mostly my Pastor's sermons, and the Bible Teacher's lessons, with some of my lessons I present each week to our prayer group. I began the Tell me a True Story site hoping others would share their true stories and perhaps compile them for their children. Sharon, I look forward to your posts that you share here at Tell me a Story, and I know you bless others as you have blessed me.

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  30. Sharon, there is so much that I love about this post and your blog (your humor, your heart). I love your prayer and "why I write" in the sidebar - I resonate with both. I started blogging to encourage others in the area of decluttering and pursuing simplicity. I wanted to show the "Before" pictures that other minimalist bloggers were far beyond. I connected a post "5 Reasons Why I Blog and why You Should too". Thanks for sharing your story. I'm so happy to be your neighbor at Women with Intention

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  31. It's so funny how God takes us places we never expected! Visiting from #ThreeWordWednesday!

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  32. Great story, Sharon! It's funny how the things we usually say "I'll never!" to, end up being the things we not only end up doing, but getting the most out of?

    I'm with you; it's been a great time of encouragement from brothers and sisters in Christ that we'd never have been a part of their lives if we weren't called by God to write our thoughts and stories and send them into outer space.

    I started when you did and only at the advice of a literary agent that had respectfully turned down a manuscript and told me "You need a platform".

    What I got was way better than a contract. But still I persist! Thanks for sharing your world and being a part of mine, sister. It's better because of it.

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  33. I'm so glad you took the "plunge" into blogging, Sharon! I started blogging in 2010 as a newlywed in my 40's after I had a miscarriage. A former student shared her blog with me, and I read her story.... it encouraged me so much. From her blog, I found others and kept reading and drawing encouragement. I started blogging in hopes that my story would encourage others in the same way.

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  34. I have someone in the "praying about it" phase and I hope she gets that nudge to step out soon.

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  35. I'm so glad you listened to God and your friends and started blogging, Sharon! I started blogging just because I've always loved to write anyway, and blogging gave me a place to park my words. :)

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  36. Sharon, First of all I just love your wit!!! I laughed hysterically at several comments you made! The Lord has blessed you with a wonderful sense of humor!

    And secondly, I am so glad you listened to God's call and started blogging. I love how authentic your posts are, always shared with a sense of humor, and always pointing us to our Lord and Savior with wonderful insights and wisdom.

    It is always a blessing to stop by! :-)

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  37. So glad you blog...you honor God in your writings. I hope to blog one day again too

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  38. Thanks for sharing your story, Sharon. I know blogging can get a bad rap, but for some people (like me) it just works. So glad you're sticking to it :)

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  39. I began blogging at the encouragement of my Pastor, as I had a heart to encourage women in a broader way. I will celebrate 8 years in July. I hit the road hard for the first 6. I've been here and there over the last two years and hope to get my MOJO back soon. Thanks for sharing your story!

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  40. Many are probably so happy you listened to the voice-God's voice. And to have good friends beside you cheering you on. You have blessed many along your journey. So glad you obeyed..

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  41. I'm so glad you decided to attend the other session :). I've always had the desire to write and the ability to see my words published instantaneously via a blog? Priceless. Thank you for sharing!

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  42. I love the honesty in your story. I started blogging in 2008 when we moved across the country and I needed an outlet to "talk" with others and let my family know what was going on. Thank you for sharing your story with Thankful Thursdays.

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  43. I am glad you starting blogging. Your post are chuck full of so much, something for everyone where ever their heart my be. You have the gift of bringing truth into everyday life. Blessings.

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  44. I always love hearing another bloggers' story. Your posts have blessed me and our readers at the #LMMLinkup Community!

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  45. I started blogging as a very natural extension of the women's ministry I already had going in my local community. It felt so good to be writing again! I envisioned God chuckling when you fought Him along the way. We never know where He will take us.

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  46. Isn't it amazing how blogging finds us? My mother-in-law talked to my husband and I about it right before my oldest was born. We did one post and she left us a comment saying we were the worst bloggers ever lol! It would be 4 years before another post would be written. Thanks so much for sharing how God encouraged you to navigate to blogging! I enjoy your posts! Thanks for sharing with #SocialButterflySunday! Hope to see you link up again this week :)

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  47. Catching up after my blogging break. I look for your posts each week, Sharon, and am enriched with each word you share. So blessed to call you my friend in Blogland, but wish the miles did not separate. Tea with you would be a delight!
    Joy!
    Kathy

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

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